Canadiens: First Line Duty And Bronze for Kapanen, Disappointment For Slafkovsky

Up until the bronze medal game, Montreal Canadiens’ rookie Oliver Kapanen had not seen a second of action in the Olympic tournament. He was dressed for two games, but he had the best seat in the house as the Finns’ 13th forward, but then Mikko Rantanen was injured in the semifinal. Since the Dallas Stars forward couldn’t play, Kapanen was promoted straight to Finland’s top line alongside Sebastian Aho and former Hab Artturi Lehkonen.

Meanwhile, Juraj Slafkovsky was once again on the Slovaks’ top line with Adam Ruzika and another Hab, Tomas Tatar. With eight points ahead of the final dual, Slafkovsky once again carried the hopes of a country on his young shoulders. The winger had said the Slovaks would be ready and smiling for the bronze medal game and would go out and do it, but the Finns didn’t get the memo.

Canadiens’ Captain Playing For Olympic Gold
Canadiens’ Schedule Will Be A Big Challenge
Canadiens Player Announces His Wife Is Expecting

After being beaten 4-1 in the preliminary round by the Slovaks, the Finns had revenge on their mind, and Juuse Saros played his best game of the tournament in net, stopping 30 of the 31 shots he received. Unfortunately for the Slovaks, Finland took the lead early and never let up. Sebastian Aho scored less than five minutes in, and Erik Haula doubled their lead just before 30 minutes had been played. They learned from their defeat against Canada and kept pushing.

Tatar scored one for Slovakia before the end of the second frame, but Finland came right back with a couple of goals early in the third frame and added another two in an empty net to take the bronze with a 6-1 win.

While Slafkovsky didn’t get on the scoresheet, he gave his all in this ultimate game, spending almost 24 minutes on the ice, taking five shots on net, and being his usual imposing presence physically. Whenever he had the puck, though, the Finns wasted no time getting on him and not allowing him the time to pick his spot on shots.

While the big Slovak will no doubt be disappointed to go home empty-handed after winning Bronze four years ago, this tournament showed just how much Slovakia improved in the last four years. Finishing fourth in a tournament with NHL players should be seen as a success. Slafkovsky, Simon Nemec, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Pavol Regenda had a great tournament, and there’s plenty to be proud of.

On an individual standpoint, Slafkovsky is now the second-highest Olympic goal scorer in his country’s history with 11 lamplighters, only three behind Slovakian icon Marian Hossa. With the NHL having committed to participating in the next two Olympic tournaments as well, he should have at least two more tournaments to catch up to him. Furthermore, it doesn’t feel like he’s hit his ceiling yet, and this tournament has allowed him to improve even more. He’ll come back to Montreal better than he ever was.

As for Kapanen, he spent 16:23 on the ice and showed no sign of rust whatsoever despite not having played since the Canadiens’ last game before the break on February 4th against the Winnipeg Jets. He was credited with a single shot, but he hit the post twice, and while those don’t count as shots, he was so very close to finding the back of the net. He was on the ice for Finland’s first goal, right there at the front of the net, creating havoc. He also played on the Finns’ second power play and created a scoring chance. There’s no denying that he made the most of the opportunity he was given in this game, and he showed his country what they missed out on when he stayed on the bench in the other games.

After the game, in the handshake line, Kapanen and Slafkovsky hugged, and there’s no doubt that they’ll be asked what they said to each other in that moment in the days to come, when they return to Montreal and become teammates again.


Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Image

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here

Olympics 2026: How to watch USA vs. Canada hockey gold medal game for free

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Jack Hughes in a Team United States ice hockey uniform on the ice, Image 2 shows MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada skates during the Men's Preliminary Group A match between Canada and France on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 15, 2026 in Milan, Italy

It’s been 16 years since the men’s hockey teams from the United States and Canada faced off in an Olympic gold medal game, but it’s barely been a year since Team USA and Canada last met with a title on the line at the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off.

Both teams are facing off in today’s Olympics gold medal match with rosters that are largely unchanged from that pre-Olympics tournament last February. In the end, it was Canada that bested the United States in an instant classic 3-2 overtime thriller to win the first 4 Nations Face-Off.

