The Columbus Blue Jackets currently own the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, but they still have their sights set on one of the top three spots in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus, which trails third-place Philadelphia by four points and is seven behind Pittsburgh for first, looks to extend its winning streak to four contests as it continues its four-game homestand Friday against the Detroit Red Wings.

The Calgary Flames hope to put together a winning streak following an 0-3-1 slide and move closer to a playoff berth in the Western Conference when they conclude their three-game road trip Friday against the Ottawa Senators. Calgary halted its skid with Wednesday's 5-1 triumph in Buffalo and is involved in a tight battle for the second wild-card spot, as well as second and third place in the Pacific Division.

The Dallas Stars look to steady their ship after managing one victory in the first four contests of March when they host the surging Anaheim Ducks on Friday night before leaving for a six-game road trip. The Stars played three overtime games - winning once - to start the month before getting blanked by Central Division-leading Nashville 2-0 on Tuesday.

Eric Staal is enjoying the fruits of a torrid stretch and the Minnesota Wild are doing the same with wins in seven of their last nine to ascend into third place in the Central Division. Staal and the Wild look to remain white-hot when they visit the Pacific Northwest bidding to salvage the finale of their three-game season series versus the Vancouver Canucks.