NHL On Tap: Marleau to set games record when Sharks visit Golden Knights

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 eight games Monday.

Marleau's moment

Patrick Marleau will play his 1,768th game, passing Gordie Howe for most in NHL history, when the San Jose Sharks visit the Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; NHLN, ATTSN-RM, NBCSCA, NHL.TV). Marleau was emotional when the Minnesota Wild recognized him for tying Howe's record in San Jose's 5-2 loss Saturday, and Wild players lined up to shake his hand after the game. It will be more emotional Monday, when Marleau's family will be in attendance. The sixth-place Sharks have lost five in a row and are five points behind the fourth-place Arizona Coyotes in the Honda West Division. The top four teams qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. San Jose will be determined to end its losing streak Monday and make it a great night in every way for Marleau. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

Blue Jackets try to rebound in Florida

The Columbus Blue Jackets are in free fall and the Florida Panthers don't exactly look like a safety net. The slumping Blue Jackets play their third of a six-game road trip when they visit the Panthers. (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, BSFL, BSOH, NHL.TV). Columbus is 0-4-1 in its past five and on a five-game road losing streak, which includes 5-2 and 3-0 losses at Florida on April 3 and 4. The Blue Jackets are 2-10-2 in their past 14 games, with a string of four consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff appearances on very thin ice. Columbus is seventh in the eight-team Discover Central Division, 10 points behind the fourth-place Nashville Predators. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs. The second-place Panthers are 14-4-3 at home, winners of five straight at BB&T Center. The Panthers are one point behind the first-place Carolina Hurricanes, who come to Florida to play Thursday and Saturday. -- Dave Stubbs, columnist

Dallas gaining ground in Central

The Dallas Stars are sixth in the Central, three points behind the fourth-place Predators with three games in hand. The Stars host the Detroit Red Wings (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, BSSW+, NHL.TV), the first of four straight games between the teams. Dallas has won two in a row and has a six-game point streak (4-0-2). Stars forward Roope Hintz has a five-game point streak (two goals, nine assists), stepping up in the absence of right wing Alexander Radulov, who is out the rest of the season because of core muscle surgery. Forward Jason Robertson, who has taken on an expanded role for the Stars, has scored 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in his past 19 games. He's scored 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) this season, second among NHL rookies behind Kirill Kaprizov of the Wild (36). Despite injuries, Dallas looks to be making a late push for a playoff spot. -- Rob Reese, fantasy editor

Monday schedule

Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. ET (BSFL, BSSO, NHL.TV)
The Lightning are third in the eight-team Discover Central Division, trailing the first-place Hurricanes by two points. Tampa Bay is 5-7-0 in its past 12 games; Carolina is 5-1-1 in its past seven.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. ET (TVAS, BSFL, BSOH, NHL.TV)
The Panthers are 5-0-1 against the Blue Jackets. Florida defenseman MacKenzie Weegar has scored eight points (one goal, seven assists) in the season series, but he's day to day with an upper-body injury.
Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN, BSSW+, NHL.TV)
The Red Wings are 6-14-2 on the road but have won their past three away from Little Caesars Arena. The Stars are 3-0-1 in their past four at home.
Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET (BSSO, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)
The Blackhawks open a three-game set against the Predators, whom they trail by two points for fourth in the Central. The top four teams in the division qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Minnesota Wild at Arizona Coyotes, 9 p.m. ET (BSAZ+, BSN, NHL.TV)
The Wild, who are third in the eight-team Honda West Division, try for their fourth straight win. The Coyotes, who ended a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 win against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, are fourth in the West, one point ahead of the Blues. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs.
Ottawa Senators at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+, SNF, TSN5, RDS2, NHL.TV)
The Flames are fifth in the seven-team Scotia North Division, six points behind the fourth-place Montreal Canadiens. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs. Calgary had its three-game winning streak end when it lost 2-1 to the Canadiens on Friday.
Montreal Canadiens at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m. ET (SNW, TSN2, RDS, NHL.TV)
The Canadiens are 5-2-0 against the Oilers this season. Edmonton, third in the North, is 3-1-0 in its past four games.
San Jose Sharks at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m. ET (NHLN, ATTSN-RM, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)
The Golden Knights, who go for their seventh straight win, are tied with the Colorado Avalanche for first in the West.