Now, one year later: the NHL is back at the Olympics and we’re once again being treated to that classic matchup. USA vs. Canada. One of the biggest rivalries in hockey.

men's olympic hockey: what to know
  • What: United States vs. Canada (Gold Medal Game)
  • When: Feb. 22, 8:10 a.m. ET
  • Where: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (Milan, Italy)
  • Channel: NBC
  • Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)

With a squad that Miracle on Ice icon Mike Eruzione calls “the best team we’ve ever had,” Team USA has gone undefeated across its five Olympic games so far. Most victories have been by a large margin, too, where Team USA scored 5+ goals. The most recent win in the semifinals was a 6-2 rout of Slovakia.

Canada is also undefeated in Milano, but there is still concern that captain Sidney Crosby, who was injured in the quarterfinals, may not suit up for the game. Crobsy missed the semifinals (Canada won 3-2 over eventual Bronze medalists Finland), but skated on Saturday in a positive sign that he could play in today’s gold medal matchup.

Crosby, famously, scored the overtime winner at the 2010 games, the last time USA and Canada faced off in an Olympic gold medal game.

USA vs. Canada hockey start time

The United States vs. Canada gold medal game is scheduled to start today, Feb. 22, at 8:10 a.m. ET.

How to watch USA vs. Canada gold meal game for free

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to watch USA vs. Canada live.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching TV live for free — its five-day free trial includes NBC (plus every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the Winter Olympics). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $49.99/month for your choice of streaming plan and gain access to over 90 live channels.

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

Sling TV is another affordable way to stream the Winter Olympics; its Select plan includes NBC and starts at $19.99/month.


2026 WINTER OLYMPICS


United States and Canada men’s hockey team rosters

Below, check out the rosters for Team USA and Canada, along with each player’s NHL team.

United States
  • Jackson LaCombe (D) – Ducks
  • Zach Werenski (D) – Blue Jackets
  • Brock Faber (D) – Wild
  • Noah Hanifin (D) – Golden Knights
  • Charlie McAvoy (D) – Bruins
  • Quinn Hughes (D) – Wild
  • Jaccob Slavin (D) – Hurricanes
  • Jake Sanderson (D) – Senators
  • Brady Tkachuk (F) – Senators
  • Jack Eichel (F) – Golden Knights
  • J.T. Miller (F) – Rangers
  • Matt Boldy (F) – Wild
  • Vincent Trochek (F) – Rangers
  • Matthew Tkachuk (F) – Panthers
  • Dylan Larkin (F) – Red Wings
  • Brock Nelson (F) – Avalanche
  • Auston Matthews (F) – Maple Leafs
  • Jake Guentzel (F) – Lightning
  • Tage Thompson (F) – Sabres
  • Kyle Connor (F) – Winnipeg Jets
  • Jack Hughes (F) – Devils
  • Clayton Keller (F) – Mammoth
  • Jeremy Swayman (G) – Bruins
  • Jake Oettinger (G) – Stars
  • Connor Hellebuyck (G) – Jets
Canada
  • Travis Sanheim (D) – Flyers
  • Devon Toews (D) – Avalanche
  • Cale Makar (D) – Avalanche
  • Thomas Harley (D) – Stars
  • Shea Theodore (D) – Golden Knights
  • Josh Morrissey (D) – Jets
  • Colton Parayko (D) – Blues
  • Drew Doughty (D) – Kings
  • Sam Bennett (F) – Panthers
  • Nick Suzuki (F) – Canadiens
  • Sam Reinhart (F) – Panthers
  • Bo Horvat (F) – Islanders
  • Macklin Celebrini (F) – Sharks
  • Seth Jarvis (F) – Hurricanes
  • Nathan MacKinnon (F) – Avalanche
  • Brandon Hagel (F) – Lightning
  • Tom Wilson (F) – Capitals
  • Mark Stone (F) – Golden Knights
  • Brad Marchand (F) – Panthers
  • Sidney Crosby (F) – Penguins
  • Mitch Marner (F) – Golden Knights
  • Connor McDavid (F) – Oilers
  • Darcy Kuemper (G) – Kings
  • Logan Thompson (G) – Capitals
  • Jordan Binnington (G) – Blues

When do the Winter Olympics end?

The 2026 Winter Olympics end later today, Feb. 22, with the closing ceremony scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.


Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.


‘Incredible’ Connor Hellebuyck not letting NHL playoff woes get to him in Olympics

Slovakia's Adam Liska (23) battles with United States' Brock Faber, center, for the puck in front of United States goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third period of a men's ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026.
Slovakia's Adam Liska (23) battles with United States' Brock Faber, center, for the puck in front of United States goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third period of a men's ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026.

