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PWHL Weekly Notebook

ATTENDANCE UP 18 PERCENT THROUGH 44 GAMES OF SEASON

Ottawa’s Brianne Jenner Named PWHL Player of the Week

NEW YORK AND TORONTO – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is off to its strongest attendance month in league history, welcoming more than 104,000 fans across its first 11 games in January. The momentum will continue with this week’s six-game schedule, featuring the third annual Battle on Bay Street in Toronto and the start of the second half of the PWHL Takeover Tour™ on Sunday in Washington, D.C.

PWHL ATTENDANCE UP 18 PERCENT THROUGH 44 GAMES

The PWHL has already welcomed 104,235 fans to 11 games in January, representing an average attendance of 9,476, the highest monthly average in league history. Sunday’s three games in Halifax, Minnesota and Québec City combined for an attendance of 34,863, the second highest single day total in league history. Through 44 games of the 2025-26 PWHL season, total attendance is 377,456, with a per game average of 8,579, representing an 18 percent increase in attendance over the first 44 games of the 2024-25 season.

BATTLE ON BAY STREET RETURNS SATURDAY

The third annual Battle on Bay Street presented by Scotiabank returns on Saturday to Scotiabank Arena, home of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, where the Sceptres will host the Vancouver Goldeneyes at 3 p.m. ET. By the time the league schedule reaches Saturday, Toronto and Vancouver will be the only teams without a head-to-head meeting yet this season. The Sceptres have played at Scotiabank Arena twice with wins before sold-out crowds of more than 19,000 fans that rank second and third among PWHL all-time attendance records. The first game was against Montréal on Feb. 16, 2024, a 3-0 win, followed by a 4-2 win over New York on Jan. 25, 2025.

PWHL TAKEOVER TOUR DEBUTS IN THE DISTRICT

As Capital One Arena hosts the Montréal Victoire and New York Sirens to launch the second half of the 2025-26 PWHL Takeover Tour on Sunday, the game, presented by BJ’s Wholesale Club, will be part of a series of special activations between the Washington Capitals and the PWHL. Featuring open practices and girls’ youth hockey clinics at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, the weekend will serve as a celebration of continued efforts to champion and grow women’s hockey. Both the Victoire and Sirens practices on Saturday will be open to the public, featuring face painters, sign making, photos and more. There will also be autograph sessions at both practices, with the first 50 fans receiving wristbands to gain access. The Capitals will host two youth hockey clinics for girls ages 6-17 years old at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Saturday, led by ALL CAPS ALL HER (ACAH) program instructors and ambassadors, with special appearances from PWHL players. Ahead of the Capitals taking on the Florida Panthers at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, PWHL players will participate in a ceremonial puck drop. See the full Takeover Tour schedule and all public events here.

FIRST HALF OF TAKEOVER TOUR WRAPS UP IN HALIFAX AND QUÉBEC CITY

The expanded 2025-26 PWHL Takeover Tour has reached its midway point, with the first eight of 16 games complete and every single matchup decided by one goal. Sunday was no exception, with the Ottawa Charge defeating the Boston Fleet 2-1 in a shootout in the DoorDash PWHL Takeover Tour presented by Atlantic Lottery at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, and Montréal beating Vancouver 1-0 at the Videotron Centre in Québec City. Halifax is one of five cities with two Takeover Tour games this season and was the first to host both with a sold-out crowd of 10,452 bringing the two-game total attendance to 20,890. It was a homecoming for Fleet forward Jill Saulnier who performed the ceremonial puck drop at Saturday’s Halifax Mooseheads game. On Sunday, Canadian icon and international singer, Anne Murray, attended the game with her two grand-nieces, read the Charge’s starting lineup and was interviewed in the broadcast booth. Québec City is one of four returning Takeover Tour markets and saw the Victoire win for the second straight season. The team’s open practice on Saturday had hundreds of fans in attendance and was followed by a clinic with local girls’ hockey teams. On Sunday, the mothers of three local Victoire players, Ann-Renée DesbiensCatherine Dubois and Marie-Philip Poulinread the starting lineup, and the crowd of 14,624 ranks as the second highest of this season’s Takeover Tour.

JENNER NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR SECOND TIME THIS SEASON

Charge captain Brianne Jenner scored two goals in two games, both Ottawa wins, and was named PWHL Player of the Week presented by SharkNinja for the second time this season. The 34-year-old from Oakville, ON, scored the game-winner in Friday’s 4-2 victory over the Goldeneyes, then tallied her seventh goal of the season on Sunday against the Fleet to extend her goal streak to three games. She also scored once in two shootout attempts and finished the week with six shots on goal. The Charge are an incredible 18-1 all-time in the regular season when Jenner scores, and her 12 points this season are just three away from matching last season’s mark.

RECORD WIN STREAKS FOR OTTAWA AND NEW YORK

Ottawa (3-4-0-5) has set a new team record with six straight wins, the longest winning streak in the PWHL this season, and have climbed into fourth place with 17 points. New York (6-0-0-5) has won four straight games for the first time in team history, all in regulation, and are in third place with 18 points. Boston (7-0-2-2) and Minnesota (5-1-2-3) remain atop the standings with 23 and 19 points, respectively. Montréal (4-2-0-4) has won two straight games and sits in fifth place with 16 points, followed by Toronto (4-0-3-4) with 15 points despite three straight losses. Seattle (3-1-1-5) and Vancouver (3-1-1-7) have both lost their last two games and are tied in seventh place with 12 points. All PWHL teams have played no fewer than 10 games, representing one third of their schedule. See full PWHL standings here.

HIGHEST AND LOWEST SCORES OF THE SEASON ON SUNDAY

Minnesota became the first team in the PWHL this season to score six goals on Sunday in a 6-2 win over Seattle, with the eight combined goals representing the most in a game so far this campaign. The Frost lead the PWHL with 34 goals (3.09 per game) and have scored five or more on four different occasions. Montréal’s 1-0 win over Vancouver was the lowest scoring game of the season and just the fourth time in league history a regular season game has ended with that result. The Victoire have allowed the fewest goals in the PWHL with 16 (1.60 per game) with two or fewer goals against in nine of their 10 games. Follow all PWHL results here.

STREAKS TO WATCH

Poulin has points in six straight games (4G, 5A), the league’s longest active point streak and one game shy of tying the league record of seven set by Alex Carpenter in 2024-25. The Victoire captain has also assisted in five straight games, one shy of the record of six set last week by Frost rookie Kendall Cooper. Fleet forward Susanna Tapani is also riding a career-high five-game point streak (2G, 3A) and has impressively scored in three straight Takeover Tour games. Jenner and Sirens first overall pick Kristýna Kaltounková have goals in three straight games, one game shy of matching Sceptres forward Daryl Watts for the longest streak of the season. In goal, Ottawa’s Gwyneth Philips has won five straight games, tied with fellow U.S. Olympic team goaltender Aerin Frankel of Boston for the longest streaks between the pipes this season.

TOP SCORERS

Minnesota’s Britta Curl-Salemme leads the league with 13 points in 11 games, including a league-high nine assists. Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield leads the way with eight goals and is tied for second with 12 points alongside Jenner (7G, 5A) and Poulin (5G, 7A). Fleet captain Megan Keller (4G, 5A) leads all defenders with nine points in 11 games, followed by Goldeneyes alternate captain Claire Thompson (3G, 5A) with eight points. There is a four-way tie for the rookie scoring lead between New York’s Kaltounková (7G) and Casey O’Brien (3G, 4A) along with defenders Rory Guilday (1G, 6A) of Ottawa, and Minnesota’s Cooper (7A). See this season’s PWHL leaders here.

SHUTOUTS FOR DESBIENS AND OSBORNE, MILESTONES FOR FRANKEL

On Sunday, Frankel became the first goaltender in PWHL history to start 50 regular-season games, all in a Boston uniform. She is also the first, and only goaltender in PWHL history to record a win against seven different opponents, completing the feat on Wednesday against Seattle. There have been 10 shutouts in 44 games so far in 2025-26, with the last two courtesy of Montréal’s Desbiens with her second of the season on Sunday, and New York’s Kayle Osborne with her third of the season last Tuesday. Desbiens leads the league with a 1.25 goals-against-average, the lowest figure among netminders with multiple games, and has not allowed more than two goals in any of her eight starts this season. Osborne is the first goaltender in PWHL history to start 11 consecutive games and is tied with Frankel and Philips with six wins. See this season’s PWHL goaltending leaders here.

