Emotions could be running high when the Calgary Flames kick off a three-game road trip with a visit to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday afternoon -- the second matchup between the clubs in 10 days. The Wild dropped a 2-0 decision in that last meeting and also lost captain Mikko Koivu to injury when he was the recipient of a knee-on-knee hit by Flames captain Mark Giordano.

The Montreal Canadiens soothed the sting of an embarrassing performance with their fourth win in five games last time out and look to continue moving forward when they host the rival Ottawa Senators on Saturday. The Canadiens had won three in a row, including a pair against Ottawa, before getting blitzed in Minnesota 7-1 on Tuesday but opened a three-game homestand two nights later with a 6-4 triumph over Carolina.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have run roughshod away from Scotiabank Arena this season, using their high-powered fifth-ranked offense to remain among the Eastern Conference's elite while posting a sterling 12-5-0 mark on the road. Their recent travels haven't been as productive, however, as the Maple Leafs have lost two of three to begin a five-game road trip heading into Saturday's tilt versus the Florida Panthers.

The New York Islanders aim to snap out of their scoring slump and complete a three-game homestand with a victory when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. The Islanders have lost six of their last eight games - two in shootouts - while scoring a total of 14 goals but limited Vegas to 17 shots in Wednesday's 3-2 loss.

The Los Angeles Kings attempt to salvage the finale of their road trip and halt a five-game slide away from home on Saturday, when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins. Los Angeles has gone 0-2-1 on its four-game trek after dropping a 4-1 decision in Columbus on Thursday.

Alex Ovechkin will attempt to become the third player in NHL history to record three straight hat tricks when the Washington Capitals host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. Ovechkin registered his second consecutive three-goal performance and extended his point streak to a career high-tying 13 contests in Washington's 6-5 shootout victory at Carolina on Friday, increasing his league-leading goal total to 28 as he bids for his sixth Maurice Richard Trophy in seven seasons.

The Anaheim Ducks hope their offense travels well as they begin a six-game road trip on Saturday with a date against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have won each of the last four encounters at Nationwide Arena. The Ducks, however, got the last laugh on Nov. 4 as defenseman Cam Fowler completed his first career hat trick by scoring 36 seconds into overtime in a 3-2 versus the Blue Jackets.

The Nashville Predators aim for their fifth consecutive victory at Bridgestone Arena when they conclude their three-game homestand Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. Nashville ended November with back-to-back home losses but has won four straight on its own ice this month after edging Vancouver 4-3 in overtime on Thursday.

The Dallas Stars look to salvage something from a frustrating road trip as they prepare for the finale of the four-game trek Saturday against the offensively gifted Colorado Avalanche. Dallas led early at Vegas before being defeated 4-2 in the opener of the trip, gave up the final five tallies in a 6-3 loss at Anaheim and scored the first goal on Thursday before suffering a 3-2 setback at San Jose.

After earning five of a possible six points on their road trip, the Vancouver Canucks attempt to extend their point streak to five contests when they begin a five-game homestand Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Vancouver concluded its three-game trek Thursday as it staged a third-period comeback before dropping a 4-3 overtime decision in Nashville.