Tonight's games

Here's a quick look at tonight's action and how I predict they will end.

St. Louis - Buffalo
The Sabres are looking to extend their winning streak to six games, but they will have to work hard for it against the hot Blues.

Playing at home tips the scale in Buffalo's favor.

Philadelphia - Carolina
The Flyers, with just two wins in the last six games, are fresh off a stinging loss to Boston, and will be looking to rebound against Carolina. Last time they met in Raleigh, the Flyers won 6-3 and Daniel Briere had a hat trick. The Canes lost their last game to Washington.

Another show from Danny Briere and the Flyers may take this one too.

Dallas - New Jersey
This could very well be tonight's top game. Two of the hottest teams in the NHL square off at the Prudential Center. Dallas are after their seventh straight victory, and the Devils are looking for their fifth. The surging Devils seem to have found their old machine-like groove and they will be a serious threat to the Flyers and Rangers if they keep it up.

I can't really see any team beating Dallas right now.. except maybe New Jersey. I'm still going with the Stars.

Ottawa - NY Islanders
What's wrong with Ottawa? After their third straight loss, the latest of which was handed to them by Philadelphia, the Senators are looking for answers. They still lead all teams in the East and will get a chance to end their skid at the Coliseum, where they have won four straight against the Islanders, who have lost three of their last four games.

Ottawa have won eight straight against the Isles, so if the are going to stop this skid, this is a good a chance as any. Also Daniel Alfredsson will be back in the line-up, which should do the trick.

Florida - Washington
The Panthers are hot. The win against the New York Rangers was their third straight. Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun is looking better after a slow start to the season. After winning the first two games with the new coach, they dropped a game against Buffalo. They need to find some consistency if they want to avoid the last place in the East.

Everything tells me Florida should win this one, so I'm going with the boys from D.C.

Phoenix - Minnesota
Since picking up goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, the Coyotes are 4-0 and currently sit just four points behind eighth placed Anaheim. Can Minnesota stop the Ugly Coyotes? If so, they will have to get their power-play working. They have scored just once in the last 16 opportunities.

Five stright victories for Bryzgalov. Yes that has a nice ring to it.

Tampa Bay - Chicago
Vincent Lecavalier is racking up league-leading number, but the Lightning can't seem to take advantage of it. They have been handed four straight losses as the head for Chicago. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are glad to have Martin Havlat and Jason Williams back in their line-up.

Tough one. Khabibulin will probably shut the door on his old buddies from Florida.

Edmonton - Colorado
The Oilers, who were terrible early in the season, have now won two straight, while also handing over the last place to Los Angeles. Colorado are 9-2-0 at home, but dropped their last home game against Calgary. Jose Theodore have four straight losses.

I don't think Colorado will give up two straight at home.

Los Angeles - San Jose
The Kings have just one win on their five-game road trip and they have lost six of their last seven games. Fortunately the lone win came against San Jose, who they face again tonight. The Sharks have dropped two straight and have not played since the loss against LA.

The well rested Sharks will get their revenge on the Kings, sending them back to LA as losers.