Entering the Christmas week, things are very different for the Chicago Blackhawks than they were during Thanksgiving. Instead of being near a playoff spot, the Blackhawks are in last place of the entire NHL. 

Chicago is in 32nd place with 32 points. The Seattle Kraken also have 32 points, but they have played two fewer games, which has them in 31st place instead. 

A lot of the teams that were below the Blackhawks, like the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues, have started stringing together some wins right when things started to fall apart for Chicago. 

At this point, picking in the top three for the fourth year in a row would not be the worst possible thing for Chicago. They already have a surplus of great young players in the NHL, AHL, and developmental leagues around the world. Another superstar prospect would not hurt. 

Things are not going to get ay easier for Chicago trying to come out of their current slump. They are missing their top two centers and arguably their two best forwards in Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. While they are out, all they can do is play and hope that they tread water. 

Whether it's Gavin McKenna, Keaton Verhoeff, Ivar Stenberg, or someone else that they project to be a high end NHL player, there are prospects in the upcoming draft who will be difference makers in the National Hockey League. 

The World Junior Championships are coming up in a few short days. This will be a chance to not only watch some of Chicago's best young prospects, but also some of the ones who will be eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. 

This season is already a win for Chicago. Connor Bedard has established himself as a superstar and one of the best players in the NHL. Other top young stars are still developing but have all shown signs of greatness. Topping it off with another great draft pick would be far from bad news. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Less than halfway through his first season coaching the Philadelphia Flyers, Rick Tocchet is already tired of answering questions about your favorite player.

By now, it's no secret that Matvei Michkov, the young franchise forward, has not had the sophomore season everyone hoped he would. The 21-year-old Russian has eight goals, 11 assists, and 19 points in 34 games and is pacing for a major statistical regression across the board.

Not helping matters is the fact that Michkov's average ice time is wallowing at just 14:43, down nearly a full two minutes from the 16:41 he carried under John Tortorella (and Brad Shaw) last season, despite his shooting percentage (12.3% compared to 13.1%) remaining similarly above-average.

The Flyers' former No. 7 overall pick has not visibly regressed by the eye test, though it can be stated that the Flyers' reliance on a cycle-based system has greatly inhibited his offensive production compared to the previous transition-heavy system under Tortorella.

Signed on for five years, it's now Tocchet's responsibility to coach Michkov back to his previous form and then some, but giving a daily, or even weekly, report card on the young talent fans pay to watch play isn't of interest to him at this time.

Flyers Embrace Philosophy Change with Denver Barkey's NHL Debut, BreakoutLess than halfway through the 2025-26 season, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> are already icing a much different team than the one they started the year with.

"We're 17-10, we've got a good record... I've answered six Michkov questions. Enough's enough, guys. I'm getting a little...," Tocchet stammered to the media on Monday.

"Vladar's having a really good year for us. Drysdale's playing really good 5-on-5 for us. Yorkie's doing a really good job. We've got a lot of other players playing good and it's a team game. I mean, this is the fifth question. I appreciate it, but you're trying to make it something it's not.

"He's got to learn to play the game, and he's trying. He's a lot better defensively. He's a lot better playing a team game, and that's how you win hockey. It's not about catering to one person, I hate to tell you guys. That's it."

If Flyers fans, and even Vancouver Canucks fans, feel like they've seen and heard this movie before, it's because they have.

Just over a year ago, last December, Tocchet did the exact same thing with forward Elias Pettersson, the Canucks' franchise forward who would soon be left as the last man standing with J.T. Miller getting traded in January.

“Yeah, that’s what you expect him to do, right? He’s done a good job producing. I don’t know what else to say,” Tocchet had said. "You guys are obsessed with Petey, huh? It’s Petey, Petey, Petey every game. I know what you’re saying. I love you guys, but it gets old… I know you want me to say the wrong thing. That’s why. I’m not falling for that trap anymore.”

Pettersson, of course, stumbled to a career-worst year that saw him produce just 15 goals, 40 assists, and 45 points in 64 games. Before Tocchet's first full season as the Canucks' coach, Pettersson was a 102-point player in 2022-23 establishing himself as one of the NHL's most lethal centers.

The Discourse Around Matvei Michkov Makes No SenseThe great debate for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> so far this season has been whether or not star sophomore forward Matvei Michkov is getting a fair shake under new head coach Rick Tocchet and being put into positions to truly succeed.

By the end of the 2024-25 season, Pettersson's average ice time was just 18:40 - a stark, near-two-minute departure from the 20:33 he averaged in his banner campaign two years prior.

It's also worth noting that former Flyers forward Andrei Kuzmenko exploded for 39 goals and 74 points in 2022-23, then shrunk down to just eight goals and 21 points in 43 games under Tocchet in 2023-24 before getting traded.

Kuzmenko, 29, has seemingly always played his best when arriving in a new environment for the first time, but we can deduce that the Russian sniper is nowhere near the player he was pre-Tocchet.

How long the novelty lasts for the Flyers remain to be seen, but the new bench boss has historically never succeeded with offensive talents over a sustained period of time, only in parts.

The rift between Pettersson and Miller reached a point where it became unmanageable, and Clayton Keller's best years with Arizona (and now Utah) came post-Tocchet.

Something can be said about Trevor Zegras enjoying the best hockey of his career for the Flyers, too, but beware of catering to or fixating on one player on the 23-man roster.

The Philadelphia Flyers return home with a chance to reset quickly after a frustrating but largely well-played shootout loss to the Rangers, welcoming the Vancouver Canucks to Philadelphia.

