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 six games Wednesday.
Oilers, Kings face off in key Pacific battle
The storylines are aplenty with the Los Angeles Kings visiting Rogers Place to play the Edmonton Oilers (9:30 p.m. ET; SN1 SNW, TVAS, BSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Let’s start with the standings, which sees the surprising Kings (36-23-9) second in the Pacific Division, two points ahead of the Oilers (37-25-5). Edmonton is 7-2-1 in its past 10 games. Los Angeles is 4-4-2 in its past 10 after its 6-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Monday. Then there are the individual milestones on the line. Oilers captain Connor McDavid has scored 98 points (36 goals, 62 assists) in 66 games and needs two to reach 100 points for the fifth time in his past six NHL seasons. He leads teammate Leon Draisaitl by two points in the race for the Art Ross Trophy, which McDavid has won three times in the past five seasons. Draisaitl has scored 96 points (48 goals, 48 assists) in 67 games and is two goals from reaching 50 for the second time in his NHL career (2018-19). He is one goal behind Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs for most in the NHL this season. — Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial
Canucks looking for revenge against Blues
The Vancouver Canucks will be seeking retribution when they host the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Arena on the second of their home-and-home series (10 p.m. ET; SNP, BSMW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The Canucks (32-27-9) lost 4-1 in St. Louis on Monday to finish a 2-1-1 road trip and return to Vancouver for a two-game homestand four points behind the Dallas Stars for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference with 14 games remaining. To have success against St. Louis (36-20-9), they’ll have to find a way to slow down Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues forward had two goals and an assist Monday to reach 500 NHL points. The game in Vancouver begins a stretch drive with 10 of the Blues’ final 17 games on the road, where St. Louis is 15-11-5 this season. — Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
Golden Knights try to stay in playoff race
March has been a mixed bag for the Vegas Golden Knights (36-28-4), who are 7-8-0 this month. They’re looking to end on a good note and gain some ground in the playoff race when they play the Kraken (21-39-6) at Climate Pledge Arena (10 p.m. ET; TNT, NHL LIVE). The Golden Knights are one point behind the Stars for the second wild card and five behind the Blues for the first wild card from the West; the Winnipeg Jets trail them by two points and the Canucks are three points behind. Vegas has gone to the playoffs its each of its first three NHL seasons, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season of 2017-18, It needs a positive end to March and a stronger April to continue its postseason streak. — Tracey Myers, staff writer
Wednesday schedule
Winnipeg Jets at Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET; SN, TVAS, MSG-B, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Forward Mark Scheifele, who scored both goals for the Jets (32-25-10) in a 2-1 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, is on a five-game point streak (three goals, six assists). This is the first of a four-game homestand for the Sabres (24-33-10), who are 4-0-2 in their past six games.
New York Rangers at Detroit Red Wings (7:30 p.m. ET; TNT, NHL LIVE)
Frank Vatrano has scored five goals in seven games since the Rangers (43-19-5) acquired the forward in a trade with the Florida Panthers on March 16. The Red Wings (26-32-8), who lost 11-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 27, allowed at least 10 goals for the second time since Feb. 26, when they lost 10-7 to the Maple Leafs.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers (9:30 p.m. ET; SN1, SNW, TVAS, BSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Los Angeles forward Adrian Kempe is two goals from becoming the fourth Kings player in 10 seasons to score 30 in one season, joining forwards Anze Kopitar (35 in 2017-18), Jeff Carter (32 in 2016-17) and Tyler Toffoli (31 in 2015-16). McDavid could be the second active player with five 100-point seasons in the NHL (Sidney Crosby, six).
St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET; SNP, BSMW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Forward David Perron has scored 14 goals in his past 13 games and has scored 22 points (14 goals, eight assists) in his past 16 for the Blues. The Canucks are 4-4-2 in their past 10 games against the Blues, 2-2-1 in their past five.
San Jose Sharks at Arizona Coyotes (10 p.m. ET; BSAZX, NBCSCA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Sharks (29-28-8) have won three of their past four. Forward Tomas Hertl had two assists in San Jose’s 4-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday to give him 200 in the NHL. The Coyotes (20-41-5) have lost six in a row (0-5-1), scoring two goals or fewer in each game.
Vegas Golden Knights at Seattle Kraken (10 p.m. ET; TNT, NHL LIVE)
Forward Evgenii Dadonov is on a four-game point streak (five goals, three assists) for the Golden Knights. Vince Dunn‘s eight assists since March 10 are tied for the second among NHL defensemen (Roman Josi, 18). He has four assists in his past three home games for the Kraken since March 2. The Kraken will be eliminated from postseason contention if they lose in regulation. They will also be eliminated if they win in overtime or a shootout and the Oilers and Canucks each win in any fashion, or if they lose in overtime or a shootout and the Oilers get one point against the Kings.