Desperately trying to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, the Ottawa Senators will go for their third consecutive victory when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night. The Senators have little margin for error with only 11 games remaining, trailing the Detroit Red Wings by seven points for the final playoff slot in the Eastern Conference.

The Washington Capitals already have clinched a postseason berth, have all but locked up the Metropolitan Division title and own a sizeable lead in their pursuit of the second Presidents' Trophy in team history. Washington attempts to expand that advantage and continue its quest to set a franchise record for victories when it hosts the Nashville Predators on Friday.

Andrew Ladd returns to Winnipeg for the first time since being dealt at the trade deadline as the Chicago Blackhawks attempt to snap a four-game skid on Friday against the host Jets. Ladd, who has two goals and two assists during his second stint with the Blackhawks, scored the game-winning tally in Winnipeg's 3-1 victory over Chicago on Oct. 29.

Veteran Jarome Iginla looks to continue his current hot streak on Friday as the Colorado Avalanche visit his longtime former team in the Calgary Flames. Iginla set up a goal in the Avalanche's 3-1 victory over Vancouver on Wednesday for his 1,268th career point and 17th (six goals, 11 assists) in his last 18 games.

The Vancouver Canucks are coming to grips on what is rapidly becoming a lost season while the sputtering Edmonton Oilers know that feeling all too well. With losses in back-to-back contests and 14 of its last 21 overall, Vancouver vies to continue its dominance of Edmonton on Friday when the Pacific Division rivals meet at Rexall Place for the first time this season.

The Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins are both in the hunt for a division title, but each team also is trying to avoid a scenario in which they relinquish home-ice advantage in a first-round postseason series. Against that backdrop, the Ducks are seeking their fifth consecutive win in the series when they host the Bruins on Friday night.