NHL On Tap: Eichel aims to produce offense for Golden Knights vs. Kings

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 four games Friday.

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Eichel sets sights on second game with Golden Knights

Jack Eichel looks to rebound in his second game for the Vegas Golden Knights when they host the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena (10 p.m. ET; SN, SN1, ATTSN-RM, BSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The center had one shot on goal and four penalty minutes in 17:32 of ice time in his Vegas debut, a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. It was Eichel's first game since March 7, 2021, with the Buffalo Sabres. The Golden Knights (28-18-3) have been shut out in two straight games, outscored 8-0, after winning their previous three. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is one assist from passing Bernie Nicholls (431) for sole possession of sixth place in Los Angeles history. Center Anze Kopitar has scored six points (one goal, five assists) in his past six games for the Kings (24-17-7). -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

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Predators looking to stop slide

The Nashville Predators (28-17-4) had a strong first half of the season and were 4-0-1 in their final five games prior to the break for NHL All-Star Weekend. They haven't resumed their season with the same success; they have lost three straight, outscored 13-6. They'll look to turn their fortunes around when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes (32-11-4) at PNC Arena (7 p.m. ET; SN1, TVAS, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Penalties have been an issue for the Predators, especially recently; they took 45 penalty minutes and allowed three power-play goals in a 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. They're averaging an NHL-high 12:52 penalty minutes per game. The Predators have to clean things up to get back on track. The Hurricanes, two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Metropolitan Division lead, are 1-2-2 in their past five games after going 7-1-0 in their previous eight. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

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Two of NHL's hottest teams clash in Minnesota

The Florida Panthers have been the NHL's best team the past two months and will attempt to keep their momentum going against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, NHL LIVE). The Atlantic Division-leading Panthers (33-10-5) are 15-3-1 in their past 19 games, and in that span have outscored opponents 93-54 and averaged 4.89 goals per game. Florida showed no rust coming off a 14-day break for NHL All-Star Weekend with a 3-2 overtime win at the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Center Sam Reinhart scored the tying goal against Carolina and has scored five goals in his past three games. The Wild (30-12-3) have been on a roll too, going 11-2-1 in their past 13 games. Each loss was to the Winnipeg Jets, including a 6-3 road defeat on Wednesday. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

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Friday schedule

Nashville Predators at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET; SN1, TVAS, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Defenseman Roman Josi is the Predators' leading scorer with 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists) in 47 games. This will be the first of three games in four days for the Hurricanes, who play back-to-back at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday and at the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
Florida Panthers at Minnesota Wild (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, NHL LIVE)
The Panthers are led by forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who has scored 66 points (17 goals, 49 assists) in 48 games. The Wild's busy schedule continues with five games over the next nine days, including a four-game road trip at the Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames.
Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, BSSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
It's the second half of a home back-to-back for the Blackhawks following a 7-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at United Center on Thursday. Center Radek Faksa is expected to return for the Stars after missing two games with a lower-body injury. Dallas is 3-1-0 in its past four games.
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; SN, SN1, ATTSN-RM, BSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
This is the first of a four-game road trip for the Kings, who are 11-6-5 away from home this season. Center Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) in 48 games. Forward Chandler Stephenson leads the Golden Knights with 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists) in 46 games.