The Pittsburgh Penguins may not be lighting up the scoreboard, but they are winning nonetheless. With a sluggish start in their rear-view mirror, the Penguins vie for their eighth win in nine outings when they host the Metropolitan Division-rival Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

Alex Ovechkin continues his quest to become the all-time Russian-born goal-scoring leader when the Washington Capitals host the Calgary Flames on Friday. The 30-year-old captain has been held off the scoresheet in each of his last two games, keeping him tied with countryman Sergei Fedorov at 483 career tallies.

Pavel Datsyuk will make his much-anticipated season debut when the Detroit Red Wings host the San Jose Sharks on Friday night. The 37-year-old Datsyuk, who has been sidelined while recovering from surgery to repair ruptured tendons in his right ankle, returns to the Red Wings' lineup two goals shy of 300 for his career and 39 points short of 900.

The Anaheim Ducks attempt to salvage the finale of their three-game homestand when they face off against the New York Islanders on Friday. Anaheim began the month by sweeping a three-game string at Honda Center but has suffered a pair of 4-3 overtime losses on this homestand, falling to Arizona on Monday and Edmonton two nights later.