NHL On Tap: Kreider leads Rangers against Connor, Jets

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 eight games on Sunday.

Kreider vs. Connor showdown

Two of the top goal scorers in the NHL will face each other for the first time this season when Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers visit Kyle Connor and the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; TSN3, MSG+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Kreider is third in the NHL with 36 goals in 55 games, including one in each of his past two games. Connor is fifth with 33 goals in 55 games, including four in his past four games. The Rangers (35-15-5) begin a four-game road trip that also includes visits to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, St. Louis Blues on Thursday and Dallas Stars on Saturday; they are 16-10-2 on the road. The Jets (24-21-10) are 1-0-1 so far on a four-game homestand that concludes against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Hurricanes can't afford to slip against Kraken

Every game counts in the Metropolitan Division, as the top three teams (the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins and Rangers) continue to jockey for position. The Hurricanes (38-12-5) host the Seattle Kraken (7 p.m. ET; BSSO, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE), coming off a 3-2 overtime win against the Penguins on Friday. Carolina can't afford a slip again against Seattle (17-35-5), which won 2-1 on Nov. 24 in their first meeting this season. The Hurricanes are led by Sebastian Aho, who has scored 57 points (24 goals, 33 assists) in 52 games, including nine points in his last nine games. If Aho continues the pace he's on (1.09 points per game), he could set a new NHL career high, with 87 points. His current best was 83 points (30 goals, 53 assists) in 82 games in 2018-19. -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

Ducks need to regroup

The Anaheim Ducks (26-22-9) were in good shape entering the NHL All-Star break but are 3-6-0 since then. They're fifth in the Pacific Division and currently wouldn't qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They'll try to get back on track when they host the San Jose Sharks (8 p.m. ET; BSW, NBCSCA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The Ducks have been outscored 30-13 in their past six regulation losses. They are 2-3-0 on a season-long six-game homestand and begin a five-game road trip Tuesday at the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks (24-25-6) have lost two straight after being shut out 8-0 by the Nashville Predators on Saturday. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

Sunday schedule

Los Angeles Kings at Buffalo Sabres (1 p.m. ET; SN, MSG-B, BSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
It's the third of a four-game road trip (1-1-0 so far) and the first half of a back-to-back set for the Kings (30-19-7), who have won six of eight. The Sabres (18-30-8) have won two in a row after losing six straight. Buffalo forward Tage Thompson has a four-game point streak (three goals, one assist).
St. Louis Blues at New Jersey Devils (1 p.m. ET; MSG+, BSMW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
It's the second and final meeting between the teams this season after the Devils (19-31-5) won 7-4 on the road Feb. 10. New Jersey center Nico Hischier scored three points (two goals, one assist) in that win and has a three-game point streak (two goals, two assists). The Blues (32-16-6) have lost two straight after losing 2-1 to the New York Islanders on Saturday and will finish a four-game road trip.
Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild (4 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS, NHL LIVE)
The Stars (31-20-3) have won three in a row and are 6-1-1 in their past eight. The Wild (32-18-3) have lost seven of nine but could have defenseman Matt Dumba and forwards Mats Zuccarello and Jordan Greenway each return from injury.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN360, SNW, SNP, NBCSCH, BSSUN, NHL LIVE)
The Lightning (36-12-6) begin a six-game road trip; they are 17-7-2 on the road this season. The Blackhawks (20-28-8) are playing in the second of a back-to-back set after losing to the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 on Saturday.
New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets (7 p.m. ET; TSN3, MSG+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Rangers defenseman Adam Fox has five assists in his past three games and 47 this season, most at his position in the NHL. Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois has scored eight points (one goal, seven assists) in a four-game point streak.
Seattle Kraken at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET; BSSO, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
This is the second of a four-game homestand for the Hurricanes, who are 20-4-2 at PNC Arena this season. Carolina forward Teuvo Teravainen is expected to play his 500th NHL game. It's the second half of a back-to-back set for the Kraken, who lost 5-2 to the Washington Capitals on Saturday and are 1-7-1 in their past nine.
Ottawa Senators at Vegas Golden Knights (8 p.m. ET; TVAS, ATTSN-RM, TSN5, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Golden Knights (31-21-4) have won two of their past three. Forward Chandler leads them in scoring with 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) in 53 games. The Senators (19-30-5) have lost four in a row after an 8-5 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks (8 p.m. ET; BSW, NBCSCA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Ducks forward Trevor Zegras has scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in the past nine games. Rookie goalie Zach Sawchenko could make his first NHL start; he's appeared in relief in four games this season.