NHL On Tap: Islanders, Capitals battle for first place in East Division

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 seven games Tuesday.

Islanders go for 10th straight win

The New York Islanders are rolling, so much so they have won their first two games without injured forward Anders Lee and are seeking their 10th consecutive victory when they visit the Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET; NBCSWA, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV). First place in the MassMutual East Division will be on the line; the Capitals can pull even with the Islanders with a regulation victory following their fifth straight win Monday, 6-0 against the Buffalo Sabres. Washington forward Alex Ovechkin scored his 717th goal Monday and can pass Phil Esposito for sixth in NHL history. The Islanders, who have a 12-game point streak (11-0-1), are receiving contributions across the board;
Kieffer Bellows
has replaced Lee on the top line with Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle and scored three goals in back-to-back wins at the New Jersey Devils on Saturday and Sunday. New York also received good news when center Jean-Gabriel Pageau was removed from the NHL COVID-19 protocol list Monday, one day after he missed a 3-2 shootout win against the Devils. Islanders coach Barry Trotz said Pageau will play against the Capitals, but there's no update on defenseman Noah Dobson, who remains on the list. -- Brian Compton, deputy managing editor

Hurricanes, Hamilton look to keep streaking

The Carolina Hurricanes remain one of the most fun teams to watch in the NHL with wins in eight straight heading into their game at the Detroit Red Wings (7:30 p.m. ET; FS-D, FS-CR, NHL.TV). Carolina would match the longest winning streak in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history with a ninth consecutive victory in the finale of the two-game set. The Hurricanes have won nine in a row three times, including twice during the 2005-06 season (Oct. 22-Nov. 11, 2005; Dec. 31, 2005-Jan. 19, 2006) and most recently from March 18-April 7, 2009. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton has scored at least one point in each game of the streak (two goals, eight assists) and can match Ulf Samuelsson for the second-longest point streak by a defenseman in Hurricanes/Whalers history (nine games in 1987-88). Mark Howe holds the Hurricanes/Whalers record for a defenseman with points in 11 straight games in Hartford's inaugural season of 1979-80. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Radulov, Stars try to solve Lightning

Alexander Radulov will look to keep his momentum going when the Dallas Stars host the Tampa Bay Lightning (8:30 p.m. ET; FS-SW, SUN, NHL.TV). The Stars forward, who missed 15 games because of a lower-body injury, returned Sunday and scored the deciding goal in a 2-1 shootout win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Radulov's offense is sorely needed by a Stars team that has yet to score in two games this season against the Lightning, whom they lost to in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. Dallas is 0-2-0 and has been outscored 7-0 in those games. Tampa Bay will be playing for the second straight day, having lost 4-1 to the Nashville Predators on Monday. The game began a stretch of five games in seven days for the Lightning. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

Tuesday schedule

Buffalo Sabres at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. ET (MSG+, MSG-B, NHL.TV)
The Sabres have lost 11 straight games (0-9-2) and been shut out in their past two. The Devils are 1-7-2 in their past 10.
New York Islanders at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET (NBCSWA, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV)
The Capitals are tied for second in the NHL averaging 3.50 goals per game. The Islanders are second in goals-against (2.17).
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, TVAS, ATTSN-PT, NESN, NHL.TV)
Pittsburgh hosts Boston in the second of a back-to-back set after a 4-1 win Monday, when Sidney Crosby scored three points (one goal, two assists).
Carolina Hurricanes at Detroit Red Wings, 7:30 p.m. ET (FS-D, FS-CR, NHL.TV)
Defenseman Filip Hronek leads the Red Wings with 15 points (all assists) this season and has five assists in a three-game point streak.
Arizona Coyotes at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+, FS-N, FS-WI, FS-A, NHL.TV)
The Wild are 7-0-0 in their past seven home games, including a 4-1 win against the Coyotes on Sunday. It is the longest home winning streak in the NHL this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m. ET (FS-SW, SUN, NHL.TV)
The Lightning are 9-2-1 in their past 12 games after a 4-1 loss at home to the Predators on Monday.
Anaheim Ducks at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+, ALT, PRIME, FS-SD, NHL.TV)
The Avalanche look to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games. The Ducks have lost three straight and been outscored 14-2.