NHL On Tap: Zibanejad hopes to stay hot for Rangers against Capitals

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.

Zibanejad seeks encore

Mika Zibanejad broke out of a slump in a big way, tying an NHL record by scoring six points (three goals, three assists) in the second period of the New York Rangers' 9-0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. Now let's see if the forward can keep the production going when the Rangers play at the Washington Capitals on Friday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, NBCSWA, MSG, NHL.TV). Before his outburst Wednesday, Zibanejad had scored 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 27 games this season. The Rangers are sixth in the eight-team MassMutual East Division and are going to need Zibanejad to stay hot to get back in the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs; the top four teams in the division advance to the postseason and the Rangers are eight points behind the fourth-place Boston Bruins. The Rangers also will need more than just Zibanejad at their best against the Capitals, who have won six in a row and are tied with the New York Islanders for first in the division. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

Canucks aim to extend winning streak

The Vancouver Canucks look to extend their winning streak to four games and push toward a Scotia North Division playoff spot when they play at the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m.; ESPN+, TSN2, RDS, SNP, NHL.TV) in the first of back-to-back games. The Canucks are 7-3-0 in their past 10 games and have won six of their past seven, including a 3-2 shootout victory at the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. Vancouver can pull even with Montreal for the fourth and final playoff spot in the seven-team division with a win in regulation. The Canadiens, 4-2-4 in their past 10 games, including a 4-3 overtime loss at the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, look to get back into the win column against the Canucks, who they've defeated in five of seven games (5-0-2) and outscored 34-17 this season. Canadiens center Tyler Toffoli has scored 13 points (eight goals, five assists) against the Canucks this season. -- William Douglas, staff writer

Golden Knights, Kings to battle

The Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings each will have plenty at stake when they play in the opener of a two-game series in Los Angeles (10 p.m. ET; SN, FS-W, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV). It will be a good measuring stick for the surprising Kings, who defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-1 on Wednesday to climb within three points of the Blues for the fourth and final playoff spot in the eight-team Honda West Division. The Golden Knights, who will be looking to solidify their hold on first in the division, have won four in a row after scoring four third-period goals to defeat the San Jose Sharks 5-4 on Wednesday. The teams have not played since the Golden Knights defeated the Kings 4-3 on Feb. 7 but will play four times in the next 13 days, including Sunday at Los Angeles and March 29 and March 31 at Vegas. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Friday schedule

New York Rangers at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET (NHLN, NBCSWA, MSG, NHL.TV)
The Rangers look for their third victory in three games against the Capitals this season, following a 4-1 win Feb. 20 and a 4-2 victory Feb. 4.
Vancouver Canucks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, RDS, TSN2, SNP, NHL.TV)
Montreal begins a season-high, six-game homestand against Vancouver, which is 4-1-0 in its past five road games.
Calgary Flames at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, TVAS, SNO, SNW, NHL.TV)
The Flames seek to get back on track following their first loss under coach Daryl Sutter, 7-3 to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. The Maple Leafs have lost five of their past six games (1-5-0).
St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks, 9 p.m. ET (NBCSCA, FS-MW, NHL.TV)
St. Louis seeks to end a season-high, five-game losing streak (0-2-3) against San Jose, which is coming off consecutive one-goal losses to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings, 10 p.m. ET (SN, FS-W, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV)
Mark Stone has points in nine straight games (six goals, 11 assists) for the Golden Knights, who seek their fifth straight win. The Kings try for consecutive victories for the first time since Feb. 22 and Feb. 24.