The result on Saturday didn’t fully reflect the performance, and the focus now shifts to whether the Flyers can carry over the parts of that game that worked—particularly at five-on-five and on the power play—against a Vancouver team that presents a very different set of problems.

---

Vladar Likely to Get the Crease.

Dan Vladar looks set to start in goal, though Rick Tocchet left the door slightly open by calling it a game-time decision. Vladar being the first goalie off the ice after morning skate, however, is usually a strong indicator of the plan.

With Sam Ersson having handled a heavy workload recently, the Flyers appear comfortable leaning on Vladar in a game that could hinge on early saves. Vancouver generates a lot of offense off the rush and second chances around the net, and Vladar’s ability to manage traffic and control rebounds will matter more than raw save totals. The Flyers have generally gotten steady, predictable goaltending from him, which fits the kind of structured game they’ll want to play at home.

---

Building on Progress From the Rangers Game.

Calling the Rangers loss “disappointing” doesn’t mean it was unproductive. The Flyers skated well, pushed play for long stretches, and—importantly—saw tangible results on the power play with two goals. That’s been an inconsistent area, so any sign of cohesion is meaningful.

The challenge now is sustainability. Vancouver’s penalty kill isn’t passive, and their defense tends to close quickly on puck carriers at the blue line. Clean entries and quick decisions will matter more than volume. The Flyers don’t need to reinvent anything from the Rangers game, but they do need to be sharper in execution—especially if power-play chances are limited.

---

Denver Barkey’s Role Grows, Even If the Sample Size is Small.

Denver Barkey has only played one NHL game, but his impact was immediate enough that he stays in a prominent spot. Slotted alongside Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett, Barkey brings pace and a willingness to get involved in the middle of the ice—traits that can help stabilize a line that often draws tough matchups.

Tocchet was clear about what he’s seen so far.

“Unreal,” Tocchet said of Barkey’s energy. “I think it’s important to have guys every once in a while come up, whether they stick or not, they’re playing with energy. And I thought he was really, really good. He’s a hockey player.”

DENVER BARKEY HAS HIS FIRST TWO NHL ASSISTS JUST 23 SECONDS APART 🤩 pic.twitter.com/lp3gLDaZ8k

— NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2025

Barkey, who will be playing his first game on Flyers home ice isn’t being asked to spark the team emotionally or do anything flashy. He’s there to play, to move pucks, and to keep shifts alive. Against a Canucks team that rolls four lines and keeps pressure high, those details will determine how much ice time he earns again.

---

Christian Dvorak’s Return Settles the Top Six.

Christian Dvorak is back after missing the Rangers game with what Danny Briere jokingly described as a “boo-boo,” a minor lower-body issue that didn’t keep him out long.

His return stabilizes the top line with Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny, a trio that relies on Dvorak’s positioning and defensive awareness to balance Zegras’ creativity and Konecny’s pace.

With Dvorak in the lineup, the Flyers’ forward group looks more properly slotted. It also allows Matvei Michkov to stay in a matchup-friendly role with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink, where that line has quietly been effective at tilting the ice without needing sheltered minutes.

---

How Philadelphia Matches Up With Vancouver.

Vancouver brings a mix of size, speed, and shooting, led up front by Brock Boeser and supported by a deep, physical middle six. Evander Kane’s presence adds an edge, while players like Conor Garland and Jake DeBrusk thrive in broken plays and around the net.

On the back end, Filip Hronek drives much of their transition game, and Marcus Pettersson provides defensive stability. Thatcher Demko is expected to start, and when he’s on, goals are difficult to come by without traffic and second efforts.

For the Flyers, the defensive pairings suggest a clear plan. The York–Sanheim pair will handle top matchups, while Andrae and Drysdale are tasked with clean puck movement and avoiding extended shifts in their own zone. Nick Seeler and Rasmus Ristolainen give the third pair a more direct, physical look against Vancouver’s depth lines.

---

Projected Lines

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards:

Trevor Zegras - Christian Dvorak - Travis Konecny

Denver Barkey - Sean Couturier - Owen Tippett

Matvei Michkov - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink 

Carl Grundstrom - Rodrigo Abols - Nikita Grebenkin 

Defense:

Cam York - Travis Sanheim

Emil Andrae - Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seeler - Rasmus Ristolainen

Goalies:

Dan Vladar

Sam Ersson

Vancouver Canucks

Forwards:

Evander Kane - Marco Rossi - Brock Boeser

Jake DeBrusk - David Kampf - Conor Garland

Kiefer Sherwood - Aatu Raty - Drew O’Connor

Liam Ohgren - Max Sasson - Linus Karlsson 

Defense:

Marcus Pettersson - Filip Hronek

Zeev Buium - Tyler Myers

Elias Pettersson - Tom Willander

Goalies:

Thatcher Demko

Kevin Lankinen

In three games with the St. Louis Blues, waiver claim Jonatan Berggren has had instant success.

His first three games with the Blues have witnessed him notch two goals and four points, which included a three-point outing against the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. In just days, he's gone from a player placed on waivers by a team that drafted him in the second round to a first-line player.

In addition to the eye-popping numbers, the 25-year-old has quickly gained the trust of coach Jim Montgomery. He's skating on the top line, on the power play, and is averaging 15:12 of ice time, a total that would be a career high by a decent margin. 

