NHL On Tap: Crosby can score 500th NHL goal for Penguins at 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 four games Sunday.

Crosby tries to score 500th goal, Malkin could return for Penguins

Sidney Crosby gets another chance to score his 500th NHL goal when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the New Jersey Devils (1:30 p.m. ET; MSG+, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The 34-year-old captain needs one goal to become the second active player (Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, 759) and second in Penguins history (Mario Lemieux, 690) to reach the milestone. Crosby will have extra help if Evgeni Malkin is ready to play. The center is a game-time decision after leaving NHL COVID-19 protocol Friday and has assisted on more of Crosby's goals (108) than anyone in team history. Malkin is also on a personal nine-game point streak (three goals, seven assists) for the Penguins (29-11-8).
Jack Hughes
returns for the Devils (17-26-5) after the center missed three games in protocol. New Jersey is home following a three-game road trip and scoring a combined 14 goals in wins at the Montreal Canadiens (7-1) and St. Louis Blues (7-4). -- Jon Lane, staff writer.

Ovechkin, Laviolette eye super Sunday

Ovechkin loves playing on Super Bowl Sunday, so the timing seems right for him to finally score his 30th goal of the season when the Capitals (26-14-9) host the Ottawa Senators (12:30 p.m. ET; SN1, NBCSWA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Ovechkin hasn't scored a goal in his past five games, leaving the forward one short of reaching 30 for the 16th time in his career, which would put him one season back of Mike Gartner's NHL record. But in 14 games on Super Bowl Sunday, Ovechkin has scored 12 goals (second-most in NHL history behind Phil Esposito's 16), and 18 points (tied with Johnny Bucyk for second-most behind Esposito's 32), according to NHL Stats. Capitals coach Peter Laviolette is also looking to make a dent in the record book. He is one win away from becoming the 10th NHL coach with 700 wins, which would tie him with Mike Babcock for ninth in League history. The Senators (16-24-4) have been shut out in two straight games, 2-0 to the Penguins on Thursday and 2-0 to the Boston Bruins on Saturday. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Avalanche can extend point streak

The Colorado Avalanche take an 18-game point streak (16-0-2) into American Airlines Center to play the Dallas Stars (2 p.m. ET; BSSW+, ALT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). After shaking off the rust following the All-Star break with a 3-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, the Avalanche (33-8-4) are first in the Western Conference and have a nine-point lead over the second-place Minnesota Wild in the Central Division. Forward Nathan MacKinnon, who sustained a facial fracture and concussion against the Bruins on Jan. 26, is expected back for the Avalanche, who play four games in seven days, including a home and home against the Stars (25-18-2) concluding Tuesday in Colorado. The Avalanche have been fun to watch this season and it'll be interesting to see if they can continue their torrid pace in the second half. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

Sunday games

Ottawa Senators at Washington Capitals (12:30 p.m. ET; SN1, NBCSWA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Senators visit the Capitals for the second game of a back to back after ending a four-game homestand on Saturday. They are 7-11-3 on the road this season, where forwards Brady Tkachuk and Alex Formenton have each scored a team-high 13 even-strength points. Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has 12 assists in 13 games on Super Bowl Sunday, third in NHL history behind Phil Esposito (16) and Johnny Bucyk (13). Washington forward Evgeny Kuznetsov has scored seven points (two goals, five assists) in a five-game point streak.
Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens (12:30 p.m. ET; SN, TVAS, MSG-B, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Buffalo defenseman Mark Pysyk is expected to play his 500th NHL game. Forward Tage Thompson has scored three goals to help the Sabres (14-24-8) win the first two of the four-game season series against the Canadiens (8-32-7). Montreal has lost nine in a row (0-7-2) and 15 of its past 16. The Canadiens play the second of back to back and third game for new coach Martin St. Louis, who has seen a resurgent Cole Caufield. The forward has scored goals in consecutive games after a 17-game goal drought.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils (1:30 p.m. ET; MSG+, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Penguins forward Danton Heinen has scored eight points (five goals, three assists) in his past eight road games with nine of his 11 goals this season away from home. Devils captain Nico Hischier has scored four goals in three games after not scoring in seven straight. New Jersey forward Jesper Bratt is out with an upper-body injury.
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars (2 p.m. ET; BSSW+, ALT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri has scored 10 points (four goals, six assists) during a six-game point streak. He's matched his NHL career-high with 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists). Stars forward Jason Robertson has scored points in 15 of his past 16 home games (10 goals, 12 assists).