NHL ON TAP: Ovechkin continues target record hunting with capitals against the crack

Other Thursday games

Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins (19:00 ET; NESN, TSN5, RDS2)

Bruins (23-20-6) and senators (24-19-4), bound with Canadiens to the second wild card from the east, meet for the second time in six days after the senators stood from a two-goal third period deficit For a 6-5 shootout victory Saturday. Bruins had points in four straight matches (3-0-1) before a 5-1 loss to New Jersey Devils Wednesday. The senators seem to be rebounded after a 5-0 loss to Rangers on Tuesday their six-game point streak (5-0-1) ended.

Montreal Canadiens on Detroit Red Wings (19:00 ET; FDSNDED, TSN2, RDS)

Canadiens (24-19-4) is 13-3-1 in their last 17 games to climb up a draw with the senators and Bruins second wild cards from the east. Montreal’s Lane Hutson has nine-game points and helps stripes (a goal, 12 assists) and can break the NHL record for the longest assist strip of a rookie defender he shares with Shayne Gostisians (2015-16). The red wings (21-21-5) are 1-3-1 in their last five games after a seven-match winning row.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes (19:00 et; FDSnoh, FDSNSO)

Carolina goalkeeper Frederik Andersen is expected to go after his 300. Hurricanes (29-16-3) have won three in a row to move one point in front of the devils second in the Metropolitan Division. The blue jackets (23-18-7) are 7-1-1 in their previous nine games to climb the first Wild Card in the east.

Vegas Golden Knights in St. Louis Blues (at 20 a; FDSNMW, Scripps)

It’s the second game in a home-and-home set between the teams after St. Louis won 5-4 in a shootout in Vegas Monday. The Golden Knights (29-14-4) have lost four equals (0-3-1) and cling to a one-point lead at Edmonton Oilers for first in the Pacific Division. Brayden Schenn has five points (three goals, two assists) during a four-game point line for blues (23-21-4).

Buffalo Sabres on Calgary Flames (21:00 ET; SN1, MSG-B)

Calgary (22-16-7) Rookie goalkeeper Dustin Wolf has won four of his last five starts, and overall a 1.99 gaa and .935 savings percentage during this period. Buffalo (18-24-5) is 1-1-0 through two matches on a four-game road trip. Sabres defender Rasmus Dahlin seems to be expanding his five-game road point streak (six assists).

Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers (21:00 ET; SNW, SNP)

It’s a new match for Canucks’ 3-2 win against Oilers at home on Saturday. Oilers Center Connor McDavid and Canucks Defender Tyler Myers will each serve the second games in their respective three-game suspensions from the NHL Department of Player Safety for separate cross-control events in the game on Saturday. Forward Leon Draisaitl has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) during a seven-game point line and lead the NHL with 34 goals in 47 games for Edmonton (29-15-3). Quinn Hughes has four points (three goals, one assist) during a three-game point line for Vancouver (20-16-10).

Pittsburgh Penguins at Anaheim Ducks (22:00 et; Victory+, Sn-Sn-Pit, KCOP-13)

Penguins (20-21-8) are 2-1-0 so far during their season long seven games road trip. Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby has 741 points (280 goals, 461 assists) in 662 road games, tied with Joe Sakic to 10. In the NHL story. The ducks (18-23-6) will try their first win in five games (0-3-1).

Nashville Predators by San Jose Sharks (22.30 et; FDSNSO, NBCSCA)

It is the second game in a home-and-home series between the predators (17-22-7) and the sharks (14-30-6). Nashville defeated a deficit of 5-1 second period to defeat San Jose 7-5 on Tuesday and extend his winning row to a season high matches. Forward Filip Forsberg has goals in six straight matches (seven goals) and can tie the predator goal of seven games he set last season. Nashville tip Jonathan Marchessault has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) during a nine-game point strip. San Jose has lost four in a row.