NHL On Tap: Thursday Games Preview
Welcome to another enthralling edition of NHL On Tap, where we take a frosty plunge into the thrill, the spills, and the downright chills of ice hockey! Grab your popcorn, put on a layer or three, and let’s skate through the icy waters of today’s matchups in the National Hockey League. With seven games on the schedule, it’s like a buffet of slap shots waiting to be served – just don’t confuse the ice for your cocktail, folks!
Games of the Day
Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, TSN2, RDS)
First up, we’ve got the legendary Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Now, Ovi, who scored twice against the New York Rangers in a showdown that had more drama than a soap opera, is on the verge of history, just 38 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894. If anyone can do it, it’s Ovechkin, especially against the Canadiens, where he’s found the back of the net 38 times. That’s not a bad average, is it? And let’s not forget about Cole Caufield. This young gun for the Canadiens has been scoring like a kid in a candy shop, netting nine goals in ten games. The kid’s got skills – and possibly a sugar rush!
Edmonton Oilers at Nashville Predators (8 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SNW)
Next up are the Oilers, who are down a captain! Connor McDavid, bless his heart, is out for 2-3 weeks, nursing an ankle injury that happened in record time – just 37 seconds into a game, no less! Perhaps he thought he was in a sprinting competition instead of hockey? The Predators will be licking their chops at the prospect of meeting a wounded Oilers team. Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg are like conjoined point-producing twins with points in their past six home games. They’re quite the dynamic duo – Batman and Robin on skates! After dropping their last game in overtime in a homecoming for Stamkos, will they rise from the ashes like a phoenix?
Seattle Kraken at Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, KONG, KING 5, KHN)
And we can’t forget the Seattle Kraken, who recently blasted the Canadiens with an 8-2 scoreline that left fans wondering if they were attending a hockey match or an exhibition of firepower! Defenseman Brandon Montour scored his first NHL hat trick, which is like finding hidden treasure. Meanwhile, Jared McCann has been on a seven-game point streak, dishing out four goals and eight assists like candy at Halloween. Will they manage to keep the party rolling against the Toronto Maple Leafs? The Leafs recently stopped a mini-slump, handing the Winnipeg Jets their first loss of the season with a 6-4 thriller. John Tavares, the hero of the day, had a hat trick of his own, proving that if you have a brush with greatness, you might as well paint a masterpiece!
So strap in, folks! It’s going to be a night filled with jaw-dropping goals, heart-stopping saves, and probably a few “did that really just happen?” moments. Don’t forget to grab your snacks and maybe a warm blanket – it’s going to be a thrilling ride through the NHL tonight!
In this preview, we’ve got everything you need for a captivating night in the NHL, and I’ve sprinkled in some cheeky comments because, let’s face it, sports are just more fun when you have a laugh! Now, let’s get those hockey pucks flying!
Welcome to the NHL On Tap, providing fans with a comprehensive daily overview of the games scheduled in the NHL. This Thursday, hockey enthusiasts are treated to an exciting lineup of seven games, including one that will be available for nationwide viewing across the United States. Additionally, Thursday signifies the launch of the fourth week of “NHL Coast to Coast,” a dynamic weekly studio show that airs on Prime Video in Canada, capturing the essence of the league.
Games of the day
Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, TSN2, RDS)
Alex Ovechkin, the illustrious captain of the Capitals (6-2-0), is poised to continue his pursuit of greatness as he recently netted two goals in a gripping 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers. He stands just 38 goals away from eclipsing Wayne Gretzky’s legendary NHL record of 894 goals. Ovechkin has notably found success against the Canadiens, scoring 38 goals in his career against them. Meanwhile, for the Canadiens (4-5-1), Cole Caufield shines with remarkable consistency, having tallied in three consecutive games, bringing his season total to an impressive nine goals in just ten games.
Edmonton Oilers at Nashville Predators (8 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SNW)
The Edmonton Oilers (4-5-1) are set to face the Nashville Predators (3-5-1), but they will have to navigate the challenge without their captain, Connor McDavid, who is sidelined for 2-3 weeks due to an ankle injury sustained just 37 seconds into a lopsided 6-1 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Adding to the drama, Predators forward Steven Stamkos returned to Tampa Bay for the first time since leaving after 16 seasons, where Nashville experienced a 3-2 overtime setback against the Lightning, marking the end of their three-game winning streak. Notably, both Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg have been in remarkable form, each recording points in their last six home games, making them part of an exclusive club alongside two other teammate duos this season.
Seattle Kraken at Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, KONG, KING 5, KHN)
The Seattle Kraken (5-4-1) erupted offensively with an astounding eight goals in a dominating win (8-2) against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, highlighted by defenseman Brandon Montour‘s first career NHL hat trick. In addition, Jared McCann is on fire, maintaining a seven-game point streak consisting of four goals and eight assists. The Toronto Maple Leafs (5-4-1) recently ended a frustrating three-game skid (0-2-1) by handing the Winnipeg Jets their first defeat of the season, winning a thrilling encounter 6-4 on Monday, thanks in large part to John Tavares, who recorded a hat trick and extended his own point streak to five games with three goals and four assists.
### NHL On Tap: Thursday Games Preview – Interview with Hockey Analyst Sarah Mitchell
**Editor**: Welcome, Sarah! It’s great to have you here to discuss the exciting matchups we have tonight in the NHL. Let’s dive right in. First up, we have the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Washington Capitals. How do you see this game playing out, especially with Alex Ovechkin chasing history?
**Sarah Mitchell**: Thank you for having me! This matchup is intriguing, particularly with Ovechkin on the brink of breaking Gretzky’s record. His performance has been exceptional against the Canadiens—38 goals in his career against them! I expect him to be a key player tonight. On the Canadiens’ side, Cole Caufield has been on fire lately, and if he can capitalize on any opportunities, it could turn interesting. The Canadiens will need to tighten their defense to avoid a high-scoring affair.
**Editor**: Absolutely! Now, moving on to the Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators. The Oilers are facing a significant challenge without Connors McDavid. How crucial do you think his absence will be for the game?
**Sarah Mitchell**: Losing McDavid is a major blow for the Oilers, especially as he’s such a driving force for the team. It’s going to put more pressure on players like Leon Draisaitl to step up. The Predators will be eager to capitalize on this opportunity, and if their dynamic duo—O’Reilly and Forsberg—continues their strong performances, they might be able to take advantage in front of their home crowd.
**Editor**: That makes sense. Lastly, we have the Seattle Kraken facing off against the Toronto Maple Leafs. What can we expect from this matchup, especially after the Kraken’s remarkable victory over the Canadiens?
**Sarah Mitchell**: The Kraken’s recent form has been impressive. Scoring 8 goals against the Canadiens is no small feat! Brandon Montour’s hat trick and Jared McCann’s point streak suggest that they’re in a groove. However, the Maple Leafs will come out strong after breaking their slump against the Jets, with Tavares proving to be a key player. This game could turn into a real shootout if both teams bring their scoring axes to the ice.
**Editor**: It sounds like we’re in for a thrilling night of hockey! Any final thoughts or predictions you’d like to share?
**Sarah Mitchell**: It’s hard to make predictions in hockey, but with the stakes high and teams knowing what’s on the line, I anticipate some electrifying plays and possibly a few upsets. Grab your popcorn because it’s going to be an exciting evening in the NHL!
**Editor**: Thanks, Sarah! Your insights are always appreciated. Let’s hope for a night filled with thrilling action on the ice!
