NHL On Tap: Predators hope to get back into win column against Panthers

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 six games Tuesday.

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Predators need to pick up their game against Panthers

This is a huge week for the Nashville Predators. They will retire Pekka Rinne's No. 35 before they play the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, and then host an outdoor game for the first time when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nissan Stadium on Saturday in the 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series. But first, they visit the Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET; SN1, SNE, SNW, SNP, BSFL, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE) on a four-game losing streak. Can the Predators (28-18-4) get their game right in time for the bright lights, and can they do it on the road against one of the best teams in the NHL? The Panthers (35-10-5) will try to win 10 consecutive games at FLA Live Arena for the second time this season (11-0-0 from Oct. 12 to Nov. 24). Two teams in NHL history have had multiple double-digit winning streaks on home ice in one season: the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings (12 and 12) and the 1955-56 Montreal Canadiens (11 and 10). -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

Islanders face defining stretch before trade deadline

The New York Islanders were projected by many to win the Stanley Cup coming off consecutive appearances in the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Instead, a season ravaged by injuries and COVID-19 has the Islanders (18-20-7) facing the real possibility of selling before the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline on March 21. They visit the Seattle Kraken (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, NHL LIVE) 19 points out of second wild card from the Eastern Conference with Cal Clutterbuck, Zach Parise, Andy Greene and Zdeno Chara each a pending unrestricted free agent. New York begins a five-game road trip Tuesday with the final three against the contending Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, and the Western Conference-leading Colorado Avalanche, a stretch that could end up the backbreaker of a season full of promise. Chara is expected to play his 1,651st NHL game and tie Chris Chelios for the most by a defenseman. -- Jon Lane, staff writer

Tarasenko's return makes life no easier for Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are on an 0-3-2 slide after losing 4-3 in overtime to the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, and now head into the second of a back to back against the visiting St. Louis Blues (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, BSMW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Seventh in the Metropolitan Division, Philadelphia (15-25-10) has rallied from down one goal three times against St. Louis only to come up short. The Blues (29-14-6), third in the Central and winners of seven of their past 10, arrive with the virtually identical 1-2-3 scoring punch of Vladimir Tarasenko (18 goals, 27 assists), Pavel Buchnevich (18 goals, 27 assists) and Jordan Kyrou (18 goals, 26 assists). Tarasenko missed a 6-3 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday with an undisclosed injury but practiced at full speed Monday and is expected to face the Flyers, Blues coach Craig Berube said. Speaking of Berube, he was hugely popular with Flyers fans during his 323 games played for Philadelphia during two tours of duty and three seasons as coach, but probably not so much now. -- Dave Stubbs, columnist

Tuesday games

Nashville Predators at Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET; SN1, SNE, SNW, SNP, BSFL, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Predators have tied their longest stretch without a win this season (0-3-1 from Jan. 13-18). The Panthers won all three games of their road trip following the All-Star break by a combined score of 14-6 and have won seven of their past eight. Jonathan Huberdeau's 70 points (17 goals, 53 assists) are the most by a Florida player through 50 games in one season.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET; BSOH, SNO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Maple Leafs (32-14-3) play the second of a back-to-back set on the road after a 5-2 loss to the Canadiens, when defenseman Jake Muzzin with three seconds left in the second period after colliding with Canadiens defenseman Chris Wideman and stayed in Montreal overnight for observation. Patrik Laine is on a nine-game point streak (10 goals, eight assists) for the Blue Jackets (25-23-1), who have won five of six.
Minnesota Wild at Ottawa Senators (7 p.m. ET; TSN5, TVAS, BSN, BSWI+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Kevin Fiala has scored 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in his past 18 games for the Wild (31-13-3). Thomas Chabot is a game-time decision but will likely play for the Senators (18-26-5) after the defenseman missed four games with an upper-body injury. Ottawa forward
Tim Stutzle
has scored three goals in four games after going six straight without one, and 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in his second NHL season.
St. Louis Blues at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, BSMW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Blues are 3-0-1 in their past four games, outscoring opponents 18-9. St. Louis defenseman Justin Faulk is on a six-game point streak (one goal, five assists). Flyers goalie Martin Jones made 27 saves Monday after Carter Hart was scratched because of an eye infection. Coach Mike Yeo said before the loss to Carolina he is "hopeful" Hart can start against St. Louis.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; SN, SN1, BSSC, BSSD, NBCSCA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Ryan Dzingel will debut for the Sharks (22-22-5). The forward was claimed off waivers Monday, two days after he was traded to the Maple Leafs by the Arizona Coyotes. San Jose has lost six in a row (0-3-3). Trevor Zegras and Adam Henrique combined for five points (two goals, three assists) in their first game as linemates for the Ducks (24-19-9), a 7-4 win at the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. The win ended a four-game skid that saw Anaheim score a combined nine goals. Zegras, a 20-year-old rookie, leads Anaheim in assists (25) and is second in points (38) behind Troy Terry (44).
New York Islanders at Seattle Kraken (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, NHL LIVE)
Goalie Semyon Varlamov will back up Ilya Sorokin for the Islanders after leaving NHL COVID-19 protocol Monday. The Kraken (16-32-4) play the second of a back to back after losing their fourth consecutive game, 5-2 to the Canucks. Seattle forward Marcus Johansson is four points from becoming the 12th player from the 2009 NHL Draft Class to score 400.