Vegas Golden Knights at Pittsburgh Penguins (Friday, 7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SNW, SN, TVAS, ATTSN-PT, ATTSN-RM, NHL LIVE)
The Golden Knights (32-23-4) are struggling right now. They lost to the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 on Thursday to drop to 4-7-1 in their past 12 games. Goalie Robin Lehner is injured, as are forward Mark Stone and defenseman Alec Martinez, but they can't afford a slump. The Golden Knights are third in the Pacific Division but five points ahead of the sixth-place Anaheim Ducks. This isn't the same Golden Knights team we've seen in seasons past that has dominated in the regular season, but they have veterans who will make sure the team shows up against the Penguins.
Pittsburgh is 0-1-1 in its past two games, 3-5-1 in its past nine games and has won two of its past seven home games.
The Penguins (34-15-9) are in the middle of a tough stretch which includes seven straight games against teams in playoff position. Center Evgeni Malkin has scored 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 22 games. Jake Guentzel (58 points in 52 games), Sidney Crosby (56 points in 46 games) and Bryan Rust (45 points in 36 games) are also point-per-game players.
New York Rangers vs. Dallas Stars (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET; BSSW, MSG, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Rangers (36-17-5) will look to bounce back after a 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday and a 5-2 loss at the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Goalie Igor Shesterkin (28-7-3, 2.02 goal-against-average, .939 save percentage) is a Vezina and Hart Trophy candidate, Chris Kreider is among the NHL goal-leaders with 38, and defenseman Adam Fox is a Norris candidate. Forwards Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad have been consistent for several seasons now and veteran additions like defenseman Jacob Trouba and forward Barclay Goodrow had added leadership. The Rangers are balanced and have gotten great coaching from Gerard Gallant.
The Stars (32-21-3) had a four-game win streak end in a 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. Forward Joe Pavelski is having another great season, leading Dallas with 59 points (22 goals, 37 assists). Forward Jason Robertson has followed up his rookie season with 29 goals. Goalie Jake Oettinger (19-7-1, 2.30 GAA, .922 save percentage), who began the season in the American Hockey League, is a big reason why the Stars enter the weekend holding the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET; SN1, SNE, SNO, SNW, ALT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Johnny Gaudreau scored a hat trick in a 4-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. He leads the Flames (35-15-7) and is fourth in the NHL with 77 points (26 goals, 51 assists). His rating of plus-44 is second in the NHL behind teammate Elias Lindholm (plus-45). The line of Gaudreau, Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk has been one of the best lines in the NHL this season. Goalie Jacob Markstrom leads the NHL with eight shutouts, and Calgary is second in goals-against per game (2.46) under coach Daryl Sutter.
The Avalanche (41-13-5) enter the weekend with the most points in the NHL but have lost four of their past five, including 2-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. It was the first time they were shut out this season. Cale Makar had his 13-game point and assist streaks end in that game but leads all NHL defenseman in goals (21) and points (65). The Avalanche have a plethora of offense, but I believe forward Nazem Kadri has been their best player this season. He leads them with 72 points (22 goals, 50 assists), which is tied for sixth in the NHL.
