The goalie trade market is pretty scarce, so some NHL teams have reached into the recent past.
And while retired Marc-Andre Fleury is flattered by the attention, he says he plans to stay retired.
"I had some calls and I took the time to think about it," he recently told USA TODAY's Sports Seriously. "It's very nice of them to think of me in that way, very flattering, but then at the end of the day, I stopped playing for some reasons. I thought it was better to just stay on the sidelines."
Fleury hung up his skates after 21 seasons in 2025, finishing with three Stanley Cup titles, a Vezina Trophy and the second most regular-season wins in NHL history (575). Since the playoffs ended for the Minnesota Wild, he played for Canada in the world championships and for one period and a shootout of a preseason game with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but now his focus is on a post-playing life.
He's enjoying the freedom of having more time but says there are other times when he misses playing.
"I miss the guys, I miss the competition, I miss battling as a team trying to win a game and the feeling that you get when you win a game," he said.
But he's finding plenty to do. He's coaching his 6-year-old, he's playing tennis, has driven a race car, tried some boxing and he went skiing, which he wouldn't be able to do under an NHL contract. He has a partnership with Kraft Hockeyville, which brings a preseason NHL game to a small community and helps refurbish rinks. He occasionally puts on the goalie pads, as his agent, Allan Walsh, posted on Thursday.
He'll be watching as NHL players return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014. Being a Quebec province native, he's choosing Canada to win, though he also said the USA and Sweden have solid teams.
"I just think it will be great hockey," he said. "I think it will be fun to watch, so many good teams and players out there. You never know in a tournament. It's not a best of seven, it's one game, so crazy things can happen. It can go different ways."
Fleury was also paying attention when Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky and San Jose's Alex Nedeljkovic had the first goalie fight since 2020.
"I think it's awesome," he said. "Nobody got hurt and to see two goalies fight, it's always so awkward because we got all the equipment and we're not used to fighting. It's funny to watch."
Fleury nearly had his chance in 2023 but was kept away as he skated down the ice and challenged St. Louis' Jordan Binnington.
"I have nothing against Jordan, really," he said. "I always wanted one fight in the NHL since I came in. In 21 years, I wanted to score a goal and have a fight. I came close on both but couldn't get it done."
As the scouting cycle for the upcoming NHL draft progresses, the gaps between the top talent in the 2026 class are closing at a rapid rate.
Headlined by Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and Keaton Verhoeff, this group features a ton of players making second-half surges, such as Chase Reid and Caleb Malhotra, proving the rankings of these prospects are far from decided.
The NHL standings are far from decided as well. The Vancouver Canucks are still in last place, but the St. Louis Blues slid, while the Winnipeg Jets climbed up three spots in the past two weeks.
Considering the standings and the needs of the teams positioned to select in the top 16 of the first round, let's take a crack at what those picks could look like in June.
(Draft order determined by standings, sorted by points percentage, before games on Jan. 29, 2026)
NHL mock draft: Top 16 picks
1. Vancouver Canucks: Frolunda (Sweden) left wing Ivar Stenberg
With 28 points in 29 games, Stenberg is scoring at a rate we rarely see among draft-eligible players in pro hockey, challenging Daniel Sedin's record for the most points by a Swedish League player in their draft year. Production is one thing, but his ability to create offense through contact, his vision, shooting, playmaking and two-way game have him projected as a top-end talent that will give opposing teams nightmares at both ends of the ice.
2. St. Louis Blues: Penn State (NCAA) left wing Gavin McKenna
McKenna has really found his confidence since returning to Penn State after the world juniors, putting together 11 points in his last five games, including a hat trick in a four-point effort against Wisconsin. If he continues to string together games where he shows how overwhelming and assertive he can be offensively, while also finding ways to impact the game away from the puck, he'll reclaim the top spot in this class.
3. Calgary Flames: Boston University (NCAA) center Tynan Lawrence
There are few players who can match Lawrence's pace of play in this class. His ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone remains elite, and there were times this season in the USHL when he looked two steps ahead of every other player, creating dangerous chances. There have been some growing pains since switching to the NCAA, but Lawrence still possesses high-end tools that make him worthy of being selected in this range.
4. New York Rangers: North Dakota (NCAA) defenseman Keaton Verhoeff
As a 6-foot-4, 208-pound right-shot defenseman, Verhoeff possesses one of the most sought-after physical profiles in today's NHL. On top of that, he handles a heavy workload at the NCAA level, often playing over 20 minutes a night while displaying a mature defensive foundation and consistently improving as an offensive threat with his shot and playmaking vision. There are others pushing Verhoeff as the top defender in this class, but he remains the top choice.
5. Winnipeg Jets: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) defenseman Chase Reid
Chase Reid is truly the total package. His length, mobility, and hockey IQ makes it very difficult for opposing players to create advantages over him while defending. He’s also arguably the best player at creating transition offense next to Lawrence in this class with his feel for anticipating offense, developing into a breakout threat with his passing and skating. There’s not much separating him from Verhoeff, and he could easily be a top-3 pick this summer.
Smits may have the highest compete level among all players in this class. His game oozes confidence in his willingness to engage in the rush, and he looks to be a difference-maker every time he steps on the ice despite playing against grown men in Finland. Smits is on Latvia's roster for the Winter Olympics in Milan, and it should be a treat to watch him play against the top competition in the world.
While concerns regarding Lin's size may have others leap him on draft day, he's easily the most detailed defender in this class. He's not overly physical, but he competes incredibly hard and wins puck battles at a high rate without compromising his positioning. His offensive production may be misleading, as he doesn't have any standout tools that would suggest he'll be a top point producer in the NHL, but he's a reliable top-four D-man nonetheless.
Bjorck plays with a motor that has allowed a lot of scouts to overlook his size disadvantages and skating issues this season. He's constantly putting pressure on opponents while on the forecheck and wins a ton of battles that turn into dangerous scoring chances thanks to his crafty playmaking. It's unlikely he'll remain a center as he develops, but he'll undoubtedly be a great complementary winger with top-six potential at the NHL level someday.
