NHL On Tap: Panthers try to bounce back against Predators

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 five games on Friday.

Panthers try to bounce back

The Florida Panthers will try to bounce back against the Nashville Predators at BB&T Center (7 p.m. ET; FS-F, FS-TN, NHL.TV) less than 24 hours after a frustrating 6-5 overtime loss in the first of a two-game set. Florida led 5-3, but Nashville scored two goals in the final 2:06 of the third period and then won it on a goal from forward Filip Forsberg with 1:00 left in overtime. Despite the loss, Florida (5-0-2) is undefeated in regulation. A big reason is forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who scored five points (three goals, two assists) Thursday and leads the Panthers with 12 points (four goals, eight assists). The Predators (5-5-0), meanwhile, are looking for consistency after winning on the road for the first time this season. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

Golden Knights return to action

The Vegas Golden Knights will be eager to get back to work when they play the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena (10 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, ATTSN-RM, KCOP-13, NHL.TV). Vegas (5-1-1) has not played in 10 days, since a 5-4 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 26, because its facilities were closed the next day due to NHL COVID-19 protocol. Coach Peter DeBoer will return Friday but defenseman Alex Pietrangelo will not be available after each missed practice the past two days while remaining in protocol. The Kings (3-4-2) will be seeking to rebound from a 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. Kings center Anze Kopitar is off to a hot start with 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in his first nine games. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Flyers seek to end skid against Bruins

The Philadelphia Flyers will try to defeat the Boston Bruins for the first time in four games this season when they play them in the second game of a two-game series at Wells Fargo Center (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS, NBCSP, NESN, NHL.TV). The Flyers were on the cusp of their first win this season against the Bruins on Wednesday but allowed a game-tying goal to forward David Pastrnak with 15 seconds left in the third period and an overtime goal to center Patrice Bergeron. Pastrnak scored a hat trick in the game and has scored five goals in the past three games after missing Boston's first seven games while recovering from hip surgery Sept. 16. The next time the Flyers and Bruins play, it will be Feb. 21 at the Honda NHL Outdoors Sunday at Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline, Nevada. -- William Douglas, staff writer

Friday schedule

Boston Bruins at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. ET (NHLN, SN, TVAS, NBCSP, NESN, NHL.TV)
The Bruins try for their third straight win and a sweep of a two-game set against the Flyers after a 4-3 overtime victory in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, SUN, FS-D, NHL.TV)
The Lightning look for their fourth win a row and try to remain perfect at home, where they are 5-0-0 this season.
Nashville Predators at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. ET (FS-F, FS-TN, NHL.TV)
Forward Filip Forsberg tied a Predators record by scoring five points (two goals, three assists) in a 6-5 overtime win against the Panthers on Thursday.
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m. ET (NHLN, SN, ATTSN-RM, KCOP-13, NHL.TV)
The Golden Knights, who have not lost in regulation at home this season (4-0-1), begin a four-game homestand and play six of their next seven games at T-Mobile Arena.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+, PRIME, FS-SD, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)
The Sharks open a back-to-back set against the Ducks after losing two straight to the Colorado Avalanche last week when they were outscored 10-3.