Sunday, July 19, 2026
ScoreBig - Get Tickets for Less
Home Blog Page 555

NHL Game Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets (26-20-7) vs. St. Louis Blues (20-25-9)

0

Game Details

Puck drop us scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. local time).

Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

TV/Streaming: ESPN+.

The Columbus Blue Jackets head to St. Louis for the second and final meeting of the 2025-26 season series, wrapping up their Western Conference road schedule. Columbus enters as the hotter team, riding a wave of success, while the Blues are looking to build momentum after snapping a lengthy skid.

Recent Team Forms

The Blue Jackets are one of the league’s hottest teams, winning four straight and going 8-0-1 in their last nine games.

Their last five results:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 30, 2026@ Chicago BlackhawksW 4-2
Jan 28, 2026vs. Philadelphia FlyersW 5-3
Jan 25, 2026vs. Tampa Bay LightningW 8-5
Jan 22, 2026vs. Dallas StarsW 1-0
Jan 20, 2026vs. Ottawa SenatorsL 1-4

Columbus has been dominant offensively, scoring at least four goals in three of those wins, led by strong goaltending and timely scoring.

The Blues snapped a five-game losing streak with a dramatic win but have otherwise struggled, going 1-3-1 in their last five.

Their recent results:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29, 2026vs. Florida PanthersW 5-4
Jan 27, 2026@ Dallas StarsL 3-4
Jan 24, 2026vs. Los Angeles KingsL 4-5 (SO)
Jan 23, 2026@ Dallas StarsL 2-3
Jan 20, 2026@ Winnipeg JetsL 1-3

St. Louis has shown resilience at home, winning four of their last six at Enterprise Center, but defensive lapses have been costly.

Injury Report

Columbus Blue Jackets:

D Brendan Smith: Out (knee surgery, expected recovery 3-4 months).

D Dante Fabbro: Out (lower body).

Scratched: D Danton Heinen, D Egor Zamula.

Goalie rotation: Elvis Merzlikins started the last game; Jet Greaves could get the nod.

St. Louis Blues:

C Robert Thomas: Out (lower body, on IR, expected return around Feb. 4).

LW Dylan Holloway: Out (high ankle sprain, on IR, expected return after Olympics, around Feb. 26).

C Pius Suter: Questionable (high ankle sprain, missed 15 games but trending toward return; expected around Feb. 2 if not tonight).

Expected to play: LW Jake Neighbours and RW Jimmy Snuggerud (both missed practice but participated in optional skate).

Scratched: D Matthew Kessel, F Robby Fabbri, F Mathieu Joseph, F Matt Luff.

Goalie rotation: Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer have alternated for seven straight; Hofer started last, so Binnington likely tonight.

The Blues are getting healthier overall but miss key center depth with Thomas and Holloway out, putting pressure on players like Jordan Kyrou.

Key Player Matchups

Charlie Coyle (CBJ) vs. Blues Defense: Coyle is on fire with a hat trick and assist in the last game (4-2 win over Chicago).

He’ll test St. Louis’ blue line, which has allowed 3+ goals in four of five recent games.

Sean Monahan (CBJ) vs. Joel Hofer/Jordan Binnington (STL): Monahan’s late-game heroics (go-ahead goal vs. Philly) make him a clutch threat against a Blues goaltending tandem that’s alternated but allowed 3.59 GAA combined recently.

Jordan Kyrou (STL) vs. Zach Werenski (CBJ): Kyrou has been productive (goal + two assists in win over Florida) and will look to exploit Columbus’ defense, but Werenski (two assists recently) anchors a unit that’s held opponents under 3 goals in four of five.

Kirill Marchenko (CBJ) vs. Pavel Buchnevich (STL): Both are top-line wingers; Marchenko’s speed could challenge Buchnevich in transition battles.

Goaltending Edge: Columbus’ Merzlikins/Greaves duo has been stellar in the streak (e.g., 22 saves in last win), while St. Louis’ tandem has been inconsistent.

Series History

The Blue Jackets hold a 38-50-3-5 all-time record against the Blues (regular season).

However, Columbus has dominated recently, winning the last five meetings, including a 3-2 home victory on Nov. 1, 2025.  

In the last 10 games, St. Louis is 3-6-1 against Columbus.

The Blue Jackets are 5-1 in shootouts this season, adding an edge if it goes long.

Betting Trends

Total (Over/Under): St. Louis games have gone over 6.5 in 3 of last 5; Columbus in 3 of last 5.  

Trends favor the underdog: Columbus is 8-1 in last nine overall and 5-0 vs. St. Louis recently. The Blues are 3-13 as favorites this season when implied win probability is under 55%.

Game Odds

Columbus Blue Jackets                  6.5

St. Louis Blues                                   – 118

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Nashville Predators (24-23-6) vs. New York Islanders (30-19-5)

0

The Nashville Predators (24-23-6) face the New York Islanders (30-19-5) in an interconference clash at UBS Arena. The Islanders, third in the Metropolitan Division, have won three straight and are pushing for a top spot in the East with strong goaltending and balanced scoring. The Predators, fifth in the Central, are hovering around .500 amid defensive inconsistencies but have shown flashes of offensive potency. This is their second meeting of the 2025-26 season, with the Islanders winning 2-1 in a shootout on Jan. 8 in Nashville. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair as both teams battle for crucial points heading into the Olympic break.

Venue: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)

TV/Streaming: ESPN+, MSGSN, FDSNSO

Recent Team Forms

The Islanders are heating up with defensive solidity; the Predators have been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses.

Predators (4-4-2 in last 10): Nashville averages 2.9 goals scored and 3.2 allowed recently. They’ve split their last six, with a 3-2 OT loss to New Jersey (Jan. 29) highlighting goaltending issues. Wins include 5-3 over Ottawa (Jan. 22) and 4-3 OT over Detroit (Jan. 13), but blowouts like 6-2 to Utah (Jan. 6) expose vulnerabilities

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29@ NJDL 2-3 (OT)
Jan 27@ BOSL 3-4
Jan 24vs OTTW 5-3
Jan 22vs CHIW 6-4
Jan 20@ BUFL 3-5

Islanders (6-3-1 in last 10): New York averages 3.1 goals scored and 2.4 allowed, winning five of seven. They’ve swept the Rangers in back-to-back games (2-1 on Jan. 29, 5-2 on Jan. 28), with shutouts and comebacks. Losses include 5-4 OT to Winnipeg (Jan. 24) and 4-3 to Minnesota (Jan. 10)

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs NYRW 2-1
Jan 28vs NYRW 5-2
Jan 26@ PHIW 4-0
Jan 24@ WPGL 4-5 (OT)
Jan 21vs EDMW 1-0

Injury Report

Predators:

No major injuries reported as of Jan. 30; team is relatively healthy post their Jan. 29 game

Minor day-to-day issues from recent physical play, but expected full lineup.

