NHL On Tap: Lightning look to rebound against 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 10 games Saturday.

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Lightning seek rebound against Oilers

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been rolling all season, but enter their game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, SN360, CITY, BSSUN, ESPN+, NHL LIVE) having lost two straight after starting a five-game road trip with a 6-3 win at the Chicago Blackhawks. Tampa Bay (37-14-6) has been outscored 11-5 in losses at the Winnipeg Jets (7-4 on Tuesday) and Calgary Flames (4-1 on Thursday). The Lightning seek to avoid three straight losses for the first time since Dec. 30-Jan. 2 (0-2-1). The Oilers (31-23-4) are fourth in the Pacific Division and need points. They're hoping to build off a 4-3 overtime win against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday that ended a three-game skid (0-2-1) and get some revenge after the Lightning defeated them 5-3 in Tampa Bay on Feb. 23. -- David Satriano, staff writer

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Breakout goalies Shesterkin, Oettinger square off

Two of the best young goalies in the NHL are expected to start against each other when the New York Rangers visit the Dallas Stars (8 p.m. ET; BSSW, MSG, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Igor Shesterkin leads the NHL in save percentage (.939) this season for New York (36-17-5) and is a serious contender for both the Vezina Trophy voted as the top goalie in the NHL and Hart Trophy as its most valuable player. The 26-year-old is looking to bounce back after allowing four goals and being removed in the second period of a 6-2 loss at the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday. Jake Oettinger is 8-2-1 with a .936 save percentage and one shutout since the NHL All-Star break and 19-7-1 with a .922 save percentage in 29 games this season for Dallas (32-21-3). The 23-year-old will start for the 10th time in the past 11 games. Each goalie ranks among the top 10 in even-strength save percentage (minimum 15 games), with Shesterkin leading the NHL (.939) and Oettinger ninth (.928), and is a huge reason his team is in Stanley Cup Playoff position after not qualifying last season. -- Pete Jensen, director, senior fantasy editor

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Bell Centre at full capacity for Kraken's first Montreal visit

The Seattle Kraken pay their first visit to Montreal to play the Canadiens (7 p.m. ET; CBC, SNE, SNP, TVAS, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE) and the visitors will be greeted by a packed house. Bell Centre will be opened to full capacity for the first time since Dec. 9 because of COVID-19 restrictions. The Canadiens (15-35-7) are last in the Atlantic Division, but have played entertaining hockey under coach Martin St. Louis, with a 7-5-0 record since he replaced Dominique Ducharme on Feb. 9. Montreal plays seven of its next eight games at home beginning against Seattle (17-37-6), which is last in the Pacific. The Kraken defeated the Canadiens 5-1 on Oct. 26 for the expansion team's first home win. Seattle is trying to become the second first-year NHL team since 1967-68 expansion to win its first two games against the Canadiens (Los Angeles Kings, 1967-68). -- Dave Stubbs, columnist

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Saturday schedule

St. Louis Blues at Nashville Predators (12:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, BSSO, BSMW, NHL LIVE)
Forward Vladimir Tarasenko has not scored a goal in seven games for the Blues (33-17-7), with three assists in that span. St. Louis had lost four straight before a 6-2 win against the New York Rangers on Thursday. The Predators (33-20-4) have outscored opponents 14-2 in their past three games, all wins.
Philadelphia Flyers at Carolina Hurricanes (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, NHL LIVE)
The Flyers (18-29-10) have lost 10 straight road games since a 3-2 overtime win at the Seattle Kraken on Dec. 29. The Hurricanes (40-12-5) have won three straight on a four-game homestand and are 11-0-1 in their past 12 at home, coming off a 2-0 shutout against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.
Detroit Red Wings at Calgary Flames (7 p.m. ET; SN360, SNW, BSDET, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Marc Staal is expected to play his 1,000th NHL game. The defenseman has scored 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 51 games for Detroit (24-27-7) this season. Johnny Gaudreau had a hat trick in a 4-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday and has scored six goals in his past five games for Calgary (35-15-7), which has won 15 of its past 18 games.
Arizona Coyotes at Boston Bruins (7 p.m. ET; NESN, BSAZ, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Coyotes (18-35-4) look to continue their roll; they've won four straight, outscoring opponents 24-12. Defenseman Jakob Chychrun scored two goals in a 5-4 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday and has scored four goals in his past two games. The Bruins are 8-1-1 in their past 10 games; forward David Pastrnak has scored nine goals in his past 10 games for Boston (35-18-5).
Seattle Kraken at Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET; CBC, SNE, SNP, TVAS, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Kraken are seeking their first win on a five-game road trip (0-3-1). They have allowed at least three goals in nine straight games and in 13 of 14. Forward Cole Caufield has scored 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in his past nine games for the Canadiens.
Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators (7 p.m. ET; CITY, SNO, TVAS2, NBCSCH, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Alex DeBrincat will try to extend his goal streak to six games for the Blackhawks (21-30-8). DeBrincat leads Chicago with 34 goals and has scored 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in his past nine games. Forward Josh Norris has scored five points in his past two games (three goals, two assists) for the Senators (21-31-5), who can tie their season-long win streak at three games.
Anaheim Ducks at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, BSSC, BSSD, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Ducks (27-24-9) continue a five-game road trip having been outscored 12-4 in consecutive losses to the Blackhawks and Predators. Forward Jesper Bratt has five assists in his past three games for the Devils (21-32-5).
New York Rangers at Dallas Stars (8 p.m. ET; BSSW, MSG, NHL LIVE, ESPN+)
The Stars, who have won seven of 10 games, remain without defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who has missed three games and is out indefinitely with mononucleosis. The Rangers have been outscored 11-4 over consecutive road losses.
Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks (9:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, BSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Kings (32-19-8) have won 10 of 14 but could be without defenseman Drew Doughty, who missed a 4-3 overtime loss to the Sharks on Thursday. The Sharks (25-25-7) have not won two straight since Jan. 8 and 11.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Edmonton Oilers (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, SN360, CITY, BSSUN, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Oilers forwards Connor McDavid (one goal, one assist) and Leon Draisaitl (one assist) have combined for three points in the past three games for Edmonton. McDavid (81 points) and Draisaitl (80 points) rank second and third in the NHL in scoring. Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman has scored six points (three goals, three assists) in his past four games.