DENVER — It’s selection time for the Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team and several Colorado Avalanche players could be selected.

Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are locks, but where things could get interesting is in goal.

Will Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong opt for Mackenzie Blackwood, Scott Wedgewood, or possibly both? Or will he choose just one? We’ll find out at 10 a.m. local time here in Colorado.

For now, Blackwood appears to be the favorite—and based on what head coach Jared Bednar has said about his goaltender throughout the season, it’s hard to make a case against him.

Blackwood Has Potential to Be the Best

The 29-year-old Blackwood, who was drafted in the 2nd round (42nd overall) by the New Jersey Devils in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, reached a milestone during Monday’s 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena. Blackwood made his 250th career start and picked up the win and made 23 saves on 25 shots in the process. 

Blackwood had a slow start to the season after missing most of training camp, along with the preseason and the early portion of the regular season, while recovering from offseason lower-body surgery that took longer than anticipated.

His first few starts weren’t particularly impressive, and while head coach Jared Bednar did express some frustration with those early performances, he consistently emphasized that he had the utmost faith in his goaltender to turn things around.

"I hate to sound cruel, but that's a Blacky problem at this point," he stated on Nov. 13 following a 6-3 Avs win over the Buffalo Sabers. "It's not a problem for me; I have lots of confidence in Blacky and I know there's lots of minutes between here and the end of the season, but (Scott Wedgewood) is playing great, so I'm not gonna not play Wedge to play Blacky at this point, so those minutes come in practice and hard work he's been doing that and he'll get his games...Wedge is rested and ready to go for Sunday.”

Bednar gave Blackwood some tough love, but he also reiterated that he knew just how special his goaltender was. And Blackwood has proven that.

Through 15 games, Blackwood owns a 13-1-1 record with a 2.15 goals-against average and a league-best .924 save percentage.

Teammate Scott Wedgewood is tied for the NHL lead in wins with Florida Panthers star Sergei Bobrovsky at 17, while also posting an NHL-best 2.13 goals-against average to go along with a .919 save percentage.

The Avalanche find themselves in a rare and enviable position, with both goaltenders essentially neck-and-neck across every major statistical category. That kind of balance in net is highly unusual.

Olympic Bound

Following Monday’s win over Los Angeles, The Hockey News asked Bednar to address whether Blackwood has another level to reach in his game following the completion of his 250th career game.

“Yes,” Bednar stated plainly. “I do. I think he’s a great goalie in this league and I think he has the potential to be one of the best.”

Our eyes and the stats show that Blackwood is one of the best and in just over half an hour, he could be awarded with the opportunity to represent his country in the Milan Olympic Games. 

As the calendar turns to a new year on Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings are hoping to carry their recent momentum into 2026 after posting their strongest start to a season in years. With each victory, Detroit moves closer to ending a playoff drought that has lasted nearly a decade and achieving the franchise’s long-term goals.

The Red Wings will look to add another win when they face a struggling Winnipeg Jets team that has fallen sharply from its Presidents’ Trophy–winning form and now holds the NHL’s worst record at 15-18-4. Winnipeg will be desperate to stop its slide, so Detroit must be ready for an aggressive effort while also trying to solve Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning league MVP and a back-to-back Vezina Trophy winner. The matchup sets the stage for an exciting showdown that should send hockey fans out of 2025 on a high note.

Lineup Storylines

Detroit recently reassigned sparkplug forward John Leonard to the AHL, creating a need for scoring to come from other areas. That has not been a problem lately, as production has been spread throughout the lineup. Forwards Lucas Raymond, Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, along with defenseman Moritz Seider, are all averaging more than a point per game while there's also been some unexpected contributors like Andrew Copp and Axel Sandin Pellikka that have also made a difference.

Even the bottom of the lineup has chipped in with James van Riemsdyk has scored six goals in his last 11 games, while his linemate Michael Rasmussen has thrived alongside the veteran, entering Wednesday with points in three straight contests on one goal and two assists.

