IRVINE, Calif. — As Mat Barzal creeps up on 600 games in the NHL, he’s thought more and more about his own maturity as a hockey player.
His rookie season still feels like yesterday, but Barzal, as analytical and willing to examine himself as any player in the league, knows well just how different a player he is now.
It’s at the heart of his recent hot streak, with 14 points in the last 10 games on either side of the Olympic break.
“I feel like as I’ve gotten older in this league, I used to get frustrated in the first period when we didn’t score, I miss a chance,” Barzal told The Post after the Islanders practiced Tuesday. “And now, just let the game come to me. I like to go after the game early on, but [recognize] what the night is gonna be.
“Sometimes the night is gonna be stingy, there’s not gonna be much offense created, so I know that I’m locking in on a chance or two that I have. Making sure that if I only get two chances a night, I’m putting something in. I think I’ve come a long way that way.”
This time of year, that description applies in part, and often in whole, to most games. The Islanders have started slow in all three of their games since the break, and road games in the dog days of the season tend to take on a stingy feel.
Finding your way into production on nights like those is simply a requirement for a player with the sort of minutes burden and expectation that Barzal carries.
Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders reacts after he scores a goal during the first period when the New York Islanders played the Nashville Predators Saturday, January 31, 2026 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
That’s just what he’s been doing this year. Take Sunday night as an example. The Islanders, especially early in the game, struggled to generate much momentum.
Barzal and linemates Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat, seemed to be the only trio that could create on the forecheck or hold the puck in the zone.
Lo and behold, they were on the ice for three of the Islanders’ four goals at 5-on-5. On the second night of a back-to-back, that’s exactly what the Isles needed from their top line.
New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal, center, celebrates after his goal with center Bo Horvat (14) and left wing Ondrej Palat (81) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Washington. AP
“I love the energy they have,” coach Patrick Roy said. “The speed, how fast they were playing. For some reason when your top line plays that way, you do believe you’re going to come back in that way. … They were buzzing, they were controlling.”
It’s been talked about plenty over the years that Barzal seems to click with Horvat on a higher level than most. Palat, a terrific player on the walls and retrieving pucks down low with a high hockey IQ, might be the third guy who can unlock the top line further.
It’s a small sample, but in eight games together, the trio has a 6-3 scoring margin with a 55.36 expected goals rate, driving a five-game winning streak the Isles will look to defend Wednesday night in Anaheim.
“He doesn’t have to go out there and try to be that guy,” Barzal said of Palat. “He is that guy who forechecks and strips pucks, wins battles down low. There’s no faking it with him. He’s been that guy for a long time. He’s been great at it.
“He knows where to go. He knows how to get open. He knows for him to be effective, it requires him forechecking and stripping pucks. It comes natural to him. He’s been playing like that since I’ve known him, at least, in the league.”
For the time being at least, it’s helped unlock Barzal. And his own evolution hasn’t hurt either.
“I think a lot of it comes from maturing,” he said. “Understanding my emotions. I’ve played in 600 games. Knowing the ups and downs. Knowing that, hey, something didn’t go in the first, I’m gonna get another look in the second. Just bear down. A lot of it comes from emotional maturity.”
A former Montreal Canadiens forward is on the move.
According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, the Minnesota Wild are acquiring former Canadiens forward Michael McCarron from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick.
McCarron, 30, was one of several players on the Predators creating chatter as a trade candidate leading up to the deadline. Now, with this news, the former Canadiens forward is heading to Minnesota.
Seeing the Wild bring in a player like McCarron is understandable. With the Wild being one of the top teams in the league, they naturally are going to want more toughness when the playoffs are here. Bringing in McCarron will provide them just that in their bottom six.
In 59 games this season with the Predators before being traded to the Wild, McCarrom has five goals, seven assists, 13 points, 73 penalty minutes, and 165 hits. This is after the former Canadiens forward had five goals, 14 points, and 102 penalty minutes in 74 games for Nashville last season.
McCarron was selected by the Canadiens with the 25th overall pick of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. In 69 games over three seasons with the Canadiens from 2015-16 to 2017-18, McCarron recorded two goals, eight points, 110 penalty minutes, and 185 hits.
The Nashville Predators have made their first move of the NHL trade deadline trading center Michael McCarron to the Minnesota Wild for a 2028 2nd round draft pick.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported the news just minutes after the Predators announced McCarron had be scratched in Tuesday’s road game against the Blue Jackets due to “roster management purposes.”
