Although the Minnesota Wild are close to punching their ticket to the playoffs, the Detroit Red Wings' quest to extend their pronounced postseason stretch to 25 consecutive seasons is in serious jeopardy. Detroit, which hosts Minnesota on Friday, resides one point behind third-place Boston in the Atlantic Division and is two back of Philadelphia - with the Flyers having a game in hand - for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Central Division has pretty much turned into a two-team race between the Dallas Stars and streaking St. Louis Blues, who will go for their sixth consecutive victory when they host the skidding Boston Bruins on Friday night. The red-hot Blues are two points behind the Stars for first place in the division with one game in hand and five left to play.

The Central Division has pretty much turned into a two-team race between the Dallas Stars and streaking St. Louis Blues, who will go for their sixth consecutive victory when they host the skidding Boston Bruins on Friday night. The red-hot Blues are two points behind the Stars for first place in the division with one game in hand and five left to play.

The Central Division has pretty much turned into a two-team race between the Dallas Stars and streaking St. Louis Blues, who will go for their sixth consecutive victory when they host the skidding Boston Bruins on Friday night. The red-hot Blues are two points behind the Stars for first place in the division with one game in hand and five left to play.

The Chicago Blackhawks begin their second stint this season without reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Duncan Keith on Friday when they conclude a four-game road trip against the Winnipeg Jets. A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Keith has been suspended indefinitely as he awaits a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety following his use of a high stick that bloodied Minnesota's Charlie Coyle on Tuesday.

The Colorado Avalanche are running out of games in their pursuit of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and the remaining schedule won't make their uphill task any easier. Colorado trails Minnesota by five points for the second wild-card spot with a game in hand as it prepares to host the NHL-best Washington Capitals on Friday night.

The Anaheim Ducks have been playing leapfrog with Los Angeles for the top spot in the Pacific Division, and they hope to take advantage of their turn when they continue their final homestand of the regular season Friday against the Vancouver Canucks. After overtaking the Kings for the division lead and extending their winning streak to three games by routing Calgary on Wednesday, the Ducks fell back into second place a night later as Los Angeles blanked the Flames.