NHL On Tap: Kings go for sixth straight home win

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 two games Tuesday.

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Kings ready for home cooking

After losing three of four (1-2-1) during a four-game road trip last week, the Los Angeles Kings (11-8-2) must be ready to enjoy some extended time in California. The Kings will play their next six games in the Golden State, five in Los Angeles and one a short flight away in San Jose, starting against the New York Rangers (9-6-4) at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET; BSW, MSG, ESPN+, SN NOW). Their next game out of California will be Dec. 6 at the Ottawa Senators. Home has been good for the Kings, who have won five straight in Los Angeles. Forward Gabriel Vilardi has scored six of his Kings-best 10 goals in nine home games this season, and forward Phillip Danault is tied with Vilardi for the Kings home scoring lead with eight points (two goals, six assists). The Kings also have been better defensively at home, allowing 2.89 goals in nine games, compared to 3.75 goals in 12 road games. -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

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Fox can extend point streak

Adam Fox will look to extend his point streak to nine games when the Rangers visit the Kings. Fox has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) during his eight-game streak for the Rangers, who play the third of a four-game west coast road trip (1-0-1). Fox has nine points (three goals, six assists) in his past five games and is second among NHL defensemen with 21 points (six goals, 15 assists). New York has earned at least one point in 14 of its past 21 games against Los Angeles (10-7-4). Since Feb. 5, 2008, 20 of 22 games between the teams have been decided by two goals or less; 12 have been decided by one goal. -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

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Sabres try to end eigth-game slide

To say it's been a rough go for the Buffalo Sabres (7-11-0) lately would be an understatement. After a 7-3-0 start this season, they've lost eight in a row. The Sabres will look to get their first win since Nov. 2 (6-3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins) when they visit the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, RDS, TSN2, MSG-B, SN NOW). Buffalo has given up three or more goals in each of their eight straight losses, including five or more goals in five of the games. The Sabres have allowed 22 first-period goals in 18 games this season, most in the NHL, and their penalty kill is 30th in the League (70.2 percent). Two bright spots have been forward Tage Thompson, who leads them with 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who's next with 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists). Montreal (9-8-1) is 4-2-0 in its past six after a 5-4 shootout win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. Right wing Cole Caufield has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past five games for the Canadiens. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

Tuesday games

Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN2, RDS, MSG-B, SN NOW)
Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson could return for the Sabres after missing 13 games with a lower-body injury. Forward Alex Tuch has five points (two goals, three assists) during a three-game point streak for the Sabres. Center Nick Suzuki, who leads the Canadiens with 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists), has eight points (three goals, five assists) in his past five games.
New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m. ET; BSW, MSG, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Rangers have excelled on special teams this season; the Kings not so much. New York is 4th in penalty killing in the NHL (83.1 percent) and ninth on the power play (23.5 percent). Los Angeles is 27th on the penalty kill (74.3 percent) and tied for 24th on the power play (18.8 percent).