NHL On Tap: Islanders look to slow down surging Hughes, Devils

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 the six games Thursday.

Islanders hope to shut down Hughes

The New York Islanders will try to contain surging forward Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils at Nassau Coliseum (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV). After an underwhelming rookie season, Hughes is tied with nine players for second in the NHL with six points (two goals, four assists), one behind Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone, helping the surprising Devils (2-0-1) split their two-game set against the Boston Bruins and defeat the New York Rangers 4-3 on Tuesday. Goalie Semyon Varlamov has shutouts in each of his first two games for the Islanders (2-1-0). With Devils goalie
Mackenzie Blackwood
on the COVID-19 protocol list, Scott Wedgewood is expected to play his first NHL game since Feb. 13, 2018.
Nico Hischier
, New Jersey's No. 1 center, remains out with a foot injury. -- Pete Jensen, senior fantasy editor

Centers of attention headline Bruins-Flyers

For decades, the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers had the reputation of being rough, tough and ornery, which has led to some feisty and historical encounters. But the focus in recent seasons has shifted to centers who have been the face of their respective teams, Patrice Bergeron of the Bruins and Claude Giroux of the Flyers. They have combined to score 1,689 points (610 goals, 1,079 assists) in 1,985 NHL games, and will face off at TD Garden (7 p.m. ET; SN, TVAS, NESN, NBCSP, NHL.TV). Bergeron, 35, and Giroux, 33, are worthy captains, exhibit strong leadership skills and have plenty left in their tanks, but how long can they compete at the elite level they've established for themselves? Instead of pondering that answer, why not enjoy watching them compete at the standard we're accustomed to? Who knows how much longer we'll get the chance to do it? -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

Get ready for Blue Jackets-Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets will renew acquaintances at Nationwide Arena (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, FS-O) with the first of eight Discover Central Division games in this budding rivalry. The Lightning defeated the Blue Jackets in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference First Round last season on the way to winning the Stanley Cup. The five games included four decided by one goal, Game 5 went to overtime, and Game 1 went five overtimes. This was one season after Columbus swept Tampa Bay in the 2019 first round after the latter won the Presidents' Trophy with 128 points, four shy of the NHL record held by the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens. There is plenty of animosity between these teams, so expect the pace and energy to be evident from the opening face-off. -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

Thursday schedule

Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET (SN, TVAS, NESN, NBCSP, NHL.TV)
The Bruins and their struggling offense (three goals, two on the power play) look to avoid their third consecutive loss. The Flyers are without center Sean Couturier (rib), forward Morgan Frost (shoulder) and defenseman Philippe Myers (rib).
New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. ET (MSG+, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV)
Hughes' six points are tied with Kyle Palmieri, Jesper Bratt, Brian Gionta, John MacLean, Mel Bridgeman and Greg Adams for the Devils record through the first three games of a season.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN, FS-O)
The Lightning will try to become the first defending Stanley Cup champions to start the following season 3-0-0 since the Dallas Stars in 1999-00. The 1920-21 Ottawa Senators and 1985-86 Edmonton Oilers share the NHL record (5-0-0).
Winnipeg Jets at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. ET (TSN5, RDS, TSN3, NHL.TV)
The Jets take a struggling penalty kill, they've allowed four goals while shorthanded nine times (55.6 percent), into the second of three straight games against the Senators.
Montreal Canadiens at Vancouver Canucks, 9:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SNP, TSN2, RDS)
The Canadiens and Canucks play the second of a back to back at Rogers Arena. Vancouver started 0-for-15 on the power play before going 3-for-6 in a 6-5 shootout win Wednesday.
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+, SN360, SNE, SNO, SNW, FS-W, ALT, NHL.TV)
Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has at least one shot on goal in 223 consecutive games, four behind Joe Sakic's Colorado/Quebec Nordiques record set from 1995-99.
Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes -- Postponed