Plus: Which NHL teams are rising, which are sinking, the Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon excelling, Marc-Andre Fleury not playing against Pittsburgh and more with Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos.

Ahead of the NHL action, it's The Hockey News Pre-Game Show on the Game+ Network with Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos.

Tonight's guest is Colleen Flynn, site editor for The Hockey News' Colorado Avalanche team site. Plus, who are the biggest risers and fallers in the NHL, and will the Ottawa Senators benefit from the coaching bump?

All that and so much more, so let's get to it. Find the show on TV with the Game+ Network on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. ET.

Segment 1: Ottawa Senators' coaching change

- The Ottawa Senators replaced coach D.J. Smith and assistant coach Davis Payne with interim coach Jacques Martin and assistant coach Daniel Alfredsson. Will the Sens get the coaching bump?

Segment 2: Pittsburgh Penguins, Matthew Poitras to World Juniors

- Did the Minnesota Wild make the right move not playing Marc-Andre Fleury against the Pittsburgh Penguins? The hosts discuss that as well as the Penguins' 7-0 loss in Toronto on Saturday.

- The Boston Bruins loaned Matthew Poitras to Team Canada for the world juniors. Should Adam Fantilli join him?

Segment 3: Colorado Avalanche talk with Colleen Flynn

- Avalanche team site editor Colleen Flynn joins Michael and Ryan to discuss Nathan MacKinnon's points streak, Cale Makar's chances of winning the Norris Trophy again and whether Colorado has a solid shot at winning the Stanley Cup this season.

Segment 4: Top Risers and Fallers in the NHL

- Who are the four best teams in the NHL right now? Who's rising, and who's falling?

Segment 5: Rapid Fire

- Who's the next coach to get fired?

- At what point of the season should fans consider their playoff hopes gone?

- After some NHL teams needed EBUGs due to salary cap constraints, should there be a third-string goalie exception to the salary cap?

Check out The Hockey News Pre-Game Show on the Game+ Network at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Here's where to watch:

- Rogers: Channel 499

- Bell: Channel 1425 HD, 430 SD

- Telus Alberta and B.C.: Channel 924

- Videotron: Channel 778

- Cogeco: Channel 482 HD, 430 SD

- SaskTel: Channel 427 HD, 127 SD

Subscribe to the audio version (The Hockey News Podcast) on your preferred platform.