Islanders:

Casey Cizikas (C, illness): Out for Jan. 29 game, status day-to-day

Calum Ritchie (C, lower body): Day-to-day, missed Jan. 28

Kyle Palmieri (C, knee): Out indefinitely

Pierre Engvall (LW, ankle): Out indefinitely

Unnamed D (upper body): Day-to-day

RW (illness): Day-to-day

Projected starters: Juuse Saros (NSH, .902 SV%) vs. Ilya Sorokin (NYI, .912 SV%).

Key Player Matchups

Filip Forsberg (Predators LW) vs. Noah Dobson (Islanders D): Forsberg leads Nashville with 22 goals and 45 points, on a multi-point streak; his shot volume challenges Dobson (8G, 35A), New York’s top-pair defenseman averaging 23+ minutes.

Roman Josi (Predators D) vs. Mathew Barzal (Islanders C): Josi (10G, 40A) quarterbacks Nashville’s power play (21%); Barzal (18G, 50P) brings speed to exploit gaps.

Bo Horvat (Islanders C) vs. Ryan O’Reilly (Predators C): Horvat (20G, 42P) anchors New York’s top line; O’Reilly (15G, 35P) excels in faceoffs (55%) for shutdown duties.

Goaltending Duel: Juuse Saros (Predators) vs. Ilya Sorokin (Islanders): Saros (2.75 GAA) faces New York’s stingy defense; Sorokin (recent shutouts, 2.45 GAA) exploits Nashville’s road leaks

Projected Lineups

Predators: Forsberg-O’Reilly-Nyquist; Evangelista-Novak-Marchessault; Jankowski-Parssinen-Sissons; Zucker-Suter-Smith. Defense: Josi-Fabbro; Lauzon-Carrier; Schenn-Stastney. Goalie: Saros.

Islanders: Lee-Horvat-Barzal; Duclair-Nelson-Palmieri (if available); Holmstrom-Pageau-Engvall (if available); Fasching-MacLean-Cizikas (if available). Defense: Romanov-Dobson; Reilly-Pulock; Mayfield-Bolduc. Goalie: Sorokin.

Series History

Nashville holds the all-time edge: 25-13-3-2 overall. In regular season, Predators lead 22-13-3. Recently, Nashville has won four of the last five, including a 6-3 victory on April 6, 2024. At UBS Arena, Islanders are 2-1 in the last three meetings, but Predators have outscored them 10-8.

Betting Trends

Over/Under: Over has hit in 6 of Islanders’ last 10; Under in 5 of Predators’ last 8 road games. Islanders 9-9 SU as favorites; Predators 4-6 SU in last 10 road games. New York 5-2 ATS in last 7 home; Nashville 3-7 ATS vs. East teams. Islanders 3-0 in last 3 vs. Central opponents.

Game Odds

Nashville Predators        5.5

New York Islanders         – 130

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026

NHL Game Preview: New Jersey Devils (28-24-2) vs. Ottawa Senators (25-21-7)

0

The New Jersey Devils (28-24-2) visit the Ottawa Senators (25-21-7) in a Metropolitan vs. Atlantic interdivision matchup with playoff implications. The Devils sit fifth in the Metropolitan, clinging to a wild-card spot, while the Senators are seventh in the Atlantic, just outside the playoffs. This is their second meeting of the 2025-26 season, with New Jersey winning the first 4-3 on Dec. 9 in Ottawa. The Devils aim to build on a gritty overtime win, but injuries loom large; the Senators, riding a two-game streak, look to capitalize on home ice with strong special teams.

Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)

TV/Streaming: ESPN+, SN1, TVAS2, MSG

Recent Team Forms

The Devils snapped a two-game skid with an OT win but have been inconsistent on the road. The Senators are surging at home, winning four of their last six overall.

Devils (5-5-0 in last 10): New Jersey averages 3.1 goals scored and 3.4 allowed recently. They’ve alternated results, with a 3-2 OT win over Nashville (Jan. 29) after blowing leads in prior losses. Standouts include a 5-4 win at Vancouver (Jan. 23) and 2-1 over Edmonton (Jan. 20), but defeats like 4-3 to Winnipeg (Jan. 27) highlight defensive lapses

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs NSHW 3-2 (OT)
Jan 27vs WPGL 3-4
Jan 25@ SEAL 2-4
Jan 23@ VANW 5-4
Jan 20@ EDMW 2-1

Senators (5-3-2 in last 10): Ottawa averages 3.9 goals scored and 3.0 allowed, winning five of seven at home. They’ve outscored foes 20-7 in recent wins, including 5-2 over Colorado (Jan. 28) and 7-1 over Vegas (Jan. 25). Losses like 4-1 at Nashville (Jan. 24) show road woes, but a 4-3 OT win at Detroit (Jan. 18) highlights resilience

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 28vs COLW 5-2
Jan 25vs VGKW 7-1
Jan 24@ NSHL 1-4
Jan 22vs CARL 1-7
Jan 20vs CHIW 6-4

Injury Report

Devils:

Jack Hughes (C, lower body): Day-to-day, undergoing imaging; status uncertain after exiting Jan. 29 game

Cody Glass (C, lower body): Day-to-day, skated Jan. 30 and traveling; questionable

Senators:

David Perron (LW, hernia): On IR, out 5-7 weeks post-surgery

Stephen Halliday (C, upper body): Day-to-day

Projected starters: Jacob Markstrom (NJD, .905 SV%) vs. James Reimer (OTT, veteran stepping up amid issues)

Key Player Matchups

Jesper Bratt (Devils LW) vs. Tim Stutzle (Senators C): Bratt leads New Jersey with 25 goals and 50 points, on a four-game streak; his agility tests Stutzle’s shutdown skills (20G, 45P) in faceoffs (52%)

Nico Hischier (Devils C) vs. Brady Tkachuk (Senators LW): Hischier (recent OT winner, 18G, 40P) anchors New Jersey’s top line; Tkachuk (22G, physical leader) brings intensity to disrupt

Dougie Hamilton (Devils D) vs. Claude Giroux (Senators RW): Hamilton (10G, 30A) quarterbacks the PP; Giroux (15G, 35P) exploits gaps with veteran savvy

Goaltending Duel: Jacob Markstrom (Devils) vs. James Reimer (Senators): Markstrom (2.85 GAA, 27 saves in OT win) faces Ottawa’s shot volume (30+ per game); Reimer steps in for struggling backups, needing to contain New Jersey’s rush

Projected Lineups

Devils: Meier-Hischier-Bratt; Haula-Mercer-Noesen; Palat-Cotter-Tatar; Bastian-Lazar-MacDermid. Defense: Hamilton-Pesce; Dillon-Siegenthaler; Dillon-Kovacevic. Goalie: Markstrom.

