Friday's NHL Schedule Features Many "Hot" Matchups

There are a total of six games on tap tonight in the NHL with plenty of intriguing storylines to follow. One of the games circled on the calendar has Rich Tocchet and the Tampa Bay Lightning looking for redemption against the Capitals as they travel to Washington.

Caps superstar Alex Ovechkin registered his 50th goal of the season in a meeting with the Lightning on March 19th, but it wasn't the goal that made as much noise as the celebration.

While Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau is annoyed with all the questions surrounding the incident, Rick Tocchet's Lightning will try play spoiler in Washington's attempts to clinch their second consecutive Southeast Division title.

Tocchet has stated his team's best revenge would be to beat Washington in their home building by playing abrasive, and not being "stupid."

The Bolts suffered an overtime loss to the struggling Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Thursday night after being outshot 36-19. They will have to put up a better effort to take down a gifted Capitals squad who boasts an incredible 26-9-2 record at the Verizon Center. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET.

Here's a look at some of the other games on the Friday night schedule.

Edmonton @ Anaheim - 10 p.m. ET

Edmonton will also be playing their second game on the road in as many nights as they travel to the Honda Center to take on the Anaheim Ducks.

It was the Ducks who leapfrogged both the Oilers and Nashville Predators on Wednesday night with a 7-2 drubbing in Colorado. Anaheim currently sits seventh in the West while the Oilers have dropped off to ninth. Both teams have eight games remaining this season, including this head-to-head tilt tonight.

The Ducks are flying high and are looking for their sixth straight win as the Oilers will look to snap a three-game losing skid. Both teams have split the season series with one win apiece. The teams will meet again on March 31 in Edmonton.

Vancouver @ Colorado - 9 p.m. ET

Vancouver—who is also playing their second of back-to-back games—remains three points back of the Northwest Division leader Calgary Flames. With the Flames failing to pick up any points in trips to Pittsburgh and Columbus the Canucks can use their game in hand to shorten the gap to one point.

The Canucks missed an opportunity to gain ground on Thursday night as they dropped a 4-2 decision to the St. Louis Blues. Roberto Luongo made 28 saves on the night as Taylor Pyatt and Alexandre Burrows had goals for the Canucks.

The Avalanche are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Ducks on Wednesday night. They'll look to at least make a game out of this matchup, as the Avs have been outscored 15-3 in their last two home contests.

Toronto @ Buffalo - 7:30 p.m. ET

All eyes will be on both netminders as the Maple Leafs cross the boarder to tangle with division-rival Buffalo Sabres. Curtis Joseph will be looking to build off his relief performance as the Sabres are hoping the return of starter Ryan Miller can spark their team down the stretch.

The Leafs can also pull within one point of the Sabres with a regulation victory, keeping their slim postseason chance alive. Buffalo needs a victory to keep up with Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers, who both won their games on Thursday night.

If Buffalo can muster a victory tonight and beat Montreal in regulation on Saturday, they will be within three points of the eighth and final playoff spot with seven games to play.

New Jersey @ Chicago - 8:30 p.m. ET

Only 10 days after Martin Brodeur broke Patrick Roy's all-time record for wins, the Devils look to sweep the season series against the Chicago Blackhawks.

New Jersey holds two games in hand over the Washington Capitals for second place in the East and are only five points behind the Bruins for first in the Conference. 

Forward Zach Parise looks to add to his impressive totals of 41 goals and 88 points, and Brodeur will also attempt to improve his career shutout count to 102.

Unfortunately for them they have dropped two straight while the Hawks have won their last two, beating San Jose 6-5 in a shootout on Wednesday. Chicago will be looking to hold onto the last home-ice position heading into the playoffs.

NY Islanders @ Detroit - 7:30 p.m. ET

If opposites attract, this should be a good game.

That is a big if.

On the other hand, don't expect a miracle performance from the Islanders as they take on the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings are looking to separate themselves from Conference powerhouse San Jose and take home their second straight Presidents' Trophy.

The Isles have lost their last three games and have gone 4-5-1 in their last 10. The Red Wings on the other hand will look to keep the momentum from a come-from-behind win over the Edmonton Oilers in their last outing.