MILAN — Having played between the pipes for the Winnipeg Jets in seven of the past eight NHL postseasons, goalie Connor Hellebuyck has seen his fair share of big moments. 

Not the kind with a Stanley Cup on the line, but the ones that are a byproduct of circumstances.

The Jets have failed to make it out of the first round — or qualifier — in four of those aforementioned playoff runs, and Hellebuyck has assumed a significant portion of the blame as the franchise’s longtime No. 1 netminder. 

Hellebuyck has a shocking 1-9 record in his past 10 road playoff games dating back to 2021. His .917 save percentage from 2022 through this current NHL regular season leads the NHL, but it dropped to .872 in the postseason over that span. 

Connor Hellebuyck saves the puck during the men’s play-off semi-final ice hockey match between USA and Slovakia at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on February 20, 2026. AFP via Getty Images

One of the more recent lasting images of Hellebuyck is from Game 6 of the Jets’ first-round playoff series against the Blues last year.

He had already been pulled in Game 4, and after giving up five goals on 23 shots across 40 minutes of play — including four goals in 5:23 — Hellebuyck was on the bench at the start of the third. 

In the NHL, Hellebuyck hasn’t been able to rise to the occasion. 

Since rejoining international play, however, the Michigan native has left little doubt as to who the top American goaltender is. Team USA will need that to continue if it is going to top Canada for a gold medal Sunday. 

Asked about his confidence level five games into his first Olympic tournament — during which he stopped 90 of the 95 shots he faced — Hellebuyck’s usual stoic demeanor completely changed. 

“Oh, all-time high,” he said, cracking a smile for the first time in the scrum with reporters after his 22-save performance against Slovakia on Friday night. “You know, I’m really enjoying this. This is fun. You don’t get to be part of this so much. I’m going to enjoy every second out here.” 

The 32-year-old is leading the Olympic tournament with a .947 save percentage and a 1.23 goals-against average. Up until this point, Hellebuyck has been sharp, steady and stingy. 

After allowing a couple third-period goals to Slovakia in a blowout quarterfinal victory, Hellebuyck poked fun at himself, saying he “got a little bored in there, and it cost me a goal.” It was indicative of just how light Hellebuyck looks and presumably feels going into this gold medal clash with Canada. 

Slovakia’s Adam Liska (23) battles with United States’ Brock Faber, center, for the puck in front of United States goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third period of a men’s ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. AP

His USA teammates have lauded the calmness that exudes from Hellebuyck behind them.

That kind of presence is exactly what the U.S. men’s hockey team will need to win this whole thing. 

“He’s incredible,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “He’s been incredible year after year. And it seems like in this short tournament, even going back to last year at 4 Nations, he’s been a brick wall. He’s been awesome. He plays the puck very well. Seems like everything that’s hitting him, sticks. He’s so good. He’s so steady. Probably the greatest asset is just the confidence he gives us. We are very excited to have him behind us for the gold medal game.” 


2026 WINTER OLYMPICS


Hellebuyck is one of just 13 goalies in NHL history with three Vezina trophies — tying him with the likes of Patrick Roy, Glenn Hall and Tony Esposito. Just eight goalies have won the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player, and he is one of just three in this century. 

It is Hellebuyck’s playoff failures, however, that have dominated his story through his 11-year NHL career. This game has the magnitude to change the narrative.

It’s been 46 years since the Miracle on Ice, the last time the Americans won gold in men’s hockey. 

Canada holds a 4-1 record against the United States in Olympic tournaments featuring NHL players. Team USA has never beaten the Canadians when it mattered. 

Hellebuyck, as the last line of defense, has an opportunity to become an American hero. 

Suddenly, the NHL playoff stage wouldn’t look so big.

Lenni Hameenaho Recalled To Devils; Keefe Shares Progress Report

Lenni Hameenaho was recalled to the New Jersey Devils from the American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets on Tuesday, February 17.​

The forward was recalled by the Devils on February 17, just before the end of the Olympic break. Earlier this season, he made his NHL debut on January 19. ​The 2023 second-round selection for the Devils played in nine games with the team this season. ​Hameenaho earned four points in nine games, two goals and two assists. ​

At just 21 years old, Hameenaho has transitioned to the NHL well. Head coach Sheldon Keefe spoke about his adjustment to the big leagues on NJD.tv on Thursday.  

