NHL On Tap: Lalonde seeks to extend Red Wings coaching record

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

Lalonde tries to extend the Red Wings’ record

Derek Lalonde may set a record when the Detroit Red Wings host the Anaheim Ducks at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday (5 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN NOW). He’s already the first coach in Red Wings history to have a point in each of his first four games (2-0-2) and included Jeff Blashill (3-0-0 in 2015/16), Mike Babcock ( 3-0-0 in 2005-06), Jimmy Skinner (3-0-0 in 1954-55) and Tommy Ivan (2-0-1 in 1947-48). It was a promising start for Detroit, which has not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for six consecutive seasons. But the Red Wings still have work to do. They squandered a 2-0 lead in a 4-3 overtime loss at the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday and rank last in the NHL in faceoff percentage (40.1). The Ducks (1-3-1) defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-4 in the season opener but have not won since. — Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

Sharks struggle to gain a foothold

It’s been a difficult start for the San Jose Sharks, who have lost six of their first seven games (6-1) after a 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. A lack of offense was the biggest problem. Aside from their 3-2 overtime win over the New York Rangers on Thursday, the Sharks have scored two or fewer goals in their other six games. They’ll try to generate more offense when they attend the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, NBCSCA, ESPN+, SN NOW), and it won’t be easy. The Flyers (4-1-0) allow 2.20 goals per game. San Jose forward Kevin Labanc, who missed all but 21 games last season with a shoulder injury, scored his first goal of the season on Saturday and maybe that can at least get him going. — Tracey Myers, staff writer

Octopuses, blackhawks putting their noses to the whetstone

The Seattle Kraken (2-2-2) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (2 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, SN NOW), who claim a 3-2 win over Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Friday , a trainer Dave Hakstol called “rock solid 60 minutes”. Seattle went 2-0 two minutes into the second half and refused to fold after Colorado scored a shorthanded goal to level it 2-2 at 6:58 for third and goalie Phillip Grubauer left with a lower body injury at 10:17. The Blackhawks (2-2-0) survived the lost goalie Peter Mrazek (groin strain) after the second period to defeat the Red Wings 4-3 in overtime of their home game on Friday. It was her second consecutive multi-goal comeback win. Like the Kraken, the Blackhawks are trying to garner respect with a Chicago forward mentality Andreas Athanasou said, “Shut up, get out there and work.” Expect a close game between two sides who don’t want to get off easy. — Jon Lane, Staff Writer

games on Sunday

Seattle Kraken at Chicago Blackhawks (2 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, SN NOW)

goalie Martin Jones is expected to start for Seattle and Joey Daccord From the Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League, Grubauer was recalled day after day on Saturday. Alex Stlock starts for the Blackhawks. Mrazek was placed on injured reserve retroactively to October 21. Coach Luke Richardson said on Saturday the forecast was encouraging.

Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings (5 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN NOW)

The Ducks are ending a five-game road trip against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 0-3-1 on the trip and lost a 1-2 shootout to the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Forward Troy Terry leads Anaheim in five games this season with six points (three goals, three assists). The Red Wings have lost in overtime twice in a row.

Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers (5 p.m. ET; MSG, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW)

So far so good for Johnny Gaudreau with the Blue Jackets (2-4-0). The forward has a five-game points streak and leads Columbus with seven points (four goals, three assists). The Blue Jackets are yet to have a power play goal this season (0-14) and lose 6-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Rangers (3-1-1) have a three-game points streak at home (2-0-1) to start a season for the first time since 2009/10 (3-0-0). Artemi Panarin‘s five-game point streak is the longest season-opening streak by a Rangers player since Brad Richards (five in 2011–12). His 11 points (three goals, eight assists) is the most after the first five games with Rod Gilbert in 1971-72.

New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers (5 p.m. ET; TVAS, BSFL, MSGSN, ESPN+)

The Islanders (2-3-0) lost 5-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. They are 18-18 on penalties and 1-15 on the power play this season. Matthew Tkachuk is the first Panthers player to have at least a point in each of the first five games to start a season and leads Florida (3-1-1) in goals (three), assists (five), points (eight) and shots on goal (24th ). He earned a 3-1 opening win with the Islanders on October 13.

San Jose Sharks at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, NBCSCA, ESPN+, SN NOW)

sharks forward Oskar Lindblom returns to Philadelphia for the first time in five seasons with the Flyers. Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, on December 10, 2019. The Flyers defeated the Nashville Predators 3-1 on Saturday, conceding two or fewer goals in each of their wins.