Nashville now has eight picks in the 2028 NHL Draft: one first round, two second round and one each in rounds three through seven.
He is in the final year of a 2-year, $1.8 million contract. McCarron will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
"We're going to miss two great people," Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said on McCarron and Smith getting traded. "Two big parts of our culture and what they bring every day. They're wonderful people and kind of like family. It's sad to see them go, but I'm hoping for the best. They both have a good opportunity to go on a long run.
"We're going to miss them. It's a sad day here today."
The 31-year-old, 6-foot, 6-inch center has played in 59 games this season, recording five goals and seven assists for 12 points. McCarron has also logged a team-high 73 penalty minutes.
McCarron had been with the Predators for five and a half seasons now, acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2019-20 season.
He’s mainly taken on an enforcer role, centering the fourth line, during his time in Nashville.
The Predators are working with about $30 million in deadline cap space with seven contracts expiring this offseason.
Michael Bunting, Erin Haula, Tyson Jost and Nick Blankenburg will all be unrestricted free agents.
Justin Barron and Zach L’Heureux will be restricted free agents.
Nick Bjugstad will play his milestone 800th NHL game tonight against the team that he started his career with, the Florida Panthers.
The 33-year-old, who has played in the NHL since the 2012-13 season, spent seven seasons with the Panthers—the same team he faces tonight—before moving on to the Pittsburgh Penguins for two years, the Minnesota Wild for two seasons, the Arizona Coyotes, the Edmonton Oilers, the Utah Hockey Club, the St. Louis Blues, and now the New Jersey Devils.
In 799 NHL games, Bjugstad has scored 163 goals, tallying 174 assists for a total of 337 points.
Reflecting ahead of tonight’s milestone, Bjugstad spoke about his time with Florida and the irony of facing his former team in such a significant game.
“Pretty cool. I got to start in the league with Florida and had some fun years there,” he said. “It’ll be fun to play against them tonight. It takes a lot of people and fortunate circumstances to play 800 games in the league. I’m very grateful for that. Still having fun with it. I’m trying to enjoy myself and keep getting better every day.”
Drafted 19th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, the Minnesota native also spoke with NJD.tv about reaching this milestone and shared his perspective.
“The 1,000 mark is the big one for all the guys,” Bjugstad said. “Eight hundred is fine, but everyone sets their sights on 1,000. For the few that can make it there, that’s a very impressive feat. It feels like it’s been a 1,000 for me, but it’s only been 800. I still enjoy playing and feel fortunate to be in the NHL.”
Earlier this season, Bjugstad played 35 games with the St. Louis Blues before being traded to the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 4, 2026, continuing his NHL journey.
He will hit the ice for his fifth game as a Devil at 7 pm as his current team and former team face off.
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Another day, another thrilling end to a Sharks win that kept every fan watching on the edge of their seat. And would we want it any other way?
Kiefer Sherwood’s late-game heroics put the finishing touches on San Jose’s 7-5 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night at SAP Center, extending the Sharks’ winning streak to three games, with each of those contests coming down to the final seconds.
Sherwood’s decisive go-ahead goal at 16:34 in the third period was his first as a Shark, and the veteran forward wasted no time celebrating the occasion with a raucous home crowd that has SAP Center feeling like the days of old once more.
Sherwood praised the impact made by the fervent support from the home crowd, detailing the “infectious” energy he and his teammates felt from Sharks fans in the building during the roller coaster win.
“You guys keep buzzing, and we’ll keep feeding you,” Sherwood told the SAP Center crowd during a postgame interview with NBC Sports California’s Tara Slone.
Sherwood is an eight-year NHL veteran and has been around long enough to remember when a road trip to San Jose was one of the most vaunted dates on a hockey team’s schedule. When asked what it’s like to be a part of a team fueling a resurgence that once again is making SAP Center among the best home ices in the league, Sherwood expressed his gratitude for the energy supplied by the Sharks fans in attendance.
“This time of year, everyone is digging in and pulling the rope together, and we really appreciate your guys’ support, and it’s great to see the Tank buzzing again … It’s infectious and we really feed off of it, and we’ll continue to try and make you guys proud,” Sherwood said.
"It's great to see the Tank buzzing again."