"​It's been obvious that he belongs here,” Keefe said. “He’s a young player who has the ability to go up and down without requiring waivers. You don’t really know what it’s going to be like day-to-day, but his play before the break showed that he can help our team and play in the NHL."

Despite his easy adaptation to the NHL, there is still just under half the season to play. Keefe acknowledged that it will be a long road for Hameenaho.

“We’ve got to keep working with him as a coaching staff to keep adapting to the league as the sort of honeymoon phase wears off, there’s a long list of guys that come up to the NHL for a short period of time and have success, but can’t really sustain it. It’s a reason why you want to keep guys in the American League longer, especially prospects, so that when they come up, they show that they’re ready and they don’t have to go back,” Keefe said. “That’s what we hope to be the case, and from what we saw before the break, there’s no reason to believe otherwise.”​

Hammehao will re-join the Devils after logging one game with the Comets. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

THN.com/free
THN.com/free

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.

NHL Trade Rumors: Predicting Flyers Trade Deadline Plans, Targets

The 2026 NHL trade deadline, which falls on March 6 this year, is officially less than two weeks away. In that short period of time, the Philadelphia Flyers are going to have to make some important decisions with long-term implications.

Sitting at a mediocre 25-20-11, the Flyers are eight points out of the second wildcard playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and eight points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division.

MoneyPuck gives the Flyers a measly 10.7% chance of reaching the postseason, which are the ninth-worst odds in the NHL by their metrics.

So, with that all being said, all signs point to the Flyers being forced to sell at the trade deadline once again.

Having already re-signed Christian Dvorak to a five-year pact, the Flyers are down one less trade chip, but they do have a few pieces that could at least make the deadline interesting.

Rasmus Ristolainen, now an Olympic Bronze medalist, is the biggest fish in the Flyers' pond, and he's at a point in his contract that could be the sweet spot for contending teams.

Report: Flyers Rejected Big Maple Leafs Trade for Rasmus RistolainenReport: Flyers Rejected Big Maple Leafs Trade for Rasmus RistolainenAccording to a new report, the Philadelphia Flyers received a massive trade offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs for veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. GM Danny Briere and Co. didn't budge.

The 31-year-old has two years left on his contract at a $5.1 million cap hit, and the Flyers, who will have the retention in the Kevin Hayes and Scott Laughton trades come off their books this summer, should feel free to use their last remaining retention slot to maximize Ristolainen's value with minimal long-term consequences.

Of course, the Flyers really like the player, and Ristolainen has experienced a career resurgence over his last few seasons in Philadelphia. At the same time, does it really make sense for the Flyers to hold onto a veteran who's suffered a season-ending injury two years in a row?

Of note, in regards to pending RFA Christian Kyrou, Flyers GM Danny Briere told The Hockey News that the team will evaluate the prospect's future with the club "after the trade deadline."

Ristolainen, alongside Emil Andrae (RFA) and Noah Juulsen (UFA) are among the defensemen who could get moved to clear a roster spot for Kyrou so that the Flyers can get a better look at the surging prospect in an NHL environment.

Plus, the Flyers recently had prospects Hunter McDonald and Oliver Bonk up to practice with the NHL squad, filling in for Ristolainen and Travis Sanheim, who are, of course, at the Olympics.

If the Flyers fall any further out of playoff contention, it would behoove them to get extended looks at the young players they feel will have a future with the organization.

It's worth mentioning that McDonald himself is a pending RFA, and Adam Ginning and Maxence Guenette, who each have a handful of games of NHL experience, are on expiring deals, too.

Flyers Defender Could Be Trade Candidate To WatchFlyers Defender Could Be Trade Candidate To WatchIf the Flyers end up being sellers, this defenseman could be a trade candidate to watch.

In short, the Flyers have a lot of defensemen to evaluate and not a lot of time to do it.

It would come as a major surprise if the Flyers did not move on from at least one defender on the current NHL roster by the deadline on the 6th.

As for the forwards, veteran grinders Nick Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway will have close to no value. Carl Grundstrom, who's been something of a pleasant surprise for the Flyers, might have been a more attractive piece to contenders if not for his $1.8 million cap hit.

Bobby Brink, though, at age 24 and a slightly more modest $1.5 million cap hit, would be a smart buy for a playoff team that intends to keep him beyond this season.

