NHL On Tap: Penguins-Flyers set for rematch

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.

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Penguins-Flyers, round two

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers play at Wells Fargo Center (7 p.m. ET, NHLN, SN, TVAS, NBCSP, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV), two days after facing off on opening night. This will be a good indication of whether the realigned divisions and condensed regular-season schedule spice up rivalries -- as if this intrastate feud needs any more seasoning. Will the Penguins have their postseason snarl two games into the season? Will the good vibes for the Flyers carry over from the 6-3 win on Wednesday when Joel Farabee scored four points (one goal, three assists), Oskar Lindblom scored a goal in his first game in Philadelphia since being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer Dec. 11, 2019, and Nolan Patrick scored his first goal after missing last season with a migraine disorder? Can the Flyers keep Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel off the scoreboard two nights in a row? I've got my popcorn ready. -- William Douglas, staff writer

Hoffman's debut with Blues

Forward Mike Hoffman, who signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 11, missed their season opener Wednesday because of a delay in getting his work visa approved. The forward is expected to be eligible when the Blues play the Avalanche at Ball Arena (9 p.m. ET; ESPN+, ALT, FS-MW, NHL.TV). Though the Blues won 4-1 at the Avalanche on Wednesday without Hoffman, they will surely get a boost with him in the lineup. Hoffman, who attended training camp on a professional tryout, led the Florida Panthers with 29 goals last season and 36 in in 2018-19. St. Louis hopes he can help fill in for Vladimir Tarasenko, who began the season on long-term injured reserve while recovering from shoulder surgery. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Stutzle's NHL debut with Senators

I love seeing players break into the NHL, and I'm looking forward to seeing all of the excitement that comes with it when Tim Stutzle makes his debut for the Ottawa Senators when they play the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN5, TSN4, NHL.TV). It is also the forward's 19th birthday. Selected No. 3 by the Senators in the 2020 NHL Draft, Stutzle impressed his teammates immediately upon joining training camp Sunday. The Senators have said they'll manage Stutzle's minutes so he's not overtaxed. But whether he plays five or 15 minutes in his NHL debut, it should be fun to watch. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

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Friday schedule

Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET (MSG-B, NBCSWA, NHL.TV)
Alex Ovechkin seeks his first goal of the season for the Capitals and can climb the NHL list.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. ET (NHLN, TVAS, SN, NBCSP, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV)
The Flyers look for their second straight win against their intrastate rivals.
Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, SUN, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)
Steven Stamkos and the Lightning look to build off their season-opening win against the Blackhawks on Wednesday.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. ET (RDS, TSN5, TSN4, NHL.TV)
Tim Stutzle
, the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, is
expected to make his NHL debut
for the Senators.
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+, ALT, FS-MW, NHL.TV)
Mike Hoffman is expected to make his season debut for the Blues.