The Buffalo Sabres finally saw their franchise record-tying win streak come to an end and will not have to wait long to try to start a new run as they visit the Florida Panthers on Friday night. Buffalo coughed up a one-goal lead in the third period and suffered a 5-4 setback at Tampa Bay on Thursday after stringing 10 straight victories together - seven of them coming after regulation.

The surging Washington Capitals could get a very important player back in the lineup when they go after a seventh straight victory Friday night against the visiting New Jersey Devils. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov, who recorded 21 points in the first 18 games before missing the last six with a head injury, skated with the Capitals on Thursday and is awaiting official medical clearance.

Anaheim's Nick Ritchie has caught fire since missing the first nine games of the season holding out for a three-year contract at $1.533 million per and not scoring in his first eight contests. The 6-2, 234-pound power forward has all four of his goals in the last four games - three in the past two - as the Ducks hunt for their third straight victory and a winning road trip Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The red-hot Colorado Avalanche look to extend their winning streak to seven and gain at least a point for the 10th consecutive game when they host the scuffling St. Louis Blues on Friday night. The Avalanche saw a three-goal lead evaporate Wednesday against Pittsburgh before pulling away for a 6-3 victory, improving to 8-0-1 in the last nine contests and closing in on the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Calgary Flames have climbed into first place in the tight Pacific Division and they are intent on staying there for a while as the last-place Los Angeles Kings pay a visit Friday night. The Flames are 4-1-1 in their last six contests after dropping a 4-3 decision in overtime against Dallas on Wednesday and will be looking to duplicate the defensive effort from the 1-0 shutout of the Kings on Nov. 10.