The Winnipeg Jets were outmatched Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning and fell 4-1 in a decisive loss. The defeat adds to a string of struggles for the Jets, who have now lost five of their last seven games just as they were beginning to gain momentum.
Winnipeg's trajectory continues downward and could worsen with their challenging remaining schedule. The Jets currently hold a 21-25-7 record, tied with the St. Louis Blues for the third-worst record in the Western Conference.
They still face difficult matchups, including three more games against the Colorado Avalanche, two against the Dallas Stars, and single games against the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Tampa Bay Lightning, the team that just defeated them.
The Jets' road ahead will not get easier and their chances of climbing out of the league basement are diminishing. Time is also running short for the organization to make key decisions about the team’s direction.
According to insiders at TSN, the Jets are still trying to compete and see if they can make a playoff push. Meanwhile, the Olympic trade freeze begins next Wednesday, a period when many believe trades will start to take shape. Once the Olympics conclude, the trade deadline follows on March 6.
They must act quickly as the team can either make moves to strengthen the roster and attempt a turnaround or trade pending free agents and begin planning for next season. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff faces a shrinking window to make decisions. Acting promptly would give him the ability to field trade offers and pursue players without being rushed.
The next two games before the trade freeze will provide insight into the team’s strategy, as the Jets face the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on the road followed by a matchup with one of the top teams in the conference, the Dallas Stars.
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According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Detroit Red Wings have clear trade priorities as they approach the Olympic trade freeze and the March 6 trade deadline. Reports indicate that GM Steve Yzerman is focused on acquiring a second-line center and a top-four defenseman. With multiple players available at both positions, it will be interesting to see which direction Detroit ultimately takes.
On Friday, we highlighted three potential options for the Red Wings at second-line center, including some surprising names. This time, we turn our attention to the defensive side of the roster and examine several options Detroit could explore.
Similar to the approach with centers, the team could target veteran players with little contract term to provide short-term help without blocking the development of prospects. Alternatively, they could pursue players with longer contracts, which aligns with Yzerman’s preference and could give Detroit a meaningful asset for years to come.
With that in mind, we have identified several potential targets across these approaches and narrowed the list to three players who present compelling cases in terms of expected cost, age, and potential impact for the Red Wings.
Justin Faulk
St. Louis has struggled this season, and many expect the Blues to be sellers at the trade deadline. One of their most valuable assets likely to be on the market is 33-year-old defenseman Justin Faulk. A Minnesota native, Faulk has played over 1,000 NHL games and has been an unexpectedly strong offensive contributor this season, recording 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 54 games.
Faulk is the oldest defender among the candidates but also the most experienced as a top-four defenseman, consistently playing 22 to 24 minutes per game in all but one of his 15 NHL seasons. He is a three-time All-Star with Stanley Cup experience and still has plenty to offer, making him an attractive option for a Red Wings team seeking a veteran presence who can contribute offensively.
While he carries a $6.5 million cap hit with two years remaining on his contract, acquiring Faulk could be a bold move that strengthens the Red Wings’ defensive depth.
He could pair effectively with Albert Johansson on the bottom pairing, adding stability while allowing Jacob Bernard-Docker to move into a seventh-defenseman role and fill in on either side when needed, as he recently did for the injured Simon Edvinsson on the top pairing. Faulk’s offensive ability could also provide an additional scoring threat on the ice, potentially boosting the team’s overall attack.
The pending restricted free agent from New York would likely require the biggest investment of any player on this list but could also have the most impact. The 24-year-old Saskatchewan native has shown flashes as a solid defensive defenseman for the Rangers in recent years.
However, the transition to the system and structure under newly hired coach Mike Sullivan has not suited Schneider’s style of play. Many believe that if given the opportunity with a new team, the former 19th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft could return to form as a reliable defender.
Still very young, Schneider has the potential to develop into an effective top-four defenseman for years to come. Being a restricted free agent under team control this summer means any team pursuing him will need to impress Chris Drury and New York’s management.
Detroit is one of the few teams with the draft picks, prospects, and assets to make a trade for Schneider feasible, though it will ultimately depend on whether they feel a deal offers enough value.
Logan Stanley
The Winnipeg Jets are in the midst of one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds in NHL history, though not in the way you might expect. Unlike the football example of Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers, the Jets went from Stanley Cup contenders and Presidents’ Trophy winners last season to one of the league’s worst teams this year.