Kiefer Sherwood emphasized the impact the home crowd had on tonight's thrilling win 👏 pic.twitter.com/TLPsKUMgB3
The path to victory was not without its own anxiety-inducing moments, as the Sharks erased two early deficits to keep the game level.
Collin Graf got the Sharks on the board with a first-period goal that saw a handful of contributors work together for a textbook finish to tie the game at 1-1.
Then Macklin Celebrini did Macklin Celebrini things, ripping a shot through the five-hole of Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobeš to give San Jose a 3-2 lead. It was the teenage superstar’s 30th goal of the 2025-26 season, making Celebrini the first teenager to eclipse that mark in the NHL since Winnipeg Jets star Patrik Laine in the 2017-18 campaign.
While Sherwood’s game-winner rightfully is dominating the headlines, the veteran’s savvy poke-check on the boards in the offensive zone and subsequent assist to Alex Wennberg was his most impressive play of the evening.
But as anyone who has watched these upstart Sharks knows, this game was far from over. The Canadiens promptly responded with three unanswered goals, sending this game down to the wire before Sherwood’s late-game magic prevented a horrific collapse from coming to fruition.
Sherwood praised San Jose’s ability to grit out a win and not let a pair of crucial points slip away as the Sharks attempt to snap a six-year playoff drought.
“We bend, we don’t break. We’re continuing to grind and stick together there,” Sherwood told reporters after the game. “Obviously, we had some penalties there, but guys are sticking up for each other and playing the right way. Showed a lot of character and resolve there.”
Celebrini echoed a similar sentiment, lauding his teammates’ ability to win in adverse conditions.
“Thought it was great — we don’t want to give up those goals in the third,” Celebrini said. “Try to prevent those, but we have a good power play and they capitalized. I mean, I thought we got it done in the end, and that’s all that matters.”
After dropping five consecutive games, San Jose’s magical season was on the ropes. Maybe these young, gritty Sharks were still a year or two away. After all, who could’ve seen any of us talking playoffs in March?
But this wasn’t to be the end of this story. These Sharks made sure of it. With their backs against the wall, they have rattled off three consecutive wins, dispatching quality opponents in epic fashion and placing themselves firmly in the playoff race as the season approaches the final stretch.
With 64 points, the Sharks currently are three points back of the Western Conference’s final wild card spot, but they have a game in hand on the Seattle Kraken. San Jose also has three games in hand on the Edmonton Oilers, who sit just four points ahead in the Pacific Division’s final playoff spot.
San Jose has games against the St. Louis Blues and New York Islanders to close out this pivotal five-game homestand that could ultimately decide how their 82-game season is viewed when all is said and done.
Who knows if they’ll get a clean sweep by dispatching the Blues and Islanders, but one thing is for certain.
The Shark Tank is going to be rocking, and that won’t be changing again any time soon.
Through the first 59 games of his first NHL season, Anaheim Ducks rookie winger Beckett Sennecke has notched 49 points (19-30=49). That places him on a 68-point pace, which would be the most points from a Ducks’ rookie in franchise history and the best scoring rate (.83 points per game) from a Ducks rookie since Bobby Ryan scored 57 points (31-26=57) in 64 games in 2008-09.
Most weren’t expecting the Ducks to draft Sennecke with the third-overall pick in the 2024 Draft, as most outlets had him ranked in the 8-20 range. Many weren’t expecting him to play the entire season with the Ducks, in the NHL, and in a premium top-six role. But he’s earned every opportunity afforded and is making the most of it.
He’s made monumental leaps in his development in just five months, greatly improving his situational awareness and limiting mistakes, while amplifying his impact shift-to-shift, increasingly driving play, and quickly discovering how to best utilize his skillset to become a true difference maker for the Ducks during this transitional season for the franchise.
Sennecke is a puck magnet. He uses his scanning and anticipation skills to read how pucks will bounce loose from battles. His puck skills are dynamic, and when combined with his motor and how slippery he is, it becomes difficult for even the most veteran of NHL defensemen to strip him of the puck cleanly.
If results hold, Sennecke will likely be one of the three Calder Trophy finalists at the end of the year, and in some years, his production rate over a full season would be enough to take home the hardware.
The 2025-26 NHL season has provided a generational rookie defenseman, however. Matthew Schaefer was selected by the New York Islanders with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, having just played 17 games in his draft year and just 11 days away from being eligible for the 2026 Draft.
