Matt Cullen is in line to make his return to the lineup at a time when the veteran forward is most needed by the Pittsburgh Penguins. With Conor Sheary sidelined four-to-six weeks due to an undisclosed injury, Cullen could join captain Sidney Crosby (NHL-leading 28 goals) and Patric Hornqvist on the top line Friday as the Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets in a battle of two of the top-three scoring teams in the NHL.

The New York Islanders have embraced a season-best seven-game point streak (6-0-1) in their bid to climb back into the playoff race while the Detroit Red Wings have dropped a campaign high-tying five in a row (0-2-3) to see their attempt for a 26th consecutive postseason berth put in peril. The Islanders look to continue their surge at the expense of the Red Wings when the clubs meet at Joe Louis Arena on Friday.

The Florida Panthers are sitting just outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference and a five-game road trip later this month could go a long way to determining their fate. The Anaheim Ducks are in a much more secure position in the West, but they kick off a rugged six-game trek with a visit to the Panthers on Friday night.

Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan began a blistering stretch by scoring his team's lone goal in a setback to the New Jersey Devils. With eight goals and two assists in his last nine contests, Monahan looks to remain hot as the Flames vie for their third straight win on Friday when they open a three-game road trip against the Devils.

With a season-high five-game losing streak now behind them, the Carolina Hurricanes attempt to finish their three-game homestand with back-to-back victories when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Carolina was shut out by Los Angeles in the opener of the string at PNC Arena but bounced back with a dominant 5-1 triumph over Philadelphia on Tuesday as 19-year-old rookie Sebastian Aho recorded his first career hat trick.