One of the few bright spots has been pending free agent Logan Stanley, a former 18th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. While he might not fit into the Red Wings’ top-four, Stanley could be a solid addition to the bottom pairing.
He is primarily a left-shot defenseman, which does not align perfectly with Detroit’s reported preference for right-handed defensemen, although he can play both sides and the Red Wings may already exploring the possibility of acquiring him.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that the Red Wings and Jets have a match in potential trade discussions. While Friedman did not confirm which player has been the focus, he speculated it could be either Stanley or veteran Luke Schenn.
At 27, Stanley is the younger and longer-term option compared to 36-year-old Schenn. This season, Stanley is enjoying a career year with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 52 games, mainly on the bottom pairing.
Standing six-foot-seven, Stanley would give Detroit a second towering presence on defense alongside Simon Edvinsson. He likely will not cost much unless a bidding war develops. Adding him would provide valuable depth and could allow the Red Wings to bring him back if he proves to be a solid fit at an agreeable number for both sides.
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With the NHL's Olympic break and the trade deadline approaching, the Los Angeles Kings have been linked to a couple of forwards.
There have been plenty of reports regarding New York Rangers star left winger Artemi Panarin and Vancouver Canucks left winger Evander Kane.
On Friday's episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast with Elliotte Friedman, the NHL insider took a deeper dive into where the Kings' organization stands in terms of how they would like to operate going into the deadline.
Friedman said that in relation to the trade rumors for Kane from Vancouver, Los Angeles' front office was asking themselves the "hard questions."
"There were some rumors about the Kings and Evander Kane," Friedman said on the podcast. "One of the things I heard is that the Kings were looking at where they are, and they were saying, 'Does it really make sense for us to give up some of our assets for short-term fixes? (Does) it really makes sense for us to give up our future assets at all?'
"I believe internally that organization has been asking some hard questions about where they really are and what is their smartest path," Friedman added.
For the past month, the Kings have been hopping in and out of a playoff spot due to inconsistent play, and they have one of the league's worst offenses. They are tied for the second-least goals in the NHL with 134, and are bottom five in power-play percentage at 16 percent.
Despite offensive struggles, Los Angeles isn't in the worst spot to qualify for the post-season with all circumstances considered. The Kings are two spots out of the post-season, but are just two points behind the Anaheim Ducks, who own the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference and have two games in hand on their state rivals.
Friedman also admitted that the Kings have trouble scoring, and while the team has talented offensive wingers in Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe, Panarin could help with those struggles.
However, along with the interest in Panarin comes the consequence of acquiring an aging player who is currently 34 years old and wants to sign an extension with whatever team he gets moved to this year.
The Sportsnet insider noted that the possible extension for Panarin, and how big it may be, is what concerns Kings GM Ken Holland.
Nonetheless, it was reported on the podcast that Los Angeles would be open to signing Panarin to an extension as part of the deal. Even with their concerns about how that deal could play out, there's no doubt they'll consider different outcomes for the Rangers superstar.
Artemi Panarin (Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)
"If Panarin drops on (the Kings') laps, I would be very curious to how L.A. would say, 'no, we're not doing this,'" Friedman said.
For the record, Panarin is in the final year of a seven-year contract that pays him $11.6 million against the salary cap. He also has a full no-move clause on his deal, meaning he can pick and choose where he would like to go.
The former Calder Trophy winner has 19 goals and 57 points this season for the Blueshirts in 52 appearances.
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Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand was forced to exit last night’s game against the St. Louis Blues with an undisclosed injury.
Coach Paul Maurice spoke to the media following the game, stating that Marchand would be looked at “tonight and tomorrow,” per Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards.
Marchand had skated in just 11:19 of ice time before exiting the game. The 37-year-old had played the first two periods but did not join the team when they took the ice for the third period.
Marchand had recently returned after missing six games following a collision with Toronto Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann. He played four games in his return, scoring two goals and four points. This season, Marchand has notched 25 goals and 50 points in 45 games.
The Panthers now find themselves eight points back of the Boston Bruins for the second wild card spot, although they have played two fewer games than the Bruins. If Marchand is out long-term, it would greatly affect the Panthers’ chances of making the playoffs.
It would also affect his ability to play for Team Canada at the Olympics. The NHL pauses its schedule in a week, and the Panthers are set to play four more games.
