The two worst teams in the Eastern Conference are mired in horrendous tailspins, but one of them will get back in the win column when the reeling Ottawa Senators visit the skidding Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. Ottawa, which reached the Eastern Conference finals last season, has dropped 11 of its last 12 while Buffalo has lost 13 of 15.

The Los Angeles Kings have been downright impressive during their season-high eight-game winning streak, but don't go singing their praises to coach John Stevens. The Pacific Division-leading Kings look to continue their torrid play on Tuesday as they open a four-game road trip against the New Jersey Devils.

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock has played his cards well this season when having ace Auston Matthews held out of the deck due to injury. With Matthews likely a game-time decision due to an upper-body ailment, the Maple Leafs aim to secure a fourth straight victory on Tuesday when they open a three-game trek against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Colorado Avalanche began the month with four straight losses - the first three at home - before posting back-to-back wins at Florida and Pittsburgh. Colorado looks to conclude its four-game road trip with another victory when it visits the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

Although the Columbus Blue Jackets are hearing footsteps from the defending two-time Presidents' Trophy winners, they are holding down first place in the Metropolitan Division entering Tuesday's matchup against the visiting Edmonton Oilers. The Blue Jackets have won two in a row and 10 of 13 to maintain a two-point edge over Washington in the division.

The Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay Lightning begin a four-game road trip against the top team in the West when they visit the injury-plagued St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night. The Lightning come in off sweeping a four-game homestand while St. Louis has also won four in a row, but is smarting from the loss of second-leading scorer Jaden Schwartz (ankle) for at least six weeks.

After navigating the rugged three-game California road trip by posting a pair of dramatic victories, the Minnesota Wild will kick off a three-game homestand against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. The Wild have won four of five overall and capped the West Coast trek by registering overtime wins over the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks.

Corey Crawford’s return to the lineup coincided with the end of a slide, and the Chicago Blackhawks hope to continue moving in a positive direction when they host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Crawford has allowed three goals in two straight victories after missing the previous three contests due to injury as the Blackhawks’ losing streak rose to five games.

The expansion Vegas Golden Knights could have their No. 1 goaltender back in the crease when they begin a five-game homestand Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Marc-Andre Fleury, who has not played since Oct. 13 because of a concussion, was activated from injured reserve Sunday after missing 25 games.