NHL On Faucet: Golden Knights, Blues vie for first in Honda West Division
Welcome to the NHL On Faucet. Three NHL.com writers will portion what they are most looking out at for on the schedule each day. On the unique time, their picks from the five games Friday.
Showdown for first in the West
First space in the Honda West Division will be at stake when the Vegas Golden Knights focus on with the St. Louis Blues for the first sport of a support-to-support region (8 p.m. ET; NHLN, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS, FS-MW, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV). The division-leading Golden Knights acquired six straight sooner than shedding their previous two games to the on-the-rise Minnesota Wild, so that they’ll be desirous to rebound. Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury modified into away from COVID-19 protocol on Friday afternoon and rejoined the Golden Knights one day after going into the protocol. The Blues are one point in the support of the Golden Knights and 4-0-2 in their previous six games. St. Louis ahead Vladimir Tarasenko has one abet in two games since getting back from offseason shoulder surgical plan. — Tom Gulitti, group writer
Wild time for Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes take into consideration they are good sufficient to make in the top four in the eight-group West and manufacture the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Unquestionably one of the teams they’re struggling with is the Minnesota Wild, who’re 9-2-1 in their previous 12 games. The game in Minnesota (8 p.m. ET; FS-N, FS-WI, FS-A, NHL.TV) has to be a measuring-stick for each because the midpoint of the season approaches. Beyond that, there are monumental individual storylines to follow. Forward Kirill Kaprizov has been surely one of essentially the most fun offensive gamers the Wild hold had shortly, leading them and all NHL inexperienced persons with 20 aspects (seven targets, 13 assists). Goalie Kaapo Kahkonen (11-4-0, 2.19 targets-in opposition to average, .922 put share, one shutout) has been a revelation and grabbed the No. 1 job from Cam Talbot. Kaprizov and Kahkonen are each a headliner in the discussion for the Calder Trophy given to the participant voted rookie of the year in the NHL. For the Coyotes, withhold an sight on Jakob Chychrun. Things are falling into space for the defenseman accurate via his fifth NHL season. He’s playing more minutes (22: 58) than any Coyotes defenseman and has scored 19 aspects (seven targets, 12 assists), seven off his NHL profession high region closing season, in 26 games. — Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial
Kings knocking on the door
The Los Angeles Kings are fifth in the West and hold an sight on a playoff space when they focus on with the Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET; ESPN+, ALT2, FS-W, NHL.TV). I wasn’t sure what to inquire of from the Kings this season. They’ve been up and down recently (2-2-3 after a six-sport winning plug), but I fancy the makeup of this group, a combination of proven veterans and proficient young folks. They’re led by their championship core. Center Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with 31 aspects (seven targets, 24 assists), adopted by defenseman Drew Fearless with 22 aspects (six targets, 16 assists). Forward Dustin Brown has scored 19 aspects (13 targets, six assists), tied for third with ahead Adrian Kempe (11 targets, eight assists). Younger gamers, including rookie ahead Gabriel Vilardi and defenseman Mikey Anderson, hold been fun to stare too. The fourth-space Avalanche are 5-2-1 in their previous eight games after a 2-1 time previous legislation gain in opposition to the Coyotes on Wednesday. This two-sport region (the Kings and Avalanche also play Sunday) has to be fun to stare. — Tracey Myers, group writer
Friday schedule
Vegas Golden Knights at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. ET (NHLN, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS, FS-MW, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV)
Forward Max Pacioretty is tied for first for Vegas with 12 targets and is 2d with 21 aspects. He scored a hat trick in a 5-4 shootout loss to St. Louis on Jan. 26, the one sport carried out between the teams so far this season.
Arizona Coyotes at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. ET (FS-N, FS-WI, FS-A, NHL.TV)
Clayton Keller has scored eight aspects (three targets, five assists) accurate via a six-sport point plug for the Coyotes, who play the first of three straight in opposition to the Wild.
Ottawa Senators at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+, SNW, TSN5, RDS, NHL.TV)
Edmonton appears to entire a 3-sport sweep in opposition to Ottawa after a 3-2 gain Monday and a 7-1 gain Wednesday. The Oilers are 6-0-0 in opposition to the Senators this season, outscoring them 28-13.
Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+, ALT2, FS-W, NHL.TV)
Kings center Anze Kopitar is fifth in the NHL with 24 assists and tied for eighth with 31 aspects. He’s 19 aspects away from 1,000 in his profession.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET (PRIME, FS-SD, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)
The first of a support-to-support region, the Sharks are 2-0-1 in opposition to the Ducks this season. San Jose ahead Logan Couture and Anaheim ahead Max Comtois each has scored three targets in the season sequence.