I am still reeling from that Ilya Sorokin performance on Thursday in Edmonton. Ye gods, that was a masterpiece.

But anyway, on to the next one. The Islanders are in Calgary for an afternoon meeting, and David Rittich will start against his former team (though as he noted, there aren’t a lot of former teammates in the other room).

The Flames are a couple steps above the Western basement and seven points below the final wild card spot. They’ve been better-ish of late (5-5 in their last 10) but are still expected to basically tread water for the lottery.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News

• With no Bo Horvat, the Isles are getting by on great goaltending. [Newsday]
• Some timely improvement from Anthony Duclair has also helped. [Post]
• Takeaways, Barzal on Sorokin: “There’s not enough words to describe how good that guy is.” [Isles]
• More discussion of Sorokin on the Tri-State podcast with Arthur Staple. [YouTube]
• Confirmed now, Horvat will not be joining them on this trip. [Post]

Here’s a selection of practice media availabilities from yesterday, including Tony DeAngelo noting that Adam Pelech “may look like a stay-at-home defenseman, but he breaks out like an offensive defenseman,” and Andrew Gross asking Czech David Rittich if he’s “a sentimental guy” as he returns to Calgary:

Today’s opponent: Presented without comment, other than to be rude earworm for your afternoon:

Elsewhere

Last night’s scores included Carolina thumping Florida NINE to one and Tampa Bay finally losing, but still getting a regulation point.

• Another letter! Chris Drury signed a letter to fans about the Smurfs disaster, and I believe he actually wrote it because it was worded weirdly and included em dashes and en dashes within the same sentence. It’s weird how J.T. Miller did not save them. [NHL]
• Dean Evason was blindsided by his firing in Columbus. [Sportsnet]
• Supposedly trade talks are heating up for Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson. [TSN]
• This is an old story resurrected, but: How Moncton got Ted Nolan back into coaching, and eventually a call from the Isles. [Sportsnet]
• The Sabres are feeling the magic. [AP]
• Bourne: Why the Leafs have trouble holding leads. [Sportsnet]

Nashville Predators (23-20-4, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (23-11-12, in the Pacific Division)

Paradise, Nevada; Saturday, 10 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Knights -267, Predators +216; over/under is 6

BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights host the Nashville Predators after Pavel Dorofeyev's two-goal game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Golden Knights' 6-5 overtime win.

Vegas has an 11-6-6 record at home and a 23-11-12 record overall. The Golden Knights have allowed 138 goals while scoring 152 for a +14 scoring differential.

Nashville has a 10-10-2 record in road games and a 23-20-4 record overall. The Predators are 11-3-4 in games decided by one goal.

The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams meet this season. The Predators won 4-2 in the last meeting.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Eichel has 17 goals and 38 assists for the Golden Knights. Mark Stone has nine goals and eight assists over the last 10 games.

Steven Stamkos has 21 goals and 12 assists for the Predators. Ryan O'Reilly has five goals and six assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 6-3-1, averaging 3.8 goals, 6.5 assists, 2.5 penalties and 7.5 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.

Predators: 7-3-0, averaging three goals, five assists, 3.8 penalties and 9.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.

INJURIES: Golden Knights: None listed.

Predators: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Florida Panthers (24-19-3, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Washington Capitals (24-18-6, in the Metropolitan Division)

Washington; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Capitals -141, Panthers +118; over/under is 5.5

BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Capitals and the Florida Panthers hit the ice in Eastern Conference play.

Washington has gone 14-9-3 in home games and 24-18-6 overall. The Capitals have a 10-11-6 record in games their opponents serve fewer penalty minutes.

Florida has gone 10-10-0 in road games and 24-19-3 overall. The Panthers have a -15 scoring differential, with 138 total goals scored and 153 given up.

The teams play Saturday for the third time this season. The Panthers won the last meeting 5-3. Sam Reinhart scored two goals in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Dylan Strome has 11 goals and 25 assists for the Capitals. Justin Sourdif has six goals and four assists over the last 10 games.