Things have trended downward a bit for Belchetz over the past few weeks. He's continued to show flashes of high-end playmaking, and his physical tools alone will still make him highly sought after on draft day. However, with his offensive production slowing down, he must find a way to impose his will as he did early in the season to overcome his skating issues and maintain his status as a top-10 prospect.
The Ottawa Senators will forfeit this year's draft pick after failing to disclose Evgenii Dadonov's limited no-trade clause when they sent him to Vegas in 2021, leading to an invalidated trade between the Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks the following year. The Senators drafted in the top 10 four times in the last six years, choosing Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Tyler Boucher and Carter Yakemchuk.
11. Boston Bruins (via Toronto): Prince George (WHL) defenseman Carson Carels
Carels has some of the best hockey sense in this class, and it's reflected in the trust he's gained in Prince George, playing on the power play and penalty kill. What makes Carels so special is that he projects as a top-pairing defender who could play in a shutdown role or use his playmaking instincts to affect the game offensively, depending on what the assignment is on any given night.
12. Seattle Kraken: Prince Albert (WHL) defenseman Daxon Rudolph
Rudolph is a smooth skater who uses his feet effectively to lead rushes and shut down plays in the defensive end. While he's not overly physical, he has great range at 6-foot-2 and is smart with his stick in breaking up plays in zone and off the rush. As Rudolph continues to stack dominant offensive performances with the Prince Albert Raiders, he's inching closer to being a top-10 player in this class.
13. Philadelphia Flyers: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) defenseman Xavier Villeneuve
There is no defenseman in this class who's more gifted with the puck than Villeneuve. He uses his deception and skating ability to create separation at the blueline very similarly to Lane Hutson. Villeneuve's defensive game leaves a lot to be desired, and as an undersized defender, that could be a cause for concern. However, his compete level and foundation of skills are worth betting on as a potential top power-play quarterback in the NHL.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Brantford (OHL) center Caleb Malhotra
Malhotra's skill, decision-making and mature two-way habits undeniably make him worthy of being picked in this range. He's been a standout offensive producer in his first OHL season on a Brantford team filled with NHL-drafted talent, and in a class without many high-end options at the center position, don't be surprised if he's taken much higher on draft day.
15. Anaheim Ducks: Peterborough (OHL) left wing Adam Novotny
Novotny has continued to be an offensive threat for Peterborough after a solid world juniors showing with Czechia, displaying his high-end skating and wicked shot that beats goaltenders regularly from just outside the dots. Novotny feels like a player coaches at the NHL level will gravitate toward, given his stick habits and polished defensive game. He projects as a middle-six winger with scoring upside who is capable of playing both special-teams roles.
16. San Jose Sharks: HV71 (Sweden) defensemen Malte Gustafsson
Gustafsson is a 6-foot-4 defenseman with good mobility. He's shown flashes of playmaking as of late, earning him some power play opportunities at the Swedish men's level while playing an overall bigger role on a weak HV71 team. He's hovered in this range for a while, but if he shows that he can truly add an offensive layer to his game, there's a good shot he'll end up as a lottery pick this year.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 29: Ryan Shea #5 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his second period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at PPG PAINTS Arena on January 29, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Here are your Pens Points for this Friday morning…
Forwards Anthony Mantha and Egor Chinakhov scored in a 31-second span in what was a dominant second period, as the Pittsburgh Penguins breezed by the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory. [Recap]
As seen during the game, the Penguins officially recalled forward Rutger McGroarty from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday morning. [PensBurgh]
With Bryan Rust out for the next three games (including the game against the Blackhawks on Thursday), forward Justin Brazeau is expected to perform top-line duties in his absence. [Trib Live]
Updates from around the NHL…
The Colorado Avalanche donned Quebec Nordiques jerseys on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre, ceremoniously reigniting the Battle of Quebec that took place decades prior. [Sportsnet]
The Dallas Stars will host the Vegas Golden Knights at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, in a Stadium Series game next season. The game will take place on Feb. 20, 2027. [Sportsnet]
New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin is not expected to play again before the Olympic break, according to NHL insiders, for what is being called “roster management purposes.” [TSN]
Kane owns the record: Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane became the highest-scoring United States-born player in NHL history in the Red Wings’ 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. [Associated Press]
Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
EDMONTON — It’s been a while since the Sharks have lost a game like this.
Up 3-0 going into the third period, the Sharks looked well on their way to closing out the Edmonton Oilers. With minutes left and the Oilers up an extra man, the Sharks gave up two goals in 2:06, to send the game into overtime. There, a couple of Timothy Liljegren mishaps led to a crushing San Jose OT loss.
No such thing as failure just an opportunity to learn. err on the side of aggression. The boys will bounce back better than ever Go Sharks!! #thebitepic.twitter.com/cmxmN15luE
That’s going to be the question for the rest of this road trip, especially with two of the three remaining games against opponents behind them in the standings, the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks.
Head coach Ryan Warsofsky and star Macklin Celebrini both repeated the apparent theme of this road trip, “Be where our feet are,” on separate occasions over the last few days.
We're getting down to crunch time in fantasy hockey. Your league trade deadlines probably will be coming up at some point during the next few weeks (with the NHL's version on March 6).
If you're in contention to cash and carry enough resources, be bold. Target players you want now, even if it means giving up future talent. But be careful not to dump too many assets or you could end up being short for the stretch drive.
For those looking ahead, stock up on prospects. Acquiring the right cheap keepers in auction leagues can prove to be wise options. Try to get as much as you can for elite performers.
If deals aren't your thing, there's always the free agent route. And by some coincidence, we've listed 14 of them below.
(Rostered rates as of Jan. 30)
Forwards
Anthony Cirelli, TB (Yahoo: 42%): Since Brayden Point got hurt, Cirelli has operated as the Bolts' top even-strength center and just had a four-game scoring streak snapped during which he totaled three goals, four assists and five shots. And it isn't like this upswing is a recent occurrence, as he had been excelling before Point's injury with 10 points during 11 outings. The only drawbacks for Cirelli could be a lack of lead power-play time and Point possibly returning the next week, though Cirelli should be solid in any scenario.
