NHL schedule 2015: Red Wings, Lightning square off in Tampa Bay

Although less than 20 percent of the NHL regular season remains, the Detroit Red Wings could reasonably finish anywhere from third in the Eastern Conference to seventh, where they currently reside. A regulation loss on Thursday kept Detroit's point total at 87 -- one behind Washington and Pittsburgh, three back of the New York Islanders and six behind Tampa Bay. It's important to note that the Wings have played just 69 games, while those other three teams have skated in either 71 or 72.

Friday's matchup against the Lightning will have a big impact on what direction the Red Wings follow down the stretch.

The Lightning, who are coming off a 4-2 win over the Canadiens, are four points behind Montreal for the Atlantic Division lead with a game in hand. If they beat the Wings Friday night, they would be just two points off the Habs' pace.

In the West, Anaheim will look to build off its overtime victory on Wednesday over Los Angeles when it hosts Colorado. The Avalanche took down the Coyotes Thursday night, 5-2, and have won three in a row.