Reinhart has 24 goals and 21 assists for the Panthers. Sam Bennett has three goals and six assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Capitals: 4-5-1, averaging 3.4 goals, 6.1 assists, 4.5 penalties and 11.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.

Panthers: 4-5-1, averaging 2.3 goals, 3.5 assists, 6.3 penalties and 16.6 penalty minutes while giving up 3.6 goals per game.

INJURIES: Capitals: None listed.

Panthers: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Blues looked forward to the opportunity to slay the dragon on Friday night, the hottest team in the NHL going in the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Lightning had bolted their way through 11 straight opponents with a hot knife, and the Blues were next on the agenda and with another win, the Lightning would establish a franchise record.

The Blues would have none of that, and it took every ounce of energy and they did it in a fashion they had trouble with all season: doing it in overtime and/or a shootout.

But when Jordan Kyrou scored in the second round of the shootout and Joel Hofer was 3-for-3 in saves, including the final one on Nikita Kucherov in the third round, the Blues put an end to the Lightning’s winning streak at 11 with a 3-2 win at Enterprise Center on Friday.

“It feels great,” Kyrou said. “Obviously we haven’t done that all year. It feels good to get that one.”

Jake Neighbours and Nick Bjugstad scored, and Hofer made 34 saves as the Blues (19-21-8) completed a mini two-game homestand winning both against two of the Eastern Conference’s best.

“We knew it would be a good test, a quick little homestand before a road trip,” Neighbours said. “It was a big point of emphasis for us. Carolina was coming off a back to back, so that game was important and Tampa was on an 11-game win streak coming into tonight. Two big games and guys rose up for the challenge, played a stingy, hard defensive game. Don’t think we had our best tonight by any means, but guys dug in and got it done.”

Let’s look at Friday’s game observations:

* Quick strike first period after not much happening – The ice was tilted for much of the first period toward’s Hofer’s end of the ice.

The Lightning had much of the territorial edge in the first period, and for the Blues, there was a lot of one-and-done. The few times they’d get pucks in and try to attack offensively on the forecheck, it was coming right back out.

But when Neighbours and Bjugstad struck 30 seconds apart to turn a 0-0 game into a 2-0 lead, it allowed them to dictate things for a stretch of the game.

When Neighbours made it 1-0 at 17:03, it was a fortuitous bounce when Kyrou’s shot from the high slot deflected to Neighbours at the bottom of the right circle, but the Blues were finally able to get to the middle of the ice when Cam Fowler dropped it to Kyrou for the shot and Neighbours finish:

JAKE NEIGHBOURS GRABS THE LEAD! #stlbluespic.twitter.com/XJfWyk3828

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 17, 2026

And when the Bjugstad line with Pavel Buchnevich and Jonatan Berggren put a puck in deep and had an effective forecheck, effectively turning it over from Charlie-Edouard D’Astous behind the net and Buchnevich feeding Bjugstad for a high-slot wrister that made it 2-0 at 17:33:

We didn't even get the highlight from the last goal done before this happened. pic.twitter.com/T1CtKZcfg8

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 17, 2026

“Part of the way our defense and our systems are built is if teams are keeping the puck that we can keep them to the outside and not allow a lot of high-danger chances,” Neighbours said. “I thought we did a pretty good job of that, especially early in the first period, kind of allowed us to get our legs under us a little bit. Obviously getting a couple goals at the end of the first was big for confidence and mojo going into the second.”

* Blues were managing game well ... until penalties struck, including one bad one – The Blues had gotten close to the midway point of the game holding a two-goal lead against a potent and balanced offense, but when Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker each took a tripping minor, that’s asking for trouble.

