Playing HUT against Friends - Do Div. 6 friends have advantage over Div. 8 friends? (6 & 8, for ex.)

[JohnnyRose2300]

My friend plays many more (approx. 200) online HUT games than me and has progressed up to Division 6, while I am still in Division 8 after only 20 games played.

When we play our HUT teams against each other online, he wins most of the time with players averaging a rating of 87, while my players have an average rating of 89.

When we play regular NHL teams, we tend to split the victories evenly.

Is the game giving his Division 6 HUT team an advantage over my Division 9 HUT team when we play each other online?

I am asking because there are many game where I simply cannot score or skate as fast as his players.

Thanks!