Defensively, the Red Wings have taken noticeable steps forward. During their 14 game surge, they are allowing just 2.79 goals per game, tied for 12th best in the league over that span with Toronto and New York. Detroit will aim to remain disciplined in its own zone and avoid giving any advantages to a Jets team that capitalizes on its chances.

Winnipeg’s offense remains dangerous, led by its star top line of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Gabe Vilardi. The trio has combined for 52 of the Jets’ 106 goals this season, making them one of the most lethal units in the NHL.

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Player & Betting Trends (Presented By BetMGM)

DET ML (-120) | WPG ML (+100)

DET -1.5 (+195) | WPG +1.5 (-238)

O/U 6.0 Goals

The Red Wings and Jets have met just 23 times since Winnipeg’s return to the NHL, and those matchups have consistently tested Detroit. Winnipeg has won nine of the last 13 meetings, including three of the past four games played in Detroit. Despite elite goaltending on both sides, recent history suggests offense could be on display. Five of the last six meetings between these teams have produced six or more goals, pointing toward the possibility of a high scoring affair.

For Detroit, Lucas Raymond appears poised to continue his strong play against Winnipeg. The Swedish winger has found success against Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, posting three goals and six assists for nine points over his last six games versus Winnipeg, including five points across his last two meetings with the Jets.

On the other side, Kyle Connor has been a consistent thorn in Detroit’s side. The Michigan native has tallied eight goals and eight assists for 16 points in his last 11 games against the Red Wings, often reminding his hometown fans of what they are missing since his days at the University of Michigan.

Goalie Matchup

Detroit: John Gibson (Season: 12-8-1 record, 3.06 GAA, .891 SV% | VS WPG: 5-11-3 record, 3.31 GAA, .891 SV% in 20 games)

Winnipeg: Connor Hellebuyck (Season: 9-9-3 record, 2.53 GAA, .908 SV% | VS DET: 7-5-1 record, 2.78 GAA, .909 SV% in 14 games)

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After an eight-game losing streak threatened to derail their season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have begun to get back on track a little bit.

All of a sudden, they've won three out of their last four games. They've scored 19 goals in those four games, and they're getting better goaltending than they were during their losing streak. They're also getting healthier. 

And all of that became very evident in their 5-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. 

Big man Anthony Mantha scored two goals, and linemates Justin Brazeau and Tommy Novak added two more, as the Penguins played their best hockey game since Dec. 1 against the Phildelphia Flyers. The Penguins largely controlled play against the best team in the Metropolitan Division throughout the game, they capitalized on their opportunities, and they were able to shut down the Hurricanes in the final minutes of the third period. In fact, they did not allow a goal in the third period.

Sidney Crosby opened the scoring with his 21st of the season as well, and Stuart Skinner earned his first win in Pittsburgh with a 27-save performance. 

The Penguins now find themselves just two points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and they have games in hand against most teams ahead of them.

Here are some takeaways from this impressive win:

- Mantha and Brazeau have both been revelations for the Penguins this season, and it's amazing how well they work together in tandem. They're both big-bodied, and their size allows them to gain a huge advantage in the danger areas of the ice. 

But it's not just the size. They both have the skill and the finishing ability as well, which is a rare combination. Mantha has a lethal shot and is able to use that advantageously, while Brazeau has soft hands and the ability to get his stick on any pucks thrown in his vicinity. 

Mantha, who has 14 goals and 27 points, is on pace for 30 goals and 57 points, while Brazeau - with 12 goals and 20 points - is on pace for 34 goals and 56 points despite missing 14 games to injury. And the most impressive thing about this is that neither of them have seen time with Sidney Crosby, which is usually the case when wingers are producing at this clip.

And they've also been doing it without Evgeni Malkin this month, which is even more impressive. Novak has done a fine job as second-line center, but the line with Malkin centering it was dominant at the start of the season before Brazeau's injury.