Expecting him to sustain a shooting percentage of 33 percent is likely a stretch, but he's averaging two shots per game, and his analytics are very positive. Currently, the Blues own a 66.25 Corsi For percentage, an expected goals percentage of 78.24, and 65.91 percent of the shots on goal at 5-on-5 with Berggren on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick. Additionally, the Blues are outscoring their opponents 3-0, own a high-danger chance advantage 17-4 and have generated 30 scoring chances while allowing just nine at 5-on-5 with Berggren on the ice. 

Berggren doesn't have God-given physical tools, listed at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds. He doesn't have overwhelming strength or speed, but he has a balanced game and thinks the game at a high level. 

He's done the right things to seize the opportunity given to him so far, but there's more work to be done. Players go through short offensive stretches like this all the time, but if he can continue to affect the game positively at 5-on-5, there will be room for him on a Montgomery-coached team.

“You never know,” Montgomery said. “He looks very comfortable. He’s made elite passes. His hockey sense and vision, and puck skills are very noticeable. Like that’s top-six (caliber). We want to see how he continues to progress. There’s a lot more than just the offensive side. There’s the defensive side, (too). But it’s been a really good showing.”

While Berggren is showing great things with St. Louis, it's critical to account for what we've seen from him in a larger sample size. Berggren played 169 games with the Detroit Red Wings, scoring 31 goals and 66 points. At times, the Red Wings loved what he had to offer, but more often than not, they were left wanting more. Inconsistency plagued his time in Detroit, as too frequently he would be a passenger, rather than a play driver.

He's impressed his coaches and teammates early on, but if he is going to lock down a role on the Blues, he needs to extend this stretch of games further. 

“(Berggren) can make a lot of plays, and it’s been really impressive watching him,” Robert Thomas said following the Blues' 6-2 win over the Panthers on Saturday. “He wins battles, he has the puck a lot, and he’s always looking to make a pass. Just his confidence level right when he got here, you could tell he wanted the puck on his stick, and whether it’s off the rush or in the zone, he’s made a lot of great plays. Just being able to control the puck so that you can have your head up is a big thing that goes really unnoticed. His head is always up, and it’s always turning, so he’s always looking for someone. When you play with a player like that, you’ve just got to get open.”

The Blues are back in action tonight against another difficult opponent, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Berggren is being given another opportunity on the top line, skating with Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich.

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'I Thought It Was A Really Good Start To His Career,' Blues Rookie Otto Stenberg's Compete And Two-Way Game Standout In NHL DebutSt. Louis Blues rookie Otto Stenberg made his NHL debut on Wednesday and stood out for all the right reasons.

Buffalo Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen had a busy first week on making changes to the organization. After relieving Associate GM Jason Karmanos of his duties, the Sabres restocked the shelves by adding former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin to the fold as associate GM and Josh Flynn as assistant GM. 

The 60-year-old former NHLer served as Director of Player Personnel in Chicago when they won their first Stanley Cup in 2010, and served as GM of the Canadiens for nine seasons. Most recently, he has been with the Los Angeles Kings as a senior advisor and is the GM of Team Canada for the upcoming Spengler Cup in Switzerland. 

Flynn was hired by Kekalainen in Columbus in 2013, serving mostly as a capologist and in an analytics capacity. The 43-year-old was given permission by the Blue Jackets to join the Sabres and will have the same title as he did with Columbus the last seven seasons.  

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“Both Marc Bergevin and Josh Flynn bring a wealth of unique experience and perspective, and I am excited to add them to the Buffalo Sabres organization,” Kekäläinen said in a press release. “Adding both to an already strong group adds versatility and helps us continue to build a well-rounded hockey operations staff. Marc has firsthand experience as an NHL general manager and a track record as a strong talent evaluator at the highest level. His insight will be invaluable as we continue to identify and develop talent throughout the organization. Josh’s strength lies within salary cap management, analytics, contract negotiations, and scouting. Having worked alongside him in Columbus for many years, I know that his attention to detail and nuanced understanding of league processes will help to enhance how we support our broader organization.”

Kekalainen indicated that he will be in evaluation mode regarding all aspects of the organization, and based on the moves made in the first week, he has hit the ground running, but some other moves may have to wait until the offseason. According ot Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Monday’s 32 Thoughts podcast, Kekalainen has a reputation of being fair, but almost everyone in the Sabres upper echelon is in the final year of their contracts. This could mean more changes to the management and scouting departments and potentially bringing more people from Columbus – like Flynn – to Buffalo this summer. 

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The St. Louis Blues (14-15-8) have one final game remaining before hitting a four-day Christmas break, and they hope to build off recent success when they finish a two-game Florida trip on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning (19-13-3) at 6 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).

The Blues are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season when they took down the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, 6-2, on Saturday. It was their highest offensive output of the season, surpassing the five goals they scored against the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 14.

And something that hasn't been seen often this season, they got contributions from everybody, from top-end players like Robert Thomas, who will play in his 500th NHL game on Monday with two goals and an assist, to newcomers Jonatan Berggren (one goal, two assists) and Otto Stenberg, who picked up his first two NHL points with two assists. Jake Neighbours had two goals to become the first Blue to reach double figures with 10, and Justin Faulk is right behind with nine and is on pace to break his career high of 17 he set with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2016-17 after a combined six in the past two seasons (138 games).

A win on Monday, which would five the Blues points in four of five games and end a stretch of 11 games in 19 days, as crazy as it sounds, move them within one point of a wild card in the Western Conference playoff race (pending results of Tuesday games) heading into Christmas and get them to .500 for the first time since the seventh game of the season (3-3-1).

The Blues have lost their last four visits to Tampa by a cumulative score of 18-6. including 3-1 last season on Dec. 19, 2024.

The only lineup change from Saturday is Jordan Binnington get the nod in goal.