When Schaefer stepped foot on the ice for the Islanders’ season opener, he became the first player in NHL history born after the Ducks won their sole Stanley Cup championship in June of 2007.
Schaefer’s career began with a six-game point streak, and the trajectory of the Islanders’ franchise shifted completely. Through his first 61 games in the NHL, Schaefer has tallied 44 points (20-24=44) while averaging 24:07 TOI per game, including 3:10 TOI/g on the power play and 1:11 TOI/g on the penalty kill.
He controls the game with and without the puck on his stick, as he can make every dynamic play the current top NHL defensemen can make, driving offense for his club from the blueline. Defensively, he blends his elite speed and four-way mobility to eliminate time and space against opposing attackers, as well as an active and smart stick to disrupt developing plays in all three zones. He’s already one of the NHL’s best defensemen.
“Yeah, it’s skating. His lateral mobility,” Sennecke said when asked about what stands out about Schaefer’s game. “It’s just his ability to look so smooth when he’s skating, so controlled. He’s unbelievable. It’s crazy he’s only 18, doing it.”
Schaefer will likely win the Calder Trophy, and it shouldn’t be close.
Schaefer and his Isles will come to Anaheim on Wednesday to face Sennecke’s Ducks. The first time the two had met was a 5-2 victory for the Isles in New York, and both rookies went scoreless.
At the 2024 Draft, unanimously, Ivan Demidov was ranked second behind Macklin Celebrini by most publications. Questions surrounding his level of competition (MHL) in his draft year and how his game would translate to the NHL led to him “falling” to the Montreal Canadiens at fifth-overall. The moment the Ducks selected Sennecke above Demidov, as they play the same position, likely tied the two together for the entirety of their careers.
In his rookie season, Demidov has scored 47 points (12-35=47) in 59 games, and his numbers are remarkably similar to Sennecke’s. At 5v5, Sennecke has produced 2.3 points per 60 minutes, and Demidov has produced 2.65. On the power play, Sennecke has scored 4.71 points per 60, and Demidov has scored 4.76.
Sennecke has the underlying advantage over Demidov, as when Sennecke’s on the ice at 5v5, the Ducks account for 51.25% of the shots on goal, 51.98% of the shot attempts, and 51.30% of the expected goals. When Demidov is on the ice, the Habs account for 45.69% of the shots on goal, 45.95% of the shot attempts, and 46.39% of the expected goals.
After the Ducks host Schaefer’s Islanders on Wednesday, Sennecke and the Ducks will go head-to-head against Demidov and the Canadiens on Friday at Honda Center. Sennecke and Demidov, though likely always linked moving forward, have never shared the ice.
All three players are having special seasons and project as key pieces if/when their franchises are contending in the future. However, Schaefer’s impact is undeniable, and the excellence of his first season in the NHL, at his age, can’t be understated.
“It’s awesome. Those guys are incredible,” Sennecke said when asked about his upcoming games against Schaefer and Demidov. “Schaefer’s like breaking all the records right now, which is pretty crazy. It’s nice to see, and it’s cool.”
The Vancouver Canucks’ D-core keeps getting younger and younger. With Tyler Myers being held out of the lineup due to roster management reasons and Pierre-Olivier Joseph out due to an upper-body injury, Vancouver has recalled defenceman Victor Mancini from the AHL in preparation for their home game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.
Mancini, who had a strong training camp for Vancouver, has skated in 10 games for the Canucks this season. He was sidelined due to injury on October 26 and did not return to play until about a month after. In January, he spent five more games with Vancouver before being re-assigned to Abbotsford. Mancini currently has four goals and eight assists in 33 games played in the AHL this season.
With Mancini now expected to skate against the Hurricanes, the average age of Vancouver’s D-core is now around 24. Mancini, Tom Willander, Zeev Buium, and Elias Pettersson are all under 24 and collectively have skated in a total of 221 NHL games. All four have yet to play in their first full NHL season.
Wednesday will mark the last game before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Ahead of it, nearly every member of the Canucks organization has had their name mentioned in trade rumours. With the passing of the trade deadline will come a conclusion to the Myers saga, which is expected to give Vancouver more clarity on how their blueline could look in the coming seasons.
Jan 27, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Victor Mancini (90) skates in warm up prior to a game against the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The Canucks take on the Hurricanes on Wednesday at 7:00 pm PT.
