The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins already have punched their ticket for the playoffs, but the Metropolitan Division clubs hardly have the look of a heavyweight contender with their play of late. New York has been knocked around for 11 goals in its last two contests and dropped six of eight overall (2-3-3) heading into Friday's game against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, who have lost four in a row (0-2-2) to reside three points behind second-place Columbus.

The timing for a slump couldn't be worse for the New York Islanders, who barely are keeping their heads above water in the playoff race. New York attempts to snap a three-game slide and climb within four points of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference when they host the New Jersey Devils on Friday.

Two teams in the running for the Presidents' Trophy clash Friday as the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Chicago has a comfortable lead for the top seed in the West come playoff time with 105 points - seven more than Central Division-rival Minnesota and nine better than Pacific-leading Anaheim with five games remaining.

The St. Louis Blues are on the verge of clinching a postseason berth following a sizzling stretch in which they have earned 23 out of a possible 26 points over the past 13 games. The rampaging Blues, riding an 11-1-1 hot streak, will make their third visit to the Mile High City this month when they take on the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night.

The Calgary Flames missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot last time out but continue their final stretch against Pacific Division rivals when they host the struggling San Jose Sharks on Friday. The Flames' 4-1 setback against Los Angeles on Wednesday was their third loss in five games and left them three points behind San Jose for third place in the Pacific.

After preventing one team from clinching a playoff berth, the Los Angeles Kings look to avert being pushed to the brink of elimination on Friday when they conclude a three-game road trip versus the Vancouver Canucks. Los Angeles posted just its third win in nine outings with Wednesday's 4-1 triumph over Calgary, but the playoff window is closing fast with the Kings having six games remaining to overcome a 10-point deficit for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

A five-game road trip is doing nothing to slow the Washington Capitals' momentum in their pursuit of their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy. The league-best Capitals have ripped off six consecutive victories as they prepare to visit the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night in the third stop of their season-long trek.