- - -

Blues Projected Lineup:

Jonatan Berggren-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich

Jake Neighbours-Brayden Schenn-Otto Stenberg

Pius Suter-Dalibor Dvorsky-Robby Fabbri

Alexey Toropchenko-Oskar Sundqvist-Mathieu Joseph

Philip Broberg-Colton Parayko

Tyler Tucker-Justin Faulk

Cam Fowler-Logan Mailloux

Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Joel Hofer will be the backup.

The healthy scratch includes Matthew Kessel. Jordan Kyrou (lower body), Dylan Holloway (high ankle sprain), Jimmy Snuggerud (wrist), Nathan Walker (upper body) and Nick Bjugstad (upper body) are all out.

- - -

Lightning Projected Lineup:

Pontus Homberg-Brayden Point-Nikita Kucherov

Jake Guentzel-Anthony Cirelli-Nick Paul

Zemgus Girgensons-Yanni Gourde-Oliver Bjorkstrand

Gage Goncalves-Jack Finley-Dominic James

J.J. Moser-Darren Raddysh

Ryan McDonagh-Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Declan Carlile-Max Crozier

Andrei Vasilevskiy is projected to start in goal; Jonas Johansson would be the backup.

The healthy scratch includes Curtis Douglas. Victor Hedman (elbow), Brandon Hagel (upper body), Erik Cernak (undisclosed) and Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) are all out.

Blues GM Doug Armstrong: 'Their Work Ethic Is Excellent. They’re Pushing, They’re Prodding.'Coaching staff isn't going to take fall for porous start to season; this time, players are likely to take fall if changes are madeSt. Louis Blues Weekly Prospect Report (Dec. 21)Blues prospects in Springfield picking up contributions, including goalies Zherenko, Romanov, forward Peterson; Harenstam could be Sweden's starting goalie at World Junior Championship

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Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane remains sidelined with an injury that he tweaked on Dec. 13 against the Chicago Blackhawks and has missed the last four games. 

The good news for the Red Wings is that they've gone 3-1 in his absence while getting offensive contributions from forward John Leonard, who was the leading goal scorer in the AHL when he was called up from the Grand Rapids Griffins. 

Following Detroit's 3-2 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday afternoon, head coach Todd McLellan provided the latest update on Kane's condition, noting that while he will not be playing against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday evening, there's a good chance he could return soon afterward. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

"Patty has skated over the last couple of days, and he'll skate tomorrow on his own," McLellan said. "But we won't see him before Christmas. We've got one more game, and we play Carolina on the 27th if I'm correct. There's a chance there (that he will play), we'll see." 

"He's improving". 

Against the Blackhawks, Kane moved to within two goals of 500 in his Hall of Fame career, and he's also now just eight points away from tying Mike Modano to become the highest-scoring U.S. born player in NHL history. 

The Red Wings face the Dallas Stars on Tuesday evening before returning to action on the 27th on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes. 

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The Colorado Avalanche have established themselves as one of the NHL’s top teams.

They are riding a five-game winning streak and boast a league-best 26-2-7 record through 35 games. But even with that success on the ice, the season is reaching a point where practical considerations start to matter more—when strong results are weighed against the careful, and sometimes difficult, business decisions teams have to make.

While the Avalanche have been undeniably dominant, some analysts have pointed out a potential vulnerability on the blue line in what has been dubbed “The Two Sams.” The third-pairing defensive duo of Samuel Girard and Sam Malinski does not bring the kind of physical presence or bone-crushing hits typically seen in postseason play. While penalties are called more frequently during the regular season, officiating tends to be somewhat more lenient in the playoffs. As the stakes rise, shots become harder, hits more punishing, and success often depends on defensemen who can not only absorb that physicality but respond in kind when necessary.

Solovyov Steps Up

Ilya Solovyov, claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames in October, was sent to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles for a conditioning assignment on December 12 and was recalled ahead of Sunday’s game in Minnesota, where the Avalanche defeated the Wild 5-1 at Grand Casino Arena.

Unlike Girard, Solovyov stands 6'3" and weighs approximately 208 pounds, compared with Girard, who is 5'10" and around 170 pounds. During the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup run, Girard missed most of the postseason after being wrecked into the boards by then–St. Louis Blues forward Ivan Barbashev, which left him with a broken sternum and forced him to sit out the remainder of the playoffs.

The Avalanche will likely need the added strength on the back end. While Girard has been an impactful defenseman for Colorado for years, he has also been mentioned in trade discussions repeatedly. Sending Solovyov on a conditioning assignment suggests the team has a clear plan for him. The extra work he has put in at both the AHL level and with Avalanche skills coach Mark Popovic behind the scenes further indicates that Colorado is preparing him to take on a larger role.

The Colorado Avalanche have ended Ilya Solovyov's conditional loan after three games. He had no points but was +1 and and had 4 SOG while playing mostly top pair minutes. #Avs#GoAvsGopic.twitter.com/ehETqm29CZ

— Hockey Mountain High (@HockeyMtnHighCO) December 21, 2025

Will the Avs Trade Girard?

It’s no secret that Jared Bednar is looking for a third-line center. Based on what we’re seeing with the defense, it seems the Avalanche want a multi-dimensional player in that role—not just someone with a quick shot, but also a significant physical presence. Colorado is clearly aiming to step things up.

After what happened in the first round last year against Dallas, and the team’s struggles to respond to the slew of penalties handed out, the Avalanche know they need players who can levy serious punishment when necessary.

