A daily feature that asks the five biggest questions about today's NHL action. Will they be answered? (That doesn't count as one of the five questions.)
1. Will the New York Islanders allow three goals or more against the Boston Bruins?
The Islanders have allowed three or more goals in six of their last seven games. The Bruins are coming off a 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon and have scored three or more goals in four of their last five games.
2. Will the Carolina Hurricanes extend their three-game win streak?
Two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference will meet when the Columbus Blue Jackets challenge the Hurricanes in a Metropolitan Division matchup on Monday night. Columbus has gone 8-2-0 in its last 10 games, which was propelled by a historic eight-game winning streak. Carolina has gone 7-3-0 over that same span and still boasts a three-game win streak. Will it be continued?
3. Will the Pittsburgh Penguins continue their dominance on home ice?
The Penguins are 21-4-0 at home this season. The club will look to win its 22nd contest at home when the Buffalo Sabres come to town on Monday night. If it manages to do so, Pittsburgh will have recorded the most home wins of any team in the league to this point.
4. Can the Colorado Avalanche cool off the Dallas Stars?
The Stars carry a three-game winning streak into Monday night's contest in which the club has outscored opponents, 14-1. This includes two shutout performances, as well as a 7-1 dismantling of the Toronto Maple Leafs last Thursday. The Avalanche are 1-2-0 in their last three games, which includes two losses by a 5-2 final score (one of which came against the Maple Leafs).
5. Will the Los Angeles Kings end their losing streak or will the San Jose Sharks extend their win streak?
A Pacific Division battle of extremes. The Kings have gone four games without a point and five games without a win, while the Sharks have gone six straight without a loss. Los Angeles is playing its first game since the outdoor event at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night, when the club was held scoreless by the Anaheim Ducks. The broadcast prominently featured the team's scoring woes and the shutout only made that struggle more evident. Will that be true of Monday night's contest?
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