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Toronto walks into Denver playing its best hockey of the month, but this is the wrong building to test a hot streak. Colorado is 17-0 in its last 17 at home, and they’ve been banking wins even while missing key names. That’s the part that changes the handicap: the Avalanche don’t need everything perfect to win at Ball Arena right now. The Leafs have their own momentum, winning three straight and seven of their last nine overall, with the only losses in that stretch coming in overtime. They’re healthier up front with William Nylander back in the mix, but this is still a matchup where one sloppy five-minute segment can end it, especially if Colorado’s top line gets the game

Edmonton walks into Chicago with the better playoff posture, but not the one thing they want most right now: a real roll. The Oilers have been stuck in neutral all season when a third straight win is on the table, and Saturday’s shootout loss to Los Angeles was another reminder that their “A” game hasn’t stayed on the ice for long stretches. Chicago, meanwhile, is bringing actual momentum back to the United Center. The Blackhawks have won four straight and five of six, and they’re getting contributions from everywhere while their crease sorts itself out. If you’re betting this game, you’re really betting the collision between Edmonton’s elite top-end and Chicago’s current confidence, plus the goaltending uncertainty on the home

The Dallas Stars head to Los Angeles on Monday night for a matchup that’s turned into a special teams test. Dallas is still trying to shake a three-week dip in results, and the clearest leak lately has been the penalty kill. When they stop moving their feet, they start reaching, and that’s been putting them shorthanded way too often. The Kings are back at Crypto.com Arena after a quick Canada swing and they’ve already shown two versions of themselves on that trip. If Los Angeles brings the Edmonton-level urgency and Dallas keeps handing out power plays, the Kings are very live as a home dog. Puck drop is set for 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT) with streaming coverage on

This one has the rare “family angle” that actually matters on the ice. New Jersey comes into Saint Paul with Jack and Luke Hughes, while Minnesota now has Quinn Hughes running the Wild back end. It’s a real test of structure vs momentum, and right now the structure has been missing on the Devils’ side. The Wild have been banking points for weeks and they’re back home after an overtime loss, which usually sharpens the details. The Devils are dragging into a brutal spot, still searching for answers defensively and playing a style that keeps turning small mistakes into grade-A looks against. Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM ET at Grand Casino Arena, with coverage on ESPN+. These are