Especially Walker, whose careless trip could have been prevented, especially when the Blues were doing an excellent job at killing off the initial minor. Walker had the puck along the wall near the Blues bench, and with the final seconds ticking down on Toropchenko’s penalty, all Walker had to do was dump the puck down below the goal line and the Lightning almost surely would not have had time to score. But instead, he tried to pull the puck around Oliver Bjorkstrand and ended up tripping him, giving the Lightning, which was sixth in the league at 28.6 percent during its 11-game win streak, the chance to get right back in the game.

It wasn’t much time, but the Lightning had 12 seconds of a two-man advantage and needed only eight ticks when Kucherov one-timed a Brandon Hagel no-look pass by Hofer at 9:59 to make it 2-1.

Not only did it put the Lightning back in the game, but it gave Tampa Bay 1:52 of another full man advantage and the Lightning took advantage when Bjorkstrand tied the game 2-2 at 11:01, so feeling like they had firm control of the game, the Blues lost their grip.

All due to one mishap that could have been avoided.

“Nathan Walker’s an incredible team-first guy who would do anything to win a game,” Montgomery said. “I know he knows that. We don’t have to talk to him about that. He was trying to do a positive thing and it wasn’t the right game management at the time in the second period.”

The Blues didn’t feel like it was time to panic.

“After they tied it, it’s just … that’s Kucherov,” Neighbours said. “That’s that power play. It’s hard to stop even when you know what’s coming. That’s what elite players do, that’s what good power plays do. We knew 5-on-5, we didn’t mind our game. We thought we had a chance and if we could get it back to that and stay with that, we had a good chance.”

Walker led all skaters with six hits in the game, and he does play with a big heart, but that miscue could have cost the Blues two points. Consider it a lesson learned.

* Hofer being Hofer – Right now, the Blues goalie is playing with a lot of confidence in his game.

The Lightning, like the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, were throwing a lot of rubber at Hofer, and getting bodies to the net.

He made two really good saves on Jake Guentzel in the first period and was able to snap a shot from the point by Max Crozier looking one way and catching it in another with Anthony Cirelli right in his grill.

“I saw the release,” Hofer said. “It definitely makes it easier.

“I feel good. Just trying to keep building. Even during the good games, trying to take a thing or two and keep working on them and keep building my game. It’s been going good.”

Since Nov. 29, Hofer is 9-4-0 with a league-best 2.06 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.

“He’s playing big in the nets,” Montgomery said. “He’s making tough saves look easy. That gives you a lot of confidence on the bench, especially the players in front of him.”

* More directness in OT – There was a reason why the Blues were 0-6 (0-8 if you count shootouts) in overtime this season. There was no direct play towards the oppositions goal.

Whether it be passing up shots, not playing north-south, not attacking the net with a purpose, you name it, the Blues were all over it.

They did outshoot Tampa Bay 4-2 in the extra session and had a couple different chances to win it but came up just a little short before Kyrou would strike in the shootout to preserve the win.

“I thought we were more direct offensively, yes,” Montgomery said. ‘I still think we were passing up too many shots, too many turnovers going east-west. When you’re playing these elite teams, they cover the middle of the ice really well, and that led to not as much O-zone time as we would have liked.”

The Blues practiced both 3-on-3 and shootout attempts Thursday in practice and it seemed to pay off, despite the futility amongst themselves on the pracrice ice.

“Yesterday we worked on it and I thought today, we were attacking,” Kyrou said, who had two terrific chances, one blocked by JJ Moser and missing the net in the final second off a face-off win. “We were not staying back. We were being aggressive shooting the puck more. I thought we looked a lot better in overtime.”

* Making the shootout count for a change – This was only the Blues’ third shootout of the season, and they were 0-for-6 combined in shootout attempts in losses to the Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks.

But Kyrou changed all that in the second round when he scored just his fifth career shootout goal (on 22 attempts) in his career, when he stickhandled to Vasilevskiy and flipped a backhand home for his fourth game-winner:

JORDAN KYROU SAYS THANK YOU AND GOODNIGHT pic.twitter.com/aN1i7u11YP

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 17, 2026

“He’s a big goalie, hard to score on,” Kyrou said of Vasilevskiy. “I just tried to move him as much as I can and raise the puck.”

