NHL: 3 things to know for Friday
Calgary and Ottawa are keeping things interesting in their respective playoff races, while Edmonton heads away from the comforts of home.
Here are three things to know for Friday:
Winning road trip
The Calgary Flames continue their seven-game Eastern swing with a stop in Detroit to face the Red Wings.
Goalie Karri Ramo has helped his team along to a 3-2-0 record over the trip, stopping 34 shots and seven of eight shootout attempts in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Bruins.
After a very busy night, Calgary's other netminder Jonas Hiller will get the nod as his team attempts to split the season series with Detroit.
Los Angeles and San Jose are still on Calgary's heels in the Western playoff race. Only two points behind for second place in the Pacific division, the Flames are also drawing closer to Vancouver.
Calgary's Sean Monahan and Jiri Hudler are having a very good week, each have a goal in the Flames' consecutive wins.
Still in the hunt
The Ottawa Senators are another Canadian team in the playoff hunt after earning points in nine of their past 10 games.
They currently sit five points behind Boston for the last spot, but the Senators have a game in hand. Additionally, Ottawa has three games over Florida and Philadelphia, who sit just ahead in the standings.
A meeting with the Buffalo Sabres could be what they need to keep it close. The Senators have won two of three this year over their division rival.
Forward Bobby Ryan scored four goals in the two games he played versus the Sabres, including his first hat trick with the Senators on Dec. 29.
Heading out
The Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks season series is split heading into their final meeting of the year.
It's the first of a five-game road trip for Edmonton, who have an 8-16-8 record away from Rexall Place.
The Oilers have only five wins against Western Conference teams.
Chicago will have the help of newly acquired forward Andrew Desjardins, who makes his Blackhawks debut after getting traded from the San Jose Sharks on Monday.
