NHL On Tap: Matthews appears to be staying hot for Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes

Welcome to NHL On Tap. Each day, three NHL.com writers will reveal what they’re most looking forward to. Today their selection from three games on Sunday.

Matthews, Maple Leafs roll into Raleigh without Samsonov

Austin Matthews is heating up and, unsurprisingly, so is the Toronto Maple Leafs (6-4-2). But they go into a game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on Sunday (5 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS, TSN4) and lose another goalie. Ilya Samsonov sustained a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins and is on injured reserve. Erik Kalgren, who made seven saves to relieve Samsonov on Saturday, will start against the Hurricanes. Toronto signed Keith Petruzzelli on a two-year entry-level deal to support Kallgren because Matt Murray and Joseph Woll are also injured. Matthews scored both goals against Boston to help Toronto win their second straight game after losing four straight games (0-2-2). The Maple Leafs center has goals in three straight games and four of five. Matthews, who scored 60 goals last season, was bound to have a hot spell. Good scorers don’t stay inactive for long. But more importantly, Matthews’ hot streak has helped the Maple Leafs improve themselves. Matthews, Kallgren and the rest of the Maple Leafs will not find it easy against the Hurricanes (8-2-1), who have won four straight games, including 5-3 against the Buffalo Sabers from behind Sebastian AhHat trick on Friday. — Dan Rosen, senior author

Video: [email protected]: Matthews advances home pass for PPG

The wheels are turning for Red Wings

So far so good for the Detroit Red Wings and their off-season renovation. They are 6-3-2 and attend Madison Square Garden to play the New York Rangers (5 p.m. ET; SN360, MSG, BSDET, ESPN+, SN NOW) who went on to a 3-0 win at home on Saturday win against the New York Islanders That ended her opponent’s five-game winning streak. Free agent forward Andrew Copp, Dominik Kubalik and David Peronand defender Ben Chiarot and Olli Määttä contribute. Kubalik has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 11 games and is showing the form of his 30-goal season with the Chicago Blackhawks that made him a finalist for the 2020 Calder Trophy, awarded to NHL Rookie of the Year. defender Ryan Lindgren did not train for Rangers on Saturday due to an upper-body injury (6-4-2). Philip Chytil could return after the forward missed six games with an upper-body injury. — Jon Lane, Staff Writer

Video: [email protected]: Kubalik scores in the 3rd period

Ducks seem to keep rolling

The Anaheim Ducks are on their way to their home game against the Florida Panthers (9 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, BSSC, BSSF, SN NOW). The Ducks (4-7-1) have won three of their last four games, including a 5-4 shootout win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. It’s a turnaround after a seven-game losing streak that ended in a 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Oct. 30. striker Trevor Zegras has a four-game point streak (three goals, four assists) for Anaheim, as does the forward Troy Terry (one goal, six assists). Florida (6-5-1) is hoping for a rebound after a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday at the Crypto.com Arena. They are 2-4-0 in their last six games. Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe has scored five goals in his last five games, including two in the loss to the Kings. — William Douglas, staff writer

Video: [email protected]: Zegras scores twice to lift Ducks to victory

games on Sunday

Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers (5 p.m. ET; SN360, MSG, BSDET, ESPN+, SN NOW)

Alex Nedeljkovic will probably start for the Red Wings after that Ville Huso made 26 saves against the New York Islanders on Saturday. Red Wings forward Philip Zadina was saved off the ice after a shot in the right leg at 5:19 of the third half and put on IR after the game. New York has picked up at least a point in six straight games against Detroit (5-0-1), including four in a row (3-0-1) and six of seven at home. Mika Zibanejad has points in four straight games (two goals, four assists) and Rangers are 6-1-0 this season if he picks up a point.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Carolina Hurricanes (5 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS, TSN4)

Mitchell Marner had assists in every Auston Matthews goal against the Boston Bruins on Saturday, which earned him consecutive multi-assist games and points in five straight games (one goal, seven assists). hurricanes ahead Martin Neca had another goal and assist against the Buffalo Sabers on Friday, giving the forward a team-high 17 points (seven goals, ten assists). Necas has a point in 10 out of 11 games. The Hurricanes are 3-1-0 at home. Toronto is going 2-3-2.

Florida Panthers at Anaheim Ducks (9 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, BSSC, BSSF, SN NOW)

Spencer Knight probably will start for the Panthers after the goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 34 saves in a 5-4 loss at the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. Florida is 31st in the NHL on power play (10.2 percent); Anaheim is 30th (12.1 percent). The Ducks concede 4.58 goals per game, worst in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets.