The Columbus Blue Jackets are embroiled in a three-team battle for second place in the Metropolitan Division but they remain in striking distance of NHL-leading Washington with 17 games remaining in the regular season. Columbus looks to inch up the standings when it hosts the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night in the first leg of a home-and-home series.

One night after having a pair of winning streaks snapped, the Chicago Blackhawks hope to extend another as they vie for their franchise-record ninth straight road victory Friday against the Original Six-rival Detroit Red Wings. Chicago, which hasn't lost on the road since dropping a 3-1 decision at San Jose on Jan. 31, had strings of seven consecutive overall victories and four home wins in a row halted when it suffered a 1-0 setback against Anaheim on Thursday.

The Florida Panthers hope to begin pulling out of their tailspin and avoid a winless three-game homestand when they host the Minnesota Wild on Friday. The Panthers bridged January and February with eight victories in nine games to climb into a playoff position in the Eastern Conference but have won just once in their last seven contests (1-5-1) after Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers.

The Anaheim Ducks attempt to maintain their hold on second place in the Pacific Division when they visit the St. Louis Blues on Friday night. Anaheim moved two points ahead of Edmonton (which has one game in hand) and Calgary with Thursday's impressive 1-0 triumph at Chicago.

While Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid leads the league with 74 points, a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins is averaging the most per game this season -- and it's not Sidney Crosby. Fellow former Hart Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin, who boasts an NHL-best 1.21 points per contest, looks to continue his torrid streak on Friday at Rogers Place as the Penguins vie for a season sweep of the Oilers.