Senators: Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux; Norris-Pinto-Batherson; Greig-Gaudette-Amadio; Cousins-Kastelic-Kelly. Defense: Sanderson-Zub; Chabot-Kleven; Brannstrom-Hamonic. Goalie: Reimer.

Series History

New Jersey holds the all-time edge: 65-35-12-0 overall. In regular season, it’s 42-50-20 for Ottawa. Recently, the Devils are 7-3 in the last 10, including a 4-3 win on Dec. 9. At Canadian Tire Centre, New Jersey is 5-0 in their last five visits, outscoring Ottawa 18-10

Betting Trends

Over/Under: Over has hit in 32 of Ottawa’s 53 games; Under in 4 of New Jersey’s last 5 road games. Devils 5-5 ATS in last 10; Senators 5-3-2 ATS in last 10. New Jersey 7-3 SU in last 10 vs. Ottawa; Ottawa 4-1 ATS in last 5 home games. Devils 4-0 SU in last 4 as road favorites (-151 to -200)

Game Odds


New Jersey Devils            5.5

Ottawa Senators              – 155

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Montreal Canadiens (30-17-7) vs. Buffalo Sabres (31-17-5)

0

The Montreal Canadiens (30-17-7) face the Buffalo Sabres (31-17-5) in an Atlantic Division rivalry at KeyBank Center. Both teams are tied at 67 points, with Buffalo holding the edge via fewer games played, sitting third in the division while Montreal is fourth. This marks their third meeting of the 2025-26 season, with each winning once: Montreal 4-2 on Oct. 20 and Buffalo 4-2 on Jan. 22. The Canadiens enter off a high-scoring win, showcasing offensive depth, while the Sabres ride a three-game streak with strong goaltending despite injuries. Expect a competitive, potentially high-event game between two playoff contenders.

Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)

TV/Streaming: NHL Network, MSG-B, SNE, TVAS, CITY, SN+, ESPN+

Recent Team Forms

Canadiens (6-3-1 in last 10): Montreal averages 3.4 goals scored and 3.3 allowed recently. They’ve won four of five, highlighted by a 7-3 thrashing of Colorado (Jan. 29) with multi-point efforts from Suzuki and Dach. Losses include 4-3 to Boston (Jan. 24) and 4-2 to Buffalo (Jan. 22), showing road vulnerabilities

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs COLW 7-3
Jan 27vs VGKW 3-2 (OT)
Jan 24@ BOSL 3-4
Jan 22vs BUFL 2-4
Jan 19@ NYIW 4-1

Sabres (7-3-0 in last 10): Buffalo averages 3.4 goals scored and 3.0 allowed, winning seven straight before a brief dip. They’ve gone 4-1 at home recently, including a 4-1 shutout of Los Angeles (Jan. 29) and 7-4 over Toronto (Jan. 27). A 10-game win streak earlier in January boosted them

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs LAKW 4-1
Jan 27@ TORW 7-4
Jan 24vs NSHW 5-3
Jan 22@ MTLW 4-2
Jan 19vs FLAW 3-2

Injury Report

Canadiens:

Patrik Laine (RW, abdomen): IR, expected out until Feb. 28

Alex Newhook (C, ankle): IR, expected out until Mar. 17

Kaiden Guhle (D, head/upper body): Day-to-day after scare vs. Colorado but returned

Phillip Danault (C, undisclosed): Day-to-day after bench visit but played

Sabres:

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G, lower body): Out until at least Feb. 5

Jordan Greenway (LW, lower body): Day-to-day

Josh Norris (C, ribs): IR, expected back Feb. 2

Justin Danforth (RW, lower body): IR, expected back Feb. 25

Jacob Bryson (D, upper body): IR, expected back Jan. 31

Jiri Kulich (C, blood clot): Out indefinitely, skating lightly

Projected starters: Jakub Dobes (MTL, 7-0-1 in last 8) vs. Alex Lyon (BUF, .903 SV%)

Key Player Matchups

Nick Suzuki (Canadiens C) vs. Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres D): Suzuki leads Montreal with 18 goals and 44 assists (62 points), on a seven-game point streak (4G, 8A). He’ll challenge Dahlin (9G, 38A), Buffalo’s top defenseman averaging 24+ minutes and key on the power play

Cole Caufield (Canadiens RW) vs. Tage Thompson (Sabres C): Caufield tops Montreal scorers with 30 goals, ending a six-game streak but potent (24A total). Thompson leads Buffalo with 28 goals and 27 assists (55 points), riding a hot streak

Juraj Slafkovsky (Canadiens LW) vs. Alex Tuch (Sabres RW): Slafkovsky (recent goal) provides physicality and setup (assists-heavy); Tuch (8G in last 10) counters with speed and scoring (5G in last 3)

Goaltending Duel: Jakub Dobes (Canadiens) vs. Alex Lyon (Sabres): Dobes (7-0-1 streak, .914 SV%) anchors Montreal’s surge; Lyon (.903 SV%) steps up sans Luukkonen, with recent shutouts

Projected Lineups

Canadiens: Slafkovsky-Suzuki-Caufield; Dach-Evans-Gallagher; Armia-Newhook (if available)-Anderson; Pezzetta-Dvorak-Roy. Defense: Matheson-Guhle; Hutson-Xhekaj; Barron-Struble. Goalie: Dobes.

Sabres: Greenway (if available)-Thompson-Tuch; Benson-Cozen-Quinn; Kulich (if available)-McLeod-Peterka; Olofsson-Krebs-Lafferty. Defense: Dahlin-Power; Samuelsson-Clifton; Byram-Jokiharju. Goalie: Lyon.

Series History

Montreal holds the all-time edge: 147-138-31-5 in regular season (overall 155-147-31-5 including playoffs). In playoffs, they’ve met seven times (Montreal leads 4-3 series). Recently, Buffalo is 9-8-3 in the last 20, including wins in the last two (4-2 on Jan. 22, 5-3 on Jan. 15). At KeyBank Center, Sabres are 5-4-1 in the last 10 vs. Montreal

Betting Trends

Over/Under: Over has hit in 21 of Montreal’s last 30 when opponent allowed 2 or fewer last game; Under in 5 of Buffalo’s last 7 home underdog games. Canadiens 5-2 SU in last 7 vs. Buffalo; Sabres 3-2 ATS in last 5. Montreal 13-5 SU in last 18 as road favorites (-151 to -200); Buffalo 4-1 in last 5 home games

Game Odds

Montreal Canadiens       6.5

Buffalo Sabres                   – 130

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Carolina Hurricanes (33-15-5) vs. Washington Capitals (26-22-7)

0

The Carolina Hurricanes (33-15-5) take on the Washington Capitals (26-22-7) in a Metropolitan Division showdown. The Hurricanes, leading the division, are riding a hot streak with elite scoring depth and goaltending, while the Capitals, fourth in the division, aim to leverage home ice amid a inconsistent run plagued by injuries. This marks their third meeting of the 2025-26 season, with each team winning one prior (Hurricanes 3-2 SO on Dec. 11; Capitals 4-1 on Nov. 11). Expect a physical, defensive battle, but Carolina’s momentum could tilt the scales.

Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT)

TV/Streaming: ESPN+, FDSNSO, MNMT

Recent Team Forms

The Hurricanes are surging with depth scoring; the Capitals have cooled off on their road trip.

Hurricanes (7-1-2 in last 10): Carolina averages 3.9 goals scored and 2.7 allowed, riding a four-game point streak. They’ve won five of six at home but are 4-3-1 in recent road games. Highlights include a 5-4 comeback vs. Utah (Jan. 29) with three goals in the final two minutes and a 4-1 over Ottawa (Jan. 24).

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs UTAW 5-4
Jan 24@ OTTW 4-1
Jan 22vs CHIL 3-4 (SO)
Jan 19vs BUFW 2-1
Jan 17vs NJDW 6-3

Capitals (3-6-1 in last 10): Washington averages 2.8 goals scored and 3.9 allowed, dropping three straight before a 4-3 SO win over Detroit (Jan. 29). They’ve gone 1-3-1 on a six-game road trip, with losses like 5-1 to Seattle (Jan. 27) exposing defensive issues.

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29@ DETW 4-3 (SO)
Jan 27@ SEAL 1-5
Jan 24@ EDML 5-6 (OT)
Jan 23@ CGYW 3-1
Jan 21@ VANL 3-4

Injury Report

Hurricanes:

Eric Robinson (LW, upper body): Out until at least Feb. 26

Pyotr Kochetkov (G, undisclosed/lower body): Out for season

Charles-Alexis Legault (D, hand): Out indefinitely

William Carrier (LW, undisclosed): Out

Capitals:

Pierre-Luc Dubois (LW, abdomen): Out indefinitely

Matt Roy (D, lower body): Day-to-day

Logan Thompson (G, upper body): Day-to-day

Charlie Lindgren (G, lower body): Day-to-day

Projected starters: Frederik Andersen (CAR, .912 SV%) vs. Logan Thompson (WSH, .912 SV%) if healthy; otherwise, a backup like Clay Stevenson.

Key Player Matchups

Sebastian Aho (Hurricanes C) vs. Dylan Strome (Capitals C): Aho leads Carolina with 25 goals and 60 points; his playmaking tests Strome (18G, 40P), Washington’s top center in faceoffs (52%).

Andrei Svechnikov (Hurricanes LW) vs. John Carlson (Capitals D): Svechnikov (20G, 35A, recent multi-goal game) brings power; Carlson (8G, 30A) must shut him down while anchoring the PP.

Alex Ovechkin (Capitals LW) vs. Shayne Gostisbehere (Hurricanes D): Ovechkin (25G, chasing records) is Washington’s sniper; Gostisbehere (recent 2G game) handles top-pair duties.

Goaltending Duel: Frederik Andersen (Hurricanes) vs. Logan Thompson (Capitals): Andersen (2.45 GAA) is steady; Thompson (2.63 GAA) exploits Carolina’s occasional lapses but may be sidelined.

Projected Lineups

Hurricanes: Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis; Hall-Stankoven-Blake; Ehlers-Staal-Martinook; Carrier-Jankowski-Kotkaniemi. Defense: Gostisbehere-Slavin; Orlov-Chatfield; Nikishin-Burns. Goalie: Andersen.

Capitals: McMichael-Strome-Leonard; Protas-Sourdif-Wilson; Ovechkin-Dowd-Frank; Duhaime-Lapierre-Beauvillier. Defense: Fehervary-Carlson; Chychrun-van Riemsdyk; Sandin-McIlrath. Goalie: Thompson (or Lindgren).

Series History

Washington holds the all-time edge: 112-76-14-5 overall. In regular season, it’s 108-62-25 for Capitals. Recently, Carolina has flipped the script, going 4-1 in the last five meetings, including a 3-2 SO win on Dec. 11. At Capital One Arena, Hurricanes are 3-2 in the last five visits.

Betting Trends

Over/Under: Over has hit in 27 of Carolina’s 53 games; Under in 4 of Washington’s last 5 home games. Hurricanes 7-3 ATS in last 10; Capitals 2-8 SU in last 10. Carolina 23-8 as favorites under -170; Washington 3-7 ATS vs. Metro teams

Game Odds

Carolina Hurricanes                        – 166

Washington Capitals                      6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026

NHL Game Preview: San Jose Sharks (27-21-4) vs. Calgary Flames (21-26-6)

0

The San Jose Sharks (27-21-4) face the Calgary Flames (21-26-6) in a Pacific Division clash at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Sharks, fifth in the Pacific, are in playoff contention with a potent offense led by rookies but have shown defensive vulnerabilities. The Flames, seventh in the division, are reeling from a five-game losing streak and multiple injuries, struggling to generate consistent scoring. This is their third meeting of the 2025-26 season, with each team winning once: Sharks 6-3 on Dec. 16 and Flames 2-0 on Nov. 13. Expect a gritty, potentially low-scoring game as Calgary fights to snap its skid at home.

Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta

Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. MT, 1:00 p.m. PT)

TV/Streaming: ESPN+, SN, NBCSCA

Recent Team Forms

The Sharks have been inconsistent on the road, while the Flames are in a tailspin.

