NHL On Tap: Ovechkin leads Capitals vs. Sabres, could catch Esposito

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 nine games Monday.

Ovechkin Watch continues in Buffalo

Phil Esposito might want to tune in to the game Monday between the Buffalo Sabres and the visiting Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, NBCSWA+, NHL.TV). There's a good chance the Hall of Fame sniper will be joined, or even passed, by Capitals marksman Alex Ovechkin on the all-time goals list; Esposito is sixth with 717 goals, one ahead of Ovechkin. The game is almost an afterthought to the latest Ovechkin Watch. The Capitals are 17-6-4, second in the MassMutual East Division; the Sabres are 6-16-4, last in the NHL. Ovechkin is a point-a-game producer against the Sabres, with 54 points (33 goals, 21 assists) in 53 games. Fourteen of those goals have come in Buffalo, and he seems due against the Sabres. He has three points but no goals against them in three games this season. -- Dave Stubbs, columnist

Lightning aren't slowing down

Ah, the fabled Stanley Cup hangover. It certainly isn't affecting the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have been tremendous this season and look to keep the winning going when they host the Nashville Predators on Monday (4 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, SUN, FS-TN, NHL.TV). The defending Cup champions are 19-5-2 and trail the Carolina Hurricanes by one point in the Discover Central Division. They're 10-1-0 at home, where they play four of their next five games. Forward Ondrej Palat has scored 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists), tied for the Lightning lead with defenseman Victor Hedman (five goals, 21 assists). Forward Steven Stamkos has scored 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists), as has forward Brayden Point (10 goals, 15 assists). Meanwhile it's been a tough season for the Predators, who are 11-16-1, seventh in the eight-team division and 1-5-1 in their past seven games. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

Bruins seeking road success

The Boston Bruins begin a crucial back-to-back set at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday (7 p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, ATTSN-PT, NESN, NHL.TV). The two road games are pivotal for the Bruins, who are 4-4-2 in their past 10 and fourth in the East, three points behind the third-place Penguins. One key storyline to watch is if Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, who has been out the past three games with an undisclosed injury, can return for this quick series. Boston is 7-4-3 on the road this season and will need to bring its best against Pittsburgh, which has the second most home wins (11) in the NHL behind the New York Islanders (12). -- Rob Reese, fantasy editor

Monday schedule

Nashville Predators at Tampa Bay Lightning, 4 p.m. ET (NHLN, SN, SUN, FS-TN, NHL.TV)
Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman needs one point to reach 500 in the NHL. He has scored 499 points (110 goals, 389 assists) in 788 regular-season games.
Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET (MSG-B, NBCSWA+, NHL.TV)
Nicklas Backstrom will pass Calle Johansson for the second-most games played in Capitals history (984). Only Alex Ovechkin, who will play his 1,176th game for Washington, has more.
Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN, MSG, NBCSP, NHL.TV)
The Rangers return home after a six-game road trip (3-3-0) to host the Flyers for two straight. Philadelphia, which is 1-4-0 in its past five, begins a four-game road trip.
Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. ET (FS-F, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)
Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith has five assists in three games against the Panthers.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET (SNE, SNO, ATTSN-PT, NESN, NHL.TV)
Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists) during a seven-game point streak. Teammate Sidney Crosby has scored eight points (three goals, five assists) during a six-game point streak.
Vancouver Canucks at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. ET (TSN5, RDS2, SNP, NHL.TV)
The Canucks begin a four-game road trip with the first of two straight against the Senators. Vancouver, which is 4-1-0 in its past five games, is 3-0-0 against Ottawa this season.
Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+, TSN3, TSN2, RDS, NHL.TV)
If Carey Price plays Monday for the Canadiens, he will become the sixth goalie in NHL history to play 700 games with one team, joining Martin Brodeur (1,259, New Jersey Devils), Henrik Lundqvist (887, New York Rangers), Tony Esposito (873, Chicago Blackhawks), Terry Sawchuk (734, Detroit Red Wings), and Olie Kolzig (711, Washington Capitals).
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+, SN1, SNW, NHL.TV)
The Battle of Alberta resumes with the first of two straight games in Calgary. The Oilers are 3-1-0 against the Flames this season and center Connor McDavid has scored 10 points (five goals, five assists) in the first four games.
San Jose Sharks at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m. ET (ATTSN-RM, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)
The Golden Knights are 8-2-0 in their past 10 games and 3-0-0 against the Sharks this season.
St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings, postponed due to weather