NHL On Tap: Jets battle Maple Leafs for first place in North 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 six games Wednesday.

First place in Scotia North Division at stake

The Winnipeg Jets host the Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30 p.m. ET, SN, TVAS, NHL.TV) and the winner will have at least a share of first place in the Scotia North Division. The Maple Leafs are first in the division, one point ahead of the second-place Jets, and are powered by forward Auston Matthews, who leads the NHL with 23 goals. Toronto is 3-2-1 since going 1-2-0 in a three-game series at home against Winnipeg from March 9-13. The Jets just finished a seven-game road trip (4-3-0) and playing 12 of their past 14 games on the road (8-5-1). They are led by goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who has won his past four starts (4-0-0, 1.00 goals-against average, .966 save percentage) and is tied for third with 17 wins. The Jets are 2-1-1 against the Maple Leafs this season with each game played in Toronto. -- Tim Campbell, staff writer

Sabres look to end 'embarrassing' streak

The Buffalo Sabres had a 3-0 lead going into the third period and couldn't hold it, giving up four unanswered goals to lose 4-3 in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center on Monday. If that doesn't sum up how it's going for the Sabres, who own an NHL shootout-era record of 18 straight games without a win (0-15-3), then what does? Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour called the loss and the streak "embarrassing." Buffalo looks for its first win since Feb. 23 in the rematch against Philadelphia at home Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NBCSP, NHL.TV). The Sabres lacked desperation in the third period to close out what should have been a win, especially on home ice. Maybe that desperation kicks in Wednesday and they find a way. The Flyers have won two straight after going 0-3-1 in their previous four games. They're two points out of the fourth and final Stanley Cup Playoff spot in the MassMutual East Division, which means another win against the Sabres is a must. -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

Canucks, Flames each trying to get back on track

The Vancouver Canucks host the Calgary Flames in a crucial game for each (10:30 p.m., SN, TVAS, SNP, SNW, NHL.TV). They have identical records (16-18-3) and are tied for fifth in the seven-team North Division, each four points behind the fourth-place Montreal Canadiens. The top four teams will make playoffs and neither team is rolling right now. The Canucks are 0-2-1 in their past three games; the Flames are 1-5-0 in their past six. Vancouver should be recharged after a full week off; Calgary will be playing its fourth game in six nights. It won't get any easier for the Flames with five back-to-back sets through the end of the schedule compared to one for the Canucks. Calgary hopes to extend the success it's had against Vancouver this season (4-2-0). Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau, called out last week by coach Darryl Sutter, has scored six points (three goals, three assists) in six games against the Canucks this season and 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 33 games against them, his most against any opponent in the NHL. -- Dave Stubbs, columnist

Wednesday schedule

Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets, 7:30 p.m. ET (SN, TVAS, NHL.TV)
Forward Nikolaj Ehlers (three goals, three assists) and defenseman Neal Pionk (six assists) each has scored six points in four games against the Maple Leafs this season.
Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN, NBCSP, NHL.TV)
Flyers center Sean Couturier has scored seven points (four goals, three assists) in a four-game point streak and leads Philadelphia with seven points (three goals, four assists) in four games against Buffalo this season.
Arizona Coyotes at Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. ET (ALT, BSAZ, NHL.TV)
Forward Derick Brassard has scored five points (three goals, two assists) in his past five games for the Coyotes, who seek their fourth straight win. Brassard is two points shy of 500 in the NHL (498 points; 193 goals, 305 assists in 887 games).
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury needs one win to tie Ed Belfour for fourth in NHL history with 484.
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks, 10:30 p.m. ET (SN, TVAS, SNP, SNW, NHL.TV)
Flames defenseman Mark Giordano is one point shy of 500 in the NHL. He has scored 499 points (140 goals, 359 assists) in 930 games.
Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. ET (NBCSCA, BSN, BSWI, NHL.TV)
The Sharks look to sweep this two-game set after a 4-3 shootout win against the Wild on Monday.