Capitals returning to Vegas, Sabres' tough schedule highlight week ahead

The Washington Capitals returning to Las Vegas for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup and William Nylander's potential season debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the highlights of the week ahead in the NHL.
Here's a look at 5 things to watch:

1. Return to Sin City

The Washington Capitals visit T-Mobile Arena to play the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; SN, ATTSN-RM, NBCSWA, NHL.TV) for the first time since defeating them in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 7 to clinch the first championship in their history.
The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 5-2 at Capital One Arena on Oct. 10.
The Capitals (15-8-3) have won seven of their past eight games and are first in the Metropolitan Division.
The Golden Knights (14-13-1) are fourth in the Pacific Division and 6-2-0 in their past eight games after an 8-11-1 start.

2. Buffalo barometer

The Buffalo Sabres (17-7-3) will play two of the best teams in the NHL on consecutive nights: the Nashville Predators (18-8-1) at Bridgestone Arena on Monday (8 p.m. ET; SNE, SNP, FS-TN, MSG-B, NHL.TV) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (19-8-0) at KeyBank Center on Tuesday.
The Sabres' mettle will be tested having lost two straight (0-1-1) since a 10-game winning streak matched the longest in their history set in 1983-84 and 2006-07. They hope to capitalize on a Predators team missing injured forwards Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson and Kyle Turris, and defenseman P.K. Subban.

The Maple Leafs present a greater challenge. They're winners of four straight, are an NHL-best 10-3-0 on the road and one of their best players is back after not playing this season.

3. Welcome back Nylander

William Nylander could make his season debut this week after agreeing to terms on a six-year contract with the Maple Leafs on Saturday (average annual value of $6.9 million). Nylander, who was a restricted free agent, would not have been eligible to play in the NHL this season if he did not sign before the 5 p.m. ET Dec. 1 deadline.
The Maple Leafs visit the Sabres on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TSN4, NHL.TV), host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday and are at the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

"Willy was ecstatic after," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said after a 5-3 win against the Minnesota Wild. "He wants to be back here and we want him back here. It'll take us four or five days to get him in the lineup, but as soon as we can we'll get him in."

4. Hitchcock vs. Blues

Ken Hitchcock will coach his first game with the Edmonton Oilers against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday Night Hockey at Enterprise Center (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVAS).
Hitchcock came out of retirement to replace Todd McLellan on Nov. 20. He was 248-124-41 in six seasons with the Blues and is the winningest active coach in the NHL (827-507-120, 88 ties).
Edmonton (13-11-2) is 4-1-1 since Hitchcock took over, including a three-game winning streak.
St. Louis (9-13-3) is 2-4-0 after coach Mike Yeo was fired and replaced by Craig Berube on Nov. 19.

5. Milestone watch

* Anze Kopitar is three goals from the 300 in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings, who host the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET; FS-W, FS-A PLUS, NHL.TV), the New Jersey Devils on Thursday and the Golden Knights on Saturday.

* Ryan Miller is one win from passing John Vanbiesbrouck (374) for most by a U.S.-born goalie. The Anaheim Ducks host the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday (10:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, WGN), the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday and the Devils on Sunday.