Sharks (5-4-1 in last 10): San Jose averages 3.2 goals scored and 3.3 allowed recently. They’ve alternated results, with a crushing 4-3 OT loss to Edmonton (Jan. 29) after blowing a 3-0 lead. Wins include 5-2 over Vancouver (Jan. 27) and 3-1 over the Rangers (Jan. 23)

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29@ EDML 3-4 (OT)
Jan 27@ VANW 5-2
Jan 23vs NYRW 3-1
Jan 20@ TBLL 1-4
Jan 19@ FLAW 4-1

Flames (3-5-2 in last 10): Calgary averages 2.0 goals scored and 3.1 allowed, with poor special teams (15% PP recently). They’ve gone 0-3-2 in their last five, including a 4-1 loss to Minnesota (Jan. 29) and 4-3 to Anaheim (Jan. 25)

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29@ MINL 1-4
Jan 25vs ANAL 3-4
Jan 23vs WSHL 1-3
Jan 22@ SEAL 1-2 (OT)
Jan 20vs ARIL 3-4 (SO)

Injury Report

Sharks:

Ty Dellandrea (C, lower body): IR, out indefinitely

Philipp Kurashev (C, upper body): IR, expected back Feb. 4

Shakir Mukhamadullin (D, undisclosed): IR, day-to-day

Kiefer Sherwood (LW, upper body): IR, day-to-day

Flames:

Blake Coleman (LW, upper body): IR, out through Olympic break (Feb. 26)

Samuel Honzek (LW, upper body): Out indefinitely

Jake Bean (D, undisclosed/surgery): Out indefinitely

Zayne Parekh (D, upper body): Out until at least Feb. 2

John Beecher (C, upper body): Out

Projected starters: Alex Nedeljkovic (Sharks, .902 SV%) vs. Dustin Wolf (Flames, .895 SV%)

Key Player Matchups

Macklin Celebrini (Sharks C) vs. Nazem Kadri (Flames C): Celebrini leads the NHL with 27 goals and 79 points, on a hot streak with 4G, 11A in last 10. He’ll face Kadri (9G, 26A, strong faceoffs at 49.3%) in shutdown matchups

Will Smith (Sharks C) vs. Mikael Backlund (Flames C): Smith (15G, 22A) brings speed; Backlund (12G, 20A, +12) excels defensively with shorthanded goals

Tyler Toffoli (Sharks RW) vs. Rasmus Andersson (Flames D): Toffoli (15G, 20A) is a sniper; Andersson (10G, 20A from defense) must limit him while contributing offensively

Goaltending Duel: Alex Nedeljkovic (Sharks) vs. Dustin Wolf (Flames): Nedeljkovic (solid in recent starts) faces Calgary’s low-shot volume; Wolf needs to rebound from allowing 4+ in losses

Projected Lineups

Sharks: Graf-Celebrini-Smith; Regenda-Wennberg-Toffoli; Eklund-Misa-Gaudette; Goodrow-Ostapchuk-Reaves. Defense: Orlov-Klingberg; Ferraro-Liljegren; Sam Dickinson-Desharnais. Goalie: Nedeljkovic.

Flames: Kadri-Backlund-Coronato; Frost-Huberdeau-Klapka; Kuzmenko-Pospisil-Zary; Pelletier-Stenlund-Lomberg. Defense: Andersson-Weegar; Hanley-Brzustewicz; Kuznetsov-Miromanov. Goalie: Wolf.

Series History

Calgary holds the all-time edge: 89-80 overall, including 76-57-8-4 in regular season. However, the Flames are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings, outscoring San Jose 33-23. At Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary is 5-4-1 in the last 10, with recent games averaging 5.8 goals.

Betting Trends

Over/Under: Over has hit in 5 of Sharks’ last 10; Under in 6 of Flames’ last 10. Sharks 1-4 SU in last 5 road games; Flames 0-5 SU in last 5 overall. San Jose 4-1 ATS in last 5 vs. Pacific; Calgary 2-3 ATS in last 5 home games

Game Odds

San Jose Sharks                6.5

Calgary Flames                 – 112

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Winnipeg Jets (21-25-7) vs. Florida Panthers (28-22-3)

0

The Winnipeg Jets (21-25-7) visit the Florida Panthers (28-22-3) in an interconference matchup. The Jets, seventh in the Central Division, are fighting to stay out of the basement amid defensive injuries and inconsistency. The Panthers, sixth in the Atlantic, are pushing for a wild-card spot despite significant absences but boast a strong home record (14-11-3). This is their second meeting of the 2025-26 season, with Florida winning the first 2-1 in a shootout on Jan. 22 in Winnipeg. Expect a low-scoring affair given both teams’ recent defensive focus and goaltending battles.

Venue: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida

Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT)

TV/Streaming: ESPN+

Recent Team Forms

Both teams enter off losses, with the Panthers showing more consistency at home.

Jets (5-3-2 in last 10): Winnipeg averages 3.1 goals scored and 3.2 allowed recently. They’ve alternated wins and losses, with a four-game win streak earlier in January snapped by recent defeats. Standouts include a 6-2 win over Minnesota (Jan. 15) and 4-3 over New Jersey (Jan. 11), but blowouts like 5-1 to Detroit (Jan. 27) highlight issues

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs TBLL 1-4
Jan 27vs DETL 1-5
Jan 22vs FLAL 1-2 (SO)
Jan 15@ MINW 6-2
Jan 11vs NJDW 4-3

Panthers (6-4-0 in last 10): Florida averages 3.4 goals scored and 3.3 allowed, with strong special teams (25% PP). They’ve won four of six at home but lost two straight, including 5-4 to St. Louis (Jan. 29) despite Matthew Tkachuk’s two goals. Wins include 4-3 over Minnesota (Jan. 24) and 5-3 over Chicago (Jan. 25)

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs STLL 4-5
Jan 27@ UTAL 3-4
Jan 25vs CHIW 5-3
Jan 24@ MINW 4-3
Jan 22@ WPGW 2-1 (SO)

Injury Report

Injuries cripple both blue lines and Florida’s forward depth.

Jets:

Neal Pionk (D, lower body): On IR, expected out until at least Feb. 2

Colin Miller (D, knee): On IR, out until at least Feb. 25 after surgery

Haydn Fleury (D, upper body): On IR, week-to-week

Panthers:

Aleksander Barkov (C, knee): On IR, out for the season

Dmitry Kulikov (D, upper body): On IR, out at least five months post-surgery

Jonah Gadjovich (LW, upper body): On IR, out until at least Feb. 26

Tomas Nosek (LW): On IR, games missed 52

Seth Jones (D, upper body): On LTIR, out until at least Feb. 2

Anton Lundell (C): Day-to-day

Projected starters: Connor Hellebuyck (Jets, .905 SV%) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (Panthers, .892 SV%)

Key Player Matchups

This game features offensive stars testing depleted defenses, with goaltending likely deciding the outcome.

