NHL On Tap: Kucherov seeks 700th NHL point when Lightning visit Penguins

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 seven games on Sunday.

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Kucherov seeks 700th NHL point for Lightning

Nikita Kucherov is one point shy of 700 in the NHL and in the midst of a terrific season for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday (6 p.m. ET; NHLN, SNE, SNW, SNP, ATTSN-PT, BSSUN, SN NOW). Kucherov is third in the NHL with 83 points (22 goals, 61 assists) and second behind Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (65) in assists. It is the fifth time in the past six seasons the forward has had at least 80 points. Last season, he was limited to 47 games because of injury but still had 69 points (25 goals, 44 assists). He's been healthy and remarkably consistent this season for the Lightning (37-17-4), never going more than one game without a point. Kucherov had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 shutout win at the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, giving him 699 points (268 goals, 431 assists) in 620 regular-season NHL games. He'll be a handful for the Penguins (28-21-9), who defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-2 in overtime Saturday to end a four-game losing streak. -- Jim Cerny, managing editor

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Maple Leafs, Kraken clash with key points on line

The Maple Leafs (36-15-8) go for their third straight win and fifth in six games when they start a tough five-game road trip at the Seattle Kraken (7 p.m. ET; ROOT-NW, SNO, ESPN+, SN NOW). They'll also play the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils. Toronto, which is second in the Atlantic Division, two points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning, could receive a boost with the return of defenseman Rasmus Sandin, who has missed three games with a shoulder injury but was a full participant in practice Saturday. Meanwhile, Seattle (32-20-6) has lost six of nine (3-5-1) and is fourth in the Pacific Division but only five points behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights. The Kraken are 17-11-0 against the Eastern Conference this season, including a 5-1 win at Toronto on Jan. 5, which was part of their season-high eight-game winning streak. -- David Satriano, staff writer

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Predators try to keep playoff hopes alive

The Nashville Predators have won their past two games despite missing forward Filip Forsberg, who has an upper-body injury, and forward Ryan Johansen, who is out for 12 weeks after having surgery on his right leg Wednesday. But it hasn't helped the Predators (28-22-6) much in the standings, where they're eight points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. Nashville traded forward Nino Niederreiter to the Winnipeg Jets for a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Saturday, perhaps signifying they'll be sellers and not buyers before the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday. Nevertheless, they're pressing on and will try for their third straight win when they visit the Arizona Coyotes (7 p.m. ET; BSAZ, BSSO, ESPN+, SN NOW). The Predators have qualified for the playoffs eight straight seasons. That streak is looking like it could end this season. The Coyotes (20-29-9) are further out of the playoff race, 21 points behind the Wild, but have points in nine of their past 10 games (5-1-4) -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

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Sunday Games

Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN360 MSG-B, NBCSWA, SN NOW)
This is the second half of a back-to-back set for the Capitals (29-26-6), who defeated the New York Rangers 6-3 on Saturday to end a six-game losing streak. The Sabres (30-23-4) have won two in a row and four of five but will be without forward Alex Tuch, who was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury Sunday, and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who's day to day. Forward Jeff Skinner scored his 600th career point in the Sabres' 3-1 win against the Florida Panthers on Friday. He's the third player from the 2010 NHL Draft to do so, joining Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin and Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Minnesota Wild (2 p.m. ET; BSN, BSWI, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW)
It's the second and final meeting in the season series; the Wild shut out the Blue Jackets 2-0 on Thursday, when Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves. The Wild (32-21-6) are 4-0-1 in their past five games. It's the second half of a back-to-back set for the Blue Jackets (19-35-5), who defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 on Saturday, when forwards Kirill Marchenko and Jack Roslovic each scored two goals.
New York Islanders at Winnipeg Jets (3:30 p.m. ET; TSN3, MSGSN, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Islanders (30-25-7) are 3-3-2 in their past eight games after losing 3-2 at home to the Los Angeles Kings on Friday. Islanders forward Brock Nelson has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past three games. He has at least one point in 15 of his past 16 games. The Jets (35-23-1) have lost two in a row and four of their past five games. Forward Blake Wheeler got his 800th point (261 goals, 539 assists) in his 875th NHL game with the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers in Winnipeg's 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Friday. Forward Nino Niederreiter could make his Jets debut after being a acquired from the Nashville Predators in a trade Saturday.
Los Angeles Kings at New York Rangers (5 p.m. ET; TVAS, MSG, BSW, ESPN+)
This is the fourth of a five-game road trip for the Kings (33-19-8), who are 1-1-1 so far. Jonathan Quick made 16 saves in a 3-2 win against the Islanders on Friday for his 307th NHL victory, passing Tom Barrasso for third among United States-born goalies. The Rangers (33-17-9 lost 6-3 to the Capitals on Saturday and are 0-3-1 in their past four games. New York will likely be without defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who sustained an upper-body injury Saturday.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins (6 p.m. ET; NHLN, SNE, SNW, SNP, ATTSN-PT, BSSUN, SN NOW)
This is the second of three games in the season series; the Penguins defeated the Lightning 6-2 on Oct. 15, when Sidney Crosby had three points (one goal, two assists). Crosby has 69 points (25 goals, 44 assists) this season and is one point shy of becoming the first active player and 14th all-time to have 13 seasons with 70 points. Lightning forward Brayden Point has scored goals in three straight games and seven points (three goals, four assists) in that span.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Seattle Kraken (7 p.m. ET; ROOT-NW, SNO, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Maple Leafs forward William Nylander has a six-game point streak (five goals, six assists). The Kraken lead the NHL with 12 players with at least 10 goals, led by Jared McCann, who has 26.
Nashville Predators at Arizona Coyotes (7 p.m. ET; BSAZ, BSSO, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Defenseman Roman Josi, who leads the Predators with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 56 games, has points in four straight (two goals, five assists). Coyotes forward Clayon Keller has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past three games.