The diminutive winger has a respectable 13 goals, 11 assists, and 24 points in 50 games for the Flyers in a checking role, but it's only a matter of time before the imminent arrival of Porter Martone forces Brink or another winger off the Flyers.

As for potential Flyers trade targets, star St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas should be at the very top of the list, though that deal might be one best saved for the offseason rather than an in-season deal.

Would Flyers, Jett Luchanko Benefit from a Position Change?Would Flyers, Jett Luchanko Benefit from a Position Change?The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> may not have the center prospect they thought they did in Jett Luchanko, but that isn't a bad thing.

As a writer, given the Flyers' lack of projectable centers, I'm always looking for ways the Flyers can find depth and quality down the middle. 

Buy-low options like Marco Kasper, Cole Sillinger, Adam Fantilli, Shane Wright, and Hendrix Lapierre all make sense to varying degrees, though the Flyers may not be interested in some, and others (namely Fantilli) may not be available.

Centers are always more expensive on the trade market, though, and the Flyers may find it easier to capitalize on their glut of wingers by moving to address their weak defensive depth instead.

Assuming Andrae and Juulsen don't have futures with the team, the Flyers would ideally like to find a left-shot defender to take some responsibility off the aging Nick Seeler while contributing to the penalty kill.

Pavel Mintyukov from Anaheim would be a dream long-term contributor, but the Flyers are much more likely to target someone with the profile of a Mario Ferraro or Mattias Samuelsson. Middle-aged, inexpensive, defense-oriented players that might benefit from a change of scenery.

And, to that end, if the Flyers haven't decided to move on from backup goalie Sam Ersson by now, there won't be any changes until the offseason. Ersson and Aleksei Kolosov are each pending RFAs and should be pitted against each other to battle for a future with the club.

Former NHL great Jaromir Jagr talks about retirement in his 38th professional season

PRAGUE — The storied hockey career of Jaromir Jagr might be coming to an end.

Currently in his 38th professional season, with his hometown Kladno Knights in the Czech league, the former NHL great strongly suggested that fans might not get to see him on the ice any more.

“Probably not,” Jagr said in an interview published late Friday on his Instagram account. “It would have to be a miracle. God would have to come, enter me and make me 15 years younger.”

It wasn’t immediately clear if Jagr will play again this season. The winger, who turned 54 on Feb. 15, has played just six games in the league for Kladno this season. His last game so far was on Dec. 21.

Jagr, who represented his country at five Olympics and led the Czechs to gold in Nagano in 1998, said he spent the last 10 days watching the Milan Cortina Games on television.

“I do nothing else but eat and watch TV,” he said. This is the first Olympics with NHL players in a dozen years and Jagr appreciated that.

“It’s the best tournament in the last 10-15 years, certainly because of the presence of NHL players,” he said. “The games are great.”

But besides following hockey, short-track speed skating and figure skating, Jagr said he is trying to keep fit after recently gaining some 4-5 kilograms (9-11 pounds).

“It’s really about discipline,” Jagr said. “The worst thing is when you don’t have to. Sometimes, it’s better when you have to. When you don’t have to, forcing yourself is the hardest thing,” he said.

“I keep myself going. I try, I don’t train to be ready to play, but I try to go skating every day if I have time.”

Jagr made his debut for Kladno at age 16 and returned to the club in 2018 when the Calgary Flames released him. Jagr remains second on the NHL’s all-time points list behind Wayne Gretzky. Jagr won the Stanley Cup twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins in his first two NHL seasons.

Until early last year, Jagr served in dual roles as Kladno player and owner, splitting his time between chasing sponsors and dealing with administrative duties and ice time.

He sold a majority stake in Kladno last January in a season he had previously suggested would be his last but wasn’t.

This season, if still playing, he has a chance to make the playoffs with Kladno for the first time.

Canadiens’ Schedule Will Be A Big Challenge

The Montreal Canadiens had played 57 games before the NHL entered its Olympic break, leaving them with 25 games left in the regular season. 13 of the remaining 25 games will be played at home, where the Habs have a 16-11-1 record, a plus-three goal differential, an 18.9 % success rate on the power play and an 81% success rate on the penalty kill. Meanwhile, they have a 16-6-7 record away from the Bell Centre with a plus-11 goal differential, and their power-play efficiency is 28.1%, while their penalty kill is only 73.5%.

