NHL On Tap: Panthers seek NHL record 12th home win in row to start season

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 nine games Saturday.

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Panthers seek home winning streak record

The Florida Panthers (14-3-3) will look to set the NHL record for the longest home winning streak to start a season at 12 when they host the Seattle Kraken on Saturday (6 p.m. ET; BSFL, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The Panthers matched the Chicago Black Hawks' 11-0-0 home start in 1963-64 with a 2-1 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. The Kraken (6-13-1) defeated the top two teams in the Metropolitan Division -- the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Sunday and Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Wednesday -- before losing 3-0 at the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. -- William Douglas, staff writer

Draisaitl and McDavid visit Vegas

The Vegas Golden Knights will try to slow down centers Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid when they host the Edmonton Oilers (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CITY, SNO, SNW, SNP, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Draisaitl (two goals, two assists) and McDavid (two goals, two assists) each scored four points to help the Oilers (14-5-0) to a 5-3 win at the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday. Draisaitl leads the NHL with 40 points (20 goals, 20 assists). McDavid (36 points; 14 goals, NHL-leading 22 assists) is tied with Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin for second. Forward Max Pacioretty returned from a lower-body injury and had an assist for Vegas (12-8-0) in 5-2 win at the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Playoff-style hockey arrives early in Calgary

If you like the hard-hitting style that's a staple of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Winnipeg Jets traveling to the Calgary Flames (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, CITY, ESPN+, NHL LIVE) is the ticket. The Jets (9-7-4) are traditionally a sound defensive team but are coming off a 7-1 loss at the Minnesota Wild on Friday and will be committed to tightening things up against the Flames (12-3-5), who have buttoned up their defensive-zone coverage. Calgary is allowing an NHL-best 1.90 goals-against per game and have seven shutouts in 20 games. Despite the emphasis on defense, each team has players who can create highlights offensively. Forward Johnny Gaudreau has scored 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists), center Elias Lindholm has scored 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) and forward Andrew Mangiapane has scored 15 goals, each in 20 games. Forward Kyle Connor has scored 12 goals and forward Pierre-Luc Dubois 11 for Winnipeg, each in 20 games.-- Shawn P. Roarke, Senior Director of Editorial

Saturday schedule

Seattle Kraken at Florida Panthers (6 p.m. ET; BSFL, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Including victories in their first 11 home games this season and the last four last season, the Panthers have won 15 in a row at FLA Live Arena. Their last home defeat was a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on April 22. The Kraken fell to 1-7-1 on the road with their 3-0 loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday.
Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CITY, SNO, SNW, SNP, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Golden Knights are 8-3-0 since starting the season 4-5-0. The Oilers had lost four of six on the road (2-4-0) before winning at Arizona on Wednesday.
Ottawa Senators at Los Angeles Kings (7 p.m. ET; SN1, TVAS2, BSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is questionable to return from a knee injury that has sidelined him since Oct. 22. Los Angeles (8-8-3) will look to break an 0-3-2 slide following a seven-game winning streak. Ottawa (4-13-1) has been outscored 21-8 during a four-game losing streak, including a 4-0 defeat at the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.
Buffalo Sabres at Detroit Red Wings (7 p.m. ET; BSDET, MSG-B, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Forward Tage Thompson has scored five goals in his past four games to reach 10 this season, including two in a 4-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday that ended a four-game losing streak for the Sabres (8-10-2). The Red Wings (9-9-3) have not played since ending an 0-3-1 slide with a 4-2 win against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.
Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; CBC, SNE, TVAS, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Penguins (10-6-4) have outscored opponents 16-2 over a five-game winning streak with goalie Tristan Jarry posting three shutouts, including a 25-save performance in a 1-0 victory at the New York Islanders on Friday. Montreal (5-15-2) dropped to 1-9-1 on the road with a 4-1 loss at Buffalo on Friday and is 1-5-1 in its past seven games.
Dallas Stars at Arizona Coyotes (8 p.m. ET; BSAZ+, BSSW+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Stars (9-7-2) have won three straight games for the first time this season including a a 3-1 home victory against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday and have five wins in their past six games. The Coyotes (4-14-2) had a four-game point streak (3-0-1) end with a 5-3 loss to the Oilers on Wednesday.
Columbus Blue Jackets at St. Louis Blues (8 p.m. ET; BSMW, BSOH, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Blue Jackets (12-6-0) bring a three-game winning streak into this opener of four straight on the road. Columbus center Jack Roslovic has scored three goals in his past three games, including the winner in a 4-2 victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, after not scoring in his first 15 games of the season. The Blues (10-7-3) are 2-5-2 in their past nine games following an 8-2-1 start.
Nashville Predators at Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET; ALT, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
Defenseman Roman Josi has scored 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 20 games for the Predators (11-8-1), including a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win against the New Jersey Devils on Friday. Cale Makar has scored at least one goal in five straight games (seven goals) to set a record for defensemen for the Avalanche (10-6-1), who had their six-game winning streak end with a 3-1 loss at Dallas on Friday.
Winnipeg Jets at Calgary Flames (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, CITY, ESPN+, NHL LIVE)
The Western Conference-leading Flames have won four in a row and have a seven-game point streak (5-0-2). The Jets have been outscored 16-4 in a four-game losing streak and are 0-4-1 in their past five.