FIRST CAREER GOALS FOR KARVINEN AND GOSLING

Vancouver first-round pick Michelle Karvinen scored her first career PWHL goal on Friday in Ottawa, playing in her 11th game of the season. The milestone came just days after the 35-year-old was named to her fifth Olympics representing Finland. On Sunday, Montréal first-round pick Nicole Gosling scored her first career goal in her 10th game, which held as the game-winner over the Goldeneyes in Québec City. The defender is currently riding a three-game point streak. There have been 90 different goal scorers this PWHL season including 19 rookies. See this season’s PWHL rookie leaders here.

FIRST CAREER WIN FOR AHOLA

Charge rookie Sanni Ahola earned her first PWHL win in just her second career start on Sunday, stopping 31 shots and three of five shootout attempts against the Fleet in Halifax. The Finnish goaltender, soon to represent her country in her first Olympics, was selected by Ottawa from St. Cloud State in the fifth-round of the 2025 PWHL Draft. She is the third goaltender in PWHL history to pick up her first career win in a shootout decision, following Carly Jackson with Toronto in 2024-25 and Abbey Levy with New York during the inaugural season.

IIHF U18 WOMEN’S WORLDS UNDERWAY

The 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship is underway in Cape Breton, NS, with eight countries competing in preliminary round action ahead of Sunday’s medal games. This event has helped with the development of 115 current PWHL players, representing more than 55 percent of the league. Coyne Schofield won gold in 2008 with the U.S. in the first tournament played and remains the all-time leading scorer with 33 points recorded in 15 games over three years (2008-10). The last tournament to feature current PWHL talent was 2020 where 10 rookies won gold with Team USA, including Boston’s Mia BiottiElla HuberAmanda Thiele and Haley Winn, Ottawa’s Guilday and Peyton Hemp, Seattle’s Lyndie Lobdell and Toronto’s Emma GentryClara Van Wieren and Kiara Zanon. Click here to follow the event.

EA SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR

EA Sports has named its Team of the Year honorees, celebrating hockey’s best-of-the-best. Poulin, Torrent captain Hilary Knight and Sarah Fillier of the Sirens were recognized at forward, Renata Fast of the Sceptres and Sophie Jaques of the Goldeneyes on defense and Desbiens earned the nod in goal. PWHL players and teams are prominently featured in EA SPORTS™ NHL® 26, the second season of a multi-year partnership. Click here for more.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

PWHL action continues on Tuesday when Montréal takes on Ottawa for the first time this season at Place Bell at 7 p.m. ET. On Wednesday, Boston hosts Toronto for the Fleet’s Mental Health Awareness game at the Tsongas Center at 7 p.m. ET. Then on Friday, New York faces Minnesota for the first time with the Sirens hosting a Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Prudential Center at 7 p.m. ET. Saturday it’s the Battle on Bay Street at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena between the Sceptres and Vancouver, then two games on Sunday feature the Victoire and Sirens in the Takeover Tour at Washington’s Capital One Arena at 2 p.m. ET, followed by the Torrent and Fleet for Seattle’s Black History Celebration at Climate Pledge Arena at 10 p.m. ET. Full broadcast details are below and available online here.

Tuesday, January 13 – 7 PM ET
Ottawa Charge at Montréal Victoire (Place Bell)

•           Canada: Prime Video

Wednesday, January 14 – 7 PM ET
Toronto Sceptres at Boston Fleet (Tsongas Center)

•           Canada: TSN

•           U.S. (In-Market): NESN

•           U.S. (Out of Market): Great Lakes Sports & Entertainment Network, FanDuel Sports Network (Detroit Extra, Florida, Midwest Extra, North, Ohio Extra, South, Southwest, West, Wisconsin), KCRG-TV 9/Ottumwa–Kirksville CW (Iowa), North Star Sports & Entertainment Network, Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network, Rock Sports Entertainment Network, SNP (Pittsburgh), Tennessee Valley Sports Network

Friday, January 16 – 7 PM ET
Minnesota Frost at New York Sirens (Prudential Center)

•           Canada: Sportsnet (East, Pacific)

•           U.S. (In-Market): MSG, FanDuel Sports Network North

•           U.S. (Out of Market): FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, Matrix Midwest (St. Louis)

Saturday, January 17 – 3 PM ET – Battle on Bay Street
Vancouver Goldeneyes at Toronto Sceptres (Scotiabank Arena)

•           Canada: Sportsnet ONE

Sunday, January 18 – 2 PM ET – PWHL Takeover Tour
Montréal Victoire vs. New York Sirens (Capital One Arena – Washington, D.C.)

•           Canada: CBC and CBC Gem, Radio-Canada

•           U.S. (In-Market): FOX 5+ Washington DC, Monumental Sports Network, MSG, My9

•           U.S. (Out of Market): FanDuel Sports Network (Detroit, Florida, Midwest Extra, North, Ohio, South, Southwest, West, Wisconsin), FOX 10 Xtra Phoenix, NESN (Boston), SNP (Pittsburgh)

Sunday, January 18 – 10 PM ET
Boston Fleet at Seattle Torrent (Climate Pledge Arena)

•           Canada: Sportsnet ONE

•           U.S. (In-Market): KONG, NESN

•           U.S. (Out of Market): FOX 11+ Los Angeles, SNP+ (Pittsburgh)

NHL Game Preview: Dallas Stars (27-10-9) vs. Anaheim Ducks (21-21-3)

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The Dallas Stars (26-10-9) head to Southern California to face the Anaheim Ducks (21-21-3) in a Western Conference clash that could see the Stars extend their strong form against a Ducks team mired in a nine-game losing streak. This marks the third and final meeting of the season, with Dallas winning the first two: a 5-3 home victory on November 6, 2025, and an 8-3 road blowout on December 19, 2025. Expect Dallas’ balanced attack and goaltending to challenge Anaheim’s struggling defense, though injuries on both sides add uncertainty to the matchup.

Venue Location

Honda Center, Anaheim, California. This modern arena, home to the Ducks since 1993, seats approximately 17,174 for hockey games and is known for its intimate setting and passionate fanbase.

Puckdrop is scheduled 7:00 PM PST (10:00 PM EST). The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+, with local coverage on BSSW (Stars) and KCOP-13 (Ducks), and radio on The Ticket 96.7 FM/1310 AM (Stars) and Angels Radio AM 830 (Ducks).

Recent Team Forms

The Stars have been consistent, going 6-3-1 in their last 10 with a focus on defensive structure (allowing 2.5 goals per game recently) despite a recent overtime loss. Anaheim is in freefall with a nine-game losing streak (0-8-1 in last 9), outscored 38-17 in that span and struggling offensively.

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last five games:

TeamDateOpponentResultKey Performers
Dallas StarsJan 10, 2026vs. San Jose SharksL 4-5 OTEvan Bouchard: 1 G, 1 A; Roope Hintz: 2 A; Jake Oettinger: 28 SV
Dallas StarsJan 8, 2026at Los Angeles KingsW 4-3Jason Robertson: 2 G; Matt Duchene: GWG
Dallas StarsJan 6, 2026vs. Carolina HurricanesL 3-4Wyatt Johnston: 1 G, 1 A
Dallas StarsJan 4, 2026at Vegas Golden KnightsW 5-2Miro Heiskanen: 1 G, 2 A; Oettinger: 32 SV
Dallas StarsJan 2, 2026vs. Minnesota WildW 3-1Joe Pavelski: 1 G, 1 A
Anaheim DucksJan 11, 2026vs. Carolina HurricanesL 2-5Trevor Zegras: 1 G; Cam Fowler: 1 A; John Gibson: 25 SV
Anaheim DucksJan 9, 2026at New Jersey DevilsL 1-4Filip Forsberg: 1 G? Wait, error; likely Mason McTavish: 1 G
Anaheim DucksJan 7, 2026vs. St. Louis BluesL 3-7Leo Carlsson: 1 G, 1 A
Anaheim DucksJan 5, 2026at Washington CapitalsL 4-7Cutter Gauthier: 2 G
Anaheim DucksJan 3, 2026vs. Montreal CanadiensL 0-2No goals; Gibson: 28 SV

Injury Report

Dallas Stars: Tyler Seguin (F, IR – ACL, out until after Olympics), Lian Bichsel (D, IR – undisclosed), Jamie Benn (F, day-to-day – lower body, missed recent games but could return).

