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Florida continues its climb with a 6-1-0 run and strong production from its top line. Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe and Brad Marchand combined for 44 points across the last 12 games. Their pace and chemistry drive Florida’s attack while the team navigates heavy injuries. Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to start Friday. He holds a 14-8-1 record with a 2.80 goals-against average and three shutouts. Paul Maurice’s group remains shorthanded. Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov remain out, though both move closer to returning. Florida leans on structure, forechecking layers and goaltending to survive early-season attrition. Verhaeghe carries the scoring load with nine goals in his last 11. The Panthers continue winning tight games with disciplined pace. Carolina enters leading the Eastern

The finale of a home-and-home set tips Friday night as the Chicago Bulls visit the Cleveland Cavaliers, with both teams searching for stability after uneven stretches. Chicago struck first with a convincing win at home, while Cleveland now looks to respond on its own floor and halt a concerning slide in the Eastern Conference standings. The Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers enter this rematch in similar spots, each trying to rediscover consistency as the season moves deeper. Early odds opened with Cleveland installed as a moderate home favorite, with the spread near Cavaliers -6 and the total sitting in the mid-220s. The matchup is part of Friday’s NBA slate covered in depth on the NBA previews page. Markets reacted quickly

New York enters Friday playing its best stretch of hockey this season. Their 6-2-0 December run comes despite significant injuries, including the absence of Bo Horvat, who will miss his third straight game against his former club. The Islanders still generate defensive stability and timely scoring. Their structure sharpened under Patrick Roy, and their pace has improved even with limited forward depth. Their 3-2 loss in Detroit ended a three-game winning streak. They controlled stretches but failed to extend their lead. Scoring remains their challenge. They have produced two goals or fewer in five of their last nine games. Their responsibility and detail at five-on-five keep them competitive despite the losses of Kyle Palmieri and Alexander Romanov for the season.

Colorado enters Friday with the best record in the NHL. Their 13-0-2 home mark drives their success. Their pace, depth and structure overwhelm opponents at Ball Arena. Their 11-game home winning streak highlights their advantage. This roster has the league’s top scoring rate and the fewest goals allowed. Their start is the best in franchise history. Nathan MacKinnon leads the league with 28 goals and 58 points. His shot mentality pushes Colorado’s pace. His impact extends through the lineup. Martin Necas continues producing at an elite rate. Cale Makar drives transition and remains the top-scoring defenseman. Colorado’s defensive core supports clean exits and sustained pressure. Winnipeg enters the matchup trying to stabilize. Their Presidents’ Trophy season feels distant. They are