NHL On Tap: Ovechkin goes for another milestone when Capitals visit Jets

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 six games Friday.

Ovechkin has chance at history against Jets

Alex Ovechkin can continue to march through the NHL record books when the Washington Capitals visit the Winnipeg Jets on Friday (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, NBCSWA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Ovechkin's next power-play goal will be his 275th and move him past Dave Andreychuk for most in NHL history. The forward is scoring at the highest rate of his 17 NHL seasons, averaging 1.59 points per game (46 points in 29 games), and has scored nine points (two goals, seven assists) during a six-game point streak for the Capitals (17-5-7). The Jets/Atlanta Thrashers are a franchise he's traditionally done well against, scoring 92 points (48 goals, 44 assists) in 67 games. In addition to the difficulty in stopping Ovechkin, the Jets (13-10-5) are trying to move on without top-line forward Blake Wheeler, who is expected to be out long-term because of a knee injury sustained Dec. 10. -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

Gallant faces Golden Knights for first time

Gerard Gallant forever will hold a special place in the history of the Vegas Golden Knights. He guided them to the Pacific Division title and Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season of 2017-18, winning the Jack Adams Award voted as NHL coach of the year. But he was a victim of his own success, helping set such a high standard that he was fired Jan. 16, 2020, even though Vegas was contending for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Oh, and he was replaced by Peter DeBoer, the former coach of the rival San Jose Sharks with whom he had feuded. Now Gallant is coach of the New York Rangers (19-7-3) and faces DeBoer's Golden Knights (18-11-0) for the first time (7 p.m. ET: TVAS, MSG, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, NHL LIVE), with his new team among the best in the NHL. -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

Predators bring six-game winning streak to Chicago

Give the Chicago Blackhawks full marks for creativity, having defeated the Washington Capitals 5-4 in overtime Wednesday with three goals in a 34-second span at 5-on-3, 5-on-4 and 5-on-5. Now we'll see what the Blackhawks (11-15-2) have up their sleeve when they host the sizzling Nashville Predators (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The Predators (18-10-1) are riding a six-game winning streak, after a 5-2 win at home against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Nashville has won eight of its past 10 games (8-2-0) and moved into a tie with the St. Louis Blues for second in the eight-team Central Division. -- Dave Stubbs, columnist

Friday schedule

Vegas Golden Knights at New York Rangers (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, MSG, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Golden Knights have won three straight and six of their past seven (6-1-0). The Rangers are 2-3-0 in their past five games and could be without forward Artemi Panarin, who left a 3-2 win at the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday because of a lower-body injury.
Buffalo Sabres at Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; SN, ATTSN-PT, MSG-B, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Penguins (15-8-5) have won five straight, outscoring their opponents 20-6 during that span. The Sabres (10-15-4) have won two in a row, are 2-0-1 in their past three and are looking to earn a point in four consecutive games for the first time this season.
Dallas Stars at St. Louis Blues (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, NHL LIVE)
The Stars (13-11-2) have lost four straight, including 4-1 to the Blues on Tuesday that prompted coach Rick Bowness to say a few players were "complete no-shows." The Blues (16-8-5) are on a six-game point streak (4-0-2).
Washington Capitals at Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, NBCSWA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Capitals coach Peter Laviolette needs one win to tie Dick Irvin for 10th in NHL history with 691. Paul Maurice resigned as coach of the Jets on Friday and was replaced by Dave Lowry. Winnipeg has lost three of its past four (1-2-1).
Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Predators forward Filip Forsberg has scored five points (two goals, three assists) during a three-game point streak. Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat, who scored twice against the Capitals on Wednesday, has scored 16 goals, twice as many as any teammate (Brandon Hagel, eight).
Arizona Coyotes at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, NHL LIVE)
Forward Troy Terry has scored three goals in the past two games and has scored 18 this season, 10 more than any other member of the Ducks (17-9-5), who have won four of their past five (4-1-0). Anaheim is 9-1-2 in its past 12 home games. The Coyotes (5-21-2) have lost six straight in regulation and eight of their past nine (1-8-0).