NHL On Tap: Pavelski to play 1,200th game when Stars visit Hurricanes
McDavid, Oilers face Zegras, Ducks; Ovechkin tries to tie Howe on all-time goals list
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Pavelski to play 1,200th NHL game
Joe Pavelski will play his 1,200th NHL game when the Dallas Stars visit the Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET; BSSO, BSSWX, ESPN+, SN NOW). The 38-year-old forward was a seventh-round pick (No. 205) by the San Jose Sharks in the 2003 NHL Draft and became a mainstay for them for 13 seasons from 2006-19 before he signed with the Stars as a free agent on July 1, 2019. He has 954 points (431 goals, 523 assists) in 1,199 games, played in four NHL All-Star Games (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022), helped the United States win the silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and represented the U.S. again at the 2018 Sochi Games. Pavelski is still delivering. He's third on the Stars (18-8-5) with 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 31 games this season. Saturday marks the first head-to-head meeting between Pavelski and former Sharks teammate Brent Burns, since rthe defenseman was traded to the Hurricanes (17-6-6) in July. -- William Douglas, staff writer
McDavid looks to extend point streak to 12
It's entertaining when Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras play. A highlight-reel goal is always possible. So, I'll enjoy watching both on the same ice when the Oilers (17-13-1) host the Ducks (8-20-3) on Saturday (4 p.m. ET; SN, BSSC, ESPN+, SN NOW). McDavid, who has an 11-game point streak (11 goals, 14 assists) is in the midst of another outstanding season. He leads the NHL in points (60) and goals (27) and is second in assists (33) behind Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning (34). Zegras, who has scored on "the Michigan" lacrosse-style goal a few times in his career, has 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) this season. The Oilers have had their ups and downs, and the Ducks unfortunately have had mostly downs this season. But when McDavid and Zegras share the same ice, it's a great reason to watch. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer
Ovechkin tries to tie Howe again
Alex Ovechkin needs just one more goal to tie Gordie Howe for second-most in NHL history with 801, and will attempt to get it when the Washington Capitals (15-13-4) host the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CBC, SNO, SNW, SNP, NBCSWA). It'll be fascinating to see Ovechkin go up against Maple Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov, who was his teammate for three seasons with Washington and faced Ovechkin every day in practice. The Capitals are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, a game in which Ovechkin had five shots but didn't score. Nobody has been able to score of late on Samsonov, who is coming off back-to-back shutouts and has not allowed a goal in 152 minutes, 34 seconds. While teammate Mitch Marner's franchise-record 23-game point streak ended in Toronto's 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday. Michael Bunting scored a goal to extend his point streak to 10 games. He has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) for the Maple Leafs (19-6-6) in that span. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
Saturday games
Columbus Blue Jackets at Boston Bruins (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, NESN, BSOH, SN NOW)
Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau, who played three seasons of NCAA hockey at Boston College, has 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 14 games against the Bruins, including six points (four goals, two assists) in six games at TD Garden. Boston forward David Pastrnak has eight points (five goals, three assists) during a seven-game point streak, and 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in his past 17.
Ottawa Senators at Detroit Red Wings (1 p.m. ET: TVAS, BSDET, TSN5, ESPN+)
The ascending Senators (13-14-2) are 7-2-1 in their past 10 games and will attempt to stretch their winning streak to four when they visit the Red Wings. Ottawa forward Alex DeBrincat has a seven-game point streak (three goals, seven assists). The Red Wings (13-10-6) are trending in the opposite direction, 2-5-2 in their past nine, and will look to end a four-game skid (0-3-1).
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers (4 p.m. ET; SN, BSSC, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Forward Zach Hyman has five goals in his past three games for the Oilers, who are 3-1-1 in their past five and lost 4-3 in a shootout to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. The Ducks ended a nine-game road losing streak (0-7-2) with their 5-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
Dallas Stars at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET: BSSO, BSSWX, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Each team comes in attempting to extend modest win streaks. The Stars have won two straight and four of their past five games. The Hurricanes have won three in a row and are 7-0-1 in their past eight.
New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET: NBCSP, MSG, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Rangers (16-10-5) seek their sixth consecutive win and are coming off an impressive 3-1 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, ending Toronto's consecutive-games point streak at 15. Goalie Carter Hart was spectacular for the Flyers (10-14-7) that same night, making 49 saves in a 2-1 win against the New Jersey Devils. Defenseman Tony DeAngelo will return from a personal leave for the Flyers, who will scratch their leading scorer, forward Kevin Hayes (29 points in 31 games).
Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET: CITY, SNE, TVAS, BSSUNX, ESPN+)
The Lightning (19-9-1) go for their fifth straight win and are led by forward Nikita Kucherov, who has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in the past six games. Forward Cole Caufield has five goals in his past six games for the Canadiens (14-14-2), who have lost three of four.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals (NHLN, CBC, SNO, SNW, SNP, NBCSWA)
It's the second of three meetings this season after the Maple Leafs defeated the Capitals 3-2 on Oct. 13 in Toronto. Maple Leafs defenseman Conor Timmins has four assists in his past two games.The Capitals had won five in a row and scored at least one power-play goal in seven straight games before each streak ended in a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
Florida Panthers at New Jersey Devils (7:30 p.m. ET: MSGSN, BSFL, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Panthers (14-13-4) have lost three of their past four games and will have to find a way to improve on their team goals-against average of 3.26, which ranks 21st in the NHL. The Devils (21-7-2) will try to end a four-game skid (0-3-1). New Jersey defenseman Dougie Hamilton has seven points (one goal, six assists) in his past five games and will play his 700th NHL game Saturday.
Buffalo Sabres at Arizona Coyotes (9 p.m. ET: BSAZX, MSG-B, ESPN+, SN NOW)
It's the second and final meeting this season between the teams after the Coyotes defeated the Sabres 4-1 on Nov. 8. Forward Tage Thompson scored the only goal for the Sabres (14-14-2) and has 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) in his past nine games. The Coyotes (10-14-4) will be playing only their seventh game of the season at home at Mullett Arena, where they've gone 4-2-1 after a 5-4 win against the New York Islanders on Friday.
Nashville Predators at Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET: ALT, BSSO, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Predators (12-12-4) have been plagued by special team struggles: their power play ranks 30th (14.7%) and their penalty kill is 19th (77.6%). Forward Mikko Rantanen has five goals in his past four games for the Avalanche (15-11-2), who are thin up front with fellow forwards Gabriel Landeskog (knee) and Nathan MacKinnon (upper body) injured.
New York Islanders at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET: ATTSN-RM, MSG, MSG 2, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Golden Knights (22-9-1) look for their third straight win. They are 5-2-0 in their past seven games. The Islanders (17-13-1) are 0-2-1 in their past three games and 0-1-1 in the first two of a five-game road trip.
Winnipeg Jets at Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET: CBC, SN, CITY, ESPN+)
Defenseman Josh Morrissey is enjoying a breakout season for the Jets (19-9-1), and will try to extend his point streak to eight games after collecting eight assists in his previous seven. Forward Elias Pettersson is on a similar roll for the Canucks (13-13-3) with seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past five games.
San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m. ET: BSW, NBCSCA, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Forward Tomas Hertl has seven points (three goals, four assists) in his past five games for the Sharks (10-16-5), who have been competitive on the road (7-8-0) and are attempting to win their third consecutive game. Forward Kevin Fiala continues to flourish in his first season with the Kings (16-12-5), and has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in his past nine games.
