NHL On Tap: Hall debuts for Bruins against Sabres after trade

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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Taylor-made trade

Taylor Hall was traded to the Boston Bruins by the Buffalo Sabres on Monday and, as fate would have it, the forward will make his Bruins' debut at home against the Sabres (7 p.m. ET; NESN, MSG-B, NHL.TV). Boston also received forward Curtis Lazar in the trade and sent forward Anders Bjork and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft to Buffalo. But Hall was one of the biggest names available before the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline. Things didn't work out with the Sabres, who signed him to a one-year, $8 million contract Oct. 11. He's scored 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 37 games this season and Buffalo is last in the eight-team MassMutual East Division, where the top four teams make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But Hall will get a fresh start and, likely, a chance to play in the postseason with Boston, which is fourth in the East, four points ahead of the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers. It begins by playing the Sabres four times in their next six games. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

New-look Capitals try to extend winning streak

All eyes will be on the Washington Capitals when they host the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TVAS, NBCSWA, NBCSP, NHL.TV). The Capitals made a splash before the deadline by acquiring forward Anthony Mantha from the Detroit Red Wings for forwards Jakub Vrana and Richard Panik, a first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Mantha, who scored 25 goals two seasons ago and 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in 42 games this season, is expected to play against the Flyers. He should occupy a top-six role with the Capitals, who will look to replace the 34 points scored by Vrana (25) and Panik (nine) this season. Washington, tied with the New York Islanders for first in the East Division, has won two in a row and will attempt to exploit a Flyers team that has allowed 26 more goals than they've scored. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is on a roll. He has scored six points (three goals, three assists) in his past five games and 13 goals in his past 17. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

Panthers aim to end three-game skid

The Florida Panthers will try to end a three-game losing streak when they visit the Dallas Stars (8:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, BSSW+, BSFL, NHL.TV). Florida has been outscored 12-3 in its past three games after a six-game winning streak. Despite the slide, the Panthers are third in the eight-team Discover Central Division, two points behind the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning who are tied for first. Aleksander Barkov has been Florida's offensive spark with six points (four goals, two assists) in his past five games. Sixth-place Dallas is six points behind the Nashville Predators for fourth place in the Central. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs. Dallas forward Jason Robertson has scored three goals in his past five games, including two in a 4-1 win against Florida on Friday. Robertson (27 points; 11 goals, 16 assists) is second behind Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov (34 points; 16 goals, 18 assists) among rookies in scoring. -- William Douglas, staff writer

Tuesday schedule

Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET (NESN, MSG-B, NHL.TV)
Bruins forward Craig Smith, who will play his 700th NHL game, has scored six points (two goals, four assists) in a four-game point streak.
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN, TVAS, NBCSWA, NBCSP, NHL.TV)
Forward Scott Laughton, who signed a five-year, $15 million contract with the Flyers on Monday, has scored four goals in four games against the Capitals this season. Washington defenseman John Carlson will play his 800th NHL game.
New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. ET (MSG+, MSG, NHL.TV)
It's the first of four straight games between these MassMutual East Division rivals, who are 2-2-0 in their season series. The Rangers are three away from 20,000 goals scored in their history.
Calgary Flames at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. ET (TVAS2, SNO, SNW, NHL.TV)
Flames forward Milan Lucic will play his 1,000th game in the NHL. Goalie David Rittich is expected to start for Toronto after it acquired him in a trade with Calgary on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+, BSSO, BSFL, NHL.TV)
The Predators are 10-2-0 in their past 12 games. They are fourth in the eight-team Discover Central Division, two points ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks. The top four teams qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Florida Panthers at Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+, BSSW+, BSFL, NHL.TV)
Stars forward Roope Hintz has scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in a three-game point streak. He was the NHL Third Star for the week ending April 11.
Hall photo courtesy of Michael Penhollow/Boston Bruins