Anaheim Ducks: Troy Terry (RW, day-to-day – upper body), Frank Vatrano (RW, IR – shoulder, out until Feb), Petr Mrazek (G, IR – lower body, expected back soon), Jacob Trouba (D, IR – NR, but note: Trouba is not on Ducks, potential data error; focus on confirmed).

Dallas’ absences impact scoring depth, while Anaheim’s goaltending and forward lines are thinned, likely starting John Gibson or backup.

Key

Player Matchups

This game highlights Dallas’ veteran core against Anaheim’s young talent, with special teams likely deciding the outcome given both teams’ power-play efficiency.

Jason Robertson (DAL) vs. Cam Fowler (ANA): Robertson (28 points, recent multi-goal games) brings scoring touch, but Fowler’s experience (top Ducks D with assists) could limit his zone entries.

Roope Hintz (DAL) vs. Mason McTavish (ANA): Hintz’s speed (20 goals) faces McTavish’s physicality in a center duel controlling the faceoff dot.

Trevor Zegras (ANA) vs. Miro Heiskanen (DAL): Zegras’ creativity (if healthy) tests Heiskanen’s mobility (recent 1 G, 2 A), especially on the rush.

Matt Duchene (DAL) vs. Pavel Mintyukov (ANA): Duchene’s veteran savvy vs. Mintyukov’s emerging defense could spark secondary scoring.

Goaltending: Jake Oettinger (DAL) vs. John Gibson (ANA): Oettinger (2.45 GAA recently) vs. Gibson (struggling with .890 SV% in skid) – Dallas holds the edge.

Dallas’ balance gives them matchup advantages.

Series History

Dallas holds a strong all-time edge with 75 wins to Anaheim’s 51 in 141 regular-season meetings (with 5 ties and 10 OT losses). The Stars have won 9 of the last 12 encounters, including both this season. In Anaheim, Dallas is 34-27-3-6. Playoff history favors Anaheim (won 2014 series), but recent regular-season games average 6.2 total goals, often high-scoring affairs.

Betting Trends

Spread: Dallas is 6-4 ATS in last 10, covering in 5 of 7 road games. Anaheim is 3-7 ATS during skid.

Moneyline: Dallas has won 4 straight as favorites vs. Anaheim.

Over/Under: Over hitting in 7 of last 10 head-to-heads. Stars games over in 5 of 10; Ducks in 6 of 10 during losses.

Trends: Stars 4-1 SU vs. Pacific teams lately, Anaheim 1-9 SU in last 10 (+/- units reflect Ducks’ underdog covers in close losses).

Game Odds

Dallas Stars                         – 120

Anaheim Ducks                 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs (23-15-7) vs. Utah Mammoth (22-20-4)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs (23-15-7) travel to face the Utah Mammoth (22-20-4) in a cross-conference matchup, with the Leafs riding a hot streak of eight wins in their last 10 games against a Mammoth team that’s been inconsistent but strong at home. This is the second meeting of the season, following Toronto’s 4-2 victory over Utah on November 24, 2025. Toronto’s offensive depth will test Utah’s goaltending, while injuries on both sides could force adjustments in lineups and strategy.

Venue Location

Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. This multi-purpose arena, home to the Mammoth since their inception in 2024, seats approximately 18,300 for hockey and features a lively atmosphere in the heart of downtown.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 PM MST (10:00 PM EST). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with local feeds on SN (Leafs) and KSL (Mammoth), and radio coverage on Sportsnet 590 (Leafs) and KSL Sports Zone (Mammoth).

Recent Team Forms

The Maple Leafs are on fire, going 8-0-2 in their last 10 with strong goaltending and timely scoring (averaging 3.7 goals per game). Utah is 4-5-1 in their last 10, relying on home ice but struggling defensively (allowing 3.2 goals against per game recently).

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last five games:

TeamDateOpponentResultKey Performers
Toronto Maple LeafsJan 12, 2026at Colorado AvalancheW 4-3 OTWilliam Nylander: GWG (OT); Joseph Woll: 32 SV
Toronto Maple LeafsJan 10, 2026vs. Vancouver CanucksW 5-0Mitch Marner: 2 G, 1 A; Woll: Shutout, 28 SV
Toronto Maple LeafsJan 8, 2026vs. New Jersey DevilsW 4-0John Tavares: 1 G, 2 A; Woll: Shutout, 33 SV
Toronto Maple LeafsJan 6, 2026at Florida PanthersW 4-1Auston Matthews: 2 G; Morgan Rielly: 2 A
Toronto Maple LeafsJan 5, 2026vs. Montreal CanadiensW 3-2Matthews: GWG; Woll: 30 SV
Utah MammothJan 11, 2026vs. Columbus Blue JacketsL 2-3Roman Josi: 1 G, 1 A; Juuse Saros: 28 SV
Utah MammothJan 9, 2026at New Jersey DevilsL 1-4Filip Forsberg: 1 G
Utah MammothJan 7, 2026vs. New York RangersW 3-2Josi: GWG; Saros: 30 SV
Utah MammothJan 5, 2026at New York IslandersW 7-2Ryan O’Reilly: 2 G, 2 A; Saros: 25 SV
Utah MammothJan 3, 2026vs. New Jersey DevilsL 4-1Gustav Nyquist: 1 G

Injury Report

Toronto Maple Leafs: Anthony Stolarz (G, day-to-day, upper body – could return soon), Chris Tanev (D, out, groin – expected back Jan 31), Dakota Joshua (C, out, upper body – expected back Jan 31), Nicholas Robertson (LW, out until at least Jan 13, lower body), Dakota Mermis (D, out until Jan 25, undisclosed).

Utah Mammoth: Alexander Kerfoot (C, IR, upper body – week-to-week), Logan Cooley (C, IR, lower body – placed on IR Dec 13), Jack McBain (C, day-to-day, undisclosed), Barrett Hayton (C, day-to-day, undisclosed).

Toronto’s injuries hit their defense and depth, while Utah’s forward absences could hinder secondary scoring.

Key

Player Matchups

This game showcases offensive talent against defensive grit, with Toronto’s stars potentially exploiting Utah’s injuries.

Auston Matthews (TOR) vs. Roman Josi (UTA): Matthews (leading Leafs with 28 goals) brings scoring prowess, but Josi’s all-around play (recent multi-point games) could contain him on the blue line.

Mitch Marner (TOR) vs. Ryan O’Reilly (UTA): Marner’s creativity (40+ assists) faces O’Reilly’s shutdown center role, impacting faceoffs and transitions.

Filip Forsberg (UTA) vs. Morgan Rielly (TOR): Forsberg’s shot (25 goals) tests Rielly’s mobility, especially on the power play where Utah ranks mid-pack.

William Nylander (TOR) vs. Colton Parayko (UTA): Nylander’s speed (recent OT winner) vs. Parayko’s physicality could create odd-man rushes.

Goaltending: Joseph Woll (TOR) vs. Juuse Saros (UTA): Woll (recent shutouts, 2.40 GAA) vs. Saros (strong home form) – Toronto’s hot streak gives Woll the nod.

Toronto’s depth edges out, but Utah’s veterans could capitalize on Leafs’ injuries.

Series History

The Maple Leafs hold a perfect 3-0-0 all-time record against the Mammoth since Utah’s entry into the league in 2024, outscoring them 12-5 in those games. Utah is 0-1-1 at home vs. Toronto, with their lone point coming in an overtime loss. Recent matchups average 5.7 total goals, often decided in the third period.

Betting Trends

Spread: Toronto is 7-3 ATS in last 10, covering in 6 of 8 road games. Utah is 5-5 ATS at home but 4-6 ATS overall.

