NHL On Tap: Red-hot Robertson leads Stars against Avalanche

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 eight games Saturday.

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Red-hot Robertson rolls into Colorado

Jason Robertson will try to extend his goal and point streaks for the Dallas Stars when they visit the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena (9 p.m. ET; ALT, BSSWX, ESPN+, SN NOW). Robertson has scored two goals in three consecutive games, including in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. He has seven goals during a four-game goal streak and leads the NHL with 18 goals in 21 games. Robertson has 27 points (16 goals, 11 assists) during a 14-game point streak and trails Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid by one point for the NHL lead with 34 (18 goals, 16 assists). He had two goals and an assist when Dallas (12-5-4) extended its point streak to seven games (4-0-3) in the overtime loss Friday. Colorado (11-6-1) had won three in a row and six of seven before losing 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

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Maple Leafs avoiding losses

The Toronto Maple Leafs (12-5-5) have gathered up the points lately, logging a 5-0-2 record in their past seven games and losing just one game in regulation since Oct. 30. They'll face the team that beat them Nov. 11, the Pittsburgh Penguins (11-7-3), again on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CBC, SN, CITY, TVAS, ATTSN-PT). The Maple Leafs have some key injuries on defense, including Morgan Rielly (knee), who was placed on long-term injured reserve Tuesday. But their offense is still clicking, thanks to forwards John Tavares (12 goals, 13 assists) and Mitchell Marner (five goals, 20 assists), who lead Toronto with 25 points each. For Marner, 20 of those points (four goals, 16 assists) have come on his current 15-game point streak. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

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McDavid in the spotlight at MSG

McDavid, who could currently be the world's most famous hockey player, will be in the spotlight at the "World's Most Famous Arena" when the Oilers visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, MSG). McDavid, who has 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists) in 20 games, is on pace to lead the League in scoring for the fifth time in his eight NHL seasons. And this season he's not just relying on slick passes to open teammates; he's shooting the puck more, averaging 3.95 shots on goal per game, and is on pace to score 60 goals for the first time. McDavid has done well in the MSG spotlight, scoring three goals in five games, including two game-winners. The Rangers (10-7-4) could make it tough on McDavid and the Oilers (10-10-0), however; they've allowed three goals or fewer in seven straight games. -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

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Saturday games

Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, MSG)
The Rangers return home after a four-game road trip (2-1-1). Mika Zibanejad (10 goals, 13 assists), Adam Fox (six goals, 17 assists) and Artemi Panarin (five goals, 18 assists) each have 23 points to share the lead for New York. The Oilers lost the first two games of their three-game trip and have scored twice. They are 3-7-0 in their past 10 games after going 7-3-0 in their first 10.
Calgary Flames at Carolina Hurricanes (4 p.m. ET; SN, BSSO, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Hurricanes (10-6-5) have lost five in a row (0-1-4) but got a point in four of those games. Carolina is 1-5 in games decided in overtime after their 3-2 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on Friday. The Flames (9-8-3) are 2-2-1 heading into the finale of their six-game road trip. Calgary forward Tyler Toffoli is one goal from 200 in the NHL.
St. Louis Blues at Florida Panthers (6:30 p.m. ET; BSFL, BSMW, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Matthew Tkachuk has scored goals in four straight games and has 10 points (four goals, six assists) during a five-game point streak for the Panthers (10-8-2). The Blues (10-10-0) hope to end their streaky ways when they complete a three-game road trip; St. Louis opened the season with three straight wins, then lost eight in a row and rebounded to win seven straight games before losing its past two, including 5-2 at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. Jordan Kyrou has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) during a seven-game point streak, and Pavel Buchnevich has nine points (five goals, four assists) during a five-game point streak for the Blues.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CBC, TVAS, SN, CITY, ATTSN-PT)
Forward William Nylander scored his 148th NHL goal Friday for the Maple Leafs, tying him with the late Borje Salming for the second most goals by a Sweden-born player in their history. The Penguins have won five in a row, including 4-1 at the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. Center Sidney Crosby leads them in points (28) and goals (11).
Washington Capitals at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSG, NBCSWA, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Vitek Vanecek, who was traded to the Devils by the Capitals on July 8, is expected to start in goal against his former team for the first time. Vanecek relieved Mackenzie Blackwood to begin the third period in a 6-3 loss to Washington on Oct. 24. The Devils (17-4-0) are 14-1-0 since then, including a 3-1 win at the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Devils coach Lindy Ruff needs one win to become the fifth coach with 800 NHL wins. Washington (9-10-3) has won its past two following a 0-3-1 slide. Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (401) needs one road goal to tie Wayne Gretzky (402) for most in NHL history.
Philadelphia Flyers at New York Islanders (7:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, NBCSP, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Islanders (14-8-0) have won three in a row and are 12-4-0 in their past 16 games. Mathew Barzal has 10 points during a seven-game point streak for New York (two goals, eight assists) and leads the NHL with 23 assists. The Flyers (7-9-5) have lost nine in a row (0-6-3) for their longest skid since they lost 13 straight (0-10-3) last season from Dec. 20, 2021-Jan. 25. Kevin Hayes reached 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in the fewest games of his career (21) with his goal in Philadelphia's 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Friday.
Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET; ALT, BSSWX, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Avalanche have not played since Wednesday after their game at the Nashville Predators was postponed Friday because of issues caused by a water main break near Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Colorado defenseman Cale Makar has scored in three straight games. The Stars are 6-3-2 on the road.
Vancouver Canucks at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, CITY, TVAS, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+)
The Canucks (7-10-3) and Golden Knights (16-5-1) play each other for the second time in six days. Vegas rallied from a two-goal third period deficit to win 5-4 at Vancouver on Monday but had a four-game point streak (3-0-1) end with a 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Friday. The Canucks have won three of their past four games, including a 4-3 victory against the Avalanche on Wednesday.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Nashville Predators POSTPONED