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Hearing that the Flames have their eye on Xhekaj is easy to understand. With the Flames rebuilding, they should be looking to add young talent with good upside. At 25 years old, Xhekaj would have the potential to fit in nicely on a team that is focused on the future, like the Flames.
If the Flames acquired Xhekaj, he would have a far better chance of receiving consistent playing time. This is because the left side of the Flames' defense is weaker than Montreal's. With this, Xhekaj could even be a potential option for Calgary's second pairing if brought in.
Yet, while Xhekaj is generating interest from the Flames, the Canadiens trading him would come with some real risk. Xhekaj is exactly the mean and bruising defenseman that contenders need to have when the games get tougher during the playoffs. As a result, the Canadiens may be better off holding on to him rather than trading him.
Nevertheless, it is going to be interesting to see what happens between the Canadiens and Xhekaj leading up to the deadline.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins checks Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins in the first period at the TD Garden on January 11, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to Tuesday Night Hockey, folks!
After a disappointing showing in Philadelphia, the Bruins will face another team from the Keystone State as they welcome the Penguins to TD Garden.
The Penguins are having a surprisingly good year and are fresh off of a thorough beating of the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.
The Bruins have been great at home lately and will look to recover from Saturday’s (hopefully) blip.
The standings are getting tighter too, with Washington, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Ottawa all within four points of the Bruins for that second wild card spot.
While the score didn't go Los Angeles' way - and neither did the shot clock or puck possession time - the Kings looked slightly different on the ice with Smith now calling the shots.
For starters, the Kings had three players make their NHL debuts in this contest. Defenseman Angus Booth, right winger Jared Wright and center Kenny Connors were fairly noticeable in what was their first taste of action in The Show.
Before Monday's game, that trio, who have spent all of this season in the AHL with the Ontario Reign. With that, they are also the first players to make their NHL debuts among Kings players who were drafted in 2022 or later.
Even though the Kings were undermanned with injuries, that statistic says a lot about D.J. Smith and the trust he has in the youngsters of the organization.
With the injection of youth into the Kings' lineup, not only did the lineup look different on paper, but they played differently, too.
The defense-first mindset was still there, but there was far more pushback on the mighty Avalanche. There was a clear step up in the team's aggression, specifically on the forecheck, and there was some noticeable speed on the rush.
"What we wanted to establish is a sense of work ethic, a sense of physicality, a sense of we’re not going to sit back, we’re going to come get you," coach Smith told reporters after the game. "I think we did all those things tonight. So, you need the points for sure, but at this point, you can’t fault the effort, and we’re going to need that every game.
"Now, it didn’t look good early. We made some mistakes, we gave up too many odd man rushes, but what you saw from that group is a real effort to forecheck, a real effort to get pucks back, to hunt, to hit people, and you’re going to see that the rest of the way," the interim bench boss added.
Taylor Ward (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Smith wasn't afraid to make tweaks to the Kings' lineup throughout the game, either. Alex Laferriere started the game on the right wing with Alex Turcotte in the middle and Warren Foegele on the left wing. But later, Smith brought Laferriere back to the middle, and Corey Perry was bumped up to that line on the right flank.
Additionally, there was a relatively even distribution of ice time for the majority of the team's forward group. Anze Kopitar's line with Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe on his flanks had a positive influence on the game, despite no even-strength scoring from them.
Furthermore, the Kings' bottom six earned some regular ice time in the second half of the contest and imposed their will physically, especially the fourth line of Samuel Helenius, Jeff Malott, and Taylor Ward.
Like Smith said after the game, it's too late for moral victories. However, there are some promising developments from a Smith-flavored performance.
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As the 2026 NHL trade deadline approaches, more teams are interested in St. Louis Blues forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, and the possibility of them being dealt has substantially increased.
On Saturday, during Elliotte Friedman’s ‘Saturday Headlines’ feature during Hockey Night In Canada, Friedman stated that there is a decent chance Thomas is moved before the March 6 trade deadline. He also linked the Utah Mammoth to Thomas.
Today, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the Buffalo Sabres are a team to keep an eye on in the Thomas sweepstakes and that talks between the two teams are heating up.
The Sabres would be an interesting destination for Thomas, and the Sabres have both the draft capital and the prospects to make a deal. The Sabres currently sit in second place in the Atlantic Division, trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning by four points.