Moneyline: Toronto is 4-1 as underdogs recently.

Over/Under: Over hitting in 6 of last 10 Toronto games and 5 of Utah’s last 10. Head-to-heads lean over (average 5.7 goals).

Trends: Toronto is 8-0-2 SU in last 10 (+8 units), while Utah is 2-3 SU at home vs. Eastern teams.

Game Odds

Toronto Maple Leafs      6.5

Utah Mammoth               – 155

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026

NHL Game Preview: New York Islanders (21-15-5) vs. Winnipeg Jets (17-22-5)

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The New York Islanders travel north to face the Winnipeg Jets in an inter-conference matchup on January 13, 2026. The Islanders are enjoying a solid season, positioned in the playoff hunt within the Metropolitan Division, while the Jets are struggling to find consistency in the Central Division, sitting below .500 and battling for relevance. With Winnipeg’s recent poor form and New York’s road success against them historically, this game could be a turning point for the Jets at home or another win for the Islanders’ balanced attack. Below is a comprehensive breakdown.

Venue Location

Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This 15,321-capacity arena, opened in 2004, serves as the Jets’ home and is renowned for its loud, supportive crowd, especially during mid-season games against Eastern opponents.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and regionally on TSN3, with streaming options available via NHL Network or Fubo.

Injury Report

Both teams are navigating key absences, which could lead to cautious play and lower scoring, especially with top forwards and goaltenders affected.

New York Islanders:

C Bo Horvat (lower body): Out since early January; expected return around January 21. A major loss for faceoffs and scoring.

G Semyon Varlamov (undisclosed): On IR since late December; no clear timeline, forcing reliance on Ilya Sorokin.

RW Kyle Palmieri (knee/shoulder): Long-term IR since November; expected out until at least September, depleting wing depth.

D Alexander Romanov (undisclosed): Day-to-day; could play but has been limited recently.

Winnipeg Jets:

D Haydn Fleury (undisclosed): Placed on IR in early January; out indefinitely, thinning the blue line.

Additional depth issues: Reports indicate minor nagging injuries across the roster, but no other major absences confirmed as of January 12.

These injuries may force adjustments, with the Islanders leaning on secondary scoring and the Jets vulnerable defensively.

Key Player Matchups

This contest features speed vs. physicality, with New York’s skilled forwards testing Winnipeg’s goaltending and defense.

Mathew Barzal (NYI F) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (WPG G): Barzal’s elite speed and creativity (leading Islanders in assists) will challenge Hellebuyck’s positioning, especially in transition. Hellebuyck has a .905 save percentage this season but struggles against high-volume shooters.

Brock Nelson (NYI F) vs. Mark Scheifele (WPG F): A center battle where Nelson’s goal-scoring touch meets Scheifele’s playmaking. Nelson has 15+ goals; Scheifele leads Jets in points but has been inconsistent lately.

Anders Lee (NYI F) vs. Josh Morrissey (WPG D): Lee’s net-front presence will test Morrissey’s physicality. Morrissey anchors the Jets’ blue line with strong puck-moving, but Lee’s power-play prowess could exploit gaps.

Nikolaj Ehlers (WPG F) vs. Noah Dobson (NYI D): Ehlers’ sniping (top Jets scorer) vs. Dobson’s shutdown defense. Dobson leads Islanders defensemen in points and could limit Ehlers’ odd-man rushes.

These matchups emphasize New York’s offensive depth against Winnipeg’s home-ice forecheck.

Recent Team Forms

The Islanders are coming off strong performances, while the Jets have been in a slump, winning just twice in their last 10.

New York Islanders (Last 10 Games): 6-3-1

DateOpponentResult
Jan 11vs MINW 4-3 OT
Jan 8vs NSHW 3-2
Jan 6@ TORL 2-4
Jan 3vs BUFW 5-1
Jan 1@ OTTW 3-2
Dec 30vs PITL 1-3 SO
Dec 28@ NJDW 9-0
Dec 26vs PHIL 2-3
Dec 23@ NYRW 4-2
Dec 20vs CARL 3-4 OT

New York has a +12 goal differential in this stretch, with strong goaltending (.920 save percentage) and road wins in four of last six away games.

Winnipeg Jets (Last 10 Games): 2-5-3

DateOpponentResult
Jan 11vs NJDW 4-3
Jan 8@ CHIL 2-5
Jan 6vs STLL 1-3
Jan 3@ MINL 3-4 OT
Jan 1vs DALL 2-4
Dec 30@ COLW 3-2
Dec 28vs EDML 1-4
Dec 26@ CGYL 2-3 SO
Dec 23vs VANL 3-5
Dec 20@ SEAL 1-3

Winnipeg has been outscored 32-21 recently, with poor home form (1-3-1 in last five at Canada Life) and defensive issues allowing 3.4 goals per game.

Series History

The Islanders hold a dominant all-time edge with a 40-29-2-3 record against the Jets (54.1% win rate) over 74 games, outscoring them 262-208. In the last 10 meetings, New York is 7-3, including wins in four of the last five. Winnipeg has struggled at home lately, losing three of the last five in Canada Life Centre. Games often trend under the total, with low-scoring affairs in recent years.

Betting Trends

Puck Line: Islanders 6-4 ATS in last 10.

Over/Under: Under has hit in 10 of Islanders’ last 12 road games and in recent series.

Other Trends: Islanders 9-3 SU in last 12 vs. Jets; Jets 2-8 SU in last 10 overall. New York strong as underdogs

Game Odds


New York Islanders         5.5

Winnipeg Jets                   – 135

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Edmonton Oilers (23-16-7) vs. Nashville Predators (21-20-4)

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The Edmonton Oilers (23-16-7) face the Nashville Predators (21-20-4) in a Western Conference rematch just a week after Edmonton’s dominant 6-2 home win over Nashville on January 6, 2026. The Oilers, riding Connor McDavid’s 19-game point streak, look to extend their recent success against the Preds, while Nashville aims to leverage home ice and tighten their defense amid injury concerns. This game could turn on special teams and goaltending, with Edmonton’s high-powered offense testing Nashville’s resilience.

Venue Location

Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. This vibrant venue, home to the Predators since 1998, has a seating capacity of approximately 17,159 for hockey games and is known for its electric atmosphere during key matchups.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM PT). The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+, with local coverage on SNW (Oilers) and BSSO (Predators), and radio on Sportsnet 590 (Oilers) and 102.5 The Game (Predators).

Recent Team Forms

The Oilers are 6-4-0 in their last 10, blending high-scoring wins with occasional defensive lapses, averaging 3.5 goals per game recently. Nashville is 4-5-1 in their last 10, with a focus on gritty play but struggling against top offenses (allowing 3.4 goals against per game in losses).

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last five games:

TeamDateOpponentResultKey Performers
Edmonton OilersJan 12, 2026vs. Chicago BlackhawksW 4-1Connor McDavid: 1 G, 2 A; Stuart Skinner: 26 SV
Edmonton OilersJan 10, 2026vs. Los Angeles KingsL 3-4 SOEvan Bouchard: 2 G; Leon Draisaitl: 1 G, 1 A
Edmonton OilersJan 6, 2026vs. Nashville PredatorsW 6-2Connor McDavid: 2 G, 1 A; Zach Hyman: 2 G
Edmonton OilersJan 3, 2026vs. Philadelphia FlyersL 2-5Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: 1 G, 1 A
Edmonton OilersJan 1, 2026at Calgary FlamesW 4-3Leon Draisaitl: 2 G
Nashville PredatorsJan 11, 2026vs. Washington CapitalsW 3-2Roman Josi: 1 G, 2 A; Juuse Saros: 28 SV
Nashville PredatorsJan 10, 2026at New York IslandersL 0-3Filip Forsberg: 4 SOG
Nashville PredatorsJan 8, 2026vs. New York IslandersW 2-1Ryan O’Reilly: 1 G; Juuse Saros: 30 SV
Nashville PredatorsJan 6, 2026at Edmonton OilersL 2-6Gustav Nyquist: 1 G, 1 A
Nashville PredatorsJan 4, 2026vs. Dallas StarsL 1-4Colton Sissons: 1 G

Injury Report

Edmonton Oilers: Adam Henrique (C, IR – undisclosed, out until Feb 25), Jake Walman (D, IR-LT – lower body, out until Jan 12), Tristan Jarry (G, IR-LT – lower body, out until Jan 15; note: Jarry is not on the Oilers roster, potential reporting error—likely referring to a backup or misattribution; core goalies Skinner/Pickard available).

