The red-hot Nashville Predators will put a pair of lengthy streaks on the line when they visit the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday afternoon as they surge toward the top of the NHL. Nashville leads the Central Division by six points over Winnipeg and is three points behind Tampa Bay for the league lead after defeating Vancouver 4-3 in overtime Friday for its seventh straight victory - its longest run since November 2009.

The surging Florida Panthers have a chance to climb into a playoff position and complete a perfect six-game homestand when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers have won five in a row to start a stretch during which they play 12 straight games in the Sunshine State and are 12-3-0 in their last 15 overall to move within one point of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Anaheim Ducks attempt to maintain their hold on a playoff spot when they continue their four-game homestand Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Blackhawks. Anaheim, which has a one-point lead for the second wild card in the Western Conference and trails Los Angeles by one for third place in the Pacific Division, is 1-0-1 on its string at Honda Center after posting a 4-2 victory over Columbus on Friday.

The Vegas Golden Knights hit the road for a five-game trek beginning with their first encounter against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday after coming up snake eyes in consecutive home contests for the first time in its inaugural season. Vegas, which has seen its lead in the Pacific Division shrink to eight points, will try to avoid the first four-game losing streak in club history after falling to Ottawa 5-4 on Friday at T-Mobile Arena and in a home-and-home series with Los Angeles.

Patrik Laine is a key cog in the powerful Winnipeg Jets offense, and the 19-year-old is riding an impressive hot streak entering Sunday’s road contest at the Carolina Hurricanes. Laine scored twice in Friday’s 4-3 victory over Detroit, giving the second-year forward eight goals and 13 points during his current seven-game point streak as the Jets continue to chase the first-place Nashville Predators in the Central Division.

The Minnesota Wild look to rebound from a demoralizing road trip and gain a stronger hold of their playoff position when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night. The Wild, who are tied with Dallas for third place in the Central Division, had won five straight games before suffering losses at Arizona and Colorado while allowing 12 goals overall - 11 in the last four periods.

The San Jose Sharks look like a rejuvenated offensive team since the trade deadline and hope to continue the surge when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. Evander Kane, who was acquired from Buffalo on Monday, has added a boost by notching three assists in two games as the Sharks have scored a total of 12 goals in a pair of impressive victories.