We have five NHL games on the docket for Friday night, including a few interesting cross-conference matchups. My best bets for tonight are targeting a trio of r

➖ The case against: There’s a good argument to be made that the Lightning are the only decent team in this whole bunch. The other seven teams all have negative goal differentials, and only two teams are even at .600, which is the fewest in the league.

The Flyers have a massive test Sunday when they welcome the NHL-leading Avalanche. The test could be even more massive if they don't have Cam York.

We have just five games on the docket as the NHL slows back down on Wednesday night. My best NHL prop bets for tonight are targeting Timo Meier, Cole Caufield,

Artemi Panarin reached 900 NHL points with a goal and an assist and the New York Rangers won for the league-leading 12th time on the road, beating the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Thursday night. The Rangers have won five of their past six to improve to 15-12-2.

At 19-1-6 through 26 games, Colorado already is in rare company and on pace to set an NHL record for points in a season.

The Islanders forward tore his ACL -- then made a brilliant pass to set up a goal. Plus, what to watch this week.

Connor Bedard is beginning to heat up, and he highlights our best NHL player prop bets for Friday's NHL slate.