The Florida Panthers look to avoid a fifth straight loss to open the season when they visit the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on Friday night. The Panthers, who came into the season with high expectations after finishing 2017-18 with a 25-8-2 record over the last 35 contests, have dropped all four games by a goal - two in shootouts.

The Dallas Stars hope to find their offense again when they come home for the first of three games, starting with a visit from the Central Division-rival Minnesota Wild on Friday night. The Stars scored 17 times while winning three of four during a season-opening, four-game homestand before managing one goal total while dropping their last two contests in Ottawa and New Jersey.

The Nashville Predators are looking like a team bent on making a return to the Stanley Cup Finals, winning five of the first six games this season. The only blemish for the Predators is a loss in their home opener, but they'll get a chance to avenge that defeat in the first leg of a two-game Alberta road trip at the Calgary Flames on Friday night.