Of course, with so little time left before the end of the season, it will be a hectic schedule, including three four-game weeks, with four back-to-backs. 11 of the 25 games will be against teams that are currently in playoff position, and 14 games will be against teams that are currently on the outside looking in. That’s not necessarily good news, as some of these teams will be fighting with desperation to get in, but on the flip side, there may be a few that have already given up.

Canadiens: 2 Potential Trade Targets From Blues
Canadiens’ Suzuki’s Gold Medal Dream Still Alive
Canadiens Have 2 Potential Rangers Trade Targets

The Canadiens are currently in second place in the Atlantic Division, six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have been on fire of late, winning their last five games and posting an 8-1-1 record in their last 10. Jon Cooper’s men seem to be on their way to a Division Championship, and Martin St-Louis and co. will face them twice before the end of the season, that’s no easy task.

Montreal will also have to lock horns with the Carolina Hurricanes twice before the end of the season. Rod Brind’Amour’s team is currently first in the Metropolitan Division, has won its last three games, and has an 8-0-2 record in its last 10 games, and it hasn’t lost in regulation since January 13.

Just like last season, the Columbus Blue Jackets are fighting for their survival, and they were on a big roll before the break. They’ve won their last seven games and are 9-0-1 in their last 10. They sit four points out of the playoffs as we speak, but they do have a game in hand on the Boston Bruins. Will they remain hot long enough? In any case, that’s another team Montreal will have to face twice before the end of the regular season.

There’s one team that they’ll need to face three times, though: Patrick Roy’s New York Islanders. The Isles are currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division and have won their last two games. They’ll visit the Canadiens on February 26th when Montreal returns to action, and it will be crucial for the Habs to pick up where they left off.

The Habs have done very well so far this season, but the road ahead is a challenging one, and they’ll need to be even better if they want to book their playoff spot well in advance of the end of the season.


Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Image

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here

Report: Canucks Prospect Lekkerimäki To Have Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

In a surprising turn of events, the Vancouver Canucks have been faced with yet another case of bad injury news. As per Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK TV, Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki will reportedly undergo shoulder surgery that will keep him out for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. 

Lekkerimäki had been off to a fantastic season in the AHL despite bouncing up and down from Vancouver to Abbotsford. The forward had 13 goals and seven assists in 21 games played with the Abbotsford Canucks while also tallying two goals and one assist in 13 games at the NHL level. 

Injury-wise, the Canucks prospect’s season did not get off to the most ideal start, as the forward left Vancouver’s game on October 19 against the Washington Capitals due to injury and did not end up returning to play until around a month after. He missed some more time near the end of December leading into the start of January as well. 

Vancouver returns to action on February 25 with a home-matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT. 

Jan 31, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki (23) during a stop in play against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Jan 31, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki (23) during a stop in play against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site

Canucks' Lankinen And Finland Will Look For Preliminary-Round Revenge In Bronze-Medal Matchup Against Slovakia 

Arshdeep Bains Sets New Abbotsford Canucks All-Time Points Record

Former Canucks To Compete For Gold, Lankinen And Finland Playing For Bronze: Canucks At The 2026 Winter Olympics

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 Hockey News
The Hockey News

Former Oilers Goalie Signs With New Team

Former Edmonton Oilers goalie prospect Olivier Rodrigue has found a new home.

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed Rodrigue for the rest of the 2025-26 season. 

Rodrigue's time with the Oilers came to an end this past off-season after the Pacific Division club elected not to send him a qualifying offer. From there, he became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and ended up signing with Barys Astana of the KHL.

Yet, Rodrigue never made an appearance for Barys Astana, as he got injured and had his contract terminated. Now, after signing this deal with the Blackhawks, he should get into some game action with their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. 

The Oilers selected Rodrigue with the 62nd overall pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 25-year-old goaltender then went on to play 131 games over five seasons with the Oilers' AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, where he had a 61-52-15 record, a 2.92 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and two shutouts. 

While Rodrigue spent plenty of time in the Oilers' system, he only played in his first two NHL regular-season games for Edmonton this past season. During them, the former Oilers prospect had a 0-1-0 record, a .862 save percentage, and a 3.10 goals-against average. 

Blackhawks Sign Former Oilers Goalie

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed goaltender Olivier Rodrigue to a one-year, two-way contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. 

The Blackhawks signing Rodrigue comes after Rockford IceHogs goalie Stanislav Berezhnoy was suspended for 20 games. Now, Rodrigue will provide the IceHogs with more goalie depth during this final stretch of the year.

