The Washington Capitals look to match their offensive outburst from the first matchup as they go after a sweep of the home-and-home series Friday night when the desperate New York Islanders pay a visit. Five players recorded multiple points as the Capitals pulled away for a 7-3 victory at the Islanders on Thursday to remain in a virtual tie with Pittsburgh for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Dallas Stars have been chasing Minnesota for third place in the Central Division but a recent tailspin suddenly has left their hold on a wild-card spot tenuous at best. The Stars will try to put an end to a three-game slide (0-2-1) when they resume their six-game road trip with a visit to the Ottawa Senators on Friday night.

The surging Colorado Avalanche look to extend their point streak to double digits and end another team’s big run when they host the NHL-best Nashville Predators on Friday night in a matchup of two of league’s hottest teams. The Avalanche improved their point streak to nine games (6-0-3) with a 4-1 victory at St. Louis on Thursday and face a major challenge against Nashville, which is 12-0-1 in its last 13.

The San Jose Sharks have won five of seven to elevate into second place in the Pacific Division, although that run of success only has them five points ahead of the fifth-place Calgary Flames. The Sharks look to strengthen their postseason grip and widen the cushion over the Flames on Friday when the clubs meet at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Anaheim Ducks are trying to nudge their way into playoff position with 11 games remaining, sitting in fourth place in the Pacific Division and ninth in the tightly bunched Western Conference. That makes Friday's matchup almost a must win for the Ducks as they continue a four-game homestand against the skidding Detroit Red Wings.

The Vegas Golden Knights have been spared the lopsided drubbings that other expansion clubs have endured during their inaugural seasons -- except for their last outing. On the heels of an 8-3 shellacking, the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights look to regain their footing on Friday when they continue their four-game homestand against the Minnesota Wild.