NHL On Tap: Makar tries to extend point streak when Avalanche host Jets

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 six games Friday.

Makar hopes to extend point streak

Cale Makar will look to extend his point streak to seven games when the Colorado Avalanche host the Winnipeg Jets (9 p.m. ET; ALT, TSN3, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The defenseman has nine assists and has averaged 25:30 of ice time during the streak, his third point streak of six or more games this season. Forward Nathan MacKinnon will return for the Avalanche (37-10-4) after missing a 5-2 win at the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday because of a lower-body injury. The Jets (22-20-9) want to end a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) and remain in the hunt for a Stanley Cup Playoff berth in the Western Conference. Forward Kyle Connor has scored 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in his past 11 games for Winnipeg, which is 4-4-2 in its past 10. -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

Freeway Face-Off gets spicier with playoff race

The Freeway Face-Off series will have added significance when the Los Angeles Kings visit the Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; BSSC, BSSD, KCOP-13, SN, ESPN+, NHL LIVE), given how close the teams are in the Western Conference standings. The Kings (27-17-7) are third in the Pacific Division with 61 points, two ahead of the Ducks (25-19-9), who are tied for fourth with the Edmonton Oilers. Neither the Kings nor Ducks has qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2017-18. Los Angeles has won three straight and is 7-1-2 in its past 10. Anaheim seeks its third win in a row. Forward Troy Terry has scored 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in his past 14 games and leads the Ducks with 44 points (26 goals, 18 assists) in 48 games. This is the second of four games between the two Southern California teams this season; Anaheim won the first 5-4 in a shootout on the road Nov. 30. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

Blues try to keep rolling

The Blues (30-14-6) have won two in a row and are 11-4-1 since Jan. 7 entering their home game against the Buffalo Sabres (16-27-8) on Friday (8 p.m. ET; BSMW, MSG-B, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). They have benefitted from balanced scoring for several seasons now and same goes for this one. Vladimir Tarasenko leads them with 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 45 games; and forwards Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich are just one point off that pace with 45 each. Robert Thomas is fourth with 40 points. Steady, consistent, call it whatever you like: the Blues are practicing it well this season. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

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Friday schedule

Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET; SN, BSSO, BSOH, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
This is the second half of a back-to-back set for the Blue Jackets (27-23-1), who are coming off a 6-3 win against the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Forward Patrik Laine has scored 21 points (13 goals, eight assists) in an 11-game point streak for Columbus, which has won four straight and seven of eight. The Hurricanes (35-11-4) are playing their first game since Monday when they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime. Carolina forward Teuvo Teravainen has a six-game point streak (two goals, six assists).
Buffalo Sabres at St. Louis Blues (8 p.m. ET; BSMW, MSG-B, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Sabres, who have lost four in a row, have not allowed a power-play goal in their past six games. The Blues are home for this one game after a 3-0-1 road trip and ahead of another four-game road trip that begins Sunday at the Chicago Blackhawks.
New Jersey Devils at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, NBCSCH, MSG+, NHL LIVE)
It's the second and final game this season between the teams; the Devils (18-28-5) defeated the Blackhawks (18-26-8) 4-3 in overtime Oct. 15 when Jack Hughes scored twice, including the game-winner. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who hadn't played since Jan. 2 because of a jaw injury, played 19:12 for New Jersey in a 6-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Goalie Kevin Lankinen will start for Chicago, which hasn't played since a 5-2 loss to Florida on Sunday.
Winnipeg Jets at Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET; ALT, TSN3, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Forward Nazem Kadri leads the Avalanche and is tied with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews and Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau for fourth in the NHL with 64 points (22 goals, 42 assists) in 48 games. This is the third of a four-game road trip for the Jets, who lost the first two (3-1 to the Flames and 3-2 in overtime to the Dallas Stars).
Vegas Golden Knights at Arizona Coyotes (9:30 p.m. ET; BSAZ+, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
It's the first half of a back-to-back set for the Golden Knights (29-18-4), who host the Avalanche on Saturday. Vegas coach Peter DeBoer is one win from 500 in the NHL. Forward Clayton Keller has a five-game point streak (four goals, three assists) for the Coyotes (13-34-4), who have lost three of their past four. Arizona defenseman Anton Stralman is expected to play his 900th NHL game.
Los Angeles Kings at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; SN, BSSC, BSSD, KCOP-13, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Kings forward Viktor Arvidsson has scored seven points (three goals, four assists) in the past five games. This is the second of a six-game homestand for the Ducks, who are 14-8-4 at Honda Center this season.