In an action-packed Friday night in the NHL, three games stood out as teams sought to make their mark on the ice. The Pittsburgh Penguins, struggling to regain their winning form, aimed to get back on track against the Florida Panthers. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers rode a five-game winning streak led by their star player, Connor McDavid, as they faced off against the Minnesota Wild. Lastly, the St. Louis Blues looked to tighten up their penalty discipline against the Blue Jackets after a recent loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Penguins (11-11-3) have faced difficulties this season, losing three consecutive games and winning only three out of their last 11 contests. It was important for Pittsburgh to gain some traction against the defending Eastern Conference champion, the Florida Panthers (15-8-2). The Penguins' power play had been struggling, going 0-for-33 in the past 12 games. However, they were determined to turn their fortunes around at Amerant Bank Arena.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers (10-12-1) were riding high on a five-game winning streak as they faced the Minnesota Wild (9-11-4). Led by their captain, Connor McDavid, the Oilers had outscored their opponents 27-8 during this impressive run. McDavid's recent performances had been exceptional, contributing 16 points in their streak and propelling himself into the top 10 in the NHL scoring race. With McDavid and linemate Zach Hyman in fine form, the Oilers looked to continue their winning ways at Rogers Place.

The St. Louis Blues (13-11-1) faced a crucial test of discipline as they took on the Blue Jackets. After a disappointing loss to the Golden Knights, the Blues were determined to cut down on penalties that had allowed their opponents to capitalize on power plays. With Robert Thomas leading the team in points and Jake Neighbours making a mark with 10 goals, the Blues showcased a balanced attack. However, they needed to tighten their defensive play to secure a victory at BSMW.

In addition to the on-ice action, there were special moments to celebrate and milestones to achieve. Prior to the Penguins-Panthers game, Patric Hornqvist, who had played for both teams during his 15-year NHL career, would be honored in a retirement ceremony. Meanwhile, center Sam Reinhart of the Panthers had recorded an impressive 12 multipoint games this season, second only to Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers.

At Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets aimed to bounce back after a tough loss to the Islanders. Coach Pascal Vincent expected a quick response from his team, as they battled illness and lineup challenges. Forward Johnny Gaudreau had the opportunity to reach 700 points in his NHL career with a strong performance.

Both the Minnesota Wild and the Edmonton Oilers had experienced positive shifts since making early-season coaching changes. The Wild won four consecutive games under John Hynes, their new coach, before succumbing to a 2-0 loss against the Canucks. The Oilers, under Kris Knoblauch's guidance, had a 7-3-0 record since he took over from Jay Woodcroft.

As the NHL action unfolded on Friday night, fans eagerly awaited the outcomes of these key matchups. The Penguins sought to halt their losing streak, the Oilers aimed to extend their winning streak, and the Blues looked to regain discipline. It was bound to be an exciting evening on the ice, filled with compelling storylines and memorable performances.