More information will hopefully be provided when the Panthers practice and Maurice speaks to the media.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins practiced without two of their franchise cornerstones on Friday.
Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang missed Friday's practice, and the Penguins' PR account tweeted that there would be an update on their statuses on Saturday.
Forward Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang will not practice today. Their statuses will be updated tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/as1DAv0noI
The Columbus Blue Jackets travel to Chi-Town for a matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.
Adam Fantilli has registered at least three shots in seven of his past eight games, and my Blue Jackets vs. Blackhawks predictions see the Columbus forward building on those totals in a high-paced matchup.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Friday, January 30.
Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from the United Center in Chicago, with the game airing on FDSN Ohio and CHSN.
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks prediction
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks best bet:Adam Fantilli Over 2.5 shots (-130)
Adam Fantilli has piled up the shots with Columbus Blue Jackets teammate Rick Bowness behind the bench. He has averaged 3.4 shots on goal through seven games while going Over his total in six of them.
That includes successful showings against the Flyers, Lightning, and Senators, all of whom play a slower pace and/or are among the best shot suppression sides in the NHL.
Fantilli’s production in those matchups makes it easy to get excited about his chances of success against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago ranks 26th in shots allowed per game this season and is showing no signs of improvement. In fact, the Blackhawks sit 29th in shot suppression over the past 10 games.
Fantilli has fared remarkably strong against Bottom-10 shot suppression teams, recording three shots or more in 11 straight contests.
Given the Blackhawks have also allowed the fifth-most shots to centers over their last 10, this is not a spot I’d expect Fantilli to slow down.
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks same-game parlay
Fantilli sits second on the Blue Jackets in shots on goal (56) and expected goals (7.27) over his last 19 appearances. He is a 12.4% shooter through 183 NHL games and has an excellent release. This drought isn’t going to last, and this is a good matchup to find the net.
The Blue Jackets have allowed 3+ goals in five of seven games under Bowness. One of the exceptions came against a lifeless Canucks team that sits dead last in the NHL.
They can still be exploited, and Connor Bedard has assists in five of his last six vs. teams ranking Bottom-10 in shots allowed, goals allowed, or both.
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks SGP
Adam Fantilli Over 2.5 shots
Adam Fantilli anytime goalscorer
Connor Bedard Over 0.5 assists
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks odds
Moneyline: Blue Jackets -145 | Blackhawks +125
Puck Line: Blue Jackets -1.5 (+165) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-200)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120)
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks trend
Adam Fantilli has generated 3+ shots in three straight games against Chicago. Find more NHL betting trends for Blue Jackets vs. Blackhawks.
How to watch Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Friday, January 30, 2026
Puck drop
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Ohio, CHSN
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins has won each of his past three full starts, posting a .922 save percentage and stopping at least 24 shots in each game.
With Columbus allowing the second-most shots per game (30.6), the Chicago Blackhawks will keep Merzlikins busy on home ice.
The Blackhawks allow the seventh-most shots per game (29.7), while the Blue Jackets generate the third-most (30.3), so I expect Spencer Knight to be busy tonight.
Chicago's tendy has been solid all season, posting a .910 SV%, a 2.59 GAA, and 27.03 goals saved above expected across 36 contests.
Columbus defenseman Ivan Provorov has recorded two or more shots in 11 of his past 14 games while logging a monster 25:07 of ice time.
His 6.14 shots per 60 minutes during the run also rank 13th among all regular blueliners, and Chicago is currently allowing the most shots per outing to D-men.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Detroit Red Wings’ trade priorities recently came into focus after TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that the team is actively searching for a second-line center and a top-four defenseman. With a number of players available at both positions, it will be fascinating to see which path Detroit ultimately chooses.
Detroit could pursue veteran options at each spot, allowing them to part with fewer assets, add short-term help, and avoid blocking future prospects from reaching the NHL. Alternatively, they could package those prospects in a blockbuster deal to land a long-term solution capable of anchoring the second-line center role for years to come.
With that in mind, we’ve identified several potential targets GM Steve Yzerman could explore, breaking down the expected cost, age, and potential impact each player could bring to Detroit.
