NHL On Tap: Matthews can tie road goal streak record for Maple Leafs

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 three games Wednesday.

Matthews chasing record for road goal-scoring streak

Auston Matthews can tie the NHL record for a road goal-scoring streak when the Toronto Maple Leafs play the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden (7:30 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS, NHL LIVE). The center has scored in 10 straight games away from home, one from the record set by Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings in 1988-89 and matched by Pavel Bure of the Vancouver Canucks in 1993-94. Matthews has scored 12 goals during the streak, eight at even strength when the home team can control the matchups with the last line change. He has scored 25 goals this season, third in the NHL, after leading the League with 41 in 52 games last season. -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

Avalanche continue to bury opposition

I can't look away from the Colorado Avalanche. This was the team we all expected to see at the start of the season, and although it took a bit longer than anticipated, it's so much fun to watch. The Avalanche (25-8-3) have won three in a row including 4-3 in a shootout against the Minnesota Wild on Monday, 14 straight at home, are 8-0-1 in January and 13-1-1 in their past 15 games. They're led by center Nathan MacKinnon, who scored his 600th NHL point Monday, and defenseman Cale Makar, who's on a six-game point streak (two goals, seven assists). Colorado begins a back to back on the road against the Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; TNT, SN360, TVAS) and the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. The Ducks (19-15-7) have lost three straight and are 2-6-2 in their past 10 games. -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

Coyotes, Devils seek to turn fortunes around

The Arizona Coyotes will try to win consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 20 and 21 when they visit the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, BSAZ, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Arizona (9-24-4) has the second lowest goals-per-game average in the NHL (2.22) and is 31st on the power play (12.9 percent) but faces a New Jersey team allowing 3.38 goals per game (26th). Coyotes forward Clayton Keller has scored eight goals in his past 10 games. The Devils (14-18-5) have lost two straight and are 5-12-1 in their past 18. -- David Satriano, staff writer

Wednesday schedule

Arizona Coyotes at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, BSAZ, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Coyotes (4-11-3) are tied with the Dallas Stars and Seattle Kraken for the second fewest road wins in the NHL, one behind the Montreal Canadiens. The Devils begin a four-game homestand after having their previous two games postponed. Forward Jesper Bratt has scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in his past five games.
Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers (7:30 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS, NHL LIVE)
The Maple Leafs (24-9-3) have alternated wins and losses in their past four games following a four-game winning streak. Mika Zibanejad has five points (three goals, two assists) during a five-game point streak and nine goals in his past 11 games for the Rangers (25-10-4).
Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; TNT, SN360, TVAS, NHL LIVE)
Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog has a personal point streak of 16 games (eight goals, 15 assists). Anaheim has been outscored 14-4 during a three-game losing streak.