The Buffalo Sabres have answered an extremely generous 17-goal start to their seven-game homestand by being rather stingy on the defensive end. After yielding just five tallies in their last three contests, the Sabres look to complete a season-high seven-game homestand in style on Friday when they host the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center.

The Carolina Hurricanes have erupted for 41 goals over their last 10 contests (7-2-1) to remain in hot pursuit for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes, who began that stretch with a 7-4 victory in Edmonton on Jan. 20, look to keep their offense running on all cylinders on Friday when they open a three-game homestand versus the Oilers.

The Minnesota Wild entered the All-Star break with a three-game winning streak but have lost six of their seven contests since returning (1-4-2). They look to end a three-game slide at home Friday as they host the one team they've defeated this month - the New Jersey Devils.

The Boston Bruins have earned points in eight straight games but are heading into perhaps their most difficult stretch of the season without their leading goal scorer. Having won three in a row and five of six, the surging Bruins will play their next five on the road as part of a rugged seven-game stretch with a visit to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.