The Sabres are led by captain and former 2018 first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin, alongside former Blues draft pick and 6-foot-6 center Tage Thompson. They’ve improved drastically offensively this season thanks to solid seasons from several young forward prospects. They appear to be on track to make the playoffs for the first time in 14 years and are looking to be buyers.
Robert Thomas has scored 12 goals and 35 points in 43 games this season. (Jeff Le-Imagn Images)
While the talks have reportedly intensified and interest from several teams is growing, The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford reports that the Blues have not yet asked Thomas to waive his no-trade clause. He also mentioned that the Blues previously had interest in Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, but he is not expected to be included in a potential deal.
In addition to the Mammoth and the Sabres, Marco D’Amico of RG Media reported that the Canadiens have kicked tires with the Blues about Thomas, but the asking price is reportedly too high, as the Blues are looking for a package that could include prospect Michael Hage and 24-year-old defenseman Kaiden Guhle.
Ultimately, Thomas holds the power. If he wants to remain in St. Louis, he can simply decline to waive his no-trade clause. If a team he is interested in playing pulls off a deal, he agrees to be traded and moves on.
In the end, whatever team lands Thomas via trade will be better for it and will likely elevate towards Stanley Cup contenders.
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The Buffalo Sabres are swinging for the fences and pursuing the NHL's top trade candidate.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, trade talks between the Sabres and St. Louis Blues "are heating up" regarding star center Robert Thomas.
TSN's Chris Johnston also added that the Sabres are offering the "equivalent of multiple 1st-rounders" to try to land Thomas from St. Louis.
If the Sabres end up landing Thomas, they would be bringing in another legitimate star for their top six. This would be massive for a Sabres club that is looking to officially snap its 14-year playoff drought and cement itself as true contenders in the process.
However, it is also important to note that Thomas has a complete no-trade clause, so he would need to accept a move to Buffalo for the Sabres to have any chance of landing him.
Thomas would be more than a rental for the Sabres if acquired, as he has a $8.125 million cap hit until the end of the 2030-31 season.
Thomas has appeared in 43 games this season with the Blues, where he has recorded 12 goals, 23 assists, and 35 points. This is after he had 21 goals and 81 points in 70 games last season for St. Louis.
The Montreal Canadiens are spending the trade deadline week away from the noise and rumours of Montreal, as they are in California, where they’ll play three games before heading back home on Sunday. On Tuesday, they’ll take on the San Jose Sharks and phenom Macklin Celebrini.
The hosts are on the outside looking in at the playoffs picture, four points away from the wildcard spots in the Western Conference held by the Edmonton Oilers and the Utah Mammoth, but they have won their last two games. Still, they’re only 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, and every point is as important as it gets for them. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are 6-2-2 and coming off a dominant 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals.
Judging by the lines at practice on Monday, it looks like Martin St-Louis will stick with the same lineup with Joe Veleno (who’s got a cold right now), Arber Xhekaj, and Patrik Laine on the press gallery. Jakub Dobes will be back in net.
It will be be his first duel with the Sharks. As for Samuel Montembeault, he has a 3-1-0 record against the Sharks with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.
At the other end of the ice, the San Jose Sharks have yet to confirm who will start, but Alex Nedeljkovich was in the net during the Sharks’ last game on Saturday, a 2-1 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets. The netminder has played 26 games this season, while rookie Yaroslav Askarov has featured in 37 matches. Askarov has faced the Habs only once and lost; he has a 4.15 GAA and a .886 SV%. Meanwhile, Nedeljkovich has a 3-1-1 record against Montreal with a 1.74 GAA and a .947 SV.
Up front, former Canadiens Tyler Toffoli is San Jose’s most productive player against the Habs with 20 points in 22 games, followed by Dimitry Orlov with 17 points in 33 games and Alexandre Wenneberg with 16 points in 22 games. However, Montreal would do well to keep an eye on youngsters Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund, who are all on a two-game point streak and have all been successful against St-Louis’ men in the past. As for rookie Michael Misa, he has never faced the Sainte-Flanelle, but he’s on a three-game point streak and has 12 points in 21 games this season.
The Canadiens only have one player who has reached double-digits against the Sharks; Philip Danault, who has 11 points in 26 games. Defenseman Noah Dobeson has eight points in as many games, while Josh Anderson also has eight points, but in 14 games. However, it’s worth noting that Nick Suzuki has seven points in nine games against San Jose while Cole Caufield has six points in seven games. The sniper also has three goals in his last two games.