Nazem Kadri
Recent reports indicate that Nazem Kadri has informed the Calgary Flames he would be open to a trade. The 35-year-old center has often been a driving force on an inconsistent Flames roster, and when deployed full-time in a top-six role, he has consistently delivered. Kadri has settled in as a reliable 60 to 70 point producer with upside that can still reach the 80 point range.
While he is significantly older than many of the other options on the market, Kadri fits the profile of a short-term second-line center Detroit could target. He is a player who can contribute immediately without blocking the path for future prospects and would provide steady production for the next two to three seasons.
Kadri has three years remaining on his contract after this season, carrying a $7 million cap hit. While the rising salary cap may soften that number over time, declining production in later years could still make the deal difficult to justify. As a result, Calgary would likely need to retain salary, or Detroit could look to expand the deal beyond Kadri alone.
With the Red Wings also seeking defensive depth, defenseman Zach Whitecloud stands out as a logical add-on. Acquired by the Flames in the Rasmus Andersson deal, Whitecloud has begun to draw interest around the league. The 29-year-old carries a very team-friendly $2.75 million cap hit for the next three seasons and profiles as a dependable top-four option.
Since joining Calgary, Whitecloud has been logging heavy minutes, averaging between 23 and 25 per game through his first five contests. During that stretch, he has been on the ice for two goals for and three against while recording an assist. Including Whitecloud in a larger Kadri deal would allow Detroit to address two major needs at once and eliminate the need for a secondary move.
Insiders have reported that the Columbus Blue Jackets are receiving significant interest in Charlie Coyle, and for good reason. The 33-year-old veteran center has been a steady presence for 16 NHL seasons, experiencing both highs and lows throughout his career. Coyle established himself as a consistent 45 to 60 point producer during his final seasons with the Boston Bruins before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
Now in his first season with Columbus, Coyle has begun to rediscover his form. He has recorded 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 52 games and is on pace to surpass the 55 point mark for just the third time in his career. That level of production could draw strong interest from teams that view him as a legitimate second-line center option.
Unlike a potential Nazem Kadri deal, Coyle is unlikely to be packaged with a defenseman. However, he is slightly younger and is a pending unrestricted free agent carrying a $5.25 million cap hit. That status could make him a riskier but lower cost acquisition, as he could choose to test free agency this July.
One possible solution would be for Detroit to acquire Coyle with an extension already in place, allowing him to serve as the Red Wings’ second-line center this season and next before eventually transitioning into a bottom-six role as the contract progresses.
At the right price point, Coyle could provide Detroit with a longer-term solution negotiated directly with both the player and the team, making him a meaningful addition for years to come.
The primary concern would be avoiding a repeat of the Andrew Copp or J.T. Compher situations, where value and role become misaligned. However, by controlling the terms of Coyle’s next contract, the Red Wings may be able to mitigate that risk.
The biggest and most high-profile option on the board is an obvious one in St. Louis Blues star center Robert Thomas. At just 26 years old, Thomas has firmly established himself as one of the league’s top young centers, producing consistently in the 75 to 80 point range while posting strong two-way numbers and handling heavy minutes on a largely underwhelming Blues roster.
Selected 20th overall by St. Louis in the 2017 NHL Draft, Thomas has not only met expectations but exceeded them. If the Blues were to move him, it would require a significant return. Acquiring a young, near point-per-game center would be extremely costly, but it also represents the clearest path for Detroit to add a true impact player capable of accelerating the team’s push toward contention. It would easily be the most expensive option on this list.
There is also the possibility of St. Louis including a defenseman in a larger deal, as the Blues have explored moving veteran blueliner Justin Faulk. The 33-year-old defenseman brings extensive top-four experience and could serve as a stabilizing presence in a young Red Wings locker room, similar to the role Ben Chiarot has grown into.
A package featuring both Thomas and Faulk would undoubtedly cost Detroit a combination of high draft picks and top prospects. However, among NHL teams, the Red Wings are one of the few organizations with the assets to construct a deal that St. Louis would seriously consider. The remaining question is whether Detroit is willing to be aggressive enough to pull the trigger on a move of this magnitude.
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Ilya Solovyov appears to be settling in seamlessly with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The former Colorado Avalanche defenseman recorded his first point with his new team Thursday night as the Penguins rolled to a 6–2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at PPG Paints Arena. After a quiet start, Pittsburgh broke the game open late in the first period, scoring six unanswered goals to take firm control.