Mason Marchment, CBJ (Yahoo: 41%): Marchment was first featured here soon after coming over from Seattle in December, when he'd go on a hot run, producing five goals and two assists from his opening seven appearances before being sidelined for two weeks. In his second game back on Saturday, he went off for a hat trick and another helper. Marchment remains beside Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli for five-on-five with the added bonus of now teaming up with the pair on the Blue Jackets' first power play.
Josh Doan, BUF (Yahoo: 28%): All of Doan's hard work has (literally) paid off via a seven-year contract extension. He's been offensively reliable since joining Buffalo and recently concluded a 16-day stretch in which he registered 10 points, 13 shots, 11 PIM and 13 hits on 17 minutes per game. Doan's coverage numbers should be much higher as he holds a spot on the top man-advantage within a club that's already potted at least four goals during a game 11 times this month.
Claude Giroux, OTT (Yahoo: 26%): Giroux should easily be able to exceed his 50-point haul from last season as he sits at 37 with 10 of those during the last 14 games in addition to 25 shots and 17 hits on a 17:06 ice time average. This latest run mainly coincides with him regularly getting to skate alongside Tim Stutzle during all attacking situations. And even if Giroux slips down the depth chart, each of the top-three trios have performed well enough throughout the campaign to counteract any potential slump.
Corey Perry, LA (Yahoo: 7%): I had been hesitant to recommend Perry earlier on as his fantasy output in L.A. mainly centered around power-play production (11 of 26 points), though that has shifted of late thanks to him receiving additional ice time and an improved even-strength role. He's also found the scoresheet during 10 of the last 11 contests. There's always the risk Perry will start to slump on a bottom-five offense, but he is currently set to provide sufficient counting stats.
Marco Kasper, DET (Yahoo: 6%): Like a couple of the aforementioned forwards, Kasper has benefited from a promotion to the lead line, having notched two goals, four assists, 17 shots and 17 hits across the last seven appearances. The Red Wings have used a few wingers on the left side next to Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond this season, with most of them seeing a significant fantasy bump. Even if Kasper eventually reverts to the middle-six, he'll still be able to help in a few categories.
Connor Zary, CGY (Yahoo: 2%): Yegor Sharangovich was brought up last week as one of the exceptions on a Calgary club set to dismantle their lineup by the trade deadline. Zary is similar in that he's within the top-six and is playing well – seven points and 23 shots from 10 outings – though he is probably safe from being dealt as a key piece of the Flames' future plans. Whether he moves elsewhere, there's enough upside in his game to take a chance.
Simon Holmstrom, NYI (Yahoo: 1%): Consistency has been an issue for Holmstrom during his fourth NHL campaign. It probably hasn't helped that the 2019 first-rounder has bounced around the Isles' roster, but he looks to be in favorable form by way of seven goals, seven assists, 25 shots and a plus-12 since Dec. 20 – highlighted by a three-point effort on Wednesday consisting of two PPAs. Ride the wave with Holmstrom and see where it takes you.
Defensemen
Thomas Chabot, OTT (Yahoo: 55%): Jake Sanderson may be Ottawa's prime point-producing defender, but there's nothing wrong with Chabot. He's not accumulating power-play points like in previous seasons and he missed a chunk of time due to injury, yet he has picked up the pace of late by notching seven points in his last eight games to go with 16 shots and 17 blocks. As long as Chabot stays healthy, he's good to get more scoring and plenty of ice time on a top-10 attack.
Filip Hronek, VAN (Yahoo: 54%): Reaching again slightly over the 50% mark to discuss someone who could see a significant boost. Zeev Buium took a puck to the face on Sunday and is slated to return after the Olympic break, which has allowed Hronek to take over as the Canucks' top PP QB, and he immediately capitalized on that unit Tuesday by finding the back of the net. Including that marker, he's posted two goals, three assists, nine shots, seven hits and eight blocks from the last six outings while averaging 26:02 of ice time (!!). Even on a weak Vancouver offense, expect Hronek to keep racking up the stats.
Mike Matheson, MTL (Yahoo: 48%): It's only been two years since Matheson recorded 28 PPPs. That number was cut to 10 when Lane Hutson appeared on the scene, and that's completely disappeared since Noah Dobson arrived during the offseason. That hasn't stopped Matheson from getting points elsewhere, as he's supplied nine over 11 contests – including an assist in each of the last six – to go with 20 shots and 17 blocks on 23:58 of ice time per game. And even though the man-advantage gig is gone, he's paired with Dobson at even-strength as part of a lethal Montreal offense.
Kris Letang, PIT (Yahoo: 37%): Letang may be turning 39 in April, yet he's still logging major minutes and contributing across various areas. He's also well ahead of last season's 30 points. He only needs five to equal that mark, with 17 of those coming during the last 28 games where he's also tallied four PPAs, 47 shots, 41 hits and 35 blocks. That type of output and placement should get Letang on more rosters.
Goaltenders
Alex Lyon, BUF (Yahoo: 35%): Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen left Thursday's matchup with an undisclosed injury and is reported to be out for at least one week. Colten Ellis filled in for UPL that night and will operate as Buffalo's No. 2. That makes Lyon the lead, which probably would've been the case even if Luukkonen was available considering Lyon's won his last 10 appearances alongside a 1.94 GAA and .933 save percentage. In the meantime, Lyon should get the bulk of the starts with Ellis covering one of the upcoming back-to-backs Monday/Tuesday at either Florida or Tampa Bay.
Joonas Korpisalo, BOS (Yahoo: 8%): Korpisalo struggled the first few months by posting a 3.60/.882 line across 15 appearances. Jeremy Swayman would then take on the next four outings before Korpisalo would begin a run in which he’s gone 4-0-1 with a 1.89 GAA and .937 save percentage in 2026 with the duo mainly alternating. He probably won't take over the Bruins' top role, but he makes for a serviceable fantasy addition based on recent form and/or as a handcuff for anyone who already has Swayman.
ST.
LOUIS – Special teams
hasn’t been kind to the St. Louis Blues as of late, and quite
frankly for that matter, all season long.
A
chance to make amends was on the table against the two-time defending
Stanley Cup champions for the Blues, who were in search of
some good vibes for a chance.
Those
good vibes came off the stick of Jimmy Snuggerud, who scored a
power-play goal with nine seconds remaining to give the Blues a
dramatic 5-4 win against the Florida Panthers at Enterprise Center on
Thursday.