Interesting note, St-Louis now has a 148-148-46 record in 342 games behind the bench. With a win tonight, the coach would have more wins than regulation losses for the first time in his career. A clear sign that the Canadiens are on the right path and have turned a corner in their rebuild.
Tuesday night’s tilt will be the 50th meeting between the two sides, and the Canadiens have a 20-23-4-2 record. Montreal won the last duel with the Sharks 4-3 in overtime at the Bell Centre, but each team has won five of the last 10 games. Four of the Tricolore’s five wins came in San Jose, where the Habs have won the last four matches.
The game is set for 10:00 PM, and you can catch it on NBCSCA, TSN2, and RDS. Francois St-Laurent and Tom Chmielewski will be officiating, while Trent Knorr and Devin Berg will be the linemen. After the game, the Canadiens will head to Los Angeles right away, as they’ll face the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, trade deadline day, and the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings have just under $13 million in cap space heading into Friday's trade deadline with many options available on the table.
Most insider reports have indicated the same when it comes to the team's desires on the open market, being a second line center and a top four defenseman being on the top of their list although, based on the team's recent play a depth forward may also be a good idea to look into.
Detroit is a destination on the rise with the Red Wings appearing to be on the upswing towards becoming a perineal contender once again and players would have the honor of representing one of the most prestigious teams in the NHL.
With that in mind, some players on the available market have come up in trade rumors linked to Detroit and could be the next big move by Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman as he looks to finally get his team over the hump and into the playoffs. Here are all of the names the Red Wings have been linked to over the last few weeks and who could be on the move to the Motor City.
Elias Pettersson, C
One of the most talked-about names connected to Detroit is 27-year-old Elias Pettersson, the former 102-point producer whose performance has dipped over the past few seasons.
Since signing his massive eight-year contract carrying an average annual value of roughly $11.6 million, the Swedish center has not matched the elite production that earned him the deal. Instead of hovering near the 100-point plateau, he is projected to finish around the 50-point mark this season while still being compensated like a franchise cornerstone.
It appears the Vancouver Canucks are growing impatient waiting for Pettersson to rediscover his top form and have quietly explored moving him, though only for a substantial return.
The Red Wings are positioned better than most organizations to construct such a package thanks to their draft capital and deep pool of high-end prospects.
A report from the Ottawa Citizen’s Bruce Garrioch added fuel to the speculation last Saturday, noting, "keep an eye on Canucks forward Elias Pettersson; We’re told the Red Wings have been aggressive in their pursuit."
Detroit generated buzz recently after presenting a trade proposal to Vancouver for veteran defenseman Tyler Myers, with some reports suggesting the offer involved a second-round pick.
The 36-year-old Texas native fits the profile Detroit is seeking as a large, physical, hard-nosed presence capable of logging shutdown minutes. Myers has consistently delivered between 20 and 30 points per season.
Although Vancouver’s difficult campaign has left him sitting at minus-25 this year, he recorded a combined plus-18 rating across the previous two seasons.
At six-foot-eight, Myers would also bring leadership and experience that could benefit Detroit’s younger core. His mentorship could be especially valuable for towering forwards like Elmer Soderblom and Michael Rasmussen, while his biggest impact may come in guiding Simon Edvinsson.
The 23-year-old Edvinsson shares a similar frame and developmental trajectory, and learning how Myers has maintained longevity and effectiveness in the NHL could be invaluable.
Whether a deal materializes remains uncertain. TSN’s Chris Johnston recently reported that "at this point in time [Detroit's] not necessarily a place that Myers is looking to go", while Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos countered that Myers did not outright reject the move but is "looking over options, however, by making Detroit wait, the Red Wings could change direction and pursue Rasmus Ristolainen or another defenceman instead."
Rasmus Ristolainen, D
Among the most sought-after names ahead of the deadline is Rasmus Ristolainen, the former eighth overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. Now 31, the once 40-point defenseman has seen his offensive totals decline but remains an imposing physical presence.
Standing six-foot-four, Ristolainen has evolved significantly over his career. Early seasons were marked by strong offensive numbers but also heavy minus ratings.
While those struggles came during difficult years with the Buffalo Sabres, he has adjusted his game. Last season, he finished plus-three, marking the first positive rating of his 13-year NHL career.
