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 of six games on Monday.
Penguins feeling warm
The Pittsburgh Penguins are hoping to maintain their strong start when they visit the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place (8 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN1, TVAS, ATTSN-PT). The Penguins are yet to lose in regulation, racing to a 4-0-1 record in their first five games. But now the Penguins and Sidney Crosby make an appointment with Connor McDavid and the Oilers. This is the 10th meeting between Crosby and McDavid; the Penguins are 6-2-1 in those games. McDavid had 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in nine games against Crosby and the Penguins. “Absolutely, it’s always exciting for me to play against a guy like Sid,” McDavid said Monday morning. “It’s something I stand up for and I’m excited for, and I can’t wait to play against him tonight.” Both forwards have 10 points this season; Crosby has three goals and seven assists in five games and McDavid has five goals and five assists in five games. Pittsburgh leads the NHL with 5.20 goals per game and has scored six goals in each of its four wins. They will be without before Jake Guentzel (upper body) for the second game in a row, though. The Oilers (2-3-0) are tied for 23rd in the league, allowing 3.40 goals per game. Could be a good recipe for Monday visitors. We will have to watch and find out. — Amalie Benjamin, editor
Blues seek to stay perfect
The St. Louis Blues appear to remain the only undefeated team in the NHL when they visit the Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, BSMW, ESPN+, SN NOW) The Blues (3-0-0) have no not trailed in their first three games for the second time in franchise history, following a four-game streak to open 2013-14. The longest such streak by an NHL team is seven games by the 1969-70 Boston Bruins, who defeated the Blues in the Stanley Cup Finals that season. Goalkeeper Jordan Binington helped fuel the run with a 3-0-0 record with a 1.65 goals-against average, .940 save percentage and one shutout, a 2-0 win over the Oilers on Saturday. Winnipeg (2-3-0) will look to avoid a three-game losing streak and get its first win for coach Rick Bowness, who missed the Jets’ first four games after testing positive for COVID-19. — William Douglas, writer
Why Pinto? Why not?
Raise your hand if you consider the Ottawa Senators a forward Shane Pinto for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year. Yeah, the Senators play their sixth game of the season when they host the Dallas Stars (7 p.m. ET; TSN5, RDS, BSSW, ESPN+, SN NOW), but it’s not hard to notice what the 21-year-old striker does. Pinto, the 32nd pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, is the third Senators player 21 or younger to score in four straight games, following Alexei Yashin (1993-94) and Mike Fisher (2001-02). His four goals lead NHL rookies and he’s second with five points, one behind Minnesota Wild defenseman Calen Addison (six assists). Ottawa (3-2-0) has won three straight after a 0-2-0 start, scoring seven first-period goals and at least five in each of three wins, two behind the longest streak in its history for 7 -Jan. 16, 2007. The Stars begin a five-game season-opening streak with at least one point (4-0-1) at Ottawa with six power-play goals. Peter DeBoer is the second Dallas/Minnesota North Stars coach with such a run early in his tenure with the team (Marc Crawford, 2-0-3 in 2009-10). — Jon Lane, writer
Monday Games
Dallas Stars vs. Ottawa Senators (7 p.m. ET; TSN5, RDS, BSSW, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Joe Pavelsky became the oldest player in Stars/North Stars history (38 years, 103 days) on Saturday with a hat trick. He’s the oldest on any team with a three-goal game since former San Jose Sharks teammate Joe Thornton (39 years, 231 days) on Feb. 18, 2019, when Pavelski assisted on two of Thornton’s goals. Senators Captain Brady Tkachuk combined with the front Drake Batherson for 14 points (six goals, eight assists) during the three-game winning streak. Ottawa will be without Josh Norris. The forward is out for at least two weeks with an undisclosed injury after coming off the third period of a 6-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday.
Washington Capitals at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSGN, NBCSWA, ESPN+, SN NOW)
New Jersey (3-2-0) is aiming for its fourth straight win after beating the San Jose Sharks 2-1 on Saturday. Washington (3-3-0) looks to bank on a four-goal third period in their 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. It was the second time in three games the Capitals had rallied after trailing by two goals early in the third period. Washington Defender John Carlson is two points shy of 600 for his career.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Edmonton Oilers (8 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN1, TVAS, ATTSN-PT)
The Oilers are ending a six-game homestand, coming off a 2-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Edmonton is third in the league in power play (35.3%) and Pittsburgh is 10th (26.3%).
St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, BSMW, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Blues were shorthanded four times in three games and killed with every penalty. St. Louis striker Vladimir Tarasenko has six points (two goals, four assists) in three games. The Jets were outscored 9-3 in back-to-back losses to the Vegas Golden Knights (5-2) and Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1).
Toronto Maple Leafs at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; ATTSN-RM, TSN4, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Forward Phil Kessel of the Golden Knights (4-2-0) is about to play his 989th straight game, tying retired defenseman Keith Yandle for the longest streak in NHL history. Kessel also needs one in 400 NHL goals. Maple Leafs (4-2-0) aim for third straight win and forward William Nylander looking to extend a four-game streak with at least one point (two goals, two assists).
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vancouver Canucks (10:30 p.m. SN360, SN1, BSSO, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Vancouver (0-4-2) is trying again for its first victory of the season and the 600th victory of Bruce Boudreau’s coaching career in the NHL. Carolina (3-1-1) has lost two straight after winning its first three games. Hurricanes ahead Sebastien Aho looking to extend a four-game point streak (three goals, five assists).
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