Kyrou, who hasn’t scored in 12 games (including 10 since returning from a lower-body injury but does have four assists), finished tied with Jimmy Snuggerud and Justin Faulk with four shots on goal.

“I think this has been four consecutive games where Jordan Kyrou has played his four best consecutive games in a row,” Montgomery said. “His shot-first mentality and the assist on the (No.) 63 goal. He’s trying to shoot pucks, he’s being very aggressive offensively, and I like the way he’s tracking and stripping people from behind right now.”

* Bjugstad’s draws – When Montgomery sent Bjugstad over the boards to start the overtime and take the opening draw, there was a purpose.

The big center won 13 of 19 from the dot (68 percent for the night), at one point being 10 of 12. But Montgomery didn’t care that he lost a few down the stretch.

The Blues were wanting the puck to begin OT, and they got it off Bjugstad’s face-off win and possession to do what they’d like.

“Based off be was 10-3 after two periods on face-offs,” Montgomery said. “Some nights, you just win all the draws. It’s just the timing’s on. He had one of those nights and he came up with three big wins in overtime.”

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Los Angeles Kings  (19-16-12) earned a point tonight against the Anaheim Ducks (23-21-3) at home, but missed another chance of closing out the game when it got tight, falling 3-2 to Anaheim after leading 2-0 late in the second period. 

Despite Los Angeles controlling large stretches of the game and the numbers on the stat sheet looking similar, the Kings once again proved they can't be trusted when the game gets close, as Mason McTavish sealed the win in the shootout. 

Final from the Shootout in LA. #GoKingsGopic.twitter.com/wZpCkYYtWk

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 17, 2026

Byfield and Armia Power the Kings to an Early 2-0 Lead

Los Angeles opened the scoring just over a minute into the first period when Quinton Byfield buried a wrist shot for his eighth goal of the season. Joel Armia, who returned from injury tonight after missing the last five games, quickly made his presence felt on the ice for the Kings, burying his 10th goal of the season in the second period, keeping the Kings in firm control of the game. 

At this point, it looked like the Kings had a firm grip on the game, generating great looks and consistent pressure off the rush and in the offensive zone. But, it wouldn't be a Kings game if it didn't go down to the wire. 

WELCOME BACK ARMY pic.twitter.com/RblN5j7ehb

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 17, 2026

Late-Second Period Collapse Continues Troubling Trend

The game turned quickly late in the second period, a period that continues to haunt the Kings all season. 

Ryan Strome and Tim Washe (who scored his first NHL goal) found the net against Darcy Kuemper, tying the game 2-2 just like that, putting the pressure on Los Angeles after having a commanding 2-0 lead. 

Los Angeles has now surrendered 50 goals in the second period this season and owns a minus -10 goal differential in the frame, an awful stat to resurface at such a critical moment. 

Not the best couple of minutes in late 2nd for Darcy Kuemper, Strome and Washe (1st NHL goal) on low danger chances.
2 in 2:44 for Anaheim in a frame that Kings have been subpar all season (50 GA -10 goal differential). LA have lost 11 of 16 when tied after 2.
2 2 after 40

— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) January 17, 2026

Kings Again Struggle When Games Are Tied After 40

The collapse after building a two-goal lead carried into another frustrating reality. The Kings have now lost 12 of 17 games that are tied after two periods, a big issue that keeps recurring when games are close and momentum swings to the opposition. 

After 40 minutes, the game was tied 2-2. Despite Los Angeles controlling large stretches of possession and generating more quality looks, the game was tied. 

Scoreless Third Leads to OT

Neither team scored in the third period or overtime, despite Kevin Fiala having a breakaway fast-break opportunity, but he lost control of the puck under the Ducks' defensive pressure. 

