NHL On Tap: Blue Jackets return home looking to rebound 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 eight games Tuesday.

Blue Jackets homecoming

The Columbus Blue Jackets will have fans at Nationwide Arena for the first time this season when they host the Detroit Red Wings (7 p.m. ET; FS-O, FS-D, NHL.TV). Ohio has approved 10 percent capacity, or 1,953 fans, which could give the Blue Jackets a much-needed boost. Columbus is 0-4-1 in its past five games, including back-to-back losses at the Nashville Predators on Saturday (2-1) and Sunday (3-1). The Blue Jackets have scored two goals in their past three games, so perhaps the prospect of firing off their goal cannon with some fans in the building will reignite the offense. The Red Wings won two in a row for the first time this season before a 7-2 loss at the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, so they will be looking to rebound too. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Pennsylvania rivalry resumes

Even though Sidney Crosby will be placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol and not play for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Philadelphia Flyers, it's always a blast when the teams play each other, and the Pennsylvania rivalry resumes with the beginning of a three-game set at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SNE, SNO, SNW, ATTSN-PT, NBCSP, NHL.TV), where fans will be permitted for the first time this season (15 percent capacity/2,800). Keep an eye on special teams in this one; coach Mike Sullivan was furious after the Penguins allowed two power-play goals in a 2-0 loss at the New York Islanders on Sunday. Pittsburgh's penalty kill has allowed a goal in 15 of 20 games this season, a trend that will need to be reversed to further its push toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Flyers have won three in a row since their 7-3 loss to the Boston Bruins at the Honda NHL Outdoors Sunday at Lake Tahoe on Feb. 21. -- Brian Compton, deputy managing editor

Ducharme makes home debut as Canadiens coach

Dominique Ducharme grew up in Joliette, Quebec, approximately 45 miles northeast of Bell Centre. The 47-year-old was an assistant with the Montreal Canadiens since 2018 but the game against the Ottawa Senators (7 p,m. ET; TSN2, RDS, TSN5, NHL.TV) will be the first time Ducharme will coach a Canadiens home game. It will be a special moment for him after he replaced the fired Claude Julien on Feb. 24, less than 24 hours after the Canadiens lost 5-4 in a shootout at the Senators. Montreal is 0-1-1 since the coaching change, losing 6-3 and 2-1 in overtime at the Winnipeg Jets. The Senators have played some of their best hockey this season against the Canadiens, going 3-1-0 against them. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

Tuesday schedule

New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. ET (MSG+, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV)
Devils forward Pavel Zacha looks to become the 15th player in Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts history with a point streak of 11 games or more. Zacha has scored 12 points (four goals, eight assists) during an NHL career-high 10-game point streak, the longest active streak in the NHL.
Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. ET (MSG+, MSG-B, NHL.TV)
The Sabres begin a five-game road trip after consecutive 3-0 losses at home to the Flyers. The Rangers expect forward Filip Chytil to return after he missed the past 14 games with an upper-body injury.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SNE, SNO, SNW, ATTSN-PT, NBCSP, NHL.TV)
The first of a three-game set in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins are 7-1-0 this season. Flyers center Sean Couturier has a six-game point streak (five goals, five assists).
Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. ET (FS-O, FS-D, NHL.TV)
The Red Wings continue their four-game road trip following a split of two games at the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blue Jackets have lost five in a row (0-4-1), and forward Patrik Laine has gone three straight games without a point since he had two goals and an assist against the Blackhawks on Feb. 23.
Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET (TSN2, RDS, TSN5, NHL.TV)
The Senators start a six-game road trip in Montreal after a 5-1 win at home against the Calgary Flames on Monday. Ottawa is 6-3-0 in its past nine games.
Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+, FS-TN, FS-CR, NHL.TV)
The Predators continue their five-game homestand after they swept a back-to-back set against the Blue Jackets. Nashville has won four of its past five games. The Hurricanes are concluding a five-game road trip.
Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+, TSN3, SNP, NHL.TV)
The Canucks shut out the Jets 4-0 Monday and look to win consecutive games for the first time since Jan. 25-30, when they won four in a row.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m. ET (FS-SW, SUN, NHL.TV)
The Lightning seek their fifth straight win in the latest rematch of the Stanley Cup Final from last season. Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy got his second straight shutout when he made 20 saves against Dallas in a 5-0 win at home Saturday.