NHL ON TAP: STARS HEARS CANUCKS IN 1. FIGHT WITHOUT HEISKANE

On By Littum

Welcome to the NHL on the tap, a daily look at the games on the NHL plan. There are four matches on the schedule for Friday, including a national television in the United States and one in Canada.

Today’s game

Vancouver Canucks at Dallas Stars (at 20 a; Victory+, Sn)

Canucks defends Quinn Hughes and Stars Frem Roope Hintz Go Head-to-head for the first time this season before turning out on 4 Nations Face-off from February 12-20 in Montreal and Boston. Hughes, who leads Canucks with 58 points (14 goals, 44 assists), represents the United States. Hintz, who leads the stars by 20 goals, will play for Finland. The stars (32-17-1) have won three equal and four of five, but will be without defender Miro Heiskan, who is week to week and will miss 4 Nations Face-off for Finland after maintaining a knee injury on Tuesday. Canucks (23-17-10) playing the last game on a three-game road trip has won three equal.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Utah Hockey Club (21:00 et; FDSnoh, Utah 16)

The blue jackets (25-19-7) seem to continue their hot streak when they visit Utah at the Delta Center. Columbus, who won 2-1 in overtime against the Golden Knights on Thursday, has won two equals and is 9-2-1 in his last 12 games. Blue Jackets Forward Adam Fantilli has six points (four goals, two assists) in his last four games. His 15 goals and 29 points in 51 games this season are already surpassing his Rookie season -season on 12 goals and 27 points in 49 games last season. Utah, 8-11-5 at home this season, will be without Frem Logan Cooley, who is out indefinitely with an lower body injury and will be reassessed after 4 Nations Face-off.

Nashville Predators at Buffalo Sabres (19:00 et; FDSNSO, NHLN, MSG-B, TVAS)

Buffalo (19-26-5) seems to be building on an impressive 7-2 win against Boston Bruins on Tuesday, when it hosts the predators at the KeyBank Center in the other of a four-match home. Buffalo forwards Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka each scored a hat trick in the victory. Thompson has 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his last seven games, and Peterka has seven points (four goals, three assists) in his last four games. Nashville (18-24-7) has lost two just after winning his previous five matches. Forward Filip Forsberg, who will represent Sweden in 4 Nations Face-off, has 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in its last 11 games for the predators.