NHL On Tap: Wild host Hurricanes looking to rebound after shutout loss

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 eight games Saturday.

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Wild look to rebound after shutout loss

The Minnesota Wild seek to get back on track when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; BSN, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The Wild (28-11-3) were 9-0-1 prior to a 2-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, the first time they were shut out this season. Forwards Kirill Kaprizov (53 points) and Mats Zuccarello (42) lead the way offensively but face a tough test against the Hurricanes (32-10-3), who have allowed an NHL-low 2.36 goals per game and are coming off of a 6-0 shutout against the Boston Bruins on Thursday. -- David Satriano, staff writer

Canucks, Maple Leafs try to get back on track

Avoiding consecutive losses will be the goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks when they play at Rogers Arena (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, SN, NHL LIVE). The Maple Leafs (30-11-3) were defeated 5-2 by the Calgary Flames on Thursday, ending a six-game winning streak. Toronto forward Mitchell Marner had 10 shots on goal but didn't score, ending his eight-game goal streak (10 goals). Marner has scored 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 35 games and prior to his streak had scored goals in consecutive games once this season (Oct. 30-Nov. 2). Vancouver (21-21-6) lost 6-3 at home to the New York Islanders on Wednesday and has lost two of its past three. The Canucks conclude a three-game homestand, in which they are 1-1-0 so far. -- Tim Campbell, staff writer

Flames ride Markstrom's dominant play into game against Islanders

Jacob Markstrom and the Flames have won consecutive games outscoring their opponents 11-2 since the NHL All-Star break and host the Islanders on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; SN, SN360, CITY, TVAS, MSG+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Markstrom stopped a combined 74 of 76 shots in those two games, which were played on back-to-back nights, and is riding a four-game winning streak with a .951 save percentage and two shutouts in the span. He also leads the NHL in shutouts with eight in 35 games; no other goalie in the League has more than four and none had more than seven last season (
Philipp Grubauer
and Semyon Varlamov each had seven in 56-game season). Markstrom could have shutout potential if he starts again for the Flames (25-13-6) against the Islanders (17-18-6), who are averaging 2.41 goals per game (fourth fewest in NHL) after a 3-1 loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. -- Pete Jensen, director, senior fantasy editor

Saturday schedule

Philadelphia Flyers at Detroit Red Wings (Noon ET; BSDET, NBCSP, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The teams complete a home-and-home set after the Red Wings defeated the Flyers 6-3 in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Dylan Larkin has scored eight points (four goals, four assists) in a four-game point streak for the Red Wings (21-21-6). The Flyers (15-23-8) try to end a seven-game skid on the road (0-6-1).
Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators (12:30 p.m. ET; SN1, SNO, RDS, NESN, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Bruins (26-16-3) will be without forwards Patrice Bergeron (injury) and Brad Marchand (suspension) for the second straight game. Boston has been outscored 10-2 in its past two games (0-2-0). Forward Connor Brown has scored three points in three games since returning from a jaw injury for the Senators (16-23-4).
Columbus Blue Jackets at Montreal Canadiens (12:30 p.m. ET; SN360, SNE, SNW, SNP, TVAS, BSOH, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Martin St. Louis will again try for his first win as Canadiens coach after a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday in his debut. Montreal (8-31-7) has lost eight straight games, getting outscored 45-19. Forward Patrik Laine has scored 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his past five games for Columbus (22-22-1), which has won two straight and four of five.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Vancouver Canucks (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS, NHL LIVE)
Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has scored five points (two goals, three assists) in a three-game point streak. Prior to the streak, he scored points in consecutive games once this season (Oct. 13 and 15). Forward Auston Matthews has a six-game point streak (13 points; six goals, seven assists) for the Maple Leafs, who are playing the second game of three-game road trip that concludes at the Seattle Kraken on Monday.
Winnipeg Jets at Nashville Predators (7 p.m. ET; SN360, CITY, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Jets (19-17-8) lost 4-3 in overtime to the Dallas Stars on Friday and are 2-5-3 in their past 10 games. Winnipeg forward Kyle Connor is one point from 300 in the NHL. Forward Filip Forsberg has scored nine points (five goals, four assists) in a five-game point streak for the Predators (28-15-4).
Carolina Hurricanes at Minnesota Wild (8 p.m. ET; BSN, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Forward Andrei Svechnikov has scored 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in his past 11 games for the Hurricanes. The Wild, have won their past four games at home and are 14-3-1 at Xcel Energy Center this season.
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues (8 p.m. ET; BSMW, NBCSCH, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Alex DeBrincat scored three points in a 4-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday and is fifth in the NHL with 27 goals this season for the Blackhawks (17-23-7). He has scored at least that many in four of his five NHL seasons. The Blues (26-14-5) have lost consecutive games to the New Jersey Devils (7-4) and Winnipeg Jets (4-1) following a 9-3-0 stretch.
New York Islanders at Calgary Flames (10 p.m. ET; SN, SN360, CITY, TVAS, MSG+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Semyon Varlamov will likely start for the Islanders after goalie Ilya Sorokin made 33 saved in a 3-1 loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Forwards Elias Lindholm (three goals, three assists) and Johnny Gaudreau (three goals, two assists) have five-game point streaks for the Flames, who have won five straight.