Solovyov factored into the fifth of those goals. With the Penguins holding a 4–1 lead and the game slipping further out of reach, Solovyov took a pass from Anthony Mantha and quickly set up Ryan Shea for a blistering one-timer from the right circle that beat Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Söderblom.
Nearly two weeks ago, the Avalanche made their first trade of the season, sending Solovyov to the Penguins in exchange for 26-year-old right winger Valtteri Puustinen and Pittsburgh’s 2026 seventh-round draft pick.
Solovyov was claimed off waivers in October and went on to appear in 16 games for Colorado this season, recording one goal and two assists. Prior to the deal, he served as one of the Avalanche’s six healthy defensemen and most recently saw action in an Avs uniform on January 19 against the Washington Capitals, a game that Colorado won 5-2.
Not that the two are related, but since the Solovyov trade, the Avalanche have managed just one win. Colorado is 1–3–1 over its last five games as the team inches closer to the Olympic break.
Puustinen, 26, last appeared in the NHL during the 2024–25 season, playing in 13 games and recording three points. He posted five goals and 20 points in 52 games the previous season.
This year, Puustinen has seven goals and 26 points in 39 AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Since joining the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, he has recorded one point in three games.
The Benefits
If Puustinen earns a call-up to the NHL, he could provide a much-needed boost to what has been a sluggish Avalanche power play this season. The 26-year-old is an elite skater and a standout backchecker, skills that could be a significant asset for Colorado.
The Avalanche currently rank fourth-worst in the league on the man advantage, converting at just 15.7 percent. Only the Calgary Flames (15.5 percent), Philadelphia Flyers (15.5 percent), and Utah Mammoth (15.0 percent) rank lower.
Additionally, Colorado has allowed an NHL-leading nine shorthanded goals this season, with most coming on 2-on-1 rushes — situations that Puustinen is known for breaking up effectively.
From Solovyov’s perspective, the trade to Pittsburgh offers a major benefit: ice time. While he isn’t a bad player, he didn’t stand out enough on a stacked Avalanche roster. On a rebuilding team like the Penguins, he now has the opportunity to develop more fully. In Friday’s game against Chicago, Solovyov logged nearly 17 minutes of ice time, close to his season-high of 17:49, set on January 8 during Colorado’s 8–2 win over the Ottawa Senators. For the season, however, his average ice time with the Avalanche was much lower at 11:34.
Credit: Isaiah J. Downing. When Solovyov scored his first-career NHL goal.
Overall, the trade appears to benefit both teams in different ways. Colorado could eventually see an upgrade on the power play, while Solovyov gains the ice time and responsibility he likely would not have received in Colorado, especially with Devon Toews expected to return from his upper-body injury.
The Vancouver Canucks are the worst team in the National Hockey League as they currently have a record of 18-31-5 with 41 points. The franchise is currently in disarray and they have fully committed to a full on rebuild by trading away superstar Quinn Hughes and forward Kiefer Sherwood. Vancouver is expected to keep tearing down their roster and it's clear that Evander Kane is one of the names that will not finish the season as a Canuck.
Kane has seemingly drawn interest from a handful of teams looking for some added depth for a playoff push. Included in that handful is the Los Angeles Kings. However, pursuing the 34-year-old may not be a move that moves the needle for the Kings.
Why the Kings Should Steer Clear
As of Friday, January 30th, the Los Angeles Kings are 10th in the Western Conference and sit two points out of the second wild card spot. It has been an extremely up and down year for the Kings. Would acquiring a player who is well past his prime like Kane really change anything?
In 53 games with Vancouver this season, Kane has registered nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points. His 23 points would rank him 7th on Los Angeles in points, a team that struggles mightily to score. He is on the NHL's worst team, but those aren't numbers that should make a team want to give up an asset or two to acquire.
Kane is being paid $5.125M this season and is an unrestricted free agent this summer, so it's expected that Vancouver wouldn't be asking for a 'Kings' ransom in any deal for the veteran forward. However, that AAV isn't low by any means and would make a sizeable dent in the Kings current $13.2M in cap space. That money could be spent elsewhere if L.A. is a team that's serious about a playoff push, and based off of these rumors, it seems that they are.
If Ken Holland and the Kings are acting as buyers at this year's trade deadline, they should be very cautious when it comes to trading assets, especially for players who are expected be rentals.
It's evident that the Los Angeles Kings need to add to the current roster if they want to make a playoff push, but acquiring Evander Kane would be a move that changes virtually nothing.
