NHL On Tap: Kane looks to help Blackhawks rebound against Blue Jackets

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.

Kane, Laine, goals and more
The Chicago Blackhawks are fun to watch and surprisingly good with right wing Patrick Kane, who has 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 15 games, leading the way. The Columbus Blue Jackets have had plenty of drama and excitement, especially with right wing Patrik Laine in the fold. The two teams played a thriller at United Center on Thursday, a 6-5 come-from-behind win by the Blue Jackets, who scored four goals in the third period. Kane scored three points (one goal, two assists) in the loss; and Columbus forward Cam Atkinson scored four points (one goal, three assists). We get to watch it all unfold again Saturday in Chicago (8 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, FS-O, NHL.TV). The Blue Jackets are 3-1-0 in their past four games and the Blackhawks are looking to get back to winning after having their three-game streak end Thursday. -- Dan Rosen, senior writer
Canadiens-Maple Leafs highlight Hockey Day in Canada
The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs resume their Original Six rivalry at Scotiabank Arena (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CBC, SN, CITY, TVAS, NHL.TV), the third of 10 games this season between the teams. Toronto (11-2-1) scored three third-period goals in its come-from-behind 4-2 victory at Montreal on Wednesday, and leads the Scotia North Division and the NHL with 23 points. The Maple Leafs have won the first two games against the Canadiens this season and bring a four-game winning streak to the second of three Hockey Day in Canada games on "Hockey Night in Canada." Montreal (8-4-2), five points back of Toronto, has lost consecutive games for the first time this season after being shut out 3-0 by the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Each brings firepower to the rivalry. Toronto's Auston Matthews leads the NHL with 13 goals in 11 games and Montreal's Tyler Toffoli and Josh Anderson are tied for third, each with nine goals in 14 games. -- Tim Campbell, staff writer
DeBoer returns to face Sharks
Peter DeBoer will be coaching against his former team for the first time when the Vegas Golden Knights visit the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center (4 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV). DeBoer coached San Jose for five seasons, going 198-129-34, including a trip to the first Stanley Cup Final appearance in Sharks history in 2016 when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. He was fired on Dec. 11, 2019 and replaced Gerard Gallant as coach of the Golden Knights on Jan. 15, 2020. Sharks captain Logan Couture said he keeps in touch with DeBoer but that their friendship will be put on hold when the Sharks play their first home game of the season. COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County in November, including a ban on contact sports, forced the Sharks to begin the season with 12 straight road games (5-6-1). The county lifted those restrictions Jan. 25. San Jose is seventh in the Honda West Division and ranks 26th in the NHL with a minus-12 goal differential. The Golden Knights (8-2-1) are first in the division and 4-1-1 in their past six games. -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer
Saturday schedule
Ottawa Senators at Winnipeg Jets, 3 p.m. ET (NHLN, CBC, SN, TVAS, NHL.TV)
The Jets look for their fourth win in the past five games in this first of three Hockey Day in Canada games.
Vegas Golden Knights at San Jose Sharks, 4 p.m. ET (NBCSCA, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV)
It's been 418 days since the Golden Knights and Sharks last played each other, a 3-1 win by Vegas in San Jose Dec. 22, 2019. They will play seven more times this season.
Boston Bruins at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. ET (MSG+, NESN, NHL.TV)
Lou Lamoriello will become the third general manager in NHL history with 1,300 wins if the Islanders defeat the Bruins.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, FS-F, SUN, NHL.TV)
The Panthers have won three of their past four games, including a 5-2 win against the Lightning on Thursday, which ended Tampa Bay's six-game winning streak.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET (NHLN, CBC, SN, CITY, TVAS, NHL.TV)
The Canadiens and Maple Leafs play each other for the third time this season and the 750th time in their history.
St. Louis Blues at Arizona Coyotes, 8 p.m. ET (FS-A, FS-MW, NHL.TV)
The Blues and Coyotes play each other for the sixth of seven consecutive games after St. Louis won 4-1 Friday.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Chicago Blackhawks, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSCH, FS-O, NHL.TV)
Blue Jackets forward Jack Roslovic has scored nine points (four goals, five assists) in a six-game point streak, including two goals in a 6-5 win against the Blackhawks on Thursday.
Detroit Red Wings at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET (FS-TN, FS-D, NHL.TV)
The Red Wings are 1-8-2 in their past 11 games after losing to the Predators 3-2 Thursday.
Carolina Hurricanes at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+, FS-SW, FS-CR, NHL.TV)
The Hurricanes look to defeat the Stars for the fourth straight time this season. Dallas is 0-2-2 in its past four games.
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET (NHLN, CBC, SN, NHL.TV)
The Canucks will try to end a six-game losing streak after they were defeated by their former goalie Jacob Markstrom and the Flames 3-1 Thursday.
Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres, postponed
New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers, postponed
Minnesota Wild at Los Angeles Kings, postponed