NHL On Tap: Canucks host Penguins trying to build on first win of the season

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

Canucks go for two in a row

The Vancouver Canucks (1-5-2) will look to build on their first win of the season when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Rogers Arena on Friday (10 p.m. ET: SN360, SN1, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, SN NOW). . The Canucks lost their first seven games (0-5-2), including blown two-goal leads in each of their first four games. But the tumble eventually ended in a 5-4 win over the Seattle Kraken at the Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday. It was coach Bruce Boudreau’s 600th win; He is the second fastest coach in NHL history to reach that mark (1,049 games), behind Scotty Bowman (1,002). The Penguins (4-2-1) are suffering back-to-back losses in Alberta, in which they were edged 10-4 by the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames. Forward Sydney Crosby had one point, one goal in those two games, having started the season with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in five games. — Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

Coyotes debut in new homes

The Arizona Coyotes will show off their new digs to a national audience when they host the Winnipeg Jets (10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, TVAS, TSN3). The Coyotes (2-4-0) make their home debut at Mullett Arena, a new 5,000-seat facility on the Arizona State University campus. It’s the first of four home games for the Coyotes, who have played their first six games away, part of a season-opening run that will see Arizona play 20 of its first 24 away. coyotes forward Clayton Keller wants to extend his five-game points streak (two goals, five assists). He had three assists in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Winnipeg (4-3-0) defender Neal Pionk has five points (three goals, two assists) in his last five games. The Jets are on a two-game winning streak and are 2-2-0 on the way so far. — William Douglas, staff writer

Islanders are tested

The New York Islanders (3-4-0) passed a test this week when they beat the New York Rangers 3-0 on Wednesday, helped by 41 saves from the goalie Ilya Sorokin. They get another Friday when they head to PNC Arena to play the Carolina Hurricanes (7:00 p.m. ET; BSSO, MSGSN2, ESPN+, SN NOW), who start the season 4-1-1. The Hurricanes have converted 22.7 percent of their power-play chances, but that will be challenged against the Islanders, who started the season without conceding a power-play goal in any of their seven games earlier in the season. That’s the longest run since the start of a season by a team since 1977-78, when tracking specific teams’ stats with the 2008-09 Minnesota Wild and 2014-15 Detroit Red Wings. The islanders will also look to the future Josh Bailey plays his 1,000th career game. He played his entire 15-year NHL career with the Islanders after being drafted #9 in the 2008 NHL draft by them. — Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

games on Friday

Anaheim Ducks at Vegas Golden Knights (6 p.m. ET: ATTSN-RN, BSSC, ESPN+, SN NOW)

The Ducks (1-5-1) are winless (0-4-1) this season and have scored 16 goals in their first seven games; only the St. Louis Blues (14 in six games) have scored fewer goals. The Golden Knights (6-2-0), who have won twice in a row, are 3-1 at home.

Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET: NHLN, BSOH, NESN, SN NOW)

Bruins (7-1-0) forward Brad Marchand will sit out this game after scoring two goals and an assist in his season debut against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Management will be cautious with Marchand, who underwent surgery on both hips on May 27. The Blue Jackets (3-5-0) are yet to have a power-play goal in eight games this season.

Colorado Avalanche at the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET: MSGSN, ALT2, ESPN+, SN NOW)

The Avalanche (4-2-1) will do without a striker Valery Nikhushkin, who is in everyday life because of a lower body injury. Nichushkin had started the season on a seven-game scoring streak (seven goals, five assists) and had scored in all but one of Colorado’s seven games. The Devils (4-3-0) were led by forward Jesper Brett, who had 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in seven games.

New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes (7:00 p.m. ET; BSSO, MSGSN2, ESPN+, SN NOW)

The Hurricanes stormed ahead with a power play goal against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday Andrei Shchnikov Geoff Sanderson (1993-94) scored the most goals in the first six games of a season for the Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers with seven. Svechnikov is tied for second in the NHL by goals after scoring a career-best 30 in 78 games last season. The Islanders are without a win away from home this season (0-2-0).

Pittsburgh Penguins in Vancouver Canucks (10pm ET: SN360, SN1, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, SN NOW)

The Penguins are 3-0-0 at home but 1-2-1 away after back-to-back losses at the Oilers and Flames on Monday and Tuesday. Canucks forward J T Miller (left ankle) is questionable after blocking a late-game shot against the Kraken on Thursday. He had to be helped off the ice by two teammates.

Winnipeg Jets at Arizona Coyotes (10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, TVAS, TSN3)

The Jets are playing their second consecutive away game after their 6-4 win at the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. The coyotes Shayne Gostisbehere is third among NHL defensemen with eight points (four goals, four assists) in six games, including two goals and one assist in Arizona’s 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.