The Penguins' lineup - once Malkin returns and Yegor Chinakhov joins the lineup - will become crowded with scorers and young players with high potential, which is certainly a good problem to have. It gives the Penguins lineup deployment options - and it also makes a few players more expendable in the trade market, should they want to go that route.

Penguins' Biggest Summer Acquisition Hits New Career-HighNew Pittsburgh Penguins' winger Justin Brazeau is putting up the best numbers of his career in Pittsburgh.

- Speaking of Chinakhov, I'm very interested to see what this lineup looks like with him in it. And, especially, with him and Malkin back in the fold. 

Because the second line is playing so well - and, presumably, he'll be ready for Jan. 1 against the Detroit Red Wings - I think a natural spot to start him would be on the third line with Rutger McGroarty and Ben Kindel. That third line has been driving play and playing well on both sides of the puck, but the production has yet to come. Chinakhov could, potentially, help in that department, and it will help ease him into the Penguins' lineup.

Once Malkin comes back? I'm not sure what you do. Novak has been very good for well over a month now, the top line is still producing, the fourth line has been excellent, and McGroarty and Kindel are both playing well enough to remain in the lineup. 

As far as trimming the roster itself, it makes sense to either waive Kevin Hayes or option Ville Koivunen, who could, perhaps, use some more time in the AHL. But the actual lineup is not going to be easy to figure out. 

And when is the last time the Penguins had a problem like this? Honestly, it's hard for me to recall. This team, when healthy, is deep at forward, and it's a wonderful problem to have. 

- The fourth line is playing some great hockey right now. 

Blake Lizotte makes a discernible difference centering that line. Noel Acciari has been playing sound fundamental hockey all season long, and Connor Dewar is the sparkplug that helps energize the line and get it going on the forecheck. 

This is, honestly, a perfect fourth line. If they can maintain this level, it's going to make for some tough decisions as far as the lineup.

- After a string of rough games, Erik Karlsson was much better in this one, as was Kris Letang. I still didn't love Letang's play on Carolina's lone goal, but otherwise, they were much better. 

- The Penguins needed this kind of confidence-building win. Even if they've won three out of their last four, the other two wins came with plenty of flaw. 

That wasn't really the case Tuesday. The Penguins played better defensive hockey, and they were rewarded for it. They also got the goaltending, as Skinner earned his first win as a Penguin. 

They need both of those things - defense and goaltending - to be functional if they hope to make a run at a playoff spot. 

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The Hockey News Ottawa is looking back on some of the biggest Senators news of the 2025  calendar year.  In part two of our walk down memory lane, we're looking at the big news and events from April to June, and there was nothing bigger than the Senators getting back to the postseason for the first time since 2017.

April

The Drought Finally Ends

The Senators clinched a playoff spot for the first time in eight years, closing out the 2024-25 season with a record of 45-37 for 97 points, earning the first wild card and finishing just one point behind the Florida Panthers, the eventual Stanley Cup champions.

The Senators drew the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 1, and unfortunately, they quickly fell behind in the series 3-0, though Games 2 and 3 could have gone either way, with both going to overtime.

To their credit, the Senators didn’t roll over. After winning Game 4 in Ottawa, 4–3 in overtime, Brady Tkachuk left the ice yelling to the crowd, “We’re coming back here.”

The Senators made good on that vow by heading to Toronto for Game 5 and shutting out the Leafs 4–0. However, back in Ottawa for Game 6 (and we’re cheating a little here since it happened on May 1), while the Senators tied the game with two minutes to go on a goal by David Perron, they couldn’t hold on. Max Pacioretty scored with just over five minutes left to eliminate the Senators in six games.

Except for Game 1, all five games that followed could have gone either way. The hope at the time was that the sting of that loss would serve the Senators well in the coming season.