Snuggerud
took a quick one-touch cross-seam pass from Pavel Buchnevich in the
left circle and rifled a one-timer into the top of the net past
Panthers goalie Daniil Tarasov to help the Blues (20-25-9) end a
five-game losing skid (0-4-1).
“I
think we were wearing them down in the zone for a bit, so some tired
guys on the ice,” Snuggerud
said.
“‘Rouzy’ [Jordan
Kyrou] and
‘Buchy’ made some great passes throughout the whole power play,
but the last seam play there, I thought, 'Just
get it on the left side of the net,’ and fortunately enough it went
in. It was a great play.”
Kyrou
had a goal and two assists, and Justin Faulk and Buchnevich each had
two assists for the Blues.
Jake
Neighbours, Oskar Sundqvist and Jonatan Berggren also scored for the
Blues, who got 17 saves from Joel
Hofer.
“It’s
great to be on this side of it,” Faulk
said.
“Tonight was a tough one. It was challenging, that’s for sure,
down one, even and then giving up 4-2 and let them tie it up. So it
was a push.
“We
knew going into the third it wasn’t going to be any different; it
was going to be a tough third period against these guys. They play a
tough game. To get rewarded at the end is great, because we obviously
had it go the other way here a couple times recently, but I think
more importantly to get rewarded, we think we’re putting in a lot
of work. We think guys are working hard. We
don’t think we’re rolling over like the Dallas game, right, down
three at the end of the second period, come back out, put in a good
third and a good effort and not get the reward there. No one’s
feeling sorry for us, but it obviously feels better when that does
happen. You just know you’ve got to keep going and that stuff comes
with that.”
Let’s
look at the game observations:
*
Special teams make a difference in the end – Here’s the bad: the
Blues were really not good on the penalty kill early. It’s the
fifth time the past seven games they had allowed multiple power-play
goals when Sam Reinhart got one in the first period to tie the game
2-2 and Blues killer Matthew Tkachuk scored one late in the second
period to erase a 4-2 Blues lead that tied it 4-4.
It
was time for that moment.
It
arrived in the third period when Nick Bjugstad was whistled for a
double-minor for high-sticking Evan Rodrigues, who was playing in his
600th NHL game.
Were
the Blues going to buckle again or would the kill finally get a job
done.
Not
only did they kill the entirety of the four minutes but the Panthers,
who are 22nd with the man advantage, didn’t get a single shot off.
“I
feel like we were good from start to finish on that one,” Sundqvist
said playing in his first game since Jan. 18 against the Edmonton
Oilers.
‘I don’t think we gave them a lot. After we kill it off, you hear
the crowd and it definitely gives you an extra boost. It was a good
momentum swing for us.”
The
Blues wound up 5-for-7 on the penalty kill.
Blues
coach Jim Montgomery said, “We had already given up two power-play
goals, so the effort by our penalty killers was awesome. The response
by our fans was awesome, and it gave us life.”
It
carried forward, and the Blues, who are 29th on the PK, used it to
their advantage with their 25th-ranked power play, which was
initially a 4-on-3 for 40 seconds of coincidental minors when Hofer
and Tkachuk got into a scrum behind the net, and former Blues
defenseman Niko Mikkola was called for goalie interference with 1:54
to play.
It
looked like the Blues were going to run out of time, and they didn’t
throw pucks at the net as the fans were imploring them to do so. They
patiently worked it around and that patience paid off this time when
Kyrou, who had a one-timer blocked initially, seamed a pass to
Buchnevich, who one-touched a cross seam pass to Snuggerud in the
left circle and he did the rest:
It
was a game filled with penalties with whistle-happy referees Liam
Maaskant and Jake Brenk working the whistles into oblivion with 18 penalties totaling 44 minutes.
“We haven’t had many like that,”
Faulk said. “Most of our games are pretty low in the penalty
department. We don’t get a ton of power plays, I don’t think we
take a ton of penalties either. It’s definitely weird, not much
flow to it there for a while, even down there to the end with the
four-minute and then the penalty there on them. Good to come out with
it, the last-minute goal on our end feels a lot better than on the
other side. It was a good feeling here after that.
“… Even within the game tonight,
we were frustrated with our special teams again, not getting it done
on either side of it. We knew we had a chance to step up there in the
third and mainly start with the penalty kill. Just get the kill, be
aggressive, try and get some momentum off it, don’t let them take
over the game right there. That was huge. I think we did get momentum
and came up big at the right time.”
With 12 combined power plays, it was a
hard game to get into any kind of rhythm.
“It’s
crazy. We all felt like you were either on the power play or the
penalty kill the whole game,” Sundqvist
said.
‘Especially for guys that don’t play either power play or penalty
kill, it’s hard. You’re sitting there and you can sit there for a
10-minute stretch. It’s super-hard for those guys.
I think we did a great job at coming back and really playing well
5-on-5. I think was thinking on the bench there at the end of the
second period, ‘I don’t think I’ve had a lot of shifts with my
linemates 5-on-5.’ Definitely a crazy game but happy to pull out a
win.”
*
First period turnaround – The Panthers, who had won three in a row
on the road, are a team that when they get you pinned in the D-zone
with success, it’s hard to get out. It was trending that way when
Florida gained the territorial edge early on, and when A.J. Greer
made it 1-0 3:12 into the game on a coverage mistake, it was a trend
the Blues needed to get out of.
But
then there were odd-man rushes, and with the ability to break out of
the D-zone with pucks allowed the Blues to beat the aggressiveness of
not only Florida’s forecheckers but their pinching defensemen.
That’s
how Neighbours tied the game 1-1 at 4:46 on a puck from below the
D-zone goal line to Kyrou, who one-touched a puck up that caromed off
defenseman Gustav Forsling to Buchnevich, who hit Neighbours through
the neutral zone for a breakaway, and he beat Tarasov high to the
glove side:
And
when Kyrou made it 2-1 at 7:51, it came off a sharp read by Philip
Broberg, who intercepted Carter Verhaeghe’s cross-ice stretch pass
in the neutral zone, worked his way down the left hand side before
finding Kyrou in the left circle. His quick shot also the glove side
found its way in:
And
even at 4-on-4, Faulk used his strength to fend off a couple would-be
Panthers players before shoveling a backhand pass to Berggren for a
one-timer from the right circle at 14:27 to reclaim a lead at 3-2 in
a wild opening 20 minutes:
“I
thought that our wall play in the first period was really good,”
Montgomery said. “When you play against Florida, they’re going to
hem you in. If you win those wall battles and you’re off the wall,
you can have odd-man rushes and we had a couple odd-man rushes that
led to goals and we almost had another one at the end of the period.