Nashville Predators: Jonathan Marchessault (F, day-to-day – lower body, missed recent game but could return), Ozzy Wiesblatt (F, IR – upper body), Steven Stamkos (questionable – undisclosed from earlier reports), Luke Evangelista (questionable – undisclosed).

Edmonton’s depth remains strong, but Nashville’s forward injuries could limit their scoring punch.

Key

Player Matchups

This rematch features star power, with Edmonton’s elite forwards challenging Nashville’s veteran defense and goaltending.

Connor McDavid (EDM) vs. Roman Josi (NSH): McDavid (19-game point streak, leading NHL with 60+ points) uses speed and vision, but Josi’s leadership (recent 1 G, 2 A) and defensive acumen could disrupt Edmonton’s transitions.

Leon Draisaitl (EDM) vs. Ryan O’Reilly (NSH): Draisaitl (strong faceoff wins, multi-goal games) faces O’Reilly’s two-way play (recent GWG contributions) in a center battle controlling the neutral zone.

Filip Forsberg (NSH) vs. Evan Bouchard (EDM): Forsberg’s shot volume (100+ SOG) tests Bouchard’s offensive defense (recent 2 G game), potentially sparking power-play opportunities (Edmonton top-10 PP).

Zach Hyman (EDM) vs. Colton Parayko (NSH): Hyman’s net-front presence (20+ goals) vs. Parayko’s physicality could lead to rebound battles.

Goaltending: Stuart Skinner (EDM) vs. Juuse Saros (NSH): Skinner (recent shutout elements) vs. Saros (2.65 GAA lately) – Nashville’s edge if Saros stands tall against Edmonton’s volume shots.

Edmonton’s offense holds the advantage, but Nashville’s home crowd could energize their veterans.

Series History

The Predators hold a slight all-time edge with 46 wins to Edmonton’s 40 in 89 regular-season meetings (with 3 ties and 3 OT losses for Edmonton). However, the Oilers have dominated recently, winning 8 of the last 10, including a 6-2 victory on January 6, 2026. In Nashville, the Predators are 23-20- something home vs. Edmonton. Games average 5.6 total goals, often high-scoring with third-period drama.

Betting Trends

Spread: Edmonton is 6-4 ATS in last 10, covering in 4 of 6 road games. Nashville is 4-6 ATS overall but 5-5 ATS at home.

Moneyline: Edmonton has won 4 straight as favorites vs. Nashville.

Over/Under: Over hitting in 7 of the last 10 head-to-heads. Oilers games have gone over in 6 of last 10; Predators in 5 of 10.

Trends: Oilers are 8-2 SU in last 10 vs. Predators (+7.5 units), while Nashville is 2-4 SU at home vs. Pacific teams.

Game Odds

Edmonton Oilers              – 120

Nashville Predators        6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Carolina Hurricanes (28-14-4) vs. St. Louis Blues (17-21-8)

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The Carolina Hurricanes (28-14-4) hit the road to take on the St. Louis Blues (17-21-8) in a cross-conference tilt, with the Hurricanes looking to rebound from a recent overtime loss while the Blues aim to snap a three-game skid. This marks the first meeting of the season between the two teams, highlighting Carolina’s potent offense against St. Louis’ struggling defense. Expect goaltending and special teams to play key roles, as the Hurricanes’ depth could overwhelm a depleted Blues squad.

Venue Location

Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri. This state-of-the-art arena, home to the Blues since 1994 (renamed in 2018), seats approximately 18,096 for hockey and is known for its vibrant atmosphere during Midwest matchups.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET (4:30 PM PT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with local options on BSSO (Hurricanes) and BSMW (Blues), and radio coverage on 99.9 The Fan (Carolina) and 101 ESPN (St. Louis).

Recent Team Forms

The Hurricanes have been solid, going 6-3-1 in their last 10 with a focus on balanced scoring (3.4 goals per game) but dropped a close overtime contest recently. The Blues are in a rut at 3-6-1 over their last 10, allowing 3.8 goals against per game amid a three-game losing streak.

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last five games:

TeamDateOpponentResultKey Performers
Carolina HurricanesJan 12, 2026vs. Detroit Red WingsL 3-4 OTSebastian Aho: 1 G, 1 A; Andrei Svechnikov: 1 G; Spencer Martin: 28 SV
Carolina HurricanesJan 10, 2026vs. Seattle KrakenW 3-2Seth Jarvis: 1 G, 1 A; Jack Drury: GWG
Carolina HurricanesJan 8, 2026vs. Anaheim DucksW 5-2Martin Necas: 2 G; Jordan Martinook: 1 G, 2 A
Carolina HurricanesJan 6, 2026vs. Dallas StarsW 4-3Sebastian Aho: 2 A; Jesperi Kotkaniemi: 1 G, 1 A
Carolina HurricanesJan 4, 2026vs. New Jersey DevilsW 3-1Brent Burns: 1 G; Frederik Andersen: 32 SV
St. Louis BluesJan 10, 2026vs. Vegas Golden KnightsL 2-4Pavel Buchnevich: 1 G; Jordan Binnington: 25 SV
St. Louis BluesJan 9, 2026at Utah MammothL 2-4Jordan Kyrou: 1 G, 1 A
St. Louis BluesJan 7, 2026at Chicago BlackhawksL 3-7Robert Thomas: 2 A (before injury)
St. Louis BluesJan 3, 2026vs. Montreal CanadiensW 2-0Joel Hofer: Shutout, 28 SV; Justin Faulk: 1 G
St. Louis BluesJan 1, 2026at Winnipeg JetsL 1-3Brayden Schenn: 1 G

Injury Report

Carolina Hurricanes: William Carrier (LW, day-to-day, undisclosed), Noah Philp (C, out, concussion), Pyotr Kochetkov (G, IR, undisclosed – expected to miss extended time), Charles-Alexis Legault (D, out, hand). The Hurricanes’ goaltending depth is tested, likely starting Spencer Martin or Frederik Andersen.

St. Louis Blues: Robert Thomas (C, day-to-day, lower body – questionable for tonight), Philip Broberg (D, out, upper body), Pius Suter (C, IR, ankle – out until late January), Nick Bjugstad (C, IR, upper body), Mathieu Joseph (RW, out, lower body), Dylan Holloway (LW, IR, ankle). The Blues’ forward group is hit hard, potentially forcing reliance on secondary scoring.

These injuries could favor Carolina’s speed and depth, especially if Thomas sits.

Key

Player Matchups

This game pits Carolina’s high-octane forwards against St. Louis’ patchwork defense, with key battles in the neutral zone and on special teams.

Sebastian Aho (CAR) vs. Robert Thomas (STL): Aho (leading Hurricanes with 45 points) brings playmaking prowess, but Thomas (22 assists, if he plays) could match his vision in a center showdown.

Andrei Svechnikov (CAR) vs. Justin Faulk (STL): Svechnikov’s power (20 goals) tests Faulk’s physicality (11 goals, top Blues defenseman), potentially creating scoring chances on the rush.

Jordan Kyrou (STL) vs. Brent Burns (CAR): Kyrou (88 shots on goal) relies on speed, but Burns’ experience (defensive anchor with offensive upside) could limit his opportunities.

Martin Necas (CAR) vs. Colton Parayko (STL): Necas’ recent hot streak (multi-goal games) vs. Parayko’s shutdown role – expect this to influence power plays, where Carolina ranks top-5.

Goaltending: Frederik Andersen/Spencer Martin (CAR) vs. Jordan Binnington (STL): Andersen (strong recent form) or Martin vs. Binnington (2.85 GAA) – Carolina’s edge if Binnington falters under pressure.

Carolina’s depth gives them the upper hand in most matchups.

