NHL On Tap: Kucherov can extend point streak to 12 games for Lightning

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 four games Friday.

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Kucherov can extend point streak to 12 games

Nikita Kucherov will look to extend his point streak to 12 games when the Tampa Bay Lightning (7-5-1) visit the Washington Capitals (6-7-2) at Capital One Arena (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SNE, SNW, SNP, NBCSWA, BSSUN, SN NOW). The Lightning forward, who has six goals and 14 assists during the streak, is currently tied with Jesper Bratt of the New Jersey Devils (Oct. 13-Nov. 3) for the longest point streak in the League this season at 11 games. Washington captain Alex Ovechkin will look to continue his ascent on the NHL all-time goals list. Ovechkin is 13 goals behind Gordie Howe (801) for second all-time in goals and 106 behind Wayne Gretzky's NHL record of 894 goals. Ovechkin's six-game point streak (five goals, two assists) ended in a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

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Kraken can tie longest home win streak

The Seattle Kraken will try to tie their record for longest home winning streak when they host the Minnesota Wild (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, SN NOW). Seattle (8-4-2) is seeking its third straight win at Climate Pledge Arena after defeating the Nashville Predators 5-1 on Tuesday. Seattle has won three straight at home twice before -- Nov. 11-Dec. 3, 2021 and April 16-20. Kraken goalie Martin Jones has been the backbone to their early-season success, which includes a five-game winning streak at present. Jones is 7-3-1 with a 2.45 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and one shutout, a 4-0 win against the Wild (6-6-1) at Xcel Energy Center on Nov. 3. Forward Kirill Kaprizov has four goals in his past five games, including two in Minnesota's 4-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. -- William Douglas, staff writer

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Maple Leafs start busy Hockey Hall of Fame weekend at home

The sky isn't falling in Toronto anymore. At least for now. After a four-game skid (0-2-2), the Toronto Maple Leafs heard howls from fans and media. Reporters asked about coach Sheldon Keefe's job security. Well, the Maple Leafs have gone 3-0-1 since, including wins against the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes. They play the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN4, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+) on Friday and Vancouver Canucks on Saturday in a back-to-back set at home on Hockey Hall of Fame Weekend. Will they keep it rolling, or is the next crisis around the corner? You never know in Toronto. Lose to the struggling Penguins, and the natives might get restless again. -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

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Friday's games

Pittsburgh Penguins at Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN4, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+)
The Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Wednesday after going 0-6-1 in their previous seven games. Pittsburgh forward Jake Guentzel has seven points (four goals, three assists) in a five-game point streak. Forward Mitchell Marner leads the Maple Leafs with 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 14 games, including 11 (two goals, nine assists) during a seven-game point streak.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SNE, SNW, SNP, NBCSWA, BSSUN, SN NOW)
Center Brayden Point has nine points (two goals, seven assists) during a five-game point streak for the Lightning, who have lost two of their past three games (1-1-1). The Capitals, who have lost five of six (1-3-2), have struggled offensively and are 25th in the NHL, averaging 2.73 goals per game.
San Jose Sharks at Dallas Stars (8:30 p.m. ET; BSSW, NBCSA, SN NOW)
The Stars (8-4-1) are 4-1-0 at home this season. Jason Robertson looks to extend an NHL career-high six-game goal streak in which the forward has seven goals, including one in the Stars' 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. His six-game run is tied for the longest goal streak in Dallas Stars history (since 1993-94). The Sharks (3-9-3) look to end a five-game skid (0-2-3) following a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Defenseman Eric Karlsson has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) during a six-game points streak, including two assists Thursday.
Minnesota Wild at Seattle Kraken (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, SN NOW)
The Wild conclude a three-game road trip after they defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 on Wednesday and lost to the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 on Tuesday. Minnesota left wing Matt Boldy has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past five games. Kraken center Morgan Geekie has factored into game-winning goals in three straight games, including an assist on Will Borgen's goal in their 5-1 win against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.