We had a 2-on-1 that was another play that if you can make them
against them. It’s not easy because they’re the best in the
league at doing it. You get odd-man rushes and then you’ve got to
take advantage of those.”
*
Neighbours, Kyrou, Sundqvist were all game time decisions and scored
– When Sundqvist scored 41 seconds into the second period, a goal
Tarasov would certainly like back, to make it 4-2, it gave a goal to
three players that Montgomery labeled game time decisions after the
morning skate.
All
three had skated, and it was a case of who would feel fine after it.
Well,
Sundqvist said he knew on Wednesday he would be playing, to which
Montgomery quipped, “’Sunny’
found his Guy Lafleur dipsy-doodle right through the middle and
twisted wrister right into the corner, eh? How many times have you
seen that from him.
“First
of all, ‘Sunny’ should have told me (he knew he was playing
Wednesday). That would have been nice. Glad he’s telling you guys
that.
“The
other two, it was going to be how they felt this morning because it
was very positive about how they responded the day after the game. We
were very happy with how they were both feeling. I put it at 50/50
for both of them. It was great. As soon as they took the morning
skate and I had already met with you guys, they came in and (said),
‘We’re playing. We’re players.’”
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The Vancouver Canucks snapped their three-game losing streak on Thursday as they shut out the Anaheim Ducks 2-0. Drew O'Connor scored the game-winning goal while Teddy Blueger picked up an empty-netter in the win. As for goaltending, Nikita Tolopilo stopped all 32 shots he faced, while Kevin Lankinen made one save during his 2:11 of ice time.
Unfortunately, Tolopilo will not be credited with the shutout as he did not play the entire game. After the first period, the 25-year-old was pulled by the concussion spotter and did not make it out of testing before the start of the season. Post-game, Head Coach Adam Foote spoke about what happened and if the team considered keeping Lankinen in for the rest of the period.
"Oh, he was coming back in," said Foote. "I'm just going to myself. I hope he's warmed up somehow, because with his tests, he had to take all his gear off, for some reason, compared to an actual player. So that's why it took so long. You know, when they do that test, it's usually about a 15-minute test, but he had to take his gear off. So we're trying to stall it, but we didn't have the time.
Ultimately, Tolopilo was the story of the night. The Ducks crashed the net all night, yet were unable to beat the 6'6" tender. Post-game, Tolopilo was asked about not getting the shutout, but responded with, "It's more important to get the win. So yeah, I'm happy that we got a win."
As for the Canucks best line, that was easily the trio of Jake DeBrusk, Aatu Räty and Drew O'Connor. DeBrusk led the team with six shots, Räty went six for 10 in the faceoff dot, while O'Connor scored the game-winning goal. Post-game, O'Connor spoke about the win and how nice it was to pick up another victory on the homestand.
"It's great," said O'Connor. "It's obviously been a struggle for us, and it's been frustrating for everyone. I think nobody likes losing, and it hasn't been fun, so we're trying to dig ourselves out of it, but it's nice to get one."
Jan 29, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil (72) is pursued by Anaheim Ducks Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (98) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Morris-Imagn Images
In the end, the bigger winners from Thursday's game were the fans at Rogers Arena. They got to witness a rare home win and even started not one, but two "We Want The Cup" chants. While the game itself wasn't the most exciting, the atmosphere was fantastic, which is a testament to the fans who spent money and made the trip downtown to Rogers Arena.
Stats and Facts:
- Drew O'Connor picks up his second game-winning goal of the season
- Jake DeBrusk skates in career regular-season game number 600
- Teddy Blueger's fourth career empty net goal ties Zemgus Girgensons for the most empty net goals scored by a Latvian player in NHL history
- Vancouver picks up it's second win of 2026
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
No scoring
2nd Period:
No scoring
3rd Period:
10:18- VAN: Drew O'Connor (13) from Jake DeBrusk 19:32- VAN: Teddy Blueger (4) from FilipHronek (ENG) (SHG)
Up Next:
The Canucks wrap up their homestand on Saturday as they welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to Rogers Arena. Toronto picked up the win the last time these two teams met by a 5-0 score. Game time is set for 4:00 pm PT.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Nikita Tolopilo made 32 saves, Drew O’Connor opened the scoring with 9:42 left and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Anaheim Ducks 2-0 on Thursday night.
Tolopilo was denied his first NHL shutout after missing the first 2:11 of the second period because of concussion protocol after he was run over by Ryan Poehling late in the first period.
Kevin Lankinen made one save before Tolopilo returned.
O’Connor scored on a one-timer off Jake DeBrusk's pass. DeBrusk was playing his 600th NHL game.
Teddy Blueger put it away with a short-handed empty-netter with 28 seconds left.
Lukas Dostal made 24 saves for Anaheim.
Both teams were 0 for 3 on the power play.
Up next
Ducks: Host Vegas on Sunday night.
Canucks: Host Toronto on Saturday to close an eight-game homestand.
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Zach Hyman scored 1:06 into overtime after Evan Bouchard tied it with 59 seconds left in regulation as the Edmonton Oilers stormed back from a three-goal deficit in the third period to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-3 on Thursday night.
Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists and Connor McDavid also scored and assisted on Hyman's winner for the Oilers, who trailed 3-0 after one period. Connor Ingram stopped 17 shots after a rough start.
Collin Graf, Adam Gaudette and Michael Misa had first-period goals for the Sharks. Yaroslav Askarov made 28 saves.
Edmonton began its comeback with Draisaitl's 26th goal 1:34 into the third period. McDavid's 34th goal with 3:05 left in the third made it 3-2.
Bouchard, who also had two assists, tied it at 3 when he blasted a shot from inside the blue line for his 15th goal.
