The reeling New York Islanders will make their lone appearance at the Barclays Center during an eight-game stretch on Friday when they play the back end of a home-and-home series versus the Montreal Canadiens. The Islanders have seen their offense dry up in back-to-back outings while their losing skid extended to four games (0-3-1) with Wednesday's 3-1 setback to the Canadiens.

The Florida Panthers attempt to remain perfect on their six-game homestand, which continues Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. Florida improved to 4-0-0 on its string at BB&T Center by edging New Jersey 3-2 on Thursday as Aleksander Barkov scored twice to increase his team-leading total to a career-high 61 points.

The Carolina Hurricanes recorded a huge road victory last time out to end their six-game losing streak and come home on Friday to face another team battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in the New Jersey Devils. The Hurricanes scored a total of nine goals during their 0-4-2 slide before jumping on Philadelphia in the first two periods en route to Thursday's 4-1 triumph.

After falling at home to Nashville in a showdown for Central Division supremacy, the Winnipeg Jets will look to rebound when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. It is the final contest before a crucial six-game road trip for the Jets, who will be looking to avenge a 5-1 shellacking by the Red Wings in Detroit on Dec. 5.

The Minnesota Wild hope to strengthen their hold on third place in the Central Division on Friday as they visit the Colorado Avalanche for the finale of their back-to-back road set. Minnesota, which is two points ahead of Dallas for the spot, had their five-game winning streak halted with Thursday's 5-3 setback at Arizona.

Ryan Spooner has made an immediate impact with the New York Rangers since being acquired from Boston as part of the Rick Nash trade. After recording five assists in his first two contests, Spooner looks to continue his good fortune and maintain the Rangers' dominance of the Calgary Flames on Friday when the clubs meet at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Western Conference-leading Nashville Predators look to extend their season-high winning streak to seven games when they visit the struggling Vancouver Canucks on Friday. The Predators reached the 40-victory mark by rallying for a 4-2 win at Edmonton on Thursday as David Poile became the winningest general manager in NHL history with his 1,320th triumph.

The expansion Vegas Golden Knights still own a comfortable lead atop the Pacific Division, but they no longer have sole possession of the best record in the Western Conference. The Golden Knights will look to avoid their longest losing streak since dropping three in a row from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 when they host the Ottawa Senators on Friday night.

Two teams desperately clinging to the second wild-card spot in their respective conferences face off Friday as the Columbus Blue Jackets continue their California trip against the Anaheim Ducks. Columbus sits two points ahead of Carolina in the Eastern Conference after beginning its trek Thursday with a 5-2 loss at Los Angeles.