Award Nominees

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs marched on without Ottawa, Perron was named the Senators’ Masterton Trophy nominee. The trophy goes to the player who best exhibits perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication. Perron dealt with injuries last season, but more importantly, he had to step away from the team to be with his family as they successfully helped their newborn daughter through her health challenges.

Meanwhile, Brady Tkachuk was Ottawa’s nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for the third straight year. The award is given annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a significant humanitarian contribution to their community. The trophy is named after King Clancy, a beloved Senators captain from the 1920s, known for his scoring ability, leadership, and toughness. One hundred years later, that description fits Tkachuk to a tee.

Ray Shero Passes

On a sad note, in April 2025, longtime NHL executive Ray Shero passed away at the age of 62. The well-liked Shero was Pittsburgh’s general manager when they won the Stanley Cup in 2009 and served as an assistant GM with the Senators from 1993 to 1998.

May

Exit, Stage Left

As the Senators held their player exit meetings, disappointed to be halted in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they all went their separate ways. It turned out to be the end for free agents  like Adam Gaudette (signed in San Jose), Anton Forsberg (signed in LA), Travis Hamonic (Detroit), Dennis Gilbert (Philadelphia), and Angus Crookshank (New Jersey).

General manager Steve Staios quickly began a busy offseason by signing Nikolas Matinpalo to a two-year contract.

Worlds

Matinpalo was one of several Senators who headed off to the World Hockey Championship. Tim Stützle arrived a little late and played for Team Germany, later admitting he probably should have shut it down for the year after the Senators’ season ended. Shane Pinto suited up for the United States and helped the Americans win gold.

Jacques Talk

Jacques Martin was named to the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame. The former Senators head coach is the winningest coach in team history and returned for a second stint a couple of years ago when DJ Smith was fired. Martin guided the Senators through the remainder of that season before being replaced by Travis Green.

Management Changes

Without getting into specifics as to why, the Senators mutually parted ways with the well-regarded Ryan Bowness, who served as both Belleville’s GM and Ottawa’s associate general manager. Bowness was kept on after Pierre Dorion was fired, but the Sens opted to replace him with former Hamilton Bulldogs GM Matt Turek. Sam Gagner was also named director of player development. Turek replaced

June

The Remote NHL Draft

The Senators made six selections at the 2025 NHL Draft. They entered the draft with the 21st overall pick but traded it to the Nashville Predators for the 23rd and 67th overall picks. With the 23rd selection, they chose defenceman Logan Hensler from the University of Wisconsin.

NHL teams were invited to bring in guests or celebrities to make draft announcements from their home cities, and the Senators opted for comedian Tom Green, who announced the Hensler selection. The Senators then traded the 67th overall pick along with a sixth-round pick in 2026 to the Los Angeles Kings for defenceman Jordan Spence.

Rounds three through seven saw the Senators select Blake Vanek, son of former NHLer Thomas Vanek; Goalie Lucas Beckman, who was traded in December from dead-last Baie-Comeau to first-place Chicoutimi; diminutive Russian forward Dmitri Aitsev; Croatian-born forward Bruno Idzan; and Russian goaltender Andrei Trofimov.

Re-Signings

The Senators re-signed restricted free agent Tyler Kleven to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.6 million.

Toward the end of the month, Claude Giroux signed a one-year extension with a base salary of $2 million, plus bonuses that could bring the total to $4.7 million. Through the first half of the 2025-26 season, he's more than earned his keep.

The Senators also re-signed Levi Marilainen to a one-year contract worth $1 million. He will be a free agent again this summer and is arbitration-eligible.

Olympic Senators

Finally, thoughts began turning to the Olympics when various national hockey federations announced the first six players on their preliminary rosters. Those lists included Ottawa Senators Brady Tkachuk (Team USA), Tim Stützle (Team Germany), and Lars Eller (Team Denmark). Full rosters are expected to be out on New Year's Eve.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

Ottawa Senators Year In Review Part One: January To March