Best test
There’s no question that the Boston Bruins (26-4-2) and New Jersey Devils (22-9-2) are two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and it should make for a fun faceoff before everyone heads off to the Christmas break. I know that the Devils recently went through a rough stretch, (0-5-1) in six games before they rebounded to defeat the Florida Panthers 4-2 on Wednesday. But the Devils should provide a tough test for the Bruins, especially at Prudential Center (7 pm ET; SN1, SNE, SNO, MSGSN2, NESN, ESPN+, SN NOW). New Jersey will be without defensemen John Marino (upper-body), who was out Wednesday, and Ryan Graves (undisclosed), who left early in the game against the Panthers. The Bruins have won three straight after a come-from-behind 3-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday that extended their home point streak to 20 (18-0-2). So stay in, stay warm, and watch what should be a great show. — Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
Video: NJD@FLA: Sharangovich breaks tie in 3rd period
Ovechkin continues Howe chase
Alex Ovechkin will try again to catch Gordie Howe for second on the all-time NHL goals list when the Washington Capitals (18-13-4) host the Jets (7 pm ET; NHLN, NBCSWA, TSN3, SN NOW). For four games, the “Great 8” has been stuck on 800 goals, behind Howe (801) and Wayne Gretzky (894). But he has four assists and 16 shots on goal in that span, including two assists and six shots in a 3-2 win at the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. It’s a matter of time. Ovechkin scored in a 5-2 win at Winnipeg on Dec. 11. He hasn’t gone five games without a goal since February 2020. The Jets (21-11-1) look to get back on track after a 3-2 loss to the Bruins on Thursday. — Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
McDavid eyes 30th goal
I could go in a couple of directions here on how great the Edmonton Oilers forward is Connor McDavid has been again this season. There’s his 14-game point streak, during which he’s had 13 goals and 17 assists. There’s his 65 points and his average of 1.91 points per game, both best in the NHL. But for today, let’s focus on his League-leading 29 goals. With one more, McDavid will be the second active player to reach the 30-goal mark in seven consecutive seasons, joining Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, who did it 15 times from 2006-20. That’s the latest goal (no pun intended) for McDavid when the Oilers (18-14-2) host the Vancouver Canucks (14-15-3) at Rogers Place (9 pm ET; SN, ESPN+). Yes, I wrote about McDavid a few games ago, but you can’t help but be dazzled. At least I can’t, so I’ll be watching him go for No. 30. — Tracey Myers, staff writer
Video: EDM@DAL: McDavid snaps a shot on the rush
Friday schedule
Boston Bruins at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; SN1, SNE, SNO, MSGSN2, NESN, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Jack Hughes is set to play in his 200th NHL game. On Wednesday, Hughes recorded his 146th NHL point (61 goals, 85 assists), tying Scott Gomez (36 goals, 110 assists) for fourth-most points among Devils players before the age of 22. David Pastrnak is the third Bruins skater in the past 30 years to score at least 100 regular-season points in a calendar year, with 100 (54 goals, 46 assists) in 2022, joining Brad Marchand (118 in 2019) and Adam Oates (132 in 1993).
Philadelphia Flyers at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET; BSSO, NBCSP+, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Hurricanes (21-6-6) have won seven in a row after a 4-3 overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Carolina’s point streak is now 13 games (11-0-2). The Flyers (11-16-7) are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. Flyers forward Morgan Frost has scored a goal in three straight games.
Winnipeg Jets at Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, NBCSWA, TSN3, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Capitals have won three straight games and eight of nine. Washington defenseman Erik Gustafsson has six points (four goals, two assists) in a three-game point streak. Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey has 14 points (one goal, 11 assists) in an 11-game point streak. The longest point streak in franchise history is 15 games by Patrick Laine in 2017-18.
Florida Panthers at New York Islanders (7:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, BSFLX, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Panthers try to sweep the season series with the Islanders after a 3-1 win Oct. 13 and a 3-2 win Oct. 23. Forward Alexander Barkov is expected to miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury for the Panthers (15-15-4), who’ve lost two in a row and five of seven. The Islanders (18-14-2) are 3-6-2 in their past 11 games after a 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday.
Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators (8 p.m. ET; BSSO, ALT, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Avalanche (18-11-2) have won three in a row. Colorado forward Mikko Rantanen has 18 even-strength goals, tied for most in the NHL with the Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson. In a 4-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, defenseman Roman Jose became the all-time leading scorer for the Predators (14-13-4) with 567 points (147 goals, 420 assists) in 791 games, passing David Legwand, who had 566 (210 goals, 356 assists) in 956 games.
Montreal Canadiens at Dallas Stars (8 p.m. ET; BSSWX, TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Canadiens (15-15-3) have lost four of five (1-3-1). Forward Anthony Richard scored his first NHL goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Avalanche on Wednesday. Forward Jamie Benn got his 800th point for the Stars (19-9-6) in a 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. Stars forward Joe Pavelski had three goals and four points in a 5-2 win against the Canadiens on Oct. 22.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH+, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Blue Jackets (10-20-2) have lost five straight but did get some good news on injuries. Defenseman Adam Boqvist (foot) and goalie Joonas Korpisalo (lower body) have been activated from injured reserve and could play against the Blackhawks (7-20-4), who have lost eight in a row. Goalie Alex Stalock (concussion) was activated from injured reserve on Monday and could start against the Blue Jackets. If so, it would be his first start since he was injured against the Islanders on Nov. 1.
Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers (9 p.m. ET; SN, ESPN+)
After missing two games with an illness, forward Elias Pettersson had five points (two goals, three assists) and the shootout winner for the Canucks in their 6-5 win against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. The Oilers ended a three-game losing streak with their 6-3 win against the Stars on Wednesday. Tyson Barry has 14 assists in 11 games in December, most by an Oilers defenseman in any month since Paul Coffey (18 assists in 11 games in March 1986).
Los Angeles Kings at Arizona Coyotes (9:30 p.m. ET; BSAZX, BSW, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Kings (19-12-5), who defeated the Calgary Flames 4-3 in overtime on Thursday, have won four in a row. Kings forward Phillip Danault has three points (two goals, one assist) in as many games. This is the start of a three-game homestand for the Coyotes (10-16-5), who have lost 10 of their past 13 games (3-7-3). Forward Clayton Keller leads Arizona with 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists).
St. Louis Blues at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; ATTSN-RM, BSMW, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Blues (16-16-1) had won four in a row before a 5-2 loss to the Kraken on Tuesday. Mark Stone became the first player in the history of the Golden Knights (23-11-1) to score a power-play and short-handed goal in the same game when they defeated the Coyotes 5-2 on Wednesday.
Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks (10:30 p.m. ET; SN1, BSSC, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Forward Elias Lindholm has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in a four-game point streak. Calgary (15-12-7) is coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Kings on Thursday and is 2-2-4 in its past eight games. This is the second of a 10-game homestand for the Ducks (9-22-3). Anaheim is 5-8-0 at home this season.
Buffalo Sabers at Tampa Bay Lightning, postponed
Detroit Red Wings at Ottawa Senators, postponed
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