NHL On Tap: Flames host Jets looking to end three-game losing streak

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 four games Friday.

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Flames try to end three-game skid

The Calgary Flames have lost three straight games in regulation, outscored 7-2, and have dropped to sixth place in the Scotia North Division, It won't get any easier when they host the Winnipeg Jets (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, SNW, TSN3, NHL.TV) in the first of a three-game series. Winnipeg is coming off a two-game sweep against the Vancouver Canucks, is 7-4-1 in its past 12 games and tied with the Edmonton Oilers for second place in the division, two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. Winnipeg center Andrew Copp looks to stay hot after scoring an NHL career-high four goals against Vancouver on Wednesday. Calgary defenseman Mark Giordano enters the game two points shy of 500 in the NHL (498 points; 139 goals, 359 assists) in 927 games. -- William Douglas, staff writer

Blues seeking to improve at home

The St. Louis Blues enter their home game against the Anaheim Ducks (8 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-MW, PRIME, FS-SD, NHL.TV) with a record of 4-7-3 at Enterprise Center, tied for the second-fewest home wins in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, ahead of the Buffalo Sabres (two). But thanks to their 12 road wins, which is tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for the NHL lead, they are in fourth place in the Honda West Division; the top four teams in the eight-team division will reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their last home win was more than a month ago, a 3-2 overtime victory against the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 18. Fan capacity at Enterprise Center is increasing to 4,100, beginning with this game. It would be a good time for the Blues to start winning on home ice. Meanwhile, the Ducks have lost three in a row and are last in the division. Three of their past four games have been decided by one goal. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

Coyotes, Sharks look to gain ground in West

Two teams battling to climb into contention for a playoff spot in the West will face off when the Arizona Coyotes host the San Jose Sharks (10 p.m. ET; FS-A, NBCSCA, NHL.TV) in the opening game of a back-to-back set. The Coyotes have won two of their past three and are four points behind the Blues for fourth in the division. With goalies Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta out with lower-body injuries, Adin Hill made 35 saves in a 5-4 shootout victory against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. The Sharks are three points behind the Coyotes after wins against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday (2-1) and Wednesday (4-2). Goalie Martin Jones is 3-0-1 with a 1.23 goals-against average and a .966 save percentage in his past four starts. -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Friday schedule

New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, NBCSWA, MSG+, NHL.TV)
It's the last game of a back-to-back set between the teams after the Capitals defeated the Devils 4-3 on Thursday. Washington is 12-2-0 in its past 14 and 5-0-0 against New Jersey this season.
Anaheim Ducks at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. ET (NHLN, FS-MW, PRIME, FS-SD, NHL.TV)
The Blues are 4-0-0 against the Ducks and St. Louis forward Brayden Schenn has scored six points (three goals, three assists) in the season series.
San Jose Sharks at Arizona Coyotes 10 p.m. ET (FS-A, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)
Coyotes forward Phil Kessel will play his 1,100th regular-season NHL game and his 878th consecutive. He is tied for the Coyotes lead with 10 goals and has scored four points (one goal, three assists) during a three-game point streak.
Winnipeg Jets at Calgary Flames, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+, SNW, TSN3, NHL.TV)
The Jets are 3-1-1 against the Flames and Winnipeg forward Kyle Connor has scored six points (four goals, two assists) in the season series.
Edmonton Oilers at Montreal Canadiens, postponed