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The Athletic released its ranking of all 32 NHL rinks based on a poll run with fans and writers, and the Montreal Canadiens’ home, the Bell Centre, came out on top. Poll respondents were asked to rate rinks across four categories: location, amenities, atmosphere, and affordability. According to the article, thousands of fans responded to the survey, and 30% were season ticket holders who know their home building like the back of their hand.
The Bell Centre has nearly perfect scores when it comes to location (9.6 out of 10) and Atmosphere (9.8). Its score for amenities is the sixth highest (8.7), and its one drawback is affordability (5.0). The building’s fan score is 8.7, and the beat writer score is 9.9, giving it a 9.0 overall score.
It’s hard to argue with those scores. The location is near-perfect: the building is between two tube stations, and there are many parking spaces in the surrounding streets. Of course, they are not cheap, but that’s the cost of using your car these days.
As for the atmosphere, I’ve learn to appreciate it on a whole new level since I got my seat in the press gallery. It's set right above the ice, so you’re surrounded by fans, and when the noise level goes up, it feels almost surreal in there. Last year, at the tail end of the season, when the fans would start a wave, and it would go around the building for 10 minutes, it gave me goosebumps. It’s easy to understand what the players mean when they talk about the atmosphere being special at the Bell Centre.
Amenities cover everything from seating and sightlines to food and drink options and the Jumbotron. There’s no denying that the Bell Centre’s new Jumbotron is spectacular. There isn’t a bad seat in the house when it comes to that Arena, you can see perfectly well, wherever you're sitting, aside from the Renaissance Suite, which has an obstructed view, but those who choose to attend there are not just after seeing the game, it’s about the food and the hotel as well.
The fact that the Bell Centre lost points because of affordability shouldn’t surprise anybody. The parking under the rink is 45$, the fast-food options on site are overpriced, just like the beer, but that’s on par with the ticket prices, which are rising year after year. With the on-ice product improving as it has in the last couple of years, don’t expect the ticket prices to stop increasing.
Even if an evening at the Bell Centre isn’t cheap, though, you’re sure to have a good night when you attend, especially if your favourite team claims the win. If you’re a local fan, enjoy it; if you support the Habs from afar, attending a game at the Bell Centre should be on your bucket list. It’s worth the trip.
The Chicago Blackhawks had a bad game on Thursday night. They were run out of the building at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who beat them 6-2.
The good news for them, sitting at 21-24-9, is that they don't have much time to sit there and think about the bad loss. They are right back at it on Friday with the 25-20-7 Columbus Blue Jackets in town for a match at the United Center.
This will be a "Friday Night Hockey" feature with the team wearing their black alternate sweaters.
Scouting Columbus
The Columbus Blue Jackets are having a good season, but their chances of making it to the playoffs are slim in a loaded Eastern Conference.
They are 8 points out, but they are 7-3-0 in their last 10 and have won three in a row. Since hiring Rick Bowness a couple of weeks ago in a coaching change, they've been on a little bit of a run. If the run continues, they may find a way to get in, but there is a lot more work to be done.
Marchment - Fantilli - Marchenko
Jenner- Monahan -Johnson
Sillinger -Coyle -Olivier
Voronkov-Lundestrom -Wood
Werenski -Severson
Provorov - Mateychuk
Zamula - Gudbranson
Merzlikins
Greaves
Zach Werenski, a defenseman, leads the team in goals, assists, and points. Driving that level of offense from the back-end is very impactful, and he is in the mix for the Norris Trophy this season because of it. This is the player that the Blackhawks will have an extra close eye on in their pre-game prep.
Adam Fantilli, their top-line center, went two picks after Connor Bedard in the 2023 NHL Draft. He is having a down year compared to last season, but he's a big, strong center who can change the game on any shift. With the great wingers that he plays with, it's a line for Jeff Blashill to think twice about when deciding on matchups.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators are the only two teams in the NHL that did not play on Thursday night. This game between Chicago and Columbus is the only one on the NHL slate for Friday night, and the road team will be fresher.
Elvis Merzlikins played in their last game, a win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, so Jet Greaves is a good bet to start against the Hawks.
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Chicago Blackhawks did not have a morning skate on Friday. If their lines have a shake-up, it won't be revealed until warmups.
