In what was expected to be a rebuilding year for both franchises, the New York Rangers and New York Islanders are each battling for first place in the tightly contested Metropolitan Division. The Rangers are on a tear and will carry a seven-game point streak into Thursday's matchup at the Islanders, who have dominated the rivalry since the start of the 2015-16 season.

The New Jersey Devils' fortunes away from the Garden State haven't been kind this season, with their recent disastrous seven-game trek dropping the team's road record to 1-7-0. The Devils look to change the narrative on Thursday when they make the short trek to Philadelphia for the second time this season to face the Flyers, who saw their six-game point streak (5-0-1) halted in their last contest.

The Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay Lightning look to end their first losing streak of the season and find a way to score the first goal of the game when they visit the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. The Lightning have given up the first goal in 10 of 18 contests, including each of the last three, and dropped their second straight Tuesday at Buffalo 2-1 to open a four-game trip.

Left wing Mike Hoffman attempts to make history and help the Florida Panthers remain on a roll when they visit the Metropolitan Division-leading Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night. Hoffman matched Hall of Famer Pavel Bure for the longest point streak in franchise history at 13 games with an assist in Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Philadelphia as the Panthers extended their win streak to five.

The Detroit Red Wings have reversed course from the dangerous path they traveled to start the season, answering a 1-7-2 stretch with seven wins in their last eight games. The white-hot Red Wings bid for their fifth consecutive victory on Thursday when they open a brief two-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators.

The Minnesota Wild try returning to the form that saw them go 10-2-0 after a 1-2-2 start when they host the road-weary Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Minnesota suffered its eighth straight loss to Washington, 5-2 on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game homestand, with Wild coach Bruce Boudreau telling reporters: "(We) weren't as good as (we) were for the last 12 games. … We just weren't sharp. ... Some guys were not as good as I expected them to be.''

The Calgary Flames managed only four goals during a three-game road trip against their Pacific Division rivals in California, but they will look to get back on track against an opponent that is struggling mightily to shut down the opposition. The Flames will look to dent Montreal's porous defense when they open a four-game homestand against the Canadiens on Thursday night.

The Nashville Predators have dropped two in a row for the first time this season while seeing their perfect record away from home go by the boards, but they will attempt to salvage a winning road trip with a visit to the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night. Nashville is 2-1-1 on its five-game trek after starting the season with eight straight wins on the road.

The Toronto Maple Leafs rebounded from their first road loss of the season by beginning their tour of California with their seventh win in eight tries away from home. The Maple Leafs aim to continue their success in the Golden State on Thursday when they visit the San Jose Sharks, who have won four straight home games overall and five in a row when Toronto pays a visit.