Injuries have limited the Flyers defenseman this season to 23 games, where he has six points and a minus-three rating. For Detroit, the appeal lies in adding size and a physical shutdown element to the blue line. The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta reported that the Red Wings are among several teams pursuing Ristolainen.
Justin Faulk, D
Another experienced blueliner on Detroit’s radar is St. Louis’ Justin Faulk. His offensive instincts from the back end have drawn interest, particularly for a Red Wings team that has struggled at times to generate scoring beyond its top six forwards.
At 33, Faulk is slightly younger than Myers and carries a $6.5 million cap hit through the end of next season, giving Detroit some contractual flexibility. A dependable 30 to 40 point contributor with the ability to push toward 50 points as he did in 2022-23, Faulk would immediately bolster the offensive dimension of the defense corps.
He could also aid in the development of Detroit’s younger defensemen, including Edvinsson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Albert Johansson, helping refine their offensive upside. TSN’s Darren Dreger described Faulk as one of the premier right-shot options available and someone Detroit may seriously consider.
MacKenzie Weegar, D
The Calgary Flames appear poised for significant roster movement ahead of the trade deadline, with Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, and MacKenzie Weegar headlining potential departures. Of that group, Weegar has generated the most discussion in connection with Detroit.
Entering the season after compiling 99 points across the previous two years, Weegar was viewed as Calgary’s most valuable trade chip.
Though he has registered 21 points in 59 games during what has been a down year for the Flames, a change of scenery could reignite his production. Detroit has the assets to compete for a player of his caliber, and a move to the Motor City could restore him to 50-plus point form on the back end.
Jake DeBrusk, LW
Injecting additional scoring into Detroit’s middle six would be ideal, and Jake DeBrusk presents a consistent option. The 29-year-old winger is on pace to surpass 40 points for the fifth consecutive season and has reached that mark in seven of his NHL campaigns.
Comparable in consistency to current Red Wing James van Riemsdyk, DeBrusk offers reliable depth scoring with the ability to elevate beyond that baseline.
He could provide offensive stability during stretches when production dries up. The Fourth Period recently reported that the Bruins, Kraken, and Red Wings are among the teams expressing interest in DeBrusk.
The priciest acquisition on the list is 26-year-old Robert Thomas, a player squarely in his prime who can serve as either a first- or second-line center. Having recorded 80-plus points in each of the past two seasons, Thomas would command a significant return.
Detroit, however, possesses the prospect depth and draft capital to make a competitive offer if management believes the move accelerates their playoff push. Adding a point-per-game center would be transformative, but the true question remains whether the acquisition cost would justify the reward.
Vincent Trocheck, C
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Vincent Trocheck may be the most likely elite center to change teams. The 32-year-old showcased his elite two-way ability while helping Team USA capture gold, anchoring a penalty kill unit that did not surrender a single goal throughout the tournament.
Detroit is one of several clubs monitoring the situation. RG’s James Murphy reported that "the Minnesota Wild still appears to be a frontrunner" but added that Detroit "will likely be in the mix as well."
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The Chicago Blackhawks made a notable move on Monday, as they traded defenseman Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round pick. The Blackhawks moving Murphy was not surprising, as he was the subject of trade rumors for quite some time due to his pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) status.
Now, with the Blackhawks trading Murphy, one of their promising young defensemen is getting another chance on the NHL roster.
The Blackhawks called up defenseman Ethan Del Mastro with Murphy being traded. Now, Del Mastro has a golden opportunity to show what he can do during his latest opportunity on the Blackhawks' roster.
After appearing in a career-high 24 NHL games last season with the Blackhawks, Del Mastro has only played in two games so far this campaign with Chicago. The Blackhawks' defensive depth made it hard for Del Mastro to crack the Blackhawks' roster this campaign, but with Murphy now gone, it has opened the door for him to get another look on Chicago's roster.
Del Mastro has certainly earned this latest call-up from Chicago, as he is having a solid year in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs. In 45 games, the 6-foot-4 defenseman has recorded two goals, 16 assists, 18 points, and a plus-1 rating. This is after he had nine assists in 47 games with Rockford last season.
Del Mastro is a solid prospect who Blackhawks fans should be excited to see back on the NHL roster. It will be fascinating to see how much of an impact he can make with Chicago, but there is no question that the 22-year-old has a great opportunity here.
