NHL On Tap: Hurricanes try for eighth straight win against Red Wings

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 six games Sunday.

Hurricane warning

There may not be a better team than the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL right now. Entering their game at the Detroit Red Wings (5 p.m. ET; ESPN+, FS-D, FS-CR, NHL.TV), the Hurricanes have won seven straight, outscoring opponents 28-14. The winning streak has been a testament to Carolina's depth with five different players averaging at least a point per game during the streak. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton, playing his best hockey of this season, has scored nine points (one goal, eight assists), forwards Vincent Trocheck (four goals, four assists) and Martin Necas (three goals and five assists) have scored eight points each and Sebastian Aho (four goals, three assists) and Jordan Staal (three goals, four assists) have scored seven each, though coach Rod Brind'Amour said Saturday that Trocheck (upper body) will be out "longer than hoped." Goalies James Reimer (4-0-0, .936 save percentage, 1.96 goal-against average) and
Alex Nedeljokovic
(3-0-0, .942 save percentage, 1.94 GAA) have alternated games. It'll be quite the test for the Red Wings, who are 19 points behind the Hurricanes in the Discover Central Division standings. But Detroit has proven the ability to spring an upset, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-4 on Thursday. Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin returned from injury March 9 and has scored a goal in each of his first two games back. -- Shawn Roarke, senior director of editorial

Kaprizov, Wild rising in West

Kirill Kaprizov has made Minnesota Wild games can't-miss experiences, and I'll be tuned in when they host the Arizona Coyotes (2 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-N, FS-WI, FS-A, NHL.TV). Kirill's latest thrill came when he scored his first NHL hat trick in a 4-0 win against the Coyotes on Friday. Kaprizov leads the Wild and all NHL rookies with 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists), but it's been more than goals and points for Kaprizov. His enthusiasm has been infectious for the Wild, who have gone from a preseason question mark to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs to tied with the St. Louis Blues for second in the Honda West Division, behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights, nearly halfway through the season. Kaprizov not only is in the race for the Calder Trophy given to the top rookie in the NHL, but at this pace could be entering consideration for the Hart Trophy voted as NHL most valuable player. -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

Avalanche, Kings jockey for position

Many prognosticators expected the Colorado Avalanche to be near the top of the Honda West Division this season. Far fewer thought the Los Angeles Kings would be anywhere close. But the Avalanche are in fourth place, the Kings are tied for fifth and they could be battling it out for the final entry into the playoffs the rest of the season. Colorado is starting to pick up steam, going 6-3-1 in its last 10 games and 3-1-1 in the first five games of its nine-game homestand, including a 2-0 win against Los Angeles on Friday. On Sunday, when the Avalanche host the Kings again at Ball Arena (5:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN), they'll put an impressive defensive streak on the line. They've allowed fewer than 30 shots in each of their past 15 games, a new Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques record, and the third straight they've allowed fewer than 20. Will the Kings end both runs and more importantly defeat the Avalanche? We'll see. -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

Sunday schedule

Arizona Coyotes at Minnesota Wild, 2 p.m. ET (NHLN, FS-N, FS-WI, FS-A, NHL.TV)
The Coyotes play the second of three straight games at the Wild after a 4-0 loss Friday. Arizona is 1-1-1 on a seven-game road trip, during a stretch when it will play 16 of 20 games on the road, where it is 5-4-1 this season.
Carolina Hurricanes at Detroit Red Wings, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN+, FS-D, FS-CR, NHL.TV)
Forward Filip Zadina has scored five points (two goals, three assists) in a three-game point streak for the Red Wings, who are 1-3-1 in their past five games after winning two straight for the first time this season.
Dallas Stars at Columbus Blue Jackets, 5 p.m. ET (FS-O, FS-SW, NHL.TV)
The Blue Jackets go for a sweep of this back-to-back set at home after a 4-3 overtime win against the Stars on Saturday.
New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN+, MSG, MSG+, NHL.TV)
The Islanders will try to extend their winning streak to nine after consecutive wins against the Devils on Thursday (5-3 at home) and Saturday (3-2 at New Jersey). The Devils are 2-10-1 in their past 13 games.
Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche, 5:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
The Avalanche will try to sweep this two-game set after a 2-0 win Friday. Colorado is 2-1-0 against Los Angeles and has allowed two goals in its two wins.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. ET (SN, TVAS, NHL.TV)
The Maple Leafs look to bounce back after a 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. They are 1-4-0 in their past five games, but 3-1-1 against the Senators this season.