Captain Sidney Crosby looks as though he was never away and attempts to score for the third straight game since returning from a two-month absence when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the struggling Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Crosby had a goal along with three assists in a win over Minnesota on Tuesday after fully recovering from sports hernia surgery and added a goal 24 seconds into the contest during Thursday’s 4-1 setback at Boston.

The Carolina Hurricanes host the Anaheim Ducks on Friday after it appeared they lost more than a game Thursday. Carolina's Dougie Hamilton - fourth among league defensemen with 40 points and second with a plus-30 rating - left the 3-2 loss at Columbus when his left leg bent awkwardly after getting tangled up with Columbus' Kevin Stenlund along the boards and couldn't put any weight on the leg as he left the ice.

The Winnipeg Jets ended a baffling six-game losing streak at home last time out and look to put two wins together at the Bell MTS Place when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night. Connor Hellebuyck recorded his franchise-record 18th shutout with 41 saves as the Jets snapped a 0-5-1 run at home Tuesday with a 4-0 victory over Vancouver, winning for the fourth time in 11 games overall.