NHL On Tap: Kane faces Sharks for first time since signing with Oilers

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 Monday.

Kane returns to San Jose for first time with Oilers

Evander Kane will play his first game against the San Jose Sharks when the Edmonton Oilers visit SAP Center on Monday (10:30 p.m. ET; SN1, SNOL, NBCSCA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The forward, who signed a one-year contract with the Oilers on Jan. 27, is returning to San Jose for the first time since his previous contract was terminated by the Sharks (22-20-4) on Jan. 9 after the team said Kane breached his NHL standard player contract and for violation of COVID-19 protocol while assigned to the American Hockey League. Kane has scored four points (two goals, two assists) and is plus-4 with 23 shots on goal in his first six games for Edmonton (24-18-3), which is 3-2-1 since he signed. Kane led the Sharks in goals (22), assists (27) and points (49) in 56 games last season. -- Pete Jensen, director, senior fantasy editor

Campbell looks to find groove for Maple Leafs at Kraken

There's a lot to like about the Toronto Maple Leafs entering their game at the Seattle Kraken (9 p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, SNP, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). They're 30-12-3, third in the eight-team Atlantic Division and six points behind the first place Florida Panthers. Though a big part of their success has been goalie Jack Campbell, who appeared in first NHL All-Star Game, his play has tailed off after starting 17-5-2 with a 1.87 goals-against average, .939 save percentage and four shutouts. Since Jan. 5, Campbell is 5-2-1 with a 3.86 GAA and .873 save percentage and he has allowed at least five goals in four of his past eight starts. Toronto is scheduled for 36 games in the final 10 weeks of the regular season with five back-to-back sets, so they need a healthy and fresh Campbell for another run at their first Stanley Cup championship since 1967. He starts against the Kraken (16-28-4), who are 9-15-2 on home ice, averaging 2.69 goals per game (25th in the NHL) and 14.5 percent on the power play (28th). -- Jon Lane, staff writer

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Kaprizov seeking to stay hot for Wild

Kirill Kaprizov looks to stay red-hot for the Minnesota Wild when they host the Detroit Red Wings (8 p.m. ET; TVAS, BSN, BSWI+, BSDET, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The forward has scored at least one point in 13 of his past 14 games, including seven multipoint games, and has scored 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in that stretch. He leads the Wild (29-11-3) with 54 points (20 goals, 34 points) in 42 games and is tied for ninth in the NHL with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos. Teammate Kevin Fiala also has at least one point in 13 of his past 14 games, scoring 18 points (10 goals, eight assists). Dylan Larkin has a five-game point streak (four goals, seven assists) for the Red Wings (22-21-6) -- Shawn P. Roarke, Senior Director of Editorial

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Monday games

Detroit Red Wings at Minnesota Wild (8 p.m. ET; TVAS, BSN, BSWI+, BSDET, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Red Wings look to win their third straight game after sweeping a home-and-home set against the Philadelphia Flyers. The most recent time they won at least three in a row was Nov. 24-Dec. 4, when they had a five-game winning streak. The Wild are 11-1-1 in their past 13 games and third in the NHL averaging 3.72 goals per game this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Seattle Kraken (9 p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, SNP, Root-NW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Auston Matthews has scored 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in a seven-game point streak for the Maple Leafs, who've lost the first two games of a three-game road trip. The Kraken are allowing 3.46 goals per game, 27th in the NHL, and face a Maple Leafs team that is fourth averaging 3.53 goals scored per game.
Chicago Blackhawks at Winnipeg Jets (9 p.m. ET; SNW, NBCSCH, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Kyle Connor has scored 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in his past 15 games and the forward has a five-game point streak (three goals, five assists) for the Jets (20-17-8), who begin a four-game homestand. Dylan Strome has scored 11 points (six goals, five assists) in his past nine games for the Blackhawks (17-24-7), who have lost four of five.
Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m. ET; SN1, SNOL, NBCSCA, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Oilers look for their second straight win under Jay Woodcroft, who replaced fired coach Dave Tippett on Thursday. Edmonton defeated the New York Islanders 3-1 in Woodcroft's debut Friday. Forward Jonathan Dahlen has scored four points (three goals, one assist) in his past five games for the Sharks, who have lost three straight (0-1-2) and have one win their past six games (1-3-2).