The Sharks took an early lead on their first two shots of the game when Graf scored just 26 seconds into the game and Gaudette made it 2-0 1:09 later.
Macklin Celebrini's assist on Graf’s goal was the 90th of his young career. At 19 years, 230 days old, he became the second-youngest player in NHL history to achieve the feat, behind only Sidney Crosby (19 years, 126 days in 2006).
Misa gave San Jose what appeared to be a commanding 3-0 lead with his second goal of the season 11:40 into the opening period.
The Sharks briefly appeared to go up 4-0 midway through the second when Barclay Goodrow slammed a rebound in past Ingram, but the goal was waived off for goalie interference.
Up next
Sharks: Visit the Flames in Calgary on Saturday.
Oilers: Host the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night.
For the first time in nearly eight years, the Rangers lost every game to the Islanders in a single campaign.
The regular-season series sweep is one thing, but the nature of each Rangers defeat signaled a turning point in the long-standing rivalry.
While the 2-1 loss Thursday night at Madison Square Garden was the closest contest between the teams this season, the Blueshirts were outscored by an eye-catching 14-3 over the four games against the Islanders.
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“We’re talking to the guys a lot, whether it’s 5-on-5 or 4-on-4, on trying to create more off the shot,” head coach Mike Sullivan said after the Rangers fell to 6-14-4 on home ice this season. “Simplify the game. Get inside, create more off the shot. Nothing breaks coverage down better than a shot on goal. A rebound goes somewhere and decisions have to be made. Therein lies opportunity. If we get inside with people, we’ve got an opportunity to compete on pucks and we force the Islanders to have to defend the scoring area.
“I just think we have to do a better job at recognizing when to put pucks in play, but we also have to have a willingness to get inside with people more consistently. When we do it, we do it at times and I think we create when we do. There’s an element of consistency I think we can bring more to that.
“I think if we do, I think we’ll score more goals, we’ll generate more scoring chances, we may draw more penalties, because we’re forcing teams to have to defend the scoring area and that’s the hardest area in the rink to defend.”
New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick reacts after giving up a goal to New York Islanders defenseman Carson Soucy during the second period on Jan 29, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Rangers were also shut out in two of their four games against the Islanders, including a 5-0 drubbing in their first meeting of the season.
The 2025-26 Rangers season has been handed over to the youth.
Brett Berard skated in his 13th NHL game of the season Thursday night against the Islanders, bringing the lineup’s youngster count — along with Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann, Scott Morrow and Matthew Robertson — to five.
Learning of his latest recall after the Wolf Pack’s 7-1 loss in Hartford, in which he sustained a cut that required four stitches on his left eyelid, Berard packed up and headed for Manhattan.
“I feel like the last few weeks down in Hartford I’ve really started to feel like myself,” he said after morning skate. “Playing to my identity, quick, fast, hard, using my weight as much as I can. It’s been good to see a few go in the net. Definitely helps with the confidence. But, yeah, I feel like I’m in a good spot.”
Berard was last recalled for the Winter Classic earlier this month in Miami, but was promptly returned. It was just his second call-up of the season after the 23-year-old got a run of 11 games at the end of November into mid-December.
New York Islanders’ Mathew Barzal (13) deke past New York Rangers’ Brett Berard (65) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in New York. AP
Over those 11 games, Berard registered zero points and just 10 shots on goal.
“The first few games, I thought I was good, but the last couple I thought maybe it dipped for whatever reason,” Berard said when asked to evaluate his first stint of the season. “I wasn’t getting as many pucks on net. So yeah, I think it was good to go back down to Hartford and get my confidence back. I think this time around, I’m really ready. I’m ready to go and super excited to hopefully be in the lineup tonight.”
Slotting onto the left wing of the fourth line next to Sam Carrick and Matt Rempe, Berard appeared in his 48th career NHL contest. The 134th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft has only skated in the bottom six this season.
Goalie Jonathan Quick stopped 19 of the 21 shots he faced in his 17th start of the season.
The Rangers are scheduled to be off Friday before they venture to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins on Saturday.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Connor Dewar has been quite the find for the fourth line.
His acquisition flew under the radar at the end of last season, but after a few games, you could easily tell why Kyle Dubas and the rest of the front office really liked him. Dewar is one of their top forecheckers, excels at winning battles along the boards, is defensively sound, and can chip in offensively.
Dewar did all of those things well during Thursday's 6-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. His two goals helped propel the Penguins to their fifth-straight win overall, keeping them in second place heading into Saturday's game against the New York Rangers.
Dewar's two goals give him 13 for the season, setting a new career high. Whenever the Penguins have needed a big goal from their bottom six, Dewar has been there to answer the call.
His first goal tied the game in the first period, and the Penguins really needed that one since they were sluggish out of the gate. His second goal made it a 6-1 game late in the third period after the Penguins exploded for four goals in the second period.
After having three days off between games, it may have been reasonable to expect a little bit of rust from the Pittsburgh Penguins when they took on the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday.
Well, that was somewhat true in this one. The Penguins had a slow, lethargic start to the first period, which is something that hasn’t happened much lately. But - as they have since the holiday break - they kept the game close and showed up big-time in the second period.
And they absolutely took over from there.
After surrendering the first one to Blackhawks’ defenseman Connor Murphy, the Penguins scored six consecutive goals - including four in the second period - to chase the Blackhawks out of their barn with a 6-2 victory. Pittsburgh was outshot 9-8 in the first period and outshot Chicago 36-11 for the rest of the game, putting forth a dominant effort to earn their league-best fifth-straight win.
With the win, the Penguins kept pace with the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders - who sandwich them at first and third in the Metropolitan Division - since both teams also emerged victorious Thursday.
“I see it every day in practice. I believe in these guys and what they're capable of doing," head coach Dan Muse said. "And I've seen the work that they've put in... you feel good coming off a road trip like we just had, you feel good coming off this game, so it's not surprising that I believe in them.
"But, with all this being said, too, we have a lot of work to do. We have a lot of work ahead of us. We've got to keep pushing and keep getting better"
Pittsburgh came out of the gate slow, and Murphy got on the board approaching the midway point of the first when Penguins’ goaltender Arturs Silovs was screened and impeded by his own blueliner in Kris Letang at the net front. However, they had a pretty quick response, as Connor Dewar registered his 11th of the season when he picked up the loose change and shot the puck from the low-slot area to tie the game.
