NHL Playoff Schedule 2018: TV, Live-Stream Guide for Friday's Round 1 Matchups

Six of the eight home teams took Game 1 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the three returning to home ice for Game 2 Friday night.

History favors the home victors of Game 1, as 75.5 percent of teams to take a 1-0 series advantage as the better seed have advanced in a best-of-seven series, per NHL Public Relations:

The three teams looking to make up early series deficits Friday face unique challenges, whether it be rebounding from a blowout loss or dealing with a top player's suspension.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights each won 29 games or more at home in the regular season, which makes a Game 2 road upset unlikely Friday.

Friday Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule

Game 2: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (7 p.m, NBCSN) 

Game 2: Minnesota at Winnipeg (7:30 p.m., USA)

Game 2: Los Angeles at Vegas (10 p.m., NBCSN)

All Times ET. Games can be live-streamed on NBC Sports Live.

Kings Dealing With Doughty Suspension

The best defensive team in the regular season lost its leader for Game 2, as Drew Doughty was suspended by the league for his Game 1 hit on William Carrier, per the team's website.

The 28-year-old is not only a defensive enforcer, but he also adds an extra element to the Kings attack, as he provided 10 goals and 50 assists in 82 regular-season games.

Doughty played the most minutes of any player in Game 1, which makes his presence even harder to replace.

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

While the Kings don't need a single defender to fill the void Doughty's absence leaves, they have to come together as a unit and find a way to limit the Golden Knights to a single goal, just like they did Game 1.

But if a similar defensive performance is turned in, L.A.'s attack needs to step up and beat Marc-Andre Fleury, which is a tough task in the postseason.

Los Angeles outshot Vegas 30-28, with Tyler Toffoli leading the team with six shots on goal. Doughty and fellow blueliner Dion Phaneuf had three each.

If the Kings are able to beat Fleury in the first or second period, it will boost their on-ice confidence and silence the incredible crowd in Las Vegas.

Beating the Golden Knights without Doughty isn't impossible, but a perfect combination of things must go right for Los Angeles to even the series.

Philadelphia Trying to Find a Way to Rebound from Blowout Loss

The Philadelphia Flyers couldn't have started their postseason in a worse manner, as they fell 7-0 to the defending Stanley Cup champion, who also happens to be their biggest rival.

Pittsburgh displayed in Game 1 it has too much talent for Philadelphia to handle, but if the Flyers decide to play for pride, Game 2 could be a lot closer.

A successful night in Pittsburgh begins with something as simple as a hard-played opening 20 minutes in which the Flyers don't concede.

In Game 1, the Penguins took immediate control, tallying three goals in the opening stanza. That was before Sidney Crosby took over to score a hat-trick.

Dave Hakstol's team needs a few early scoring chances, with Hart Trophy candidate Claude Giroux leading the charge, in order to build momentum and confidence.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The biggest key for Philadelphia is that its young defense improves on its showing from Game 1 against Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Co.

If the Flyers can limit the Crosby line's chances for the first two periods, it could set the stage for a frantic third period in which they can pressure the home team more through Giroux and Jakub Voracek.

Even if they don't come away with a victory, the Flyers need to put in a 60-minute outing they can build on as they head back home with a chance to level the series.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.