ALSO LINK: Planned training | Poolers: players to the goal

Two shooting stars face each other in Dallas

The two players of the hour in the NHL – Jason Robertson Dallas Stars and Mitchell Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs – meet Tuesday (8:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, SNO, SN NOW) at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

It is the first time in NHL history that two players with active streaks of at least 18 point games have met. Marner has eclipsed the scoring tally in his last 19 games, a Maple Leafs record previously held by Darryl Sittler (1977-78) Eddie Olczyk (1989-90) at 18 games apiece. Marner had 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in that series.

Robertson is on his side’s career-best streak with at least a point in 18 straight games in which he recorded 20 goals and 13 assists for the Stars. Since the start of the season, Robertson has 41 points (23 goals, 18 assists) in 25 games. Only Dino Ciccarelli (22 games 1986-87) and Bobby Smith (23 games 1981-82) have reached 40 points in fewer games in Minnesota Stars/North Stars history.

The Stars (14-6-5) have scored more goals (98) than any other team in the NHL and have at least a point in 10 of their last 11 games (6-1-4).

The Maple Leafs (15-5-6) don’t lose often these days either, going 7-0-3 in their last 10 games and having at least a point in 10 of 13 away games this season.

Austin Matthewswho led the league with 61 goals last season has scored just 12 so far this season but has found the bull’s eye in three of his last four games.

Matt Murray will be the Maple Leafs’ goaltender who has been outstanding since his return on November 15 with a 5-0-2 record, 2.43 goals against average and .930 percent in saves.

Maurice back in Winnipeg

Paul Maurice, who coached the Winnipeg Jets for nine seasons before retiring on Dec. 17, 2021, will return to Canada Life Center for the first time as coach of the Florida Panthers (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, BSFL, ESPN+, SN NOW).

Winnipeg is 315-223-62 in 600 regular season games under Maurice and was 13-10-5 last season when he left. Maurice said the team needed a new voice after leading the Jets to the playoffs five times, including reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2018.

Maurice has since replaced Andrew Brunette at the head of the Panthers (12-9-4), who have yet to show consistency in their game but who have still won their last two games.

As for the Jets (15-7-1), despite winning four of their last five meetings, coach Rick Bowness was unhappy with his flock’s recent game debut. Winnipeg trailed 2-0 before beating the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Sunday. It was Winnipeg’s third win of the season from a multiple goal deficit.

Kochetkov holds the fort for the Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes will be looking for a fifth straight win after a five-game losing streak when they visit the Honda Center to take on the Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; BSSC, BSSO, ESPN+, SN NOW).

One of the main reasons for the recent success is the performance of the goalkeepers Pyotr Kochetkov. Since last season, the 23-year-old goaltender has won eight of his first ten starts (8-1-3), a record in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history. Only six goaltenders in NHL history have won more in their first 10 career starts: Igor ShesterkinViktor Fasth, Martin Prusek, Bob Froese, Wayne Thomas and Frank Brimsek (nine each).

Kochetkov (5-1-3, 2.27 goals against average, .919 save percentage, one shutout) should set the start for the Hurricanes (14-6-5) against the Ducks (6-17-3) while Carolinas number one is a goalkeeper, Frederick Andersonis still out with an injury sustained on November 6th.

On duty tonight…
Chicago Blackhawks vs. New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSG, NBCSCH, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Columbus Blue Jackets at the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, ATTSN-PT, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET; SNE, SNW, SNP, BSSUNX, BSDET, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Los Angeles Kings vs. Ottawa Senators (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN5, BSW, ESPN+ SN NOW)
St. Louis Blues at New York Islanders (7:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, BSMW, ESPN + SN NOW)
Florida Panthers at Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, BSFL, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Dallas Stars (8:30 p.m. ET); ESPN+, HULU, SNO, SN NOW
Carolina Hurricanes at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; BSSC, BSSO, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Seattle Kraken (10pm ET; ROOT-NW, RDS, TSN2, ESPN+, SN NOW)