And from the jump in the second period, the Penguins asserted themselves. Nearly six minutes in, Anthony Mantha found Ben Kindel breaking to the left circle in the offensive zone, and Kindel snapped the puck past goaltender Arvid Soderblom for his third goal in two games to make it 2-1. Then, later in the period, Penguins’ defenseman Parker Wotherspoon laid a big-time hit on Blackhawks’ forward Tyler Bertuzzi in the neutral zone, which freed up the puck for Evgeni Malkin. He skated it into the offensive zone and put a perfect spin-o-rama backhand pass on the tape of a breaking Egor Chinakhov, who deked his way to the net and beat Soderblom for Pittsburgh’s third goal.
And the Penguins weren’t done. Just 31 seconds later, Kindel threaded a pass to Mantha, who came through the middle on a breakaway and finished it off for his 17th of the season to put the Penguins up, 4-1. Ryan Shea added a one-time tally with just 30 seconds left in the middle frame - assisted by defenseman Ilya Solovyov, playing in his first game with the Penguins - to make it 5-1.
Fourteen minutes into the third, Dewar notched his second of the game in a scrappy net-front scramble that resulted in a post-goal scrum. Blackhawks star Connor Bedard fired a laser less than a minute later to cut into the Penguins’ lead, but it didn’t amount to anything, and the Penguins secured the 6-2 win.
“Everyone's working hard. It's hard to win in this league, and everyone understands that," Silovs said. "And I think that guys have been clicking really well on [their] lines to each other, so it's great to see that."
Here are some thoughts and takeaways from this one:
- I’m just going to put this out into the universe, even if it’s a bold statement. You know who Chinakhov very much reminds me of?
The last guy who donned No. 59 before him.
Look, I’m not saying he will produce to the level that Guentzel does. Chinakhov is a finisher, not so much a playmaker. But, like Guentzel, he has a quick, deceptive release, his puck skills are high-level, and he just always seems to be in the right spot. He knows how to expose the right areas of the ice and put himself in the right place at the right time, every time, in the offensive zone. And - unlike Guentzel - there is a defensive element and a speed element to his game.
That’s six goals and eight points in 14 games with the Penguins, and he had three goals and six points in 29 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Well, thanks Columbus, and thank you, Kyle Dubas. I have no idea what was so amiss in Columbus - and I have no idea what Chinakhov’s Penguins’ career has in store for him - but this guy is a legitimate goal-scorer in the National Hockey League. I think, if paired with an elite playmaker - which the Penguins sure have - he can be a perennial 30-goal scorer, perhaps more.
- The third line produced three Penguins’ goals tonight and is really starting to hit its stride.
Kindel and Mantha are developing some legitimate chemistry, and Rutger McGroarty had himself a nice game after being recalled from the AHL as a complement to those guys, too. I love how you can always find McGroarty around the net.
But Kindel and Mantha’s connection is starting to produce results, and Muse was complimentary of Mantha, as he had three points and once again showed some playmaking ability in tight areas.
“He's absolutely got the ability to do that," Muse said. "You see the shot, but he sees things well offensively, he can make those tight-area plays. Sometimes, because he's so big, you don't always see that kind of playmaking from players his size, but I think he's shown that over the course of the year. It doesn't come as a surprise there."
That line was humming all night long, and hopefully, they can continue to just keep climbing.
- I’ve said it a million times in the past few weeks, but the forward depth on this roster, when healthy, is a force to be reckoned with. There are few teams in the NHL with the four-line depth that the Penguins have. And so much of it has to do with the emergence of Kindel.
"He's learning quick," Mantha said. "If you compare his first couple of games to right now, I don't think it's the same player out there. And you see the confidence level on the ice right now that, maybe earlier in the season, you didn't quite see. And he's making plays, he's running the puck up, and, yeah... he's a smart kid, so he'll keep learning."
With the second and third lines rolling the way they are, it’s crazy that Sidney Crosby’s line almost feels like a secondary source of scoring at this point. And that’s quite the development, especially since they were, pretty much, the only source of scoring for two seasons prior.
This team’s forward group is legitimate. And it’s dangerous.
- It was nice to see Solovyov register his first point with the Penguins. He isn’t the fleetest of foot out there, but I thought he played a pretty steady game alongside Shea. And he doesn’t shy away from physicality.
I’m not sure what the defensive rotation is going to look like with Jack St. Ivany on the shelf for the next two months. But I think he may have earned a few more looks with his play on Thursday.
- That Wotherspoon hit was something else. He has been a revelation for the Penguins this season - and continues to be - but his physicality is such an underrated and underappreciated part of his repertoire.
Chinakhov is proving why people need to stop overvaluing draft picks.
Pens got clowned by many for giving up a 2nd and a 3rd. Those aren't even guaranteed to be NHL players, and even if they are, it could be 3-5 years.
This was a prime example of physicality directly translating to offense in transition. The Penguins have been missing this kind of physicality for many a year, and now, they have a couple of players who provide that. Solovyov had quite the hit on a first-period penalty kill, too, and Connor Clifton and Noel Acciari aren’t afraid to throw the body, either.
This is just a very different kind of energy and toolset that the Penguins have needed.
- Like Malkin, I think it’s safe to say Dewar has earned an extension.
A fifth-round pick was all it took to acquire him last season. What a fourth-line player.
Every game counts in this part of the NHL season, especially for the Islanders, who are looking to strengthen their postseason positioning before the Winter Olympics break.
So when they went to MSG to take on the rival Rangers on Thursday night, it was a bit disconcerting that the last-place team was outplaying them. Yes, the score was in a scoreless tie deep into the second period, but the Rangers were up on shots and the Islanders' offense could not get going. However, the Islanders found a spark in an unlikely place.
Carson Soucy, in his second game with the Islanders and having just three goals entering play after being traded from the Rangers earlier this week, scored at 17:18 of the second period, throwing up a prayer and squeaking it past Jonathan Quick stick side to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.