Mark Scheifele (Jets C) vs. Sam Bennett (Panthers C): Scheifele (recent 4-point game vs. MIN) leads Winnipeg with 18 goals and 40 points; he’ll face Bennett’s physical shutdown style (15G, 28P) in key faceoffs

Matthew Tkachuk (Panthers LW) vs. Josh Morrissey (Jets D): Tkachuk (2 goals vs. STL) tops Florida with 22 goals and 45 points; Morrissey must contain his physicality amid Jets’ thin blue line

Gabriel Vilardi (Jets RW) vs. Gustav Forsling (Panthers D): Vilardi (15G, 30P) is Winnipeg’s sniper; Forsling (solid +15 rating) anchors Florida’s top pair

Goaltending Duel: Connor Hellebuyck (Jets) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (Panthers): Hellebuyck (2.85 GAA) faces Florida’s shot suppression; Bobrovsky (recent 17-save win) exploits Jets’ low shot volume

Projected Lineups (per NHL.com

Jets: Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi; Appleton-Namestnikov-Ehlers; Niederreiter-Lowry-Perfetti; Barron-Kupari-Iafallo. Defense: Morrissey-DeMelo; Samberg-Schmidt; Stanley-Heinola. Goalie: Hellebuyck.

Panthers: Rodrigues-Bennett-Tkachuk; Verhaeghe-Lundell (if available)-Reinhart; Luostarinen-Stenlund-Samoskevich; Cousins-Lorentz-Mamin. Defense: Forsling-Ekblad; Mikkola-Montour; Balinskis-Schmidt. Goalie: Bobrovsky.

Series History

The Jets hold the all-time edge: 55-36-5-5 overall. In regular season, it’s closer at 41-41-19 for Florida. Recently, the Panthers have won three of the last five, including the 2-1 shootout on Jan. 22. At Amerant Bank Arena, Winnipeg is 3-2 in the last five visits, but Florida has outscored them 15-12.

Betting Trends

Over/Under: Over has hit in 31 of Florida’s 53 games; Under in 34 of Jets’ last 52 as favorites. Jets 5-3-2 ATS in last 10; Panthers 1-4 in last 5 games. Florida 12-7-1-1 at home; Winnipeg 7-10-0-1 on road

Game Odds

Winnipeg Jets                   5.5

Florida Panthers               – 142

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026

NHL Game Preview: New York Rangers (22-27-6) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (27-14-11)

0

The New York Rangers (22-27-6) travel to face the Pittsburgh Penguins (27-14-11) in a Metropolitan Division rivalry game. The Rangers are struggling at the bottom of the division (8th place), mired in a rebuild phase with defensive woes and key injuries. The Penguins, second in the division, are on a hot streak and pushing for playoff positioning. This is their third meeting of the 2025-26 season, with each team winning one prior game (Penguins 3-0 on Oct. 7; Rangers 6-1 on Oct. 11). Expect a motivated Penguins squad at home, but the Rangers’ desperation could lead to a scrappy, high-intensity affair.

Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Puck drop is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT)

TV/Streaming: ABC, SNO, SNE, SN1, TVAS, ESPN+

Recent Team Forms

The Penguins are surging, while the Rangers are in freefall amid injuries and inconsistency.

Rangers (3-7-0 in last 10): New York has lost four straight, averaging 2.1 goals scored and 4.0 allowed. They’ve been outshot in most games, with poor special teams (18% PP, 75% PK recently). Key wins include a 4-3 OT over Ottawa (Jan. 26) and 6-3 over Seattle (Jan. 17), but blowouts like 10-2 to Boston (Jan. 10) highlight issues

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs NYIL 1-2
Jan 28@ NYIL 2-5
Jan 26vs OTTW 4-3 (OT)
Jan 23@ ANAL 1-3
Jan 19@ SJSL 3-5

Penguins (7-2-1 in last 10): Pittsburgh rides a five-game win streak, averaging 4.2 goals scored and 2.3 allowed. Strong goaltending and balanced scoring have fueled wins like 6-2 over Chicago (Jan. 29) and 4-1 over Detroit (Jan. 3). Losses were close, like 2-1 to New Jersey (Jan. 10)

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs CHIW 6-2
Jan 25@ SEAW 3-2
Jan 22@ VANW 6-3
Jan 21@ CGYW 4-1
Jan 19vs EDMW 4-3 (OT)

Injury Report

Injuries decimate the Rangers’ core, while the Penguins manage depth issues but could miss stars.

Rangers:

Artemi Panarin (LW, roster management/undisclosed): Day-to-day, missed Jan. 29 game

Igor Shesterkin (G, lower body): On IR, out indefinitely

Adam Fox (D, lower body): On LTIR, eligible to return Jan. 31 but status uncertain

Conor Sheary (LW, lower body): On IR, out until at least Feb. 28

Adam Edstrom (C, lower body): On LTIR.

Penguins:

Evgeni Malkin (C, upper body/shoulder): Day-to-day, missed Jan. 30 practice

Kris Letang (D, upper body): Day-to-day, missed Jan. 30 practice

Ryan Graves (D, lower body): On IR, out until at least Jan. 31

Jack St. Ivany (D, hand): On IR, out until at least Mar. 26.

Filip Hallander (C, leg/blood clot): On IR, out indefinitely.

Tanner Howe (LW, ACL): On IR-NR, out until Feb. 26.

Projected starters: Jonathan Quick (Rangers, .885 SV%) vs. Stuart Skinner (Penguins, .905 SV%) if Jarry rests

Key Player Matchups

This game pits Pittsburgh’s veteran stars against New York’s young depth, with goaltending crucial.

Sidney Crosby (Penguins C) vs. Mika Zibanejad (Rangers C): Crosby (25G, 45A) anchors Pittsburgh’s top line, facing Zibanejad (18G, 35A), who’s been steady but needs support without Panarin

Evgeni Malkin (Penguins C, if available) vs. Vincent Trocheck (Rangers C): Malkin (8G, 21A in limited games) brings playmaking; Trocheck (15G, 30A) is New York’s shutdown center, key in faceoffs (55% FO%)

Alexis Lafreniere (Rangers LW) vs. Kris Letang (Penguins D, if available): Lafreniere (20G, 38P) leads Rangers scoring with Panarin out; Letang (5G, 25A) must contain him while quarterbacking the PP

Goaltending Duel: Jonathan Quick (Rangers) vs. Stuart Skinner (Penguins): Quick (2.95 GAA) faces a hot Penguins offense; Skinner (2.65 GAA) exploits New York’s leaky defense (4+ goals allowed in recent losses)

Projected Lineups (per NHL.com

Rangers: Miller-Zibanejad-Perreault; Cuylle-Trocheck-Lafreniere; Othmann-Laba-Raddysh; Berard-Carrick-Rempe. Defense: Gavrikov-Schneider; Robertson-Borgen; Vaakanainen-Morrow. Goalie: Quick.

Penguins: Rakell-Crosby-Brazeau; Chinakhov-Novak-Hayes; Bunting-Malkin (if available)-Rust; Puljujarvi-Acciari-Nieto. Defense: Pettersson-Karlsson (if available); Joseph-Letang; Shea-Niedermayer. Goalie: Skinner.