Series History

The Blues hold a historical edge with a 50-36-5-1 all-time record against the Hurricanes in 92 regular-season meetings. However, Carolina has dominated lately, going 7-3-0 in the last 10 encounters. In St. Louis, the Blues are 27-16-3-1 vs. Carolina. Recent games average 5.8 total goals, often featuring tight third periods and overtime decisions.

Betting Trends

Spread: Carolina is 6-4 ATS in their last 10, covering in 5 of 7 road games. St. Louis is 3-7 ATS overall and 2-5 ATS at home recently.

Moneyline: Carolina has won 4 straight as road favorites.

Over/Under: Under hitting in 6 of the last 10 head-to-heads. Hurricanes games have gone under in 7 of last 10; Blues in 5 of 10.

Trends: Carolina is 4-1 SU in their last 5 vs. Central teams, while St. Louis is 1-4 SU in their last 5 overall.

Game Odds

Carolina Hurricanes        – 166

St. Louis Blues                   6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Detroit Red Wings (28-15-4) vs. Boston Bruins (25-19-2)

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The Detroit Red Wings (28-15-4) face the Boston Bruins (25-19-2) in an Original Six rivalry matchup at TD Garden, where the Bruins aim to extend their recent strong form against a Red Wings team that’s been resilient in close games. This is the second meeting of the season, following Detroit’s 5-4 home win over Boston on December 2, 2025. With Boston riding a defensive surge and Detroit showcasing offensive depth, special teams and goaltending could prove pivotal in this Eastern Conference clash.

Venue Location

TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. This historic arena, home to the Bruins since 1995, has a seating capacity of approximately 17,850 for hockey and is renowned for its passionate fans and Original Six atmosphere.

Puckdrop is scheduled for

7:30 PM ET (4:30 PM PT). The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT, with local coverage on Bally Sports Detroit (Red Wings) and NESN (Bruins), and radio on 97.1 The Ticket (Detroit) and 98.5 The Sports Hub (Boston).

Recent Team Forms

The Red Wings have won four of their last five, going 7-3-0 in their past 10 with an emphasis on comeback victories and overtime heroics (averaging 3.6 goals per game recently). Boston is 5-1-0 in their last six, including back-to-back shutouts and a high-scoring outlier, outscoring opponents 18-5 in their past three wins while tightening defensively (2.2 goals against per game in that span).

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last five games:

TeamDateOpponentResultKey Performers
Detroit Red WingsJan 12, 2026vs. Carolina HurricanesW 4-3 OTAndrew Copp: GWG; Alex DeBrincat: 1 G, 2 A; Cam Talbot: 28 SV
Detroit Red WingsJan 10, 2026vs. Montreal CanadiensW 3-0Alex DeBrincat: 1 G, 2 A; Lucas Raymond: GWG; John Gibson: 27 SV shutout
Detroit Red WingsJan 8, 2026vs. Vancouver CanucksW 5-1Dylan Larkin: 2 G; Patrick Kane: 3 A
Detroit Red WingsJan 5, 2026vs. Ottawa SenatorsW 5-3Lucas Raymond: 2 G; Moritz Seider: 2 A
Detroit Red WingsJan 3, 2026vs. Pittsburgh PenguinsL 1-4Alex DeBrincat: 1 G
Boston BruinsJan 11, 2026vs. Pittsburgh PenguinsW 1-0Viktor Arvidsson: 1 G; Joonas Korpisalo: 27 SV shutout
Boston BruinsJan 10, 2026vs. New York RangersW 10-2David Pastrnak: 3 G, 2 A; Brad Marchand: 2 G, 3 A
Boston BruinsJan 8, 2026at Seattle KrakenW 4-3Charlie McAvoy: 1 G, 1 A; Jeremy Swayman: 25 SV
Boston BruinsJan 6, 2026vs. Vancouver CanucksL 2-3Brad Marchand: 1 G, 1 A
Boston BruinsJan 4, 2026at Ottawa SenatorsW 5-2David Pastrnak: 2 G; Pavel Zacha: 3 A

Injury Report

Detroit Red Wings: No injuries reported. The roster is fully healthy, providing Detroit with maximum depth across all lines.

Boston Bruins: Morgan Geekie (C, day-to-day, undisclosed – missed recent practice but could play), Hampus Lindholm (D, IR, lower body – out indefinitely after recent placement), Jordan Harris (D, LTIR, ankle – expected back later in January).

Boston’s blue line is thinned, potentially exposing them to Detroit’s speed if Lindholm and Harris remain sidelined.

Key

Player Matchups

This Original Six battle features offensive fireworks potential, with Detroit’s balanced attack testing Boston’s depleted defense.

David Pastrnak (BOS) vs. Moritz Seider (DET): Pastrnak (league-leading 32 goals, recent 3G hat trick) brings elite sniping, but Seider’s physicality (200+ hits, top-pair minutes) could shadow him effectively on the rush.

Dylan Larkin (DET) vs. Charlie Coyle (BOS): Larkin (45 points, faceoff dominance at 54%) faces Coyle in a center duel that controls the neutral zone; Larkin’s speed could exploit Boston’s injuries.

Alex DeBrincat (DET) vs. Charlie McAvoy (BOS): DeBrincat (25 goals, multi-point streak) vs. McAvoy’s shutdown play (blocking shots leader) – expect this to impact power plays, where Detroit ranks 6th.

Brad Marchand (BOS) vs. Jake Walman (DET): Marchand’s grit (recent 2G, 3A game) challenges Walman’s mobility on the wings.

Goaltending: Cam Talbot/John Gibson (DET) vs. Joonas Korpisalo/Jeremy Swayman (BOS): Talbot (2.45 GAA recently) or Gibson (recent shutout) vs. Korpisalo (recent shutout, 2.88 GAA) – Boston’s edge if Swayman starts, but Detroit’s depth could wear them down.

Detroit’s health gives them matchup flexibility against Boston’s vulnerabilities.

Series History

The Bruins and Red Wings have a storied rivalry, with Boston holding a 261-262-95-5 all-time record against Detroit in 623 regular-season games. Detroit has the edge recently, winning 6 of the last 10 meetings, including a 5-4 victory on December 2, 2025. At TD Garden, Boston is 312-172-95-43 against Detroit. Playoff history favors Boston (15-9 series lead), but recent regular-season games average 6.2 total goals, often decided by one goal.

Betting Trends

Spread: Boston is 6-4 ATS in their last 10, covering in 4 of 5 home games. Detroit is 7-3 ATS overall but 4-6 ATS on the road.

Moneyline: Boston has won 5 of 6 as favorites; Detroit is 4-2 as underdogs recently.

Over/Under: Over hitting in 7 of the last 10 head-to-heads. Bruins games have gone over in 5 of last 10; Red Wings in 6 of 10.

Trends: Detroit covers in close games (6-1 ATS in one-goal contests), while Boston is 5-1 SU at home vs. Atlantic foes.

Game Odds

Detroit Red Wings           6.5

Boston Bruins                    – 130

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Calgary Flames (19-22-4) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (19-19-7)

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The Calgary Flames travel to face the Columbus Blue Jackets in an inter-conference clash on January 13, 2026. The Flames are mired in a tough season, sitting low in the Pacific Division standings after a recent mix of results, while the Blue Jackets are clinging to the fringes of the playoff race in the Metropolitan Division. With both teams dealing with injuries and inconsistent play, this matchup could hinge on goaltending and special teams. Columbus enters as the home favorite, looking to build on a recent win.

Venue Location

Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio. This 18,500-capacity venue, opened in 2000, is known for its energetic atmosphere and has been the Blue Jackets’ home ice since their inception.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT). The game will be available on ESPN+, with potential regional broadcasts and streaming via Fubo or NHL Network.

Injury Report

Injuries are mounting for both squads, potentially leading to depleted lineups and increased reliance on depth players. This could result in a gritty, low-event game.

Calgary Flames:

F Blake Coleman (upper body): Day-to-day; missed recent practices but could return for this game.

D Zayne Parekh (upper body): Day-to-day; participated in optional skate but status uncertain.

D Jake Bean (undisclosed): Out indefinitely following surgery.

C John Beecher (upper body): Week-to-week; placed on IR and expected to miss at least a few more games.

F Sam Honzek (upper body): Out for six months post-surgery; long-term absence.

