NHL On Tap: Undefeated Avalanche host Hurricanes

Welcome to the NHL On Tap

Experience the excitement of the NHL with our daily schedule highlights. Today, our NHL.com writers are thrilled about the 15 games happening on Saturday. Let’s dive in!

Avalanche vs. Hurricanes: Battle of Cup Contenders

The Colorado Avalanche have been on fire, winning their first four games of the season and allowing only four goals. They have a tough challenge ahead as they face off against the Carolina Hurricanes, another top contender for the Stanley Cup. The game takes place at Ball Arena, and it’s a must-watch matchup.

Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev has been outstanding with a 4-0-0 record, a 0.98 goals-against average, and a .965 save percentage. He will be a key player to watch in this game. The Avalanche also boast a strong offensive lineup, with four players already scoring at least two goals this season.

On the other side, the Hurricanes are coming off a loss against the Seattle Kraken and will be looking to bounce back on the road. Keep an eye out for defensemen Brady Skjei, who leads NHL defensemen in points, and forwards Seth Jarvis and Teuvo Teravainen, who have been putting up numbers on the scoreboard.

Bedard’s Homecoming with the Blackhawks

Although not his literal hometown, North Vancouver, British Columbia native Connor Bedard will be playing on home ice for the Chicago Blackhawks. Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has been impressive so far, recording three points in five road games. Now, he’s ready to make his regular-season home debut at the United Center.

The Blackhawks have struggled in recent seasons, but Bedard’s exceptional skills have given the team and their fans hope for a brighter future. His return to Chicago will surely be a special moment for everyone involved in the organization.

Rematch of the Maple Leafs vs. Lightning First-Round Series

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning meet again for the first time since their intense first-round playoff series last season. While both teams have undergone some changes, the rivalry remains as strong as ever.

The Maple Leafs have started the season with a mixed bag of results and will be eager to find their scoring touch again, especially after two games with only one goal. Auston Matthews, who recently signed a new contract, will be a key player to watch for the Leafs.

The Lightning, dealing with goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy’s absence due to back surgery, have had their own struggles early on. However, they managed to break their three-game losing streak with a win against the Vancouver Canucks, thanks to forward Nikita Kucherov’s performance.

Saturday Game Schedule

Here are the other exciting matchups to look forward to on Saturday:

• Detroit Red Wings at Ottawa Senators (1 p.m. ET)
• Anaheim Ducks at Arizona Coyotes (4 p.m. ET)
• New York Islanders at Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET)
• Vancouver Canucks at Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET)
• Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET)
• Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET)
• Vegas Golden Knights at Chicago Blackhawks (8 p.m. ET)
• Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars (8 p.m. ET)
• Columbus Blue Jackets at Minnesota Wild (8 p.m. ET)

Get ready for a thrilling day of NHL action!

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