Welcome to 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 the three games Friday.
Canada only
Sid aims to overtake Teemu
It’s fitting the Pittsburgh Penguins will face off against the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS, ATTSN-PT), given what’s on the line for Sidney Crosby. The Penguins captain needs one point to pass Teemu Selanne on the all-time points list, with each tied at 1,457 points, good for 17th in NHL history. Selanne, a Hockey Hall of Famer, got 306 of his 1,457 points (684 goals, 773 assists in 1,451 games) with the original Jets franchise, including 132 (76 goals, 56 assists) in his rookie season of 1992-93. Crosby has had all 1,457 points (538 goals, 919 assists in 1,148 games) with the Penguins (21-13-6). Each is one point behind the Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, 16th all-time in the NHL with 1,458 points (809 goals, 649 assists in 1,318 games). Winnipeg (27-14-1) is 6-1-0 in its past seven games, and Pittsburgh has won two straight following a six-game skid (0-4-2). — Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
Video: VAN@PIT: Crosby sends Dumoulin’s shot home in the 1st
McDavid can stretch road point streak
Connor McDavid looks to extend his NHL career-high road point streak to 12 games on his 26th birthday when the Edmonton Oilers visit the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center (10:30 pm ET; TVAS, NBCSCA, SNW, ESPN+). The Oilers captain had a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win at the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, giving him 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) during his run. Edmonton (22-18-3) is 2-3-1 in its past six games; San Jose (13-22-8) is 3-6-3 in its past 12 following a 4-3 loss at the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. Forward Timo Meier has six points (four goals, two assists) in his past five games. — William Douglas, staff writer
Video: EDM@ANA: McDavid increases Oilers’ lead in 1st period
Hischier on a heater
Nico Hischier will try to extend his NHL career-high point streak to nine games when the New Jersey Devils (26-12-3) visit the Anaheim Ducks (12-26-4) at Honda Center (10 pm ET; ESPN+, HULU, SN NOW). The Devils captain has 11 points (six goals, five assists) in an eight-game run, including a goal and an assist in a 5-3 win at the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. New Jersey center Jack Hughes has 10 points (eight goals, two assists) in his past six games, and goalie Vitek Vanecek is 4-0-0 with a 2.22 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in his past four starts. Ducks forward Mason McTavish is making a push for Calder Trophy consideration as NHL rookie of the year; the 19-year-old ranks second among League rookies with 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 42 games this season. — Mike G. Morreale, staff writer
Video: NJD@CAR: Hischier scores in 3rd period
Friday games
Winnipeg Jets at Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS, ATTSN-PT)
Josh Morrissey scored for the Jets in a 5-4 loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, and is tied with Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabers for second in the NHL in scoring among defensemen this season. Morrissey has 47 points (eight goals, 39 assists) in 42 games. Forward Kyle Connor has 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in an eight-game point streak. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin is coming off a four-point game (two goals, two assists) in a 5-4 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, his first since March 27.
New Jersey Devils at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, SN NOW)
The Devils have come back from multigoal deficits in consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 7-9, 2001, including a 4-3 overtime win against the New York Rangers on Saturday. Ducks center Trevor Zegras has six points (two goals, four assists) in his past seven games.
Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m. ET; TVAS, NBCSCA, ESPN+)
The Sharks begin a three-game homestand at SAP Center, where they are 4-11-6m this season. San Jose goalie James Reimer is one win shy of 200 in his NHL career. McDavid leads the NHL with 79 points (35 goals, 44 assists) in 43 games and has points in 22 of his past 23 games (44 points; 19 goals, 25 assists).
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