"We had a message going into the second, want to get a little more pucks on net," Soucy said of his goal. "Start creating off the shot, whether it was rebound or whatever. Just got a fortunate bounce and it went in."
Soucy spent parts of two seasons with the Rangers after stops in Minnesota, Seattle and Vancouver, so he's used to joining new teams and facing old ones, so Thursday's game against the Blueshirts, while he admits was weird at first, was just like any other game.
"Like I’ve been saying, I just want to help this team win, no matter who it’s against," Soucy said. "Just happy to contribute. Want to help this team get two points, especially before the break here."
While Soucy downplays his goal, the score infused the team with new vigor. A little over a minute later, rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer scored his 14th goal of the season to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead, the difference in their 2-1 win.
"It gets us pretty fired up," Schaefer said of Soucy's goal. "Soucy just getting traded from the Rangers, being a great guy off and on the ice...for him to get that goal, just a payback in a way. He gets traded and gets a goal against his old team. It’s pretty cool."
“Was happy for Carson. He’s been playing so well," Roy said of his new player.
The acquisition of Soucy was just one of two deals made by Islanders GM Mathieu Darche this week, the other being Ondrej Palat from the Devils. Palat posted two points (one goal, one assist) in his debut with the Islanders on Wednesday, and now Soucy's goal kickstarted the victory on Thursday. In the first two games, both players have contributed to wins and Roy isn't surprised by it.
“That’s what you want, isn’t it?" Roy said with a smirk. "They both play a role that we needed. Both guys are experienced and gives us that depth."
“They’ve done a great job welcoming both of us in," Soucy said of how the Islanders have treated him and Palat. "Obviously, it's been a lot of fun. It's always interesting meeting a bunch of new teammates all at once. But yeah, they welcomed us in really well.”
Things appeared bleak for the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday evening, trailing 3-1 to the Washington Capitals with under two minutes remaining in regulation.
The good news is that, thanks to a pair of goals from Alex DeBrincat, including a wild bounce off the glass to knot the score at 3–3, the Red Wings secured a valuable point in the standings.
The bad news is that the Capitals converted on all three shootout attempts, while Detroit went 2-for-3, resulting in a 4–3 loss.
Patrick Kane did become the highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history, recording the 1,375th point of his NHL career with an assist on Ben Chiarot’s second-period goal.
Kane initially appeared to reach the milestone in the opening 20 minutes, picking up an assist on what would have been a power-play goal by Lucas Raymond. However, replays showed that Kane entered the offensive zone a fraction too early, and the goal was disallowed for offside.
Not long after Raymond's disallowed goal, the Capitals scored first thanks to the third goal of the season from Nic Dowd, who beat John Gibson with a low glove-side shot.
Chiarot's goal midway through the second period knotted the score at 1-1, and was his first tally since signing a three-year contract extension earlier in the week.
The Capitals took a 2-1 lead in the third period after Dylan Strome poked the puck away from Gibson's glove and wrapped it around into the net; the tally withstood a coach's challenge for goaltender interference.
Washington then padded their lead after a deflection goal from Declan Chisholm, who was credited for his first goal of the season.
DeBrincat scored the first of what would be two goals on the night at 18:20 of the third period with Gibson pulled. Then, at the 19:07 mark, his dump-in attempt deflected off the glass and somehow bounced into the net past a bewildered Charlie Lindgren.
Improbably, the Red Wings tied the game and secured at least one point on a night when the Tampa Bay Lightning, Buffalo Sabres, and Montreal Canadiens all won their respective games.
Following a scoreless overtime, Lucas Raymond and Patrick Kane converted in the shootout for Detroit, though Dylan Larkin rang a shot off the crossbar. The Capitals scored on all three of their shootout attempts, including the game-deciding tally from Dowd.
The Red Wings will face the Colorado Avalanche at home on Saturday afternoon.
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Twenty-four hours after the Islanders handed their honorary player of the game award, an Iron Man mask, to Ondrej Palat, it went to their other new acquisition, Carson Soucy.
For the defenseman who became the first player to cross the Rangers-Islanders divide via trade since Jyri Niemi did so in 2010, that capped what had to have been a pretty good 48 hours.
Soucy went from a team circling the drain to one in the midst of a playoff race, beat his old club twice and scored a goal against them at Madison Square Garden. Plus, he didn’t even need to find new living arrangements.
“Obviously, when you’re going against someone in your division, let alone your in-state rival, it’s nice to be on the winning side for the last two,” Soucy said after the Islanders capped a season-series sweep of the Rangers with a 2-1 victory. “Losing to these guys those first couple games kind of hurt.”
New York Islanders defenseman Carson Soucy is greeted by his teammates on the bench after he scores a goal during the second period on Jan. 29, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Soucy said Wednesday morning he didn’t know any players on the Islanders roster, just a couple of the athletic trainers who were in Vancouver and Minnesota with him. No matter, by Thursday night, the rest of the Islanders were talking about him as if he’d been with them the whole season.
“Soucy got us pretty fired up — just him getting traded from the Rangers, coming in, being a great guy on and off the ice,” Matthew Schaefer said. “So fun to meet him and ‘Latter. For him to get a goal, I think it’s kind of payback in a way: Once he gets traded and then he gets to score against this team, so it’s pretty cool.”
The Iron Man mask, which mostly functions as a good bit for social media, worked over the last two days as a good way for the Islanders to make their newest players feel like part of the team as well.
Will Cuylle of the New York Rangers skates against Carson Soucy of the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on January 29, 2026. NHLI via Getty Images
“It’s great,” Soucy said. “Obviously, we just want to keep this going, but they’ve done a great job welcoming both of us in. It’s been a lot of fun. It’s always interesting meeting a bunch of new teammates all at once, but they’ve welcomed us in really well.”
Max Shabanov drew back into the lineup with Casey Cizikas out due to illness. Kyle MacLean centered the fourth line in Cizikas’ absence, with Shabanov playing on the left wing.
The absence ended a streak of 161 consecutive games played for Cizikas, making Anders Lee the team’s current iron man with 136 in a row.
Cal Ritchie remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Ilya Sorokin started in net 24 hours after David Rittich took the front end of the back-to-back, finishing the night with 20 saves.