Detroit’s Michael Rasmussen is a true behemoth. At 6'6" and 222 pounds, the 26-year-old former ninth overall pick from the 2017 NHL Draft would be a solid addition for Colorado. Last year, he ranked third on the Red Wings with 141 hits, and through 32 games this season, Rasmussen boasts a faceoff win percentage of 58.3—a career-high by a wide margin. He finished the 2022–23 season with a 51 percent success rate.

Acquiring Rasmussen, who carries a $3.2 million cap hit through the 2027-28 season, would give the Avalanche the third-line center they’ve been seeking. With Detroit in the market for a left-handed, puck-moving defenseman, 27-year-old Girard would be an ideal fit for the Red Wings’ system—assuming he approves the trade.

Girard is in the sixth year of his seven-year, $35 million deal. He carries a nine-team no-trade list, which isn’t public, so the Red Wings may or may not be on it. If they aren’t, the move would be a win-win for both teams.

With the arrival of Brent Burns, Girard’s ice time has decreased this season, but in Detroit, he would slot in as a top-four defenseman and help solidify the blue line. He’s a shutdown defender who can also contribute offensively from the backend. This season, he has one goal and six assists for seven points in 20 games, recording his first goal of the year on December 16 when the Avalanche defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-3.

Great finish from Sam Girard! #GoAvsGo

pic.twitter.com/nkozUPPmuU

— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 17, 2025

While Rasmussen has been dominant in the faceoff circle, he could benefit from a change of scenery. If the Avalanche are smart, they might also include a mid-round pick to sweeten the deal.

Here’s a proposed trade scenario:

Red Wings acquire:

Samuel Girard

Avalanche acquire:

Michael Rasmussen

2026 third-round pick

What Happens Next

This trade would allow several things to fall into place. First and foremost, the Avalanche would secure their third-line center in Rasmussen. Ilya Solovyov could step into Girard’s spot, and unlike Girard, Malinski would likely remain in place. He’s been such a vital part of Colorado’s depth this season that he’s almost untouchable. The truth is, Colorado needs Malinski more than they need Girard.

In all honesty, the Avalanche have been looking to move on from Girard for some time, but nothing has really worked out. For example, Colorado attempted to get Ryan Lindgren to agree to an extension in the days leading up to July 1, but he ultimately signed with the Seattle Kraken.

This move would also allow Jack Drury to stay in the fourth-line center role and let Ross Colton return to the wing, where he’s most effective.

It’s always fun to dig through ideas like this, but Chris MacFarland is the genius behind these deals. Let’s let him work his magic.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets are at Crypto.com Arena to take on the LA Kings at 10 PM. 

Los Angeles Kings - 15-10-9 - 42 Points - 4-4-2 in the last 10 - 4th in the Atlantic

Columbus Blue Jackets - 14-15-6 - 34 Points - 3-6-1 in the last 10 - 8th in the Metro  

Blue Jackets Stats

• Power Play - 18.8% - 18th in the NHL
• Penalty Kill - 72.9% - 30th in the NHL
• Goals For - 101 - 20th in the NHL
• Goals Against - 123 - 31st in the NHL

Kings Stats

• Power Play - 14.6% - 30th in the NHL
• Penalty Kill - 79.8% - 20th in the NHL
• Goals For - 87 - 31st in the NHL
• Goals Against - 85 - 2nd in the NHL

Series History vs. The Kings

• Columbus is 28-33-1-7 all-time, and 10-22-1-2 on the road vs. L.A.
• The home team is 6-0-2 in the last 8 games of the series.
• The CBJ went 1-1 vs. the Kings last season.
• Columbus has killed off 20 of the last 23 Kings man advantages.

Who To Watch For TheKings

• Adrian Kempe leads the Kings in goals(13), assists(17), and points(30).
• Darcy Kuemper is 10-6-6 with a SV% of .917. His last start was on December 15th.
• Former Blue Jackets Goalie Anton Forsberg is 5-4-3 with a SV% of .901. His last start was on December 18th.

CBJ Player Notes vs.Kings

• Zach Werenski has 7 points in 14 career games vs. the Kings.
• Boone Jenner has 6 points in his last 17 games against LA.
• Charlie Coyle has 16 points in 31 games.

Injuries 

• Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 27 Games - IR - No timeline for a return
• Mathieu Olivier - Upper Body - Missed 12 Games - IR- No timeline for a return - He is skating
• Miles Wood - Unknown - Missed 1 Game

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 70

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The Montreal Canadiens didn’t hold a morning skate or a media availability on Sunday. However, they still made the headlines when the Communications department confirmed that Samuel Montembeault wouldn’t be joining the team in Pittsburgh as initially planned. With the Becancour native staying behind and Jacob Fowler having played on Saturday night, Jakub Dobes was on duty Sunday night.

While the Canadiens managed to stave off the inevitable on Saturday night when they shutout the Pittsburgh Penguins and therefore kept Sidney Crosby off the scoresheet, they couldn’t repeat the feat on Sunday night. It took less than eight minutes for the Pens’ captain to find the back of the net and tie Mario Lemieux’s point total atop the franchise history, and less than five minutes later, he took sole possession of the title of top scorer in the team’s history.

Canadiens Soaring Rookie Has Been Big Surprise
Canadiens: Montembeault Stays With The Rocket
Canadiens: Fowler In Fantastic Company

Jekyll and Hyde

Martin St-Louis has often said over the last few seasons that the biggest challenge with such a young team is to find consistency, and in the first frame, we got a prime example of that struggle.

