Sutter back behind Flames bench
Darryl Sutter will return to coach the Calgary Flames when they host the Montreal Canadiens (9 p.m. ET; SNW, TSN2, RDS, NHL.TV). Sutter replaced Geoff Ward on March 4 and is no stranger to the job, going 107-74-16 with 15 ties as Calgary coach from 2002-06. The 62-year-old didn’t join the Flames until Tuesday while observing NHL COVID-19 protocol and has run two practices leading up to the game. The Flames haven’t played since Sunday and should be well-rested against Montreal, which is playing its second game in two nights. Keep an eye on the Flames to see if they have some extra spring in their collective gaits to impress the new boss. — Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
Ovechkin within reach of Esposito on NHL goal list
Alex Ovechkin is three goals from tying Phil Esposito (717) for sixth in NHL history when the Washington Capitals visit the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, NBCSP, NBCSWA, NHL.TV). Ovechkin did not score on four shots on goal in a 5-4 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, but has 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 21 games this season, including five (three goals, two assists) in two games against Philadelphia. The Capitals captain has 27 games with at least three goals in the NHL, the most hat tricks among active players and eighth highest in NHL history. Ovechkin has enjoyed success against the Flyers by scoring 64 points (37 goals, 27 assists) in 59 games. — Pete Jensen, senior fantasy editor
Islanders hope to continue streak
The New York Islanders look to extend their winning streak to seven games and point streak to 10 when they host the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV). The Islanders are 8-0-1 in their past nine games and 11-0-2 at Nassau Coliseum following a 2-1 shootout win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday and remain the only NHL team without a regulation loss on home ice. New York is on a home point streak of at least 13 games at any point in a season for the eighth time in their history. Islanders forward Brock Nelson has scored at least one goal in three straight games (four goals) and seven points (five goals, two assists) in his past seven. New Jersey is 1-0-1 in its past two games after five straight losses in regulation. The Devils will host the Islanders on Saturday and Sunday and are 1-2-0 against them this season. — Mike G. Morreale, staff writer
Thursday schedule
New York Rangers at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, TVAS, NESN, MSG 2, NHL.TV)
The Bruins are 2-1-2 in their past five games despite holding opponents to one regulation goal in each of them. The Rangers have lost two straight after winning three in a row and four of five, including a 6-2 victory against the Bruins on Feb. 26.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET (SNE, SNO, SNP, MSG-B, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV)
The Penguins go for their fourth consecutive victory, which would equal their longest this season. The Sabres have lost eight in a row (0-6-2) and have been outscored 32-15 in that span.
New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. ET (MSG+, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV)
The Islanders are 36-16-7 in regular-season games at Nassau Coliseum since returning part time in 2018-19 after three full seasons at Barclays Center. The Devils are 2-8-1 since Feb. 20, including five losses by one goal.
Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+, NBCSP, NBCSWA, NHL.TV)
The Capitals look for their third consecutive victory and seventh in their past eight games. Flyers forward Joel Farabee has scored 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 22 games. If he maintains that pace through the midway point of the season next week, he’ll be the first Philadelphia player age 22 or younger at a point-per-game pace at midseason since Mike Richards in 2007-08.
Nashville Predators at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET (FS-CR, FS-TN, NHL.TV)
The Hurricanes enter the finale of a four-game homestand winners of six straight, the latest a 3-2 overtime victory against the Predators on Tuesday after trailing 2-0. Nashville is without captain Roman Josi (upper body) and had three players called up from the taxi squad in the lineup Tuesday. One was defenseman Jeremy Davies, who made his NHL debut.
Florida Panthers at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. ET (FS-O, FS-F, NHL.TV)
The Panthers are 4-1-2 in their past seven games entering the finale of a five-game road trip. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is 4-0-1 in his past five games and will start for Florida. The Blue Jackets are 3-7-2 in their past 12.
Winnipeg Jets at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET (TSN4, TSN3, NHL.TV)
The Maple Leafs are still first in the seven-team Scotia North Division despite a season-long three-game losing streak. The Jets are 7-2-0 in their past nine games.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Detroit Red Wings, 7:30 p.m. ET (FS-D, SUN, NHL.TV)
The Lightning’s 18 wins are tied with the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes for most in the NHL. Captain Dylan Larkin returned to score his first goal in 13 games for the Red Wings in a 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday after missing four games with an upper-body injury. Detroit’s seven wins are 30th in the NHL, one ahead of the Sabres.
Chicago Blackhawks at Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m. ET (FS-SW, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)
The Stars and Blackhawks are set for a rematch after six players scored for Dallas in a 6-1 victory Tuesday, when rookie forward Jason Robertson tied a Stars/Minnesota North Stars record with four assists. Chicago forward Alex DeBrincat has scored 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 14 games against Dallas. He scored twice including the winner in overtime in a 2-1 victory Feb. 7.
Montreal Canadiens at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m. ET (SNW, TSN2, RDS, NHL.TV)
The Flames play their first game under coach Darryl Sutter after going 3-6-2 in their past 11 games. The Canadiens are 3-1-3 since Dominique Ducharme replaced Claude Julien as coach on Feb. 24.