Landon Slaggert and Sam Lafferty were the scratches in Pittsburgh, but one of them could go in for Colton Dach based on how things have rotated in recent games. Nick Foligno also left the Penguins game with an injury, which could cause a change as well.
Nazar-Bedard-Teravainen
Greene-Moore-Burakovsky
Bertuzzi-Dickinson-Mikheyev
Donato-Foligno-Dach
Vlasic-Crevier
Kaiser-Levshunov
Grzelcyk-Murphy
If Foligno can't go, and Slaggert draws in, someone who played wing on Thursday will have to play center on Friday.
Spencer Knight will start in goal for Chicago. They let Arvid Soderblom finish the game on Thursday, despite giving up six goals. He faced 44 shots, so it was hardly all his fault.
Knight playing won't help if they play as badly defensively against Columbus as they did against Pittsburgh, but he gives them a chance to win every start.
Connor Bedard scored his first goal with a goalie in the net since coming back from his injury on Thursday, which was the one positive at the end of the game. He has looked more like himself lately, and he got one to go in. Will the floodgates open? This game against the Blue Jackets will tell the tale.
How To Watch
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it is available on CHSN locally. Nationally, it is available on the NHL Network. The puck will drop shortly after 7:30 PM CT.
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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 30: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The thing that stood out the most to me about the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday evening is not just the players that provided the offense. It is also the players that did not provide the offense. Consider these numbers.
Evgeni Malkin recorded one assist.
Sidney Crosby recorded zero points.
Erik Karlsson recorded zero points.
Kris Letang recorded zero points.
Bryan Rust recorded zero points because he is serving the first game of a three-game suspension.
Those are five of the Penguins highest paid players and five of their best players. They combined for one point. In a game the Penguins absolutely dominated for 50 minutes and scored six goals. That is significant.
This is continuing a trend and storyline that has perhaps become the biggest surprising development of the season. It is the scoring depth. It is the fact they have four balanced lines that can all provide offense, with more help waiting in the wings.
When the 2025-26 season began there was a belief that the forward group could be pretty good, at least as far as the top-six was concerned. Certainly good enough to keep the team competitive for a bit, especially if Crosby and Malkin continued to play like …. well …. Crosby and Malkin.
Then Ben Kindel showed up as an 18-year-old and immediately became an impact player.
Then free agent signings Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha showed up and became bargain addition free agent signings.
Tommy Novak started to figure things out and bounce back from a slow, frustrating start to the season.
Then the fourth line of Connor Dewar, Blake Lizotte and Noel Acciari became a thing,
Then Egor Chinakhov arrived and just started scoring goals.
Now they four lines that can be rolled out evenly. In Thursday’s game no line played more than 11:14, and no line played less than 9:16. Everybody was involved. Everybody contributed. Everybody stayed fresh.
It also helped that for as deep as the NHL roster has become, they still have plenty of help waiting in the wings. Top prospect Rutger McGroarty was recalled for Thursday’s game and looked outstanding, recording a game-high five shots on goal and providing a physical presence. It may not have resulted in him recording any points, but he was noticeable and looked outstanding. He looks like an NHL player.
Ville Koivunen did not produce much in the way of offense at the NHL level to open the season, his line always pushed play and drove possession and you can still see the skill. He has been a point-per-game player in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He looks like an NHL player.
They have options.
The scoring depth is not just limited to the forwards, either. The defense is chipping in.
Erik Karlsson is on a 57-point pace over 82 games. Kris Letang is on a 41-point pace. Ryan Shea, who had a goal and an assist on Thursday and has now recorded a point in each of the past four games, has 21 points in 52 games, with all of them coming at even-strength. Entering this season he had just six points in 70 career games.
They are getting contributions from everybody.
It is a combination of new head coach Dan Muse getting the most out of everybody, the scouting staff and front office identifying talent — and in some cases undervalued talent — and the ability to put everybody into place. That does not even get into the fact the veteran players are still able to perform.
If you would have told me at the start of the season the Penguins’ top-six forward lines and the two two defensemen (Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang) were productive and everybody else around them struggled, that would have seemed reasonable. Not at all surprising. If you would have told me they would be able to go more than four lines deep and have three defensemen on pace for more than 30 points I would not have believed you.
They are doing it. It is really something to watch.
While the Detroit Red Wings didn't get the result they were looking for on Thursday evening against the Washington Capitals, another historical milestone was achieved by future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane.