LA and Anaheim had good luck in overtime, but give credit to both goaltenders for saving the game and sending it to a shootout. 

Anaheim ultimately would prevail when McTavish beat Kuemper to secure a 3-2 Ducks win. 

Both the Kings and Ducks finished with identical numbers at the end of the game: 28 shots and 50% on faceoffs, but neither team scored a power-play goal tonight. 

Despite strong efforts from Fiala and Armia, the Kings once again walked away with just one point after failing to close out a winnable game. This loss becomes very concerning for the Kings because it's the same away Los Angeles keeps losing, strong starts are no longer enough if they can't execute late-game situations.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Carolina Hurricanes played one of their most entertaining games of the season as they thoroughly dominated the Stanley Cup Champion, Florida Panthers, 9-1 on Friday night at the Lenovo Center.

Nikolaj Ehlers had a hattrick, goaltender Brandon Bussi picked up another win, (17-3-1) and every Carolina forward had at least one point in the shellacking.

The Panthers were missing some key players due to injuries but this win has to help the Hurricanes get over the mental block which they seemed to have when they played this team.

The home team dominated the first period but skated into the dressing room with a slim 1-0 lead.

Ehlers scored the first goal off an absolutely beautiful no-look pass by Jordan Staal.

The Panthers tied the score early in the second period off an odd play but that would be it for the visitors.

Later in the period, Mark Jankowski knocked in a rebound off of a blast by Alexander Nikishin to make it 2-1.

A couple minutes later, Nikishin rocketed another shot during a powerplay that got by Bobrovsky to make it 3-1 and the Canes never looked back. The shot was clocked at 92 MPH.

Speaking of the powerplay, the team officially went 4 of 5 for the night and the penalty kill was perfect, 0-5.

In the previous two meetings against the Panthers, the Canes gave up multi-goal leads in the third period and ended up losing, but that was not happening on this night.

Andrei Svechnikov sniped another PP goal to start things off in the third. A bit later, Ehlers scored another powerplay tally, his second of the night.

Just 21 seconds later, Taylor Hall scored yet another powerplay goal to make it 6-1, but the Canes were not done yet.

Next up, Ehlers scored his third and the hats rained down upon the Lenovo Center ice.

Hall then scored again and 10 seconds later, Eric Robinson made it 9-1 and the celebrations started.

There were several heroes in this game and the team was physical throughout.

The Canes outshot the Panthers, 33-16. They outhit them 30-19 and were dominant in the faceoff circle winning 66% for the game.

Jordan Staal was finishing his checks from start to finish and was awarded six hits. Sean Walker was very physical in this one as well and also had a team high six hits.

Panther, Donovan Sebrango took exception to one heavy hit and went after Walker. The defenseman answered the bell as the two dropped the gloves until Walker took him down. According Cory Lavalette, it was Walker’s first career NHL fight.

It was the first game that Ehlers played on the same line with Staal and Martinook. After the game when asked about it, he said he was looking forward to it.

“The way they play, the way they battle and get pucks out, I knew I would get more space out there. And that is something I was looking for.”

Nikishin had one of his best games in the NHL with a goal and an assist.

I could on and on about this game but there is another one coming up soon enough as the Hurricanes traveled after this game to New Jersey, where they will play yet another back-to-back scenario.

Highlights –

Game Summary – https://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20252026/GS020750.HTM

Event Summary – https://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20252026/ES020750.HTM

Interviews – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/r35274bouvc0q27f31mj5/AKobUUxYC-vDTaBijkYSa6c?rlkey=fcw0dlqydmy9j1s7meiynccw7&e=1&st=zwc2w0jn&dl=0

DENVER — After winning 17 consecutive games at Ball Arena, the Colorado Avalanche have now dropped back-to-back contests on home ice.

