The Colorado Avalanche face a massive opportunity tonight in Game 4—a chance to head back to Denver with a commanding 3-1 series lead. But to make that happen, they need a much sharper performance than what they showed in Game 3. A better start is key, and scoring first to quiet the hostile crowd at Grand Casino Arena would go a long way. Expect some potential lineup shuffles as the team looks to find the right mix; we'll know more before puck drop this evening.

Over in Montreal, the Canadiens put on a show at the Bell Centre, blowing past the Sabres 6-2 to grab a 2-1 series lead. The game got chippy late, with 80 combined penalty minutes, but Alex Newhook stole the spotlight with two more goals. He now leads the Habs with five postseason goals in 10 games—a hot streak that's electrifying the home crowd.

Out west, the Anaheim Ducks bounced back in style, evening their series at 2-2 with a gritty 4-3 win over the Golden Knights. They never trailed after scoring first, and Alex Killorn's power-play goal broke a 2-2 tie to put them ahead for good. It was the kind of resilient effort that can shift momentum in a tight series.

Tonight's must-watch: Game 4 between the Avalanche and Wild at 6 pm MT on ESPN. Elsewhere around the league, the Rangers' trade of K'Andre Miller to Carolina last summer is paying dividends—he's thriving in the postseason. In Boston, Marco Sturm's first season behind the bench has empowered the Bruins. And in Pittsburgh, the Penguins are being urged to keep building their roster for sustained success. Meanwhile, experts weigh in on who the Sharks should target next.