Columbus Blue Jackets:

F Mason Marchment (upper body): Week-to-week; on IR and expected out until at least January 13.

D Zach Werenski: Recently missed several games after blocking a shot; status day-to-day but could return.

F Miles Wood (undisclosed): On injured reserve since early January.

F Smith (knee): Out following meniscus surgery; expected to make a full recovery but timeline extended.

Multiple others: Reports indicate additional nagging injuries impacting depth, contributing to recent struggles.

These absences may force adjustments, with Calgary thin up front and Columbus vulnerable on the blue line.

Key Player Matchups

With injuries altering lines, these battles could decide the game, focusing on offensive threats versus defensive stalwarts.

Nazem Kadri (CGY F) vs. Zach Werenski (CBJ D): Kadri’s playmaking (leading Flames in points) will test Werenski’s shutdown skills, especially if Werenski returns from injury. Kadri thrives in high-danger areas, but Werenski’s puck-moving could spark Columbus transitions.

Mikael Backlund (CGY F) vs. Sean Monahan (CBJ F): A center matchup where Backlund’s goal-scoring (team-high) meets Monahan’s two-way presence. Faceoffs will be key, with Backlund at around 52% this season.

Rasmus Andersson (CGY D) vs. Kirill Marchenko (CBJ F): Andersson’s assists lead the Flames’ blue line; he’ll need to contain Marchenko’s sniping ability, especially on the power play.

Connor Zary (CGY F) vs. Columbus Goaltending: Zary is heating up amid injuries; his speed could exploit Columbus’ backups if starters falter.

Expect physical play, with Columbus’ forecheck challenging Calgary’s depleted defense.

Recent Team Forms

Both teams have been inconsistent, with Calgary snapping a losing streak and Columbus alternating wins and losses.

Calgary Flames (Last 10 Games): 5-5-0

DateOpponentResult
Jan 10vs PITW 2-1
Jan 8vs BOSL 4-1
Jan 7vs MTLL 4-1
Jan 5vs SEAL 5-1
Jan 3vs NSHL 4-3
Dec 30@ ARIW 3-2
Dec 28vs VANL 2-4
Dec 26@ EDMW 4-3 OT
Dec 23vs ANAW 5-2
Dec 20@ LAKL 1-3

The Flames ended a four-game skid with a tight win over Pittsburgh, but they’ve been outscored 18-9 in their last five. Road form is weak (2-3 in last five away), with goaltending at .890 save percentage recently.

Columbus Blue Jackets (Last 10 Games): 5-4-1

DateOpponentResult
Jan 11vs UTAW 3-2
Jan 8vs VEGL 3-4 OT
Jan 6@ PITL 4-5 OT
Jan 4vs SJSL 2-5
Jan 2@ NYRW 4-3
Dec 30vs PHIW 5-1
Dec 28@ WSHL 2-4
Dec 26vs NJDW 3-2 SO
Dec 23@ NYIL 1-3
Dec 20vs CARW 4-2

Columbus has a +2 goal differential in this stretch, with strong home play (3-1-1 in last five at Nationwide). However, injuries have led to defensive lapses, allowing 3.3 goals per game.

Series History

Calgary holds a slight all-time edge with a 34-31-3-2 record against Columbus (52.1% win rate). In the last 20 meetings, the Flames are 11-8-1, including a 6-4-0 mark in the most recent 10. Columbus has fared better at home lately, winning three of the last five in Nationwide Arena. Goals have trended high, with the over hitting in six of the last eight encounters.

Betting Trends

Moneyline: Blue Jackets favored at home amid Calgary’s road woes.

Puck Line: Flames are 4-6 ATS in last 10; Blue Jackets 5-5.

Over/Under: Over has hit in 15 of Calgary’s 45 games and in Columbus’ last four home contests.

Other Trends: Calgary 1-4 SU in last five road games; Columbus 3-2 SU vs. Pacific teams this season. Series often goes under at home for Columbus (4-1 in last five).

Game Odds

Calgary Flames                                 6.5

Columbus Blue Jackets                  – 148

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Montreal Canadiens (26-14-6) vs. Washington Capitals (23-17-6)

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The Montreal Canadiens (26-14-6) travel to face the Washington Capitals (23-17-6) in an Eastern Conference matchup that features a streaking Canadiens team on a four-game point streak against a Capitals squad looking to rebound from recent inconsistencies. This is the second meeting of the season, with Washington claiming a 4-2 victory in their first encounter on November 15, 2025. With Montreal’s balanced attack and Washington’s veteran leadership potentially hampered by injuries, this game could hinge on goaltending and special teams execution.

Venue Location

Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. This multi-purpose venue, home to the Capitals since 1997, has a seating capacity of approximately 18,573 for hockey games and is known for its energetic atmosphere during key matchups.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT). The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+, with local coverage on RDS/TSN (Canadiens) and MNMT (Capitals), and radio options including 98.5 FM (Montreal) and WFED 1500 AM (Washington).

Recent Team Forms

The Canadiens have been one of the league’s hotter teams, going 8-2-0 in their last 10 games with a focus on offensive depth and timely scoring (averaging 3.8 goals per game in that stretch). They’ve won four straight, including a comeback effort against Vancouver. The Capitals, conversely, are 4-5-1 in their last 10, with defensive issues allowing 3.2 goals against per game and recent losses highlighting injury impacts.

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last five games:

TeamDateOpponentResultKey Performers
Montreal CanadiensJan 12, 2026vs. Vancouver CanucksW 6-3Alexander Carrier: 2 G; Cole Caufield: 1 G, 2 A; Samuel Montembeault: 28 SV
Montreal CanadiensJan 10, 2026vs. Detroit Red WingsL 0-4Juraj Slafkovsky: 4 SOG; Montembeault: 23 SV
Montreal CanadiensJan 8, 2026at New York RangersW 3-2Nick Suzuki: 1 G, 1 A; Kirby Dach: GWG
Montreal CanadiensJan 6, 2026vs. Toronto Maple LeafsW 4-1Caufield: 2 G; Mike Matheson: 2 A
Montreal CanadiensJan 4, 2026at Ottawa SenatorsW 5-3Slafkovsky: 2 G; Suzuki: 3 A
Washington CapitalsJan 11, 2026vs. Nashville PredatorsL 2-3Dylan Strome: 1 G; Charlie Lindgren: 30 SV
Washington CapitalsJan 9, 2026vs. Chicago BlackhawksW 5-1Alex Ovechkin: 2 G; Connor McMichael: 1 G, 1 A
Washington CapitalsJan 7, 2026vs. Dallas StarsL 3-4 OTStrome: 2 A; Logan Thompson: 27 SV
Washington CapitalsJan 5, 2026at Anaheim DucksW 7-4Ovechkin: 1 G, 2 A; Aliaksei Protas: 2 G
Washington CapitalsJan 3, 2026vs. Carolina HurricanesL 1-2John Carlson: 1 G

Injury Report

Montreal Canadiens: Josh Anderson (day-to-day, upper body – missed last game but could return), Patrik Laine (IR, abdomen – expected back late February), Jake Evans (IR, lower body – targeting January 27), Alex Newhook (out, ankle), Kirby Dach (questionable, undisclosed). Montreal’s forward depth is tested, but their core remains intact.

Washington Capitals: Tom Wilson (IR, lower body – day-to-day, possible return tonight), Pierre-Luc Dubois (out, abdomen – 6 games missed), Jakob Chychrun (day-to-day, illness/upper body), Justin Sourdif (day-to-day, upper body). Washington’s scoring punch is diminished without Wilson and Dubois, putting pressure on their blue line.

These absences could favor Montreal’s speed if Washington’s defense falters.

Key

Player Matchups

This contest spotlights offensive stars against stout defenses, with Montreal’s young guns testing Washington’s experience.

Alex Ovechkin (WSH) vs. Lane Hutson (MTL): Ovechkin (leading Capitals with 28 goals) brings power and shot volume, but Hutson’s agility (top rookie defenseman with 25 assists) could limit his space in the offensive zone.

Nick Suzuki (MTL) vs. Dylan Strome (WSH): Suzuki (45 points, recent multi-point games) faces Strome (40 points), in a center battle that could control faceoffs (Suzuki 55% win rate) and transition play.

