NHL On Tap: McLellan to make debut as Red Wings coach

Other Friday games

Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, NESN)

All eyes will be on forward David Pastrnak, who leads the Bruins (19-13-4) with 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists) in 36 games. The right wing’s availability is up in the air after he left Boston’s 4-1 victory against the Washington Capitals on Monday with an upper-body injury. Defenseman Zach Werenski of the Blue Jackets (14-15-6) ranks third among defensemen in the NHL with 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) in 35 games.

Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, MSGSN)

The Devils (23-11-3) have been led this month by forward Jack Hughes, who has 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 10 games. Meanwhile, goalie Jacob Markstrom has earned a shutout in his past two starts, making 12 saves in a 3-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and another 12 saves in a 5-0 win against the New York Rangers on Monday. The Hurricanes (21-12-1) are just 5-5-0 in December and 1-2-0 on their road trip, which will conclude in New Jersey.

Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues (8 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, FDSNSO)

The Predators (11-17-7), who are finally trending in the right direction, hit the road after going 3-0-1 on a four-game homestand. Blues forward Dylan Holloway scored his first career hat trick in a 4-0 victory against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday, which ended a three-game losing streak for St. Louis (16-16-4).

Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars (8 p.m. ET; FDSNWI, FDSNNO, Victory+)

The Wild (21-10-4) will be without forward and leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov because of a lower-body injury. Minnesota did get a boost with the return of Filip Gustavsson, who made 28 saves in a 4-3 win against the Blackhawks on Monday after missing four games with a lower-body injury. The Stars (20-13-0) defeated Utah 3-2 on Monday to avoid losing three consecutive games in regulation for the first time in 2 1/2 seasons under coach Pete DeBoer.

Vegas Golden Knights at San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NBCSCA)

Golden Knights (23-8-3) forward Tomas Hertl will return to San Jose for the first time since he was traded to Vegas on March 8. Hertl, who ranks sixth in Sharks history with 484 points (218 goals, 266 assists), had two assists against his former team in a 7-3 victory in Vegas on Oct. 26. Rookie Macklin Celebrini has earned at least one point in six of his past seven games for the Sharks (11-20-6), amassing 10 (three goals, seven assists) in that span.