The Habs took the lead on a fantastic passing play at even strength. Arber Xhekaj prevented the puck from leaving the zone by poking it to Ivan Demidov, who immediately fed Juraj Slafkovsky with a cross-zone pass before he, in turn, sent it across the zone to Oliver Kapanen, who one-timed it in.

TIC-TAC-TOE#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/OBT3booGPt

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 22, 2025

It was as near perfect as a passing play could be. Still, on the very next shift, with the top line and the top pairing on the ice, the Habs skated like headless chickens in their own zone, turning the puck over to the Penguins and faster than a toddler goes from a broad smile to a full-blown temper tantrum, the Canadiens had conceded the equalizer.

It’s puzzling to see the effect scoring a goal can have on this young squad at times. Instead of giving them confidence, it makes them panic and all too often, they concede the equalizer right away.

Everything That Goes Up…

Trailing by one after 20 minutes and down 14-8 shots-wise, the Canadiens stormed back at the start of the second frame. They played a smart game, didn’t take any unnecessary risks, but were ready when an opportunity presented itself. Less than four minutes into the middle stanza, it was once again the kids’ line that struck gold. Slafkovsky first fed Kapanen, who was denied, but the big Slovak sent the rebound to the Russian rookie, who one-timed it in.

Combien de buts pour ce trio avant d'appeler ça une tradition?

Be merry and enjoy this goal from Ivan Demidov#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/udvFSX664O

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 22, 2025

Once again, Slafkovsky’s pass was perfect. It makes a world of difference when he takes the time to check where his pass is going. Earlier this season, he would often try no-look backhand passes and lose the puck that way, no more. He’s playing smart and safe, and he’s being rewarded for it.

That proved to be another high, and by 9:36, the Canadiens had 15 shots on net and had caught up to the Pens in that department. From then on, it was all Pittsburgh, all the time for the rest of the period. The Habs' next shot came over seven minutes later, and by that point, Pittsburgh had 25 shots.

Granted, Dobes wasn’t great on Acciari’s goal, but the netminder faced 14 shots in each of the first two frames. A team that looked lifeless for large stretches of time in Montreal on Saturday night had the energy of a cup contender in the second game of this back-to-back.

Montreal finished the second down by a goal, and while it was able to tie up the score in the third frame, it couldn’t seal the deal.

Going To Extra Time Is Playing Russian Roulette

While I’ll agree that Dobes didn’t look great in the shootout, the truth of the matter is that the Canadiens wouldn’t have needed a good effort in the shootout had they been consistent all game long. When you can’t seal the deal in regulation, you’re basically leaving the result up to luck. One wrong move and it’s over. Or luck can be on your side, and your opponent absolutely dominates overtime but hits a couple of posts, which is what happened to Montreal tonight. The Penguins win their first game in nine outings on Crosby’s big night, a real Hollywood ending if there ever was one.

Despite the loss, it’s worth mentioning that the Habs were poetry in motion on the ice in overtime. Long gone are the days of the Canadiens’ big, heavy defenseman who could punish the opposition by hitting them, but couldn’t skate. Having Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson on the same team opens a world of possibilities for St-Louis.

The Canadiens will have a day off on Monday before playing their last game before the Christmas break when they take on the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Phillip Danault, who has now arrived in Montreal, should join them there and be in the lineup, especially if the news isn’t good for Joe Veleno, who looked very shaken up after a hard collision late in the game.

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Sam Dickinson is poised to continue his progression in the NHL, as the San Jose Sharks have opted to keep the 19-year-old defenseman with the team rather than sending him to the Canadian National Junior Team for the World Junior Championship.

Dickinson, who was selected 11th overall by the Sharks in the 2024 NHL Draft, had been eligible to represent Canada in the prestigious tournament but will instead remain with the Sharks. The 19-year-old has appeared in 27 of San Jose’s 36 games so far this season, recording one goal and two assists. He is averaging nearly 15 minutes of ice time per game, including a notable 17:33 in the Sharks' 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.

SAM DICKINSON 🦈

He ties it late in the third with his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/tBlDHPrwJy

— NHL (@NHL) November 3, 2025

Sharks Considered Allowing Dickinson To Participate

Initially, general manager Mike Grier and Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky had been discussing whether it would be beneficial for Dickinson’s development to loan him to the Canadian team. Warsofsky, however, expressed some reservations about sending him back to junior hockey, citing the importance of establishing strong habits at the NHL level.

Dickinson had previously competed in the World Junior Championship in 2023 while still with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights, a team that went on to win the Memorial Cup under coach Dale Hunter, who now also serves as the coach of Team Canada.

The Sharks currently have eight healthy defensemen on their roster, with a ninth, Vincent Desharnais, recovering from an upper-body injury.

The World Junior Championship will take place from December 26 to January 5 in Minnesota, and several Sharks prospects will be representing their countries in the tournament.

Sharks Who Are Playing In World Junior Tourney

Among them are center Michael Misa (Canada), defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius (Sweden), and goalie Christian Kirsch (Switzerland). Misa, selected second overall by the Sharks in June, along with Wallenius and Kirsch, both 2024 draft picks, will play for their respective teams.

Additionally, goalie Josh Ravensbergen, a first-round pick this year, is currently training with Team Canada. The final 25-man roster for Canada has yet to be announced. Center Cole McKinney, a second-round pick, remains on the preliminary roster for Team USA.

Next Game for the NHLers

The Sharks will hit the ice Tuesday to face the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Coverage begins at 9 p.m. local time.

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

The Pittsburgh Penguins had nothing going right for them heading into Sunday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.