Colorado suffered a 7–3 loss to the Nashville Predators on Friday night, marking the second time this season the Predators have defeated the Avalanche—more than any other NHL opponent.

Ryan O’Reilly led Nashville with a hat trick and four-point performance. Filip Forsberg added a goal and two assists, Roman Josi recorded three helpers, and Michael Bunting also found the back of the net. Juuse Saros was sharp throughout, stopping 39 shots.

For Colorado, Brock Nelson scored twice, while Martin Nečas tallied his 22nd goal of the season. Mackenzie Blackwood made 23 saves in his return from injured reserve.

Bednar Displeased with Effort

Head coach Jared Bednar typically finds something to build on following a loss. Friday night was not one of those occasions.

“There were no positives about this game,” Bednar said with a subtle chuckle. “I hated that game from start to finish, pretty much.

“We got slightly better in the second period and okay at the start of the third, but it wasn’t enough to win the hockey game, so there’s nothing I liked.”

Given the trade rumors surrounding O'Reilly, The Hockey News put Bednar on the spot and asked him if he or anyone else has put any thought into acquiring him. Bednar was succinct in his response.

"I have no idea," he said flatly. "That's not my department. If they keep playing like that, they won't be trading anybody."

First Period

O’Reilly opened the scoring just 30 seconds into the game, winning a faceoff against Nathan MacKinnon before taking a feed from Forsberg and beating Blackwood with a quick backhand.

Nearly a minute later, Nelson answered for Colorado, tying the game at 1–1 after hammering home a rebound off a Brent Burns point shot. The goal was his team-leading seventh of the month and 23rd of the season.

At the 7:32 mark, O’Reilly struck again. His sharp-angle attempt from the side of the net deflected off Sam Girard’s stick and past Blackwood, restoring Nashville’s one-goal advantage.

Colorado responded just over four minutes later when Nelson buried his second of the night, redirecting Josh Manson’s wrist shot from the point past Saros to even the score at 2–2.

Despite the deadlock after 20 minutes, the Avalanche dictated much of the play, outshooting Nashville 17–10 in the opening frame.

Second Period

Jack Drury nearly gave Colorado the lead midway through the period, setting up Victor Olofsson for a blistering one-timer from the right circle, but Saros came up with a timely save.

Just over a minute later, the Avalanche came within inches again as Burns fired a point shot that kicked off Saros and trickled toward the goal line. Neither Nelson nor Ross Colton could reach the loose puck before Saros sprawled to cover, aided by a collapsing defense.

With under seven minutes remaining, O’Reilly completed the hat trick against his former club, deftly deflecting a Luke Evangelista shot past Blackwood to give Nashville a 3–2 lead.

Moments later, a costly offensive-zone turnover by Valeri Nichushkin sprung a Nashville 2-on-1 rush. Bunting capitalized, snapping a top-shelf wrist shot to extend the Predators’ advantage to 4–2.

Colorado entered the third period trailing by two despite holding a commanding 32–21 edge in shots on goal.

Third Period

The Avalanche wasted little time pushing back. Just 65 seconds into the period, MacKinnon found Nečas in the slot, and the Czech winger ripped a wrist shot that Saros couldn’t track, pulling Colorado within one.

Colorado unraveled late in the period. Zakhar Bardakov was whistled for interference on a questionable call, and Nashville capitalized on the ensuing power play when Forsberg snapped a top-shelf shot from the right circle off a feed from O’Reilly to make it 5–3.

Steven Stamkos added an empty-net goal moments later to extend the lead. After Cole Smith was called for slashing Bardakov, Colorado went back to the power play and elected to pull the goaltender again.

That decision backfired. Cale Makar turned the puck over at the blue line, allowing Michael McCarron to break free and score a rare shorthanded empty-net goal, sealing a 7–3 Nashville victory.

Next Game

The Avalanche (33-5-8) have now lost four of their last six games and will look to rebound Monday against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (24-18-6). Coverage begins at 2 p.m. local time.