NHL On Tap: Kraken conclude homestand, play must-win games before All-Star break

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 two games Sunday.

Related: How to watch and stream NHL games

Kraken face must-win games before break

Even though the Seattle Kraken have come back to earth by losing five of six (1-4-1) following a nine-game winning streak, those were valuable points that's keeping them viable in the Stanley Cup Playoff race. Seattle (20-18-10) plays the Columbus Blue Jackets (9 p.m. ET; ROOT-NW, BSOH, SN) to conclude a four-game homestand that precedes a visit to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday before the NHL All-Star break. These are must-win games to remain postseason contenders. The Kraken are three points behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild card from the Western Conference and coming off a potentially damaging 4-3 overtime loss the St. Louis Blues at Climate Pledge Arena on Friday that dropped them two points behind the Blues with them holding one game in hand. They venture East after the break to Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Boston through Feb. 15. They're fortunate not to have dropped far out of the race thanks to the slumping Los Angeles Kings and those points in the bank. Time to cash some out before they regroup. -- Jon Lane, staff writer

Blues look to increase their streak 

The Blues (25-20-2) have an opportunity to win their fifth consecutive game when they host the Kings at Enterprise Center (2 p.m. ET; BSMW, BSW, NHLN, TVAS). They're on a season-high four-game winning streak, which included sweeping a three-game road trip at the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Kraken. Pavel Buchnevich has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past four games. He had two goals and an assist, including the winner, at Seattle on Friday. The Kings (22-15-9) are heading in the opposite direction. They lost 5-1 at the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, are 1-4-1 in their past six games and 2-8-5 in their past 15. Defenseman Drew Doughty has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past six. -- Derek van Diest, staff writer

Fantilli's good season continues

There haven't been a whole lot of positives this season for the Columbus Blue Jackets (15-23-10) but rookie Adam Fantilli has been a big one. The forward, selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists), fourth among rookies behind Connor Bedard (33 points; 15 goals, 18 assists), Brock Faber (29; four goals, 25 assists) and Marco Rossi (28; 13 goals, 15 assists). I want to see what the 19-year-old does in the Blue Jackets' final two games before the All-Star break and their bye, starting against the Kraken. Fantilli had an outstanding December with 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 14 games. Though he's cooled off this month (four points; one goal, three assists in 10 games), ups and downs happen. Fantilli is fun to watch and will be a big part of the Blue Jackets' future. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

Sunday games

Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues (2 p.m. ET; BSMW, BSW, NHLN, TVAS)

Brayden Schenn is wielding a hot stick and can extend his point streak to five games. Schenn has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past four and 10 points (four goals, six points) in his past nine. The Blues captain had two assists Friday and set up Buchnevich for the overtime winner. Kings forward Kevin Fiala has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in his past 11 games.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Seattle Kraken (9 p.m. ET; ROOT-NW, BSOH, SN)

Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine entered the NHL/NHL Players' Association Player Assistance Program and is out indefinitely. He is recovering from a broken clavicle sustained Dec. 14. Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets with 30 points (seven goals, 23 assists). Oliver Bjorkstrand leads the Kraken with 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists). Matty Beniers, who missed five games with an upper-body injury, returned Friday.