Hockey

LOS ANGELES — Like tulips poking their heads out of the dirt, playoff matchups between the Edmonton Oilers and L.A. Kings have become a sure sign of spring.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — When Alex Ovechkin hosted Washington Capitals teammates for his 39th birthday dinner in September, he made it clear his focus for the next several months was on Stanley, not Wayne Gretzky.

BROSSARD — Martin St. Louis is putting the pressure on Washington. While the Montreal Canadiens clawed their way into the playoffs, the Capitals flirted with first place in the NHL all season.

TORONTO — Oliver Ekman-Larsson smiled and politely dodged the question. Chris Tanev inferred his fellow Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman would be back.

DALLAS (AP) — Mackenzie Blackwood is already fitting right in with these Colorado Avalanche in their eighth consecutive postseason, and a roster filled with playoff experience that includes 10 players who were part of their Stanley Cup title three ye

DALLAS (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon took a stick to the face, had a part in both of Colorado's strange goals in the second period and capped his night with an empty-netter for his 50th career playoff goal.

BROSSARD — Ivan Demidov is excited to face off against Alex Ovechkin — but more importantly, he wants to win.

Edmonton Oilers (48-29-5, in the Pacific Division) vs. Los Angeles Kings (48-25-9, in the Pacific Division) Los Angeles; Monday, 10 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Kings -120, Oilers -100; over/under is 5.

St. Louis Blues (44-30-8, in the Central Division) vs. Winnipeg Jets (56-22-4, in the Central Division) Winnipeg, Manitoba; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Jets -189, Blues +157; over/under is 5.

Colorado Avalanche (49-29-4, in the Central Division) vs. Dallas Stars (50-26-6, in the Central Division) Dallas; Monday, 9:30 p.m.