Welcome to the NHL On Tap. Three NHL.com writers will share what they are most looking forward to on the schedule each day. Today, their choices from four games Wednesday.
Canada only
Super saver Saros set for Maple Leafs
Jesus Saros has saved 102 shots in his past two games, a 64-save performance in a 5-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday and a 38-save, 3-0 shutout against the Ottawa Senators on Monday. He’s won four starts in a row and six of seven, but will face a tough test when the Nashville Predators (19-14-6) visit the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena (7:30 pm ET; TNT, TVAS, SN) . Toronto (25-9-7) has four players with at least 40 points, led by Mitchell Marner (49) and Austin Matthews (47), although Matthews won’t play because of an undisclosed injury. Nashville has won four straight and is 7-1-2 in its past 10 games. Toronto is 6-2-1 in its past nine games and 14-3-4 at home this season. — David Satriano, staff writer
Hot Capitals, Flyers clash
Two surging Metropolitan Division rivals clash when the Washington Capitals face the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center (7 pm ET; NBCSP, NBCSWA+, ESPN+, SN NOW). The Capitals (23-14-6) are fourth in the division and 13-2-2 in their past 17 games. And they are getting healthier with the returns of Nicklas Backstrom (hip surgery) and Tom Wilson (torn left ACL), who made their season debuts in a 1-0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. The Capitals have been getting strong goaltending from Darcy Kuemper. He’s 7-0-3 with a 1.96 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in his past 11 starts and hasn’t lost in regulation since Nov. 19. The Flyers (16-18-7) are seventh in the Metropolitan but are 5-1-0 in their past six games. Rookie goalie Samuel Ersson has won his first four NHL decisions after getting his first shutout, a 4-0 win against the Buffalo Sabers on Monday. He’s allowed six goals in four games after giving up five in his debut, a 6-5 loss to the Hurricanes on Dec. 23. — William Douglas, staff writer
Kopitar continues to produce for the Kings
If Anze Kopitar was supposed to start slowing down at age 35, nobody told the Los Angeles Kings forward. Kopitar had an assist for his 1,100th career NHL point, becoming the third player in Kings history to reach that mark, when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-3 on Monday. Kopitar has 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 44 games this season for the Kings (24-14-6), who have won two in a row entering their game against the San Jose Sharks (13-21-8) on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; TNT, SN NOW). Kopitar has been a great presence for the Kings both in production and presence throughout his career and his consistency is impressive. And he’s a big reason why the Kings are closing in on the top spot in the Pacific Division, two points behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights. — Tracey Myers, staff writer
Wednesday games
Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, NBCSWA, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin has six goals in his past five games. Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk is scheduled to play his 500th NHL game. His older brother, Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk, played his 900th game on Monday. Philadelphia forward Travis Konecny has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) during an NHL career-high nine-game point streak.
Nashville Predators at Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30 p.m. ET; TNT, TVAS, SN)
This is the first of a back-to-back set and the fourth of a five-game road trip for the Predators. Filip Forsberg has 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in his past seven games. Marner has eight points (two goals, six assists) during a five-game point streak
Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN1, SNW, BSSC, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Oilers (21-18-3) have lost four of their past five games (1-3-1). Connor McDavid, who leads the NHL with 77 points (34 goals, 43 assists), has points in 21 of his past 22 games. The Ducks (12-25-4) are 4-5-1 in their past 10 games. Troy Terry leads them with 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 41 games.
San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings (10 p.m. ET; TNT)
This is the second half of a back to back for the Sharks, who defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 on Tuesday. Defenseman Erik Karlsson‘s 14-game point streak, during which he had 22 points (two goals, 20 assists), ended in a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
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