They had lost eight in a row and were coming off back-to-back lifeless performances against the Ottawa Senators and this very Canadiens team on Saturday. They got blanked 4-0 in both games and were desperate for something positive to happen on Sunday.

They got a whole lot of positives during Sunday's game, starting with Sidney Crosby becoming the Penguins' franchise all-time leader in points (1,724). He notched a goal and an assist in the first period, giving the Penguins a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes before they snapped their eight-game losing streak with a 4-3 shootout win. They even snapped their nine-game shootout losing streak, too. 

It's the first time that the Penguins have won a shootout since Nov. 16, 2024, against the San Jose Sharks. 

Once Arturs Silovs made that final save in the shootout, it felt like a weight was lifted off everyone's shoulders, at least for this game. The players went nuts on the bench, and even head coach Dan Muse let out a few fist pumps. 

They needed to pick themselves up off the mat, and they did exactly that. This was their best overall performance since they were up 5-1 against the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 13. Yes, I know what happened after they made it 5-1, but up until then, they were skating the Sharks off the ice. It's precisely what they were doing to the Canadiens on Sunday (outside of 3-on-3 overtime). 

The Penguins finished the game with 65.2% of the scoring chances and 79.1% of the high-danger chances at 5v5. They also had 69.8% of the expected goals. 

The question now is whether the Penguins can build on this win, but for now, they got the victory when they desperately needed it. 

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And the Edmonton Oilers lineup reads as follows:

RNH - McDavid - Hyman

And that's about it.

Vintage. Classic. A one-man show times three. Whatever you want to call it, the Oilers needed a game like Sunday's 4-3 win over Vegas.

They needed a game where the top line creates an early lead that takes pressure off a goalie returning to the NHL from a very personal battle with mental illness. They needed Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Zach Hyman to carry everything because asking anyone else to do it wasn't going to work. Not on the second night of a back-to-back. Not with Connor Ingram making his first NHL start since March.

This was a big deal. More than a few people were a little nervous about it. Ingram hadn't played in the NHL since entering the Player Assistance Program to deal with personal challenges. His return came on no rest, against a Vegas team that just lost and would be looking to respond. The margin for error was small, and everyone knew it.

McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins, and Hyman played the right way from the opening shift. And thank God they did, because a loss on Sunday night, after everything Ingram's come back from, just wouldn't have been fair.

Oilers Blitz Vegas Early, Survive Third-Period PushThe Edmonton Oilers erupted for four goals, dominating early. Vegas battled back fiercely in the third, but Edmonton held on for a crucial victory with Connor Ingram picking up his first win.

McDavid opened the scoring at 9:11 of the first period, taking a short pass from Leon Draisaitl after gaining the zone, circling in from the right dot and gliding across the front of the crease before sliding the puck past Carter Hart. It was, of course, one of those goals you'll watch three times over again and still not comprehend how something so difficult looked so effortless.

Nugent-Hopkins scored twice on the power play. His first came midway through the second period. His second came early in the third to push the lead to 4-1. Had it not been for an out-of-control third period, the Oilers would have certainly pushed for a hat-trick.

Alas, Ingrams first start back in the NHL was on the line.

“It doesn’t really matter who’s back there for us," began Nudgent-Hopkins. "We want to play as best we can in front of them.” 

Spencer Stastney Is Quietly Becoming A Very Interesting Piece For The OilersA hidden gem acquired from Nashville, Spencer Stastney's calm puck-moving and defensive reliability are proving invaluable to the Oilers' blue line depth.

Hyman scored as well, continuing a strong recent stretch. He's found his game over the past month—forechecking, winning battles, being where he needs to be, same old. Sunday was no different. He wasn't the story, but he was part of why the story had a happy ending.

“It definitely shouldn’t matter (who's in net) the way we play," continued Nudgent-Hopkins. "We’re looking for consistency in our game, consistency in our defensive game.”

They got consistency for thirty minutes give or take, then they watched a 4-0 lead turn into 4-3. Vegas scored twice in less than ten minutes, and a game that felt comfortable became very uncomfortable very quickly. Edmonton stopped skating. Stopped forechecking. Stopped doing all the things that built the lead in the first place. 

A Look Into Andrew Mangiapane's Slow But Steady Development With The OilersAndrew Mangiapane hasn't been scoring goals. That much is obvious. His last one came November 3 against Nashville, and when he finally ended the drought Saturday afternoon in Minnesota—tipping an Evan Bouchard shot past Filip Gustavsson at 13:35 of the first period—it had been 21 games and 47 days since he'd seen one cross the line.

That's a bit scary. Actually, it's more than a bit scary. When you're trying to support a goalie making his first NHL start in nine months, letting the opponent score twice in one period and turn a three-goal lead into a one-goal game is the opposite of helpful.

But Ingram stayed calm; he stayed composed.

"It's awesome. It's awesome to see a guy get rewarded," Hyman said when asked about Ingram. "I thought he played great. We gave up a lot of chances there in the third and, yeah, we bent, but didn't break and I thought he was a huge part of that.

"Whoever's playing, you have to play well in front of them," Hyman continued. "Want to make life easy for a goalie, especially a new goalie. He doesn't necessarily know all the systems or anything like that, right? They're just learning. So you want to make sure that everything's predictable and yeah, I mean, I thought we did a good job of it for the most part."

Jack Roslovic Returns, Where Will The Oilers Slot Him?Jack Roslovic is back. Where should the Edmonton Oilers' forward go in the lineup to maximize the team's offense?

