Welcome to NHL On Tap. Three NHL.com editors will share each day what they look forward to most from the schedule. Today, their picks from Sunday’s five games.
Lalonde looking to extend Red Wings record
Derek Lalonde can extend a record when the Detroit Red Wings host the Anaheim Ducks at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday (5 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN NOW). He is already the first coach in Red Wings history to earn a point in each of his first four games (2-0-2), passing Jeff Blashill (3-0-0 in 2015-16), Mike Babcock ( 3-0-0 in 2005-06), Jimmy Skinner (3-0-0 in 1954-55) and Tommy Ivan (2-0-1 in 1947-48). It’s a promising start for Detroit, which hasn’t qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for six straight seasons. But the Red Wings have things to work on. They blew a 2-0 lead in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday and rank last in the NHL in faceoff percentage (40.1). The Ducks (1-3-1) beat the Seattle Kraken 5-4 in their season opener but haven’t won since. — Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Sharks struggle to gain a foothold
It was a rough start for the San Jose Sharks, who lost six of their first seven games (1-6-0) after a 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. A lack of attack was the biggest problem. Outside of their 3-2 overtime win over the New York Rangers on Thursday, the Sharks have scored two or less in their other six games. They’ll be trying to generate more offense when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, NBCSCA, ESPN+, SN NOW) and it won’t be easy. The Flyers (4-1-0) allow 2.20 goals per game. San Jose Forward Kevin Labanc, who missed all but 21 games with a shoulder injury last season, scored his first goal of the season on Saturday and maybe that can at least get him going. — Tracey Myers, Writer
Kraken, the Blackhawks put their nose in the grindstone
The Seattle Kraken (2-2-2) visits the Chicago Blackhawks (2 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, SN NOW) after a 3-2 win over Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Friday, one trainer Dave Hakstol called it “a rock solid 60 minutes”. Seattle took a 2-0 lead two minutes into the second period and refused to fold after Colorado scored a shorthanded goal to tie it 2-2 at 6:58 from third and goalie Philippe Grubauer left with a lower body injury at 10:17. The Blackhawks (2-2-0) outlasted the losing goaltender Petr Mrazek (groin strain) after the second period to defeat the Red Wings 4-3 in overtime of their home opener on Friday. It was their second consecutive victory with several goals. Like the Kraken, the Blackhawks try to gain respect with a Chicago forward mentality Andreas Athanasiou says is “Drop your nose, go over there and work.” Expect a tight game between two teams that don’t plan to leave easily. — Jon Lane, writer
Sunday games
Seattle Kraken vs. Chicago Blackhawks (2 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Goalkeeper Martin Jones should start for Seattle and Joey D’accord was recalled from Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League on Saturday with Grubauer on a day-to-day basis. Alex Stalock will start for the Blackhawks. Mrazek was placed on injured reserve retroactive to October 21. Coach Luke Richardson said Saturday the prognosis was encouraging.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings (5 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN NOW)
The Ducks complete a five-game road trip against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 0-3-1 on the trip, coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Forward Troy Terry leads Anaheim with six points (three goals, three assists) in five games this season. The Red Wings have lost two straight games in overtime.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Rangers (5 p.m. ET; MSG, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW)
So far so good for Johnny Gaudreau with the Blue Jackets (2-4-0). The forward has a five-game point streak and leads Columbus with seven points (four goals, three assists). The Blue Jackets have not scored a power play goal this season (0 of 14) and are coming off a 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Rangers (3-1-1) are on a three-game point streak at home (2-0-1) to start a season for the first time since 2009-10 (3-0-0). Artemi PanarinThe five-game point streak is the longest season opener by a Rangers player since Brad Richards (five in 2011-12). His 11 points (three goals, eight assists) are tied after the first five games with Rod Gilbert in 1971-72.
New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers (5 p.m. ET; TVAS, BSFL, MSGSN, ESPN+)
The Islanders (2-3-0) are coming off a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. They are 18 for 18 shorthanded and 1 for 15 on the power play this season. Matthew Tkachuk is the first Panthers player with at least one point in each of the first five games to start a season and leads Florida (3-1-1) in goals (three), assists (five), points (eight) and shots on goal (24). He scored in a 3-1 season-opening win over the Islanders on October 13.
San Jose Sharks vs. Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, NBCSCA, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Sharks ahead Oskar Lindblom returns to Philadelphia for the first time after five seasons with the Flyers. Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, on Dec. 10, 2019. The Flyers beat the Nashville Predators 3-1 on Saturday and allowed two or fewer goals in each of their wins.
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