While All-Star center Auston Matthews (shoulder) could return to the lineup soon, another injury concern popped up Wednesday night as the Toronto Maple Leafs were edging Dallas 6-5 in a shootout. The Maple Leafs will be without No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen because of an upper-body injury when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.

The Washington Capitals are not going to win a third consecutive Presidents' Trophy but they are in a tug-of-war with two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh for first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals will look to win three in a row for the first time in two months when they visit the New York Islanders on Thursday night.

The Columbus Blue Jackets can pull into a tie in points for third place in the Metropolitan Division on Thursday should they extend their winning streak to a season high-tying six games with a regulation victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Blue Jackets have outscored the opposition 21-11 during their win streak, although offense has been in short supply as the teams have played to three 2-1 decisions, with the Flyers winning two of them.

The Pittsburgh Penguins missed a chance to take over sole possession of first place in the Metropolitan Division last time out and gives it another shot Thursday when they visit the Montreal Canadiens. The Penguins coughed up a two-goal lead in the third period and fell 4-3 in overtime against the New York Rangers on Wednesday to settle into a tie for first in the division with Washington at 85 points.

Coming off one of the most stunning comeback victories in recent memory, the Boston Bruins resume their chase of Atlantic Division leader Tampa Bay when they visit the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. It is the third stop on a four-game road trip for Boston, which trails the Lightning by four points with two games in hand.

The Colorado Avalanche strengthened their playoff positioning by continuing their domination of one Central Division rival and will hope to keep the momentum going against a major nemesis. Riding an eight-game point streak (5-0-3), Colorado wraps up a two-game road trip with a visit to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.

The Winnipeg Jets host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday following a six-game road trip where their chances for a Central Division title were weakened thanks in part to a rash of injuries. Tuesday’s 3-1 loss at division leading Nashville, which puts the Jets eight points out with 12 games remaining, featured center Paul Stastny getting hurt in warmups and goaltender Michael Hutchinson being injured in the first period.

The Nashville Predators are breathing rarefied air as an 11-0-1 stretch has allowed the team to reach triple digits in points in just 69 games, signifying the fastest mark in franchise history. Tied with Tampa Bay in the race for the Presidents' Trophy, the Predators aim to continue their torrid stretch on Thursday as they open a three-game road trip against the Arizona Coyotes.

The Los Angeles Kings let down their guard in their last game and dropped a decision to an opponent that is languishing in the standings. It's a situation that they hope doesn't repeat itself on Thursday as the Kings host the spiraling Detroit Red Wings, who have lost a season high-tying seven in a row.