For the most part is right. The first two periods were exactly what Ingram needed—early goals, a controlled game, manageable chances. The third period was a bit uncomfortable. Unpredictable. Chaotic. The kind of hockey that tests a goalie's resolve and forces him to make saves he shouldn't have to make while trying to protect a lead that shouldn't have been in question.

But McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins, and Hyman had done their job by then. They'd built the lead. They'd taken pressure off Ingram when it mattered most. The third period was a problem—one the Oilers need to fix before it costs them a game—but it wasn't enough to undo what the top line accomplished in the first thirty minutes.

Sunday night was exactly what it needed to be for Ingram's return. The Oilers scored early. They gave him support. They made his job easier by controlling the game before Vegas could establish any rhythm. The third period got scary, and they'll need to address why, but Ingram got his first NHL win since returning from the Player Assistance Program.

The Behind-the-Scenes Gamble That Had Tristan Jarry in Oilers Gear InstantlyA surprising gamble by a goalie gear manufacturer, fueled by rumors, ensured Tristan Jarry had his new Oilers equipment ready instantly.

Sometimes you need games where the lineup card might as well read: RNH - McDavid - Hyman. And that's about it.

Sunday night was one of those games. Those three played the right way. Ingram held on when it got difficult. The Oilers won despite making it harder than it needed to be.

And thank God they did.

A loud cheer echoed through Rogers Place as Connor Ingram made his first save early, getting him into Sunday night's game versus the Vegas Golden Knights immediately. "I kind of blacked out," he said when asked if he'd heard the fans cheering him on. He said he knew he'd made the save, but not what happened after that.

Well, what came after that was a barrage from the Edmonton Oilers, who applied the pressure, testing Carter Hart often and with high-danger chances, many of which got behind the netminder. 

It was the kind of start Edmonton needed, if for no other reason to put Ingram at ease. 

The Oilers were the far better team in the first 30 minutes, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Connor McDavid drove wide and beat Hart at the 9:11 mark of the first period, then almost scored on what would have been a goal of the year candidate. He drew a call from the official, and the power play was a deadly weapon for the Oilers in the first two periods.  

McDavid was flying -- as he's been known to do over these last 10 games --, bursting through four Golden Knights at the end of the penalty and drawing one himself. 

It didn't take much time for Leon Draisaitl to find Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the man advantage to make it 2-0. Nuge snuck in on the weak side, and the Golden Knights didn't see him dropping down as Zach Whitecloud was focused on the crease. 

The Oilers got an early power play in the second and, again, made quick work of it. Nugent-Hopkins got his second of the night. He had three points on the evening. 

The Oilers continued to pour it on, and at the 7:45 mark of the second, Darnell Nurse hit the trailer in Zach Hyman, who went backhand roof for a pretty goal to make it 4-0. 

The Golden Knights Pushed Back 

The Golden Knights finally got on the board with a power play marker. Thomas Hertl got the puck in the slot and put one up higher over the blocker of Ingram. There was not much he could do, but it became clear almost immediately after that the push from Vegas was coming.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch said the Golden Knights were known as one of the league's worst first-period teams, but also the NHL's best in the third. He gave the Golden Knights credit for getting better as the game wore on. 

Vegas scored two goals early in the third to make things interesting, forcing the Oilers to call a timeout to settle things down. 

Ultimately, the Oilers withstood the push and, while they failed to score on an empty net, played solid enough in front of Ingram to pick up the win. 

"Every Day Here Is a Good Day" 

Following the game, Ingram spoke with the media and talked about his journey back to the NHL. It's unclear how long he'll be with the Oilers, but he's grateful for any and every day that he gets.

It's been a whirlwind to get back, but he's comfortable playing his part. "It's been hectic, but at the end of the day, no matter what level you're in, my job is just to stop the puck. I don't have to learn a forecheck or things like that; my job never changes. The guys did a great job making me feel welcome and showing me everything that I need to know. It's been great."

"There's a lot of days I didn't think it would ever happen again. It's just the truth of it in this world. It's a competitive game. There's 64 spots in the world to do this. You don't take it for granted any day you're up here. It's a huge honor."

Ingram is starting to feel like he's getting his game back, but he's aware there is a long ways to go.

 "It was hard. Obviously, I didn't get to go to camp, so that was a huge setback. I was in Utah when that happened, so I took two weeks without touching the ice, and that's hard to come back from right before the season." He added, "It took me a sec to get it going again. It's just hockey, you put your skates on the same way, no matter where you are. Just go out and try to do your best. Every dog has their day." 

When asked about the difference between the AHL and the NHL, "I think it's easier. In this, what you think should happen, does happen. I rely heavily in on reading the game, I've never been a guy that was fast enough or quick enough to react so I have to be one  step ahead and in this league it's just easier to do that. Where you think the puck is going to go, 90% of the time it does. It's just easier to read and kind of figure it out from there. But it's a lot faster than what I'm used to the last couple months. There's still a lot of work to be done."

"I've been through enough to know the sun's coming up tomorrow. No matter what happens in this life, I've got a wife and a family that loves me and that's all that really matters at the end of the day. You want to win a hockey games, but there's a lot more to life than just hockey."

Credit to the Oilers for giving him a chance to settle in. They jumped out to an early lead and made his life a bit easier, at least for the first 30 minutes. 

"I think I had a lot of help today.. it's not just me, I thought all of us played well. I think save percentage is a team stat. When we do a job like we did today, it makes my job easier. I thought it was a great effort from top to bottom."

When asked what he missed most: "Just being around it. You don't dream of playing in the AHL, you want to be in the NHL. Every day you're here is a good day." 

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