Series History

The Penguins hold a slight all-time edge: 143-132-23-7 in regular season (including 139-130-36 overall per some sources). In playoffs, Pittsburgh leads 5-3 in series. Recently, the home team has dominated: Penguins are 4-1 in last 5 home games vs. Rangers. Pittsburgh has won 6 of the last 10 overall, outscoring New York 32-25. At PPG Paints Arena, Penguins are 7-3 in the last 10.

Betting Trends

Rangers 1-5 SU in last 6; Penguins 5-0 SU in last 5. Pittsburgh 8-2 ATS in last 10 home games; New York 3-7 ATS in last 10 overall. Rangers 8-3 SU in last 11 vs. Penguins, but 2-4 in last 6 at Pittsburgh

Game Odds

New York Rangers           6.5

Pittsburgh Penguins       – 192

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Colorado Avalanche (35-8-9) vs. Detroit Red Wings (32-17-6)

0

The Colorado Avalanche (35-8-9) visit the Detroit Red Wings (32-17-6) in a cross-conference clash with playoff implications. The Avalanche lead the Central Division and sit atop the Western Conference, boasting elite offense but recent defensive lapses. The Red Wings, second in the Atlantic, have been steady at home but face a tough test against Colorado’s star power. This is their only scheduled meeting of the 2025-26 season, reviving echoes of their historic 1990s-2000s rivalry. Expect high-scoring action given both teams’ potent attacks.

Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. MT)

TV/Streaming: ABC, ESPN+, Hulu, Sportsnet

Recent Team Forms

The Avalanche have cooled off after a hot start, going 4-5-2 in their last 11 with defensive issues. The Red Wings are 6-2-2 in their last 10, riding home strength but dealing with a flu bug.

Avalanche (4-5-1 in last 10): Colorado averages 3.7 goals scored but 3.9 allowed recently. They’ve dropped two straight, including a 7-3 thrashing by Montreal (Jan. 29) where they were outshot in the third. Wins include a 4-1 over Toronto (Jan. 25) and 5-2 over Washington (Jan. 19), but losses to Ottawa (5-2, Jan. 28) and Florida (2-1, Jan. 4) highlight road woes

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29@ MTLL 3-7
Jan 28@ OTTL 2-5
Jan 25@ TORW 4-1
Jan 23@ PHIL 3-7
Jan 21@ LAKL 1-2 (SO)

Red Wings (6-2-2 in last 10): Detroit averages 3.0 goals scored and 2.1 allowed, with strong goaltending. They’ve won four of six at home, including a 5-1 over Vancouver (Jan. 8) and 4-0 shutout over Montreal (Jan. 10). Recent losses include 3-1 to LA (Jan. 27) and 4-3 OT to Carolina (Jan. 12), but a 5-1 over Winnipeg (Jan. 24) shows resilience

Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResult
Jan 29vs WSHL 3-4
Jan 27vs LAKL 1-3
Jan 24@ WPGW 5-1
Jan 22vs PHIW 3-2
Jan 21@ UTAL 2-3 (OT)

Injury Report

Injuries hit Colorado’s depth, while Detroit manages a key defenseman absence and illness.

Avalanche:

Gabriel Landeskog (LW, upper body/broken ribs): Out, expected back in weeks

Logan O’Connor (RW, hip surgery): Out indefinitely.

Devon Toews (D, upper body): Day-to-day, game-time decision.

Joel Kiviranta (F, lower body): Week-to-week.

Red Wings:

Simon Edvinsson (D, lower body): Out, on IR since Jan. 28

Team-wide flu bug: Potential late scratches, recalls include Justin Holl (D) and Sheldon Dries (F).

Projected starters: Scott Wedgewood (Avs, .905 SV%) vs. John Gibson (Wings, .893 SV%)

Key Player Matchups

This game features star forwards clashing with top defensemen, plus a goaltending battle.

Nathan MacKinnon (Avs C) vs. Dylan Larkin (Wings C): MacKinnon leads the NHL with 38 goals and 85 points, on a tear with multi-point games. He’ll face Larkin (Wings captain, 25G, 50P), a shutdown center who’s key in faceoffs (54% FO%)

Martin Necas (Avs RW) vs. Alex DeBrincat (Wings RW): Necas (acquired mid-season) has 20 goals; his speed tests DeBrincat (23G, 45P), Detroit’s top sniper with 3 points in a recent shutout

Cale Makar (Avs D) vs. Lucas Raymond (Wings LW): Makar (10G, 40A) quarterbacks Colorado’s power play (28% efficiency). Raymond (20G, 42P) is Detroit’s breakout star, challenging Makar’s mobility

Goaltending Duel: Scott Wedgewood (Avs) vs. John Gibson (Wings): Wedgewood (2.61 GAA) steps up with injuries; Gibson (three shutouts) has been lights-out, including a 27-save blanking vs. Montreal

Projected Lineups (per NHL.com

Avalanche: Rantanen-MacKinnon-Nelson; Lehkonen-Necas-Nichushkin; Wood-Colton-Mittelstadt; Kiviranta (if available)-Trent Frederic-Makarov. Defense: Girard-Makar; Johnson-Manson; Malinski-Behrens. Goalie: Wedgewood.

Red Wings: DeBrincat-Larkin-Raymond; Kane-Compher-Tarasenko; Berggren-Copp-Rasmussen; Motte-Kaspar-Veleno. Defense: Chiarot-Seider; Maatta-Petry; Gustafsson-Holl (recall). Goalie: Gibson.

Series History

Detroit holds the all-time edge: 84-74-5-6 overall (including playoffs), with a 67-57-5-6 regular-season record. The rivalry peaked from 1996-2002 with five playoff meetings and five combined Stanley Cups (Detroit 3, Colorado 2) Recently, Colorado has won three straight, including a 5-2 victory in their last matchup (March 2025). At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit is 4-3 in the last seven.

Game Odds

Colorado Avalanche       – 155

Detroit Red Wings           6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2026

NHL Morning Skate – January 31, 2026

0
NHL Morning Skate – Jan. 31, 2026

* The two hottest teams in the NHL will hit the ice for practice in Florida today when the Lightning (11 a.m. ET) and Bruins (1 p.m. ET) practice at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa before clashing in the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, SN, TVAS).

* January will conclude with an ABC Hockey Saturday doubleheader featuring four teams captained by players heading to Milan, plus a jam-packed Hockey Night in Canada slate on Sportsnet which includes a key Atlantic Division battle and two of the League’s two highest scoring defensemen this season.

Charlie Coyle extended a League record by notching the NHL’s 31st hat trick in January (the most all-time in any calendar month) and Zach Werenski (Team USA) tallied two assists to spur Columbus to a 7-1-0 record under new head coach Rick Bowness. Werenski (19-40—59) now shares the NHL lead in points among defensemen, one shy of the most by a blueliner before an Olympic break (Mike Green: 14-46—60 in 2009-10 w/ WSH).