Kane became the highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history thanks to his assist on Ben Chiarot's second period goal, which was the 1,375th point of his career. It moved him past former Dallas Stars (and one-time Red Wings) forward Mike Modano, a Westland, Mich. native.
Kane's teammates poured off the bench to celebrate the milestone with him, and immediately afterward, a special pre-recorded video message from Modano himself was played on the scoreboard at Little Caesars Arena.
"I knew at an early age in your career you would be the one chasing this number down and here we are," Modano said. "Continue on and make this number harder for the next guy."
Kane said that he noticed the video message being played a few moments after it initially started, and thought it was a classy gesture on Modano's part.
"I paid attention to it, maybe not right from the start, but it was a great message from him. He's one of the best American players of all time, a guy I looked up to a lot when I was younger."
"I remember when he passed Phil Housley in San Jose on a breakaway goal, and to see him up there as a former Red Wing too, sending a message like that was pretty classy."
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Throughout the year, every NHL team holds thematic nights; Halloween, Christmas, Hockey Fights Cancer, Pride, Veteran Appreciation night, you name it, they have it. On Thursday night at the Bell Centre, while the province was buzzing about finally having the Battle of Quebec back, the Montreal Canadiens celebrated the Lunar New Year.
With all due respect, once the NHL green-lighted the idea of letting the Colorado Avalanche play in their Quebec Nordiques blue alternate jersey, the January 29 night should have been about nothing else. I know, the calendar for theme nights had already been out for some time, but the actual date of the 2026 Lunar New Year is February 17. Couldn’t the celebration have been pushed back to the first home game after the Olympics? February 26 is closer to the actual date than January 29.
It has now been over 30 years since the Quebec Nordiques were uprooted from la belle province and landed in Denver, Colorado. Seven months later, the newly minted Colorado Avalanche even got another one of the province’s jewels, one of the best goaltenders ever to play the game, in one of the most lopsided trades in professional sports history: Patrick Roy. Just over a year after the move, on June 10, 1996, the Avalanche did what the Nordiques never could do: they won the Stanley Cup.
Joe Sakic, the Nordiques’ fanbase favourite, got to raise the Stanley Cup in Miami, when passionate fans had been dreaming of seeing him do that at the Colisee de Quebec through seven seasons, five of which ended before the spring dance, talk about rubbing salt in an open wound. That moment broke two fan bases’ hearts, both Quebec and Montreal. The former Nordiques won too late, while the former Hab was instrumental in giving the old enemy its first win.
I grew up in Quebec, but I was never a Nordiques fan, unlike my dad. You see, he made the mistake of introducing me to hockey when I was six years old in 1986, when a young netminder led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup. Watching number 33 make all those saves, I became hooked on hockey and on the Habs, much to my dad’s chagrin. It wasn’t all bad for him; he had a whale of a time in 1993 when the Nordiques took a 2-0 lead in their series with the Habs. By the end of that series of course, I had become unsufferable, teasing him mercilessly as Montreal went on to win the next four games and claim the Stanley Cup a few weeks later.
When St-Patrick came back to Montreal to play with the Avalanche, I was on a school field trip to the game, and yes, on that day, I wore a Nordiques jersey like the rest of our group, the only time I did that in my life. Kudos to my geography teacher for getting that field trip approved. From the south shore of Quebec all the way to Montreal in a school bus, the Nordiques fan in him thought it was worth it. I guess there was kind of a geographical element to it, after all, we all went to the La Pointe-A-Calliere museum in the afternoon, even though our level of interest wasn’t quite the same.
For people even older than me, and yes, there are plenty of those, bringing up the Nordiques means talking about the epic Good Friday battle or arguing about whether Alain Cote’s goal was good, or so many Christmas parties arguing over which team was the best. The two-minute opening video montage was good, but we needed more. That rich history deserved all the spotlight on Thursday night.
If the NHL won’t let Quebec get a new team, that’s the very least that could have been done. I wanted to hear Un club de dindes, Le but, Bob Bissonette songs; it needed to be all about the Battle of Quebec, and it wasn’t. That was a wasted opportunity. Just like not playing Ca va bien when the Habs retreated to their dressing room leading 3-1 after 20 minutes.
Elvis Merzlikins Over 23.5 saves
Spencer Knight Over 25.5 saves
