Los Angeles will go for its ninth straight win tonight when it faces the Maple Leafs.
1. Will the Los Angeles Kings extend their winning streak to nine?
The Kings have been on a roll since returning from the Olympic break, taking an eight-game winning streak, a streak that has seen them outscore their opponents 25-12, into their game on Thursday. Next up on the list: The Toronto Maple Leafs. This game features one of the best possession teams in the league (Los Angeles) going up against one of the worst (Toronto). In other words, expect the puck to spend most of the night in front of the Maple Leafs goalies.
2. Will Martin St. Louis get his first Rangers goal?
St. Louis has played pretty well for the Rangers since being acquired just before the trade deadline, but he has yet to be rewarded with a goal in four games. Will he finally get one on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild?
3. Will Joe Pavelski have another multiple-point game for the Sharks?
He's done it four times in the Sharks' past seven games, will he add another one against the Columbus Blue Jackets? It's taken him just 66 games this season to already set career highs in goals and points.
4. Will Phoenix move back into a playoff position?
With a win in Boston the Coyotes will jump back over the Dallas Stars for a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The Coyotes have won two in a row heading into Boston and are facing a Bruins team that just played on Wednesday on the road, which should give them a little bit of an advantage.
5. Can Tampa Bay give itself some cushion in the Wild Card race?
The Lightning have won just two of its past 10 games and is starting to allow the rest of the pack catch up to it when it comes to securing one of the final playoff spots in the East. Tampa Bay enters play on Thursday four points ahead of the first non-playoff team, and could really use a win to gain a little extra cushion. Can it take care of business against the Florida Panthers?