NHL On Tap: Kaprizov, McDavid look to extend streaks for Wild, Oilers
Thompson looking to stay hot for Sabres; Blue Jackets' Gaudreau to face Flames for first time
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NHL.com @NHLdotcom
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Streaking Kaprizov, McDavid clash
Scoring streaks collide when the Minnesota Wild face the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place (9 p.m. ET; SN1, BSWIX, ESPN+, SN NOW). Wild (13-10-2) forward Kirill Kaprizov looks to extend his Minnesota-record seven-game goal-scoring streak and 13-game point streak. He scored the game's first goal in the Wild's 5-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, giving him 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in his 13-game run. It's the third-longest point streak in the NHL this season, behind Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner's active 21-game streak and Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson's 18-game streak. Connor McDavid is on a streak of his own for the Oilers (15-12-0), with goals in six straight games and points in seven in a row. He had two goals and two assists in Edmonton's 8-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday, giving him 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) during his run. -- William Douglas, staff writer
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Thompson looks to follow big six-point night
What can Tage Thompson do for an encore? It'll certainly be fun to watch how the 25-year-old follows his six-point night Wednesday when his Buffalo Sabres (12-13-1) host the Pittsburgh Penguins (14-8-4) at KeyBank Center on Friday (7 p.m. ET: MSG-B, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, SN NOW). Thompson joined Dave Andreychuk as the only Sabres players to score five goals in a game, accomplishing the feat in Buffalo's 9-4 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Thompson also had an assist for his second six-point game of the season; he had three goals and three assists against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 25. Now, two days after his offensive outburst against Columbus, he'll face a Pittsburgh team that will be intent on smothering him. Penguins forward Sidney Crosby has been on a hot streak of his own and will attempt to extend his consecutive points run to seven games (five goals, three assists). The 35-year-old has 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in his past 11 games and is playing some of the best hockey of his career. --Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
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Gaudreau to face Flames for first time
The Columbus Blue Jackets entered the season with high hopes after signing former Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau to a seven-year, $68.25 million contract ($9.75 million average annual value) on July 13. But it's been disappointing all around. Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets with 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 25 games but Columbus is last in the Metropolitan Division at 8-15-2 and is coming off a 9-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. That's how things stack up prior to Gaudreau facing his former teammates for the first time when the Flames (13-10-3) visit Nationwide Arena on Friday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW). Among the issues for the Blue Jackets is in goal, where Joonas Korpisalo (4-5-1, 3.65 goals-against average, .899 save percentage in 11 games) and Elvis Merzlikins (2-7-0, 5.06 GAA, .856 save percentage in 11 games) have struggled. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer
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Friday's games
Calgary Flames at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Flames have won three in a row and four of their past five games (4-1-0). Forward Tyler Toffoli has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past three games. The Blue Jackets have lost three in a row and are allowing an NHL-high 4.16 goals per game.
New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSGN, MSGN2, ESPN+, SN NOW)
New York (16-11-0) has lost three of its lost four (1-3-0) following a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Islanders forward Zach Parise has four goals in his past five games, and goalie Ilya Sorokin needs one win for 50 in his NHL career. New Jersey (21-4-1) is 10-3-1 at Prudential Center after its 3-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Devils forward Jack Hughes has 10 points (six goals, four assists) during a six-game point streak.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET: MSG-B, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Penguins will attempt to extend their winning streak to four games; they've outscored their opponents 14-6 in the previous three. Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has nine points (one goal, eight assists) during a five-game point streak.
Seattle Kraken at Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET; NBCSWA, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Seattle (15-7-3) starts a four-game road trip having lost two straight following a seven-game winning streak. Washington (12-12-4) captain Alex Ovechkin enters with 795 goals, six away from Gordie Howe (801) and 99 from No. 99 himself, Wayne Gretzky, on the NHL all-time goal scoring list.
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, TSN3, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Jets (17-7-1) have won three in a row after their 5-2 win at the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois scored twice and had an assist, extending his point streak to seven games (five goals, seven assists). The Blackhawk (7-14-4) are coming off consecutive 3-0 losses, to the New York Islanders on Sunday and the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, and are 1-8-1 in their past 10. Forward Max Domi has five points (four goals, one assist) in his past four games.
Minnesota Wild at Edmonton Oilers (9 p.m. ET; SN1, BSWIX, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Wild look to rebound from having their four-game winning streak end in a 5-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. The Oilers are 6-4-0 in their past 10 games. With his two goals Wednesday, Connor McDavid has goals in six straight games for the second time in the NHL; he's the fourth player in Oilers history with multiple goal streaks of at least six games, joining Wayne Gretzky (seven), Jari Kurri (four) and Glenn Anderson (four).
New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET; ALT, MSG 2, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Rangers (13-10-5) conclude a two-game road trip after a 5-1 win against the Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday. Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad has nine points (five goals, four assists) during a six-game point streak. The Avalanche (13-10-1) look to end a three-game losing streak following their 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. Colorado will play its second game without forward Nathan MacKinnon, who is expected to be out four weeks because of an upper-body injury sustained during a 5-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
Boston Bruins at Arizona Coyotes (9:30 p.m. ET; BSAZX, NESN, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Boston (21-3-1) goalie Linus Ullmark leads the NHL in wins (15) after he made 23 saves in a 4-0 win against Colorado on Wednesday. The Bruins are 8-1-1 in their past 10 games, and forward Trent Frederic has six points (three goals, three assists) in his past five. Arizona (7-13-4) play its first game at Mullett Arena since Nov. 3, ending a 14-game road trip that saw them lose the final six (0-4-2). Forward Matias Maccelli has six points (one goal, five assists) in his past five games, and is tied for second among NHL rookies with 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) in 17 games.
Philadelphia Flyers at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; ATTSN-RM, NBCSP+, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Golden Knights (19-8-1) will try to end a three-game home losing streak. Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault has goals in three straight games. The Flyers (9-13-5) are 2-10-3 in their past 15 games. Philadelphia forward Travis Konecny has four points (three goals, one assist) during a four-game point streak.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, SN NOW)
Anaheim (7-17-3) looks to build on its 4-3 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday that ended a six-game skid (0-4-2). Defenseman Cam Fowler has 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in his past 12 games. San Jose (8-16-5) hopes to right the ship after losing seven of eight (1-5-2), including 6-5 in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks at SAP Center on Wednesday. Sharks forward Logan Couture has seven points (three goals, four assists) in his past six games.