#NHLSTATS MEMOS TO MILAN: LEADERSHIP, AWARD-WINNING DEFENSE

Four teams who will send their captains to Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and a bevy of decorated defensemen who will be key to their country’s medal hopes will hit the ice for matinee action this afternoon.

* NHL captains Dylan Larkin (DET; Team USA), Gabriel Landeskog (COL; Team Sweden), J.T. Miller (NYR; Team USA) and Sidney Crosby (PIT; Team Canada) have all been tabbed to represent their country in Milan, with Crosby (gold in 2010 & 2014) and Landeskog (silver in 2014) the two of the group with prior Olympic experience. Landeskog has not played since Jan. 4, however, earlier this week Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said that he could return to the lineup before the Olympic break.

* Crosby and Landeskog went head-to-head in the gold medal game in 2014, with Crosby scoring Team Canada’s second goal in a 3-0 victory. The only two countries to meet in a gold medal game multiple times at Olympics with NHL players are Team Canada and Team USA (2002 & 2010).

* Six Norris Trophy winners (9 total wins) will be representing their country in Milan, with Team Sweden (Erik Karlsson & Victor Hedman) and Team Canada (Cale Makar & Drew Doughty) boasting two on their respective roster. The others participating are Team Switzerland’s Roman Josi (2019-20) and Team USA’s Quinn Hughes (2015-16).

* Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (Team Germany) is a Calder Trophy winner (2021-22) and could be in the mix of Norris Trophy contenders in 2025-26. Seider (No. 6 in 2019) is the highest-drafted German-born defenseman in NHL history and will be playing alongside Leon Draisaitl (No. 3 in 2014) and Tim Stützle (No. 3 in 2020) – the two highest selected German born-and-trained players in the history of the NHL Draft.

* Just five seasons (383 GP) into his NHL career, Seider already ranks fourth among German-born defensemen in career points – every player ahead of him on the list skated in over 700 career NHL games.

Martin Necas will represent Team Czechia in Milan and has actively been working to grow the game in his home country through a hockey camp he started. Necas (22-40—62 in 52 GP) is currently tied for most goals among Czechia players this season with soon-to-be teammate David Pastrnak (22) and sits second in points behind Pastrnak (69) – he is a role model for youth in Czechia and wants to encourage young people to chase their dreams in hockey.

CANADIENS-SABRES SET UP CRITICAL CLASH ON HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA
A quartet of contests will make up Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada slate and features a pivotal matchup between the Sabres (31-17-15, 67 points) and Canadiens (30-17-7, 67 points) to determine if Buffalo can hold on to the Atlantic Division’s third seed or if Montreal will leapfrog them in the standings.

* Buffalo and Montreal enter their bout tied in terms of standings points and can both make the postseason in the same year for the first time since 2011. The Canadiens will visit a Sabres team that own the third-highest points percentage at home this season (.712) and have won five straight games thanks in part to hat tricks in their past two. Montreal, meanwhile, carries the fourth-highest (tied) road points percentage in 2025-26 (.654) as their captain Nick Suzuki looks to follow up his multi-goal outing with another and reach the 20-goal mark for the fifth straight season.

* The lone all-Canadian matchup will see Toronto’s Auston Matthews (11) aim to finish the month first in goals when he faces Vancouver. Matthews enters one back of Brock Nelson (12) for the most goals this January and can become the second American in NHL history to lead a calendar month in goals (tied or outright) at least nine times, following Brett Hull (12x). The only other active players to do so as many times are Alex Ovechkin (14x) and Steven Stamkos (10x).
 

* Calgary will also be featured on Sportsnet ahead of Hockey Night in Canada with a 4 p.m. ET matinee that will see the team celebrate women in sports. Susan Darrington, the Flames’ Chief Venues & Entertainment Officer and Head of Scotia Place, will be featured today as part of the Women in Hockey series presented by Canadian Tire. Darrington has over a decade of experience in hockey and is playing an integral role in bringing a new arena to the city.

NHL’S HOTTEST TEAMS TO PRACTICE AT RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM SATURDAY

The Lightning (11-1-1, 23 points; .855 P%) and Bruins (11-2-1, 23 points; .821 P%) are the NHL’s top teams since Jan. 1 – and would meet in the First Round if the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs started today – as they head toward a clash outdoors at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, SN, TVAS).

* Prior to Sunday’s showdown, the Lightning (11 a.m. ET) and Bruins (1 p.m. ET) will skate on the stadium ice for the first time Saturday. The practices are scheduled to take place under the climate-controlled structure to keep the ice in optimal condition for game day.
 

* The NHL announced Friday that based on current weather forecasts, the dismantling of the climate-controlled structure at Raymond James Stadium, originally scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. on Sunday, will now begin at 12 a.m. on Sunday. This could allow the process to be complete around 10 a.m. on game day.

STADIUM SERIES QUICK CLICKS

Lightning ‘can’t wait’ for Stadium Series amid red-hot stretch

NHL EDGE stats to watch for ahead of Stadium Series

Hardworking Nikita Kucherov leads Lightning into Stadium Series

Bruins looking to gain ground on Lightning at Stadium Series

#NHLStats Pack: 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series

QUICK CLICKS

Patrick Kane reflects on ‘special, special moment’ in passing Mike Modano
Lucas Raymond emerging as star for Red Wings, hopes to do same for Team Sweden

Mika Zibanejad dreams of Olympic glory with Sweden during rebound season with Rangers

NHL EDGE stats behind record 30 hat tricks in January

Zach Werenski shines in #NHLStats: Live Updates

ICYMI: PODCAST ROUND UP


* 100% Hockey (Jan. 30): Jim Nill on Dallas, the Olympics & What Matters
* NHL Fantasy on Ice (Jan. 29): Possible Panarin trade destinations; Week 17 mailbag
* NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers (Jan. 29): Nate Thompson returns
* 100% Hockey (Jan. 28): Ray Ferraro on the NHL heading into the Olympic Break
* La Tasse de Café LNH (Jan. 28): Entretien avec Vincent Desharnais
* NHL @TheRink (Jan. 27): Tom Gulitti joins; Capitals & Panarin
* NHL Schlagschuss (Jan. 27): Peterka: „Das wird ein richtig geiles Erlebnis!“
* Never Offside with Julie and Cat (Jan. 27): Alex Nedeljkovic joins
* NHL Fantasy on Ice (Jan. 26): Surging Ducks, Penguins, Mammoth; Week 17 pickups
* 100% Hockey (Jan. 26): Doug MacLean on Nylander, Playoff Races