Oilers at Panthers
THE STORY: The Florida Panthers look to take another step toward the Southeast Division title when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Florida, which had its five-game winning streak snapped at Carolina on Wednesday, owns a four-point lead over Washington in the Southeast. The Panthers have won five straight at home and are 6-2-1 in their last nine overall. Edmonton, which has earned at least one point in five consecutive contests (3-0-2), has won six of seven meetings with Florida.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet West (Edmonton), FSN (Florida)
ABOUT THE OILERS (29-36-9): Taylor Hall missed his third consecutive game Thursday with a concussion. The star was injured in last Friday's win over Calgary as he was checked by Flames defenseman Cory Sarich while already falling and hit his head on the ice. Hall has registered 27 goals and 26 assists in 61 contests. With the playoffs out of the question, Edmonton can set its sights on 13th place in the Western Conference as it trails Minnesota by five points with eight games remaining.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (36-24-13): Tomas Fleischmann scored Florida's lone goal in Wednesday's loss. It was his 26th tally of the season, matching his career high of 23 set in 2009-10 while with the Washington Capitals. Fleischmann shares the team lead in scoring with Stephen Weiss, who also has 53 points. The Panthers are 6-1-1 in their last eight home games. Scottie Upshall played Wednesday for the first time since Jan. 24 due to a sports hernia. Upshall has recorded a goal and two assists in just 18 contests this campaign.
OVERTIME:
1. Neither team has fared well against the other conference. Florida has lost five of six games against the West while Edmonton has dropped nine of 12 meetings with Eastern teams.
2. The Panthers have won five of their last seven contests against Northwest Division opponents.