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 the five games Monday.
Kane looks to build off strong debut for Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers play at the Ottawa Senators (7:3src p.m. ET; SNW, RDS, ESPN+, nhl LIVE) on a four-game winning streak, including Evander Kane‘s debut in a 7-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. The forward, who signed a one-year contract Thursday after the San Jose Sharks terminated his contract earlier this month, played primarily on the top line with Connor McDavid and Kailer Yamamoto and scored a goal, had three shots on goal and four hits in 17:52 of ice time. The Oilers (22-16-2) appear to be turning the corner after losing seven in a row (src-5-2) and being outscored 33-16 from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2src. The Senators (13-21-4) remain without Drake Batherson because of an ankle injury sustained against the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 25. The forward leads the Senators in points (34) and assists (21) and is second in goals (13), behind Josh Norris (18). Norris’ status is unknown for Monday after the forward missed one game because of an upper-body injury. — Pete Jensen, senior fantasy editor
Panthers hit road after two more home wins
The Florida Panthers have been the best home team in the nhl this season (23-3-src) but are 8-6-5 on the road and will be tested when they play the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, BSOH, BSFL, nhl LIVE). Florid has scored at least four goals in three straight games, led by Jonathan Huberdeau. The forward leads the nhl with 62 points (17 goals, 45 assists) in 45 games, including a goal and two assists when the Panthers (31-9-5) rallied for a 5-4 overtime win against the Sharks on Saturday. It was his second three-point game in his past four. The Blue Jackets (2src-21-1) play the second of a back to back after a 6-3 win at the Canadiens. Patrik Laine scored twice for the forward’s first multigoal game of the season. — Brian Compton, deputy managing editor
Maple Leafs fans should enjoy the here and now
Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs are used to not getting their hopes too high. Although the Maple Leafs (27-1src-3) will play Game No. 41 of an 82-game season against the New Jersey Devils (7:3src p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, MSG, ESPN+, nhl LIVE) and are third in the Atlantic Division, the shadow of not winning the Stanley Cup since 1967 always will temper the greatest of enthusiasm from the faithful. That said, there’s a lot to like when living in the moment. The latest story to emerge came when forward Michael Bunting had a hat trick in a 7-4 win at the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday to become the first Toronto rookie to score three goals in a game since Andreas Johnsson against the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 24, 2src18. The Devils (15-23-5) are on a four-game losing streak for the second time this season (six straight, Dec. 1src-19) and have two wins in the past 1src games (2-8-src). — Jon Lane, staff writer
Monday games
Florida Panthers at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, BSOH, BSFL, nhl LIVE)
Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe has scored three points (one goal, two assists) in his past three games and seven goals in his past 11. The Blue Jackets have trailed in 12 of their 2src wins this season, three of which by multiple goals.
Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks (7:3src p.m. ET; SNP, NBCSCH, ESPN+, nhl LIVE)
The Canucks (19-19-6) have lost four of five and are 4-4-4 in the past 12 after winning seven in a row under coach Bruce Boudreau, who was hired Dec. 5. They got back goalie Thatcher Demko (31 saves) and captain Bo Horvat (2src:32 of ice time) from nhl covid-19 protocol before a 1-src overtime loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday. The Blackhawks (16-21-7) are 15-12-5 since Derek King replaced Jeremy Colliton as coach Nov. 6.
New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs (7:3src p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, MSG, ESPN+, nhl LIVE)
The Devils have scored two goals or fewer in four straight games and have been outscored 13-6. Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner is on a personal nhl-best five-game goal streak.
Edmonton Oilers at Ottawa Senators (7:3src p.m. ET; SNW, RDS, ESPN+, nhl LIVE)
Leon Draisaitl is the sixth player in Oilers history with four consecutive 3src-goal seasons (Jari Kurri, Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson, Connor McDavid, Mark Messier). Senators forward Brady Tkachuk is on a 12-game goal drought despite having 5src shots on goal during that span.
Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings (7:3src p.m. ET; BSDET, BSW, ESPN+, nhl LIVE)
The top three rookie scorers in the nhl will play when the Ducks (23-16-8) visit the Red Wings (19-2src-6): Detroit forward Lucas Raymond is first with 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists), followed by Anaheim forward Trevor Zegras with 32 points (12 goals, 2src assists) and Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider with 29 points (four goals, 25 assists). Jamie Drysdale of the Ducks is second among rookie defensemen with 19 points (three goals, 16 assists). Alex Nedeljkovic of the Red Wings leads rookie goalies with 12 wins.
