No sooner than the Buffalo Sabres finally got one key player back from injury, they lost another as they prepare to host the New Jersey Devils on Friday night in the front leg of a home-and-home series. The Sabres snapped a five-game losing streak in the series last April, but they have lost three in a row at home to the Devils.

Five of the NHL's top rookies will be on display Friday when the visiting Philadelphia Flyers look to snap a two-game losing skid against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Top overall pick Auston Matthews and fellow Toronto centers William Nylander and Mitch Marner have combined for 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) while Philadelphia center Travis Konecny and defenseman Ivan Provorov have chipped in 15 (three goals, 12 assists).

Peter Budaj finally could receive a night off Friday as the Los Angeles Kings continue their five-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators. Budaj has made 11 consecutive starts, a stretch that featured back-to-back shutouts at home versus Calgary and at Toronto in the opener of Los Angeles' trek before the club dropped a 4-1 decision at Montreal on Thursday.

The Chicago Blackhawks haven't left much in doubt during their seven-game winning streak, although the Central Division leaders will come into Friday's home game versus the Washington Capitals with a bit of mystery. Artem Anisimov saw his career-high point streak end at 11 games and his upper body sustain an injury in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over St. Louis, leaving his availability in question against Washington.

The Colorado Avalanche attempt to break out of their offensive funk Friday as they continue their four-game homestand against the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado has been unable to produce of late, scoring two goals in a loss to Arizona in the opener of its string at home on Tuesday after netting fewer than two in each of its previous four contests this month.

The Edmonton Oilers survived a difficult road trip and are getting used to their perch atop the Pacific Division as they prepare to host the Dallas Stars on Friday night. The Oilers, who have not made the playoffs since 2005-06, finished 2-2-1 on their trek after a 4-3 loss at Pittsburgh on Tuesday and come home for a pair of games before another tough road stretch.