NHL.com identifies key gameday matchups and players to watch throughout the 2023-24 season
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Note: Betting lines provided by Betway (U.S., Ontario)
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1. Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, BSSO, NHLN, SN, TVAS)
CAR moneyline: -210
WSH moneyline: +170
The Hurricanes have won five consecutive games and will visit the Capitals, who have gone 6-4-0 in their past 10 games. Carolina ranks eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.39), while Washington is averaging the fifth-fewest goals per game (2.66). The Hurricanes have the fifth-most shots on goal per game (32.9), while the Capitals are averaging the second-fewest shots on goal (27.0). Carolina has played Washington twice this season, winning 6-2 on Jan. 5 and losing 2-1 in a shootout 2-1 on Dec. 17.
Carolina forward Sebastian Aho has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his past four games. Forward Jake Guentzel has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his past five and is seeing time with Aho on their top line. Forward Seth Jarvis has six goals in his past five games and at least four shots on goal in two of his past three games. For Washington, forward Alex Ovechkin has five goals in his past three games. Defenseman John Carlson has three assists in his past three.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins at Dallas Stars (8 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, BSSW)
PIT puckline (+1.5 goals): -148
DAL puckline (-1.5 goals): +124
The Penguins are 3-6-1 in their past 10 and will visit the Stars, who are 7-3-0 in that same span and have won back-to-back games. Pittsburgh is outshooting Dallas this season, as the Penguins rank third in the NHL in shots on goal per game (33.4) while the Stars are 12th (31.4). Dallas, though, is outscoring Pittsburgh, with the Stars ranking third in the NHL in goals per game (3.61) and the Penguins tied for 24th (2.90).
Penguins center Sidney Crosby has five points (one goal, four assists) in his past four games. He is on a line with right wing Bryan Rust, who has three goals and five points in his past four. Forward Lars Eller has five points (two goals, three assists) in his past four games as well. For Dallas, forward Wyatt Johnston has five points (four goals, one assist) in his past five. Defenseman Thomas Harley has four points (one goal, three assists) in his past three.
3. Seattle Kraken at Arizona Coyotes (10 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, ROOT-NW, SN, TVAS)
Over 5.5 total goals: -120
Under 5.5 total goals: +100
The Kraken have lost four consecutive games and will visit the Coyotes, who are 5-5-0 in their past 10. Seattle is 3-6-1 in that same span. The Kraken are scoring the fourth-fewest goals per game (2.65) this season and the Coyotes are tied for the 10th-fewest (2.91). Seattle has played Arizona once this season, losing 4-3 in a shootout Nov. 7. Seattle has not scored more than two goals in a game during their four-game losing streak.
For Arizona, forward Nick Schmaltz has five assists in their past three games. In that same span forward Clayton Keller has five points (three goals, two assists). Forward Nick Bjugstad has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past four and forward Dylan Guenther has three points (one goal, two assists) in his past three. Forward Jared McCann leads Seattle with 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) in 67 games. Ranking second on the team is forward Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists) in 68 games.
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