Rodrigue started this season with Barys Astana but never appeared in a game for the KHL club due to injury before being released. Now, after landing this deal with the Blackhawks, the 25-year-old will be getting his campaign started. by the

Rodrigue was selected by the Edmonton Oilers with the 62nd overall pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. In two games with the Oilers during this past season, he had a 0-1-0 record and a .862 save percentage. 

Blackhawks Important Prospect Has Big Opportunity

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kevin Korchinski is one of several promising youngsters in the Original Six club's system. The Blackhawks are hoping that the 2022 seventh-overall pick will become a big part of their blueline in the future, as he has good upside and skill. 

With Wyatt Kaiser out due to injury, Korchinski was recently called up to the Blackhawks' roster with Sam Rinzel from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. With this, Korchinski now has a big opportunity to show the Blackhawks what he can do with the NHL club. 

Korchinski has only played in two games this season with Chicago, where he has recorded one assist and a minus-2 rating. This was after he had one goal and one assist in just 16 games for Chicago in 2024-25. With this, he has not seen a ton of time on the Blackhawks' roster after playing in 76 games with Chicago during his rookie year in 2023-24. 

If Korchinski stands out during this latest chance on the NHL roster, it undoubtedly should help his chances of sticking around on the Blackhawks' roster. As a result, there is no question that the left-shot defenseman has an exciting opportunity in front of him, and it will be fascinating to see what he can do with it from here. 

In 45 games this season with the IceHogs, Korchinski has recorded two goals, 21 assists, and 23 points. 

Flyers Defender Could Be Trade Candidate To Watch

Once the NHL Olympic roster freeze lifts, the Philadelphia Flyers will be a team to keep an eye on. With the Flyers currently being eight points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, there is a chance that they will be sellers ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline.

If the Flyers decide to be sellers, they will have some trade candidates to keep an eye on. One of them would be defenseman Noah Juulsen.

Juulsen is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) and could end up generating some interest leading up to the deadline. It is no secret that contenders are always looking for big right-shot defenseman, and the 6-foot-2 Juulsen fits that description. 

Juulsen could be a solid addition for a playoff club looking to improve its defensive depth. The 2015 first-round pick also plays a physical game, so that also could make him an interesting target for contenders. 

Juulsen's contract also adds to his appeal, as he has a cheap $900,000 cap hit. With this, several teams would be able to afford him with ease. 

Ultimately, with playoff teams always looking for extra defensemen, it would not be particularly surprising if Juulsen generated some interest if the Flyers do not extend him by the deadline. It will be interesting to see what happens with the 28-year-old defenseman from here. 

In 42 games this season with the Flyers, Juulsen has recorded one goal, nine points, 87 hits, and a plus-2 rating. 

Penguins Have Good Potential Target In Maple Leafs Defender

The Pittsburgh Penguins should be looking to improve their defensive depth ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. It is clear that they could use at least one more bottom-pairing defenseman, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a potential option for them to consider in blueliner Simon Benoit. 

With the Maple Leafs having a down year and several NHL-caliber defensemen, Benoit has been the subject of trade rumors this season. If the Maple Leafs officially listen to offers for him, the Penguins should consider making a push for him. 

If the Penguins acquired Benoit, they would be bringing in a gritty stay-at-home defenseman who can play both sides. With this, the 27-year-old defenseman could be a nice fit on the Penguins' bottom pairing. However, even if he served as their seventh defenseman, his versatility would undoubtedly make him a useful player for Pittsburgh to have around. This is especially so for when injuries arise. 

Benoit would also be more than a rental for the Penguins if acquired, as he has a $1.35 million cap hit until the end of next season. With the Penguins focused on both the present and the future, Benoit having term on his deal could add to his appeal. 

Nevertheless, with the Penguins in need of another solid defensive defenseman, Benoit would make a lot of sense for them to target. It will be interesting to see if the Penguins pursue the 6-foot-4 defenseman from here. 

Penguins' Notebook: Players Talk 'Next Man Up' Mentality, Return To Play

The past few days at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pa. have been busy for the Pittsburgh Penguins, even without four of their regular players.

Starting Tuesday, the Penguins' roster - minus Sidney Crosby, Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Arturs Silovs - returned to practice, and they've practiced for four consecutive days. In the last few, however, word spread quickly that Crosby was injured during Canada's quarterfinal matchup against Czechia on Wednesday, and that lower-body injury held him out of Canada's semifinal game against Finland on Friday

The past few days at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pa. have been busy for the Pittsburgh Penguins, even without four of their regular players.