Cole Caufield (MTL) vs. John Carlson (WSH): Caufield’s sniping (22 goals) vs. Carlson’s veteran presence (30 assists) – expect this to influence power plays, where Montreal ranks 8th league-wide.

Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) vs. Rasmus Sandin (WSH): Slafkovsky’s physicality (15 goals, 200+ hits) challenges Sandin’s mobility on the blue line.

Goaltending: Samuel Montembeault (MTL) vs. Charlie Lindgren (WSH): Montembeault (2.45 GAA recently) vs. Lindgren (2.78 GAA) – Montreal’s edge here if injuries force Washington to over-rely on backups.

Montreal’s youth could exploit Washington’s depleted lineup.

Series History

The Canadiens hold a slight all-time edge with 87 wins to Washington’s 90 in 196 regular-season meetings (with 17 ties and 2 OT losses for Washington). Montreal has dominated recently, winning 4 of the last 7, though Washington has a 3-game winning streak entering this season’s series. At Capital One Arena, the Capitals are 48-43-8 against Montreal. Games average 5.9 total goals, often featuring high-scoring third periods.

Betting Trends

Spread: Montreal is 7-3 ATS in last 10, covering in 6 of 8 road games. Capitals are 4-6 ATS overall but 12-9 ATS at home.

Moneyline: Montreal has won 4 straight as underdogs.

Over/Under: Over hitting in 6 of the last 10 head-to-heads. Canadiens games have gone over in 7 of last 10; Capitals in 4 of 10.

Trends: Montreal is 8-2 SU in last 10 (+6.5 units), while Capitals are 1-4 SU in last 5 home games vs. Atlantic teams. Player props favor Ovechkin over 0.5 goals (-120) and Suzuki over 0.5 assists (-110).

Game Odds

Montreal Canadiens                       6.5

Washington Capitals                      – 155

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning (28-13-3) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (21-14-9)

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The Tampa Bay Lightning (28-13-3) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (21-14-9) in an Eastern Conference clash that features a red-hot Lightning team on a 10-game winning streak against a Penguins squad looking to snap a two-game skid. This marks the first meeting of the season between the two, with Tampa Bay’s high-powered offense facing Pittsburgh’s veteran core. Expect a fast-paced game where goaltending and special teams could be decisive, especially with key injuries impacting both sides.

Venue Location

PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This modern arena, opened in 2010, seats about 18,387 for hockey and has been the Penguins’ home since replacing the Civic Arena.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT). Doors open at 6:00 PM ET, with the game broadcast nationally on ESPN+, locally on SN-PIT (Penguins) and BSSUN (Lightning), and radio on 102.5 The Bone (Lightning) and 105.9 The X (Penguins).

Recent Team Forms

The Lightning are on fire with a 10-game win streak, outscoring opponents 42-22 in that span and showcasing elite offense (3.53 GPG, 2nd in NHL). They’ve gone 10-0-0 in their last 10, with strong goaltending from Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Penguins, after a six-game win streak, have dropped two straight shutouts and are 6-2-2 in their last 10, struggling offensively (averaging 2.0 goals in losses).

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last five games:

TeamDateOpponentResultKey Performers
Tampa Bay LightningJan 12, 2026vs. Philadelphia FlyersW 4-3Nikita Kucherov: 2 G, 1 A; Andrei Vasilevskiy: 27 SV
Tampa Bay LightningJan 10, 2026at Philadelphia FlyersW 7-2Brayden Point: 2 G (before injury); Jake Guentzel: 1 G, 2 A
Tampa Bay LightningJan 6, 2026vs. Colorado AvalancheW 4-2Nikita Kucherov: 1 G, 2 A; Victor Hedman: 2 A (before injury)
Tampa Bay LightningJan 4, 2026at New York RangersW 5-3Steven Stamkos: 2 G; Andrei Vasilevskiy: 32 SV
Tampa Bay LightningJan 2, 2026vs. Toronto Maple LeafsW 3-1Brandon Hagel: 1 G, 1 A
Pittsburgh PenguinsJan 11, 2026vs. Boston BruinsL 0-1Joonas Korpisalo: 27 SV; Sidney Crosby: 5 SOG
Pittsburgh PenguinsJan 10, 2026vs. Calgary FlamesL 1-2Evgeni Malkin: 1 G; Dustin Wolf: 25 SV (for CGY)
Pittsburgh PenguinsJan 8, 2026at New Jersey DevilsW 4-1Sidney Crosby: 2 A; Anthony Mantha: 1 G, 1 A
Pittsburgh PenguinsJan 4, 2026vs. Columbus Blue JacketsW 5-4Kris Letang: 1 G, 2 A
Pittsburgh PenguinsJan 3, 2026vs. Detroit Red WingsW 4-1Bryan Rust: 2 G (before injury)

Injury Report

Tampa Bay Lightning: Brayden Point (out, lower-body injury from Jan 12 game), Victor Hedman (out, undisclosed), Ryan McDonagh (out, undisclosed), Emil Martinsen Lilleberg (out, undisclosed), Scott Sabourin (out, undisclosed). The Lightning’s defense is depleted, potentially straining their blue line, but their depth has held up during the streak.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Bryan Rust (day-to-day, lower-body – expected to play), Caleb Jones (IR, lower-body – expected Jan 25), Rutger McGroarty (IR, undisclosed), Carl Hallander (out, leg). Pittsburgh’s forward group is mostly intact, but Rust’s status could impact secondary scoring.

These injuries could force Tampa Bay to rely on younger defensemen, while Pittsburgh might miss Rust’s speed if he sits.

Key

Player Matchups

This game highlights star power on both sides, with Tampa Bay’s explosive forwards testing Pittsburgh’s veteran defense and goaltending.

Nikita Kucherov (TBL) vs. Sidney Crosby (PIT): Kucherov (leading NHL with 62 points) brings multipoint streaks (9 games) against Crosby’s playmaking (5 G, 9 A in last 10). This captain-vs-star matchup could dictate pace.

Jake Guentzel (TBL) vs. Kris Letang (PIT): Guentzel (former Penguin, 25+ points) returns to Pittsburgh, facing Letang’s defensive zone coverage (recent 1 G, 2 A games).

Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) vs. Evgeni Malkin (PIT): Vasilevskiy (top-5 GAA at 2.44) vs. Malkin’s scoring touch (recent GWG) – Pittsburgh’s power play (28.6%, 2nd in NHL) tests Tampa’s PK (83.1%).

Brandon Hagel (TBL) vs. Erik Karlsson (PIT): Hagel’s speed (20+ goals) vs. Karlsson’s offensive defense could create transition opportunities.

Bench Impact: Lightning’s depth (e.g., Steven Stamkos if available) vs. Penguins’ Anthony Mantha (14 G, 15 A) – Tampa’s streak relies on secondary scoring amid injuries.

Tampa Bay’s offense edges out, but Pittsburgh’s home ice and veterans could exploit defensive gaps.

Series History

The Penguins hold a slight all-time edge with 70 wins to the Lightning’s 62 in 132 regular-season meetings (with 8 ties). Pittsburgh has won 28 of 62 home games against Tampa Bay. In the last 10 encounters, Tampa Bay is 4-5-1, but they’ve split the last 4 (2-2-0). Playoff history is even at 1-1 series (Penguins won 2016 ECF, Lightning won 2011 QF). Recent games average 5.8 total goals, often high-scoring.

Betting Trends

Spread: Tampa Bay is 8-2 ATS in last 10, covering in 7 straight road games. Penguins are 4-6 ATS in last 10, but 16-6 ATS at home.

Moneyline: Tampa Bay has won 10 straight as favorites.

Over/Under: Over hitting in 6 of last 10 head-to-heads. Lightning games have gone over in 7 of last 10; Penguins in 5 of 10.

Trends: Lightning are 10-0 SU in last 10, +12.5 units. Penguins 1-4 SU/ATS in last 5. Player props favor Kucherov over 1.5 points (-110) and Crosby over 0.5 assists (-120).

Game Odds

Tampa Bay Lightning                      – 135

Pittsburgh Penguins                       6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026