1. Can the Sabres extend their current winning streak to three games?
5 NHL questions: Canucks need a win
A daily NHL feature that asks five questions about the days games. Will they be answered? (And no, that doesn’t count as one of the answers.)
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
The Sabres might be listening to trade offers for every player on the roster, but they have a chance to do something they haven't done all season -- win three games in a row. The Sabres have won both games since the Olympic break, including a surprising overtime win against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, and can put together their first three-game winning streak since last season if they can beat the San Jose Sharks.
2. What will Joe Pavelski do for an encore?
Joe Pavelski recorded his second hat trick of the season on Thursday night in a 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers, giving him 32 goals on the season. What can he do for an encore performance against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday?
3. Will Nathan MacKinnon score for the Avalanche?
No rookie has more goals than Nathan MacKinnon this season and the No. 1 overall draft pick has seven in his past 11 games. Will he add to that goal total against the Coyotes?
4. Will the Ducks get back to their winning ways at home?
Once unbeatable on home ice, the Anaheim Ducks have lost three straight in their own rink and five of their past seven. Will they start a new home winning streak on Friday when the St. Louis Blues pay them a visit?
5. Can the Canucks gain some ground on the Wild?
These are the games you need to win if you're the Vancouver Canucks and have any chance of reaching the playoffs. It's a classic four-point game for the Canucks as they host a Minnesota team that they are currently chasing in the playoff race. Since starting the season 28-24-9 Vancouver is just 5-13-3 in its past 21 games.
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