Starting Tuesday, the Penguins' roster - minus Sidney Crosby, Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Arturs Silovs - returned to practice, and they've practiced for four consecutive days. In the last few, however, word spread quickly that Crosby was injured during Canada's quarterfinal matchup against Czechia on Wednesday, and that lower-body injury held him out of Canada's semifinal game against Finland on Friday.

Obviously, losing Crosby is just about the worst blow that could happen to the Penguins. The severity of Crosby's injury is not known, and it is unclear at this point if he figures to miss any sustantial amount of time.

But, should that be the case, the Penguins are confident enough that their "next man up" mentality will still be able to help them string together some wins - as has been the case all season long.

"We've kind of had it all year, in a sense, where we've had a lot of injuries," defenseman Ryan Graves said. "Geno missed a little bit of time, Tanger's missed time, Karl's missed time, Rusty’s missed a little bit of time. That’s, kind of, been our M.O. a little bit.

It happens to most teams. Injuries happen, so it is what it is. But, I mean, we always hope for the best. I hope he can play there, but obviously, hope for him to be healthy as well. But, it is what it is. We’ll make the most of it.”

2026 Winter Olympics: Nathan MacKinnon Sends Canada To Gold Medal Game 2026 Winter Olympics: Nathan MacKinnon Sends Canada To Gold Medal Game Team Canada will play for a Gold Medal on Sunday morning.

Rare string of practices beneficial

Even if, in the grand scheme of things, players didn't get all that much actual time off, this consecutive string of practices - the Penguins practiced Feb. 17-20, will practice Feb. 22-23 and again on Feb. 25 ahead of return-to-play - is something they believe will benefit them.

After all, it's not often that they get a training camp-llike schedule of practice time to work on some of the details that they don't otherwise always have time for.

“Even before the break, we weren’t having a lot of practices. Our practices were morning skates,” Shea said. “And everyone knows those skates. They’re a quick 20 minutes, and then, you’re off. Having all these practices is nice and it’s gonna be much-needed because I think it’s, like, 17 games in March? I mean, with that type of schedule, and you’re not going to be able to practice much in March, and you’re not going to be able to work on whether it’s structure for a team or individual skills.

“So, you get seven or eight practices before we play our next game, and I think they’re huge.”

Head coach Dan Muse stressed that it's not exactly like a training camp, but it's an opportunity for them to work on details until their other four players are back from Milan.

"It is unique in that it’s almost like a tune-up in-season where you can take some different things that we want to focus in on,” Muse said. “Some of them are areas that we like about our game and that we just want to make sure we’re coming out of the break and we’re sharp, and other areas, too, between these last couple days and the four practices that will be coming up after the day off, some areas within the game that we want to just fine-tune a little bit.

“I don’t think this time of year that you want to make massive changes, but you can maybe make some little tweaks on some areas that you want to focus in on within our team game.”

This Penguins Forward Has Been A Nice SurpriseThis Penguins Forward Has Been A Nice SurprisePenguins forward Conor Dewar has certainly been a solid part of the team's roster this season.

Is Avery Hayes an option?

Of course, Crosby's status is still unclear. But, if they do need to call on someone, forward Avery Hayes seems like the obvious choice right now, even if he's not a center.

In addition to scoring two goals in his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 5, Hayes has 10 goals and 12 points in his last 10 AHL games. He is on an absolute heater, and that hasn't gone unnoticed by Muse and his staff.

And Muse will keep his options open.

"I think we're always having conversations. I'm having conversations with management, I'm having conversations with [WBS head coach Kirk MacDonald] in Wilkes and getting updates," Muse said. "I think he's done a very good job this year, too, of just... One, he positioned himself when that opportunity was there, or a potential opportunity in that Buffalo game, just based on the work that he has done this year - especially as of late - for him to kind of earn that opportunity.

"And then, he's another guy who took full advantage of it, and you saw the impact he made in that game. Then, there's obviously been follow-up there from him in terms of his play. So, that's great by him, and that stuff doesn't go unnoticed."

Avery Hayes Can't Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/ScrantonAvery Hayes Can't Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/ScrantonAvery Hayes has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Island getaway for a rookie

I spoke to Shea about Ben