Getting away from home turned out to be the best thing for the Detroit Red Wings, who are trying to finish the season on a high note following a disastrous month-long stretch. Winners of four of their last five overall, the Red Wings will wrap up a five-game road trip with a visit to the reeling Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.

Captain Alex Ovechkin was quick with a response to the home crowd after it chanted for the three-time Hart Trophy recipient to reach the 50-goal plateau for the eighth time in his career. Ovechkin will look to make good on his "next game" promise on Thursday as the visiting Washington Capitals bid to secure a postseason berth in the second half of a home-and-home series against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Sergei Bobrovsky has played a starring role in keeping the Columbus Blue Jackets on the cusp of a postseason appearance. After recording back-to-back shutouts and three in his last four, the two-time Vezina Trophy recipient bids to help the Blue Jackets pull even in points with the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference on Thursday when the teams meet in Columbus, Ohio.

Other than trying to avoid finishing with the worst record in the NHL, the Ottawa Senators have little for which to play over the final six games. The Senators have shown signs of life over the past two weeks and have a chance to post their first three-game winning streak since Nov. 27-Dec. 1 when they host the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.

The New York Islanders play at the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday in a matchup of teams looking forward to the playoffs, but both squads have work in front of them before the end of the regular season. The Islanders were shut out for the third time in five games in Tuesday’s 4-0 loss at Columbus and trail first-place Washington by three points in the Metropolitan Division, while the Jets’ lead over Nashville in the Central Division sits at two points following Monday’s 5-2 home loss to Dallas.

The Dallas Stars have begun a four-game road trip with victories over a pair of division leaders, tightening their hold on the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Dallas attempts to strengthen its grip even more when it visits the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.

Dustin Brown will etch his name into the Los Angeles' Kings franchise record book when he suits up for his 1,112th career game on Thursday versus the host Vancouver Canucks. The 34-year-old Brown, who will pass Dave Taylor for the honor, was selected with the 13th overall pick of the 2003 NHL Draft by the latter during his time as the team's general manager.

The San Jose Sharks appeared ready to seize control of the Pacific Division after extending their winning streak to six games with a victory at Winnipeg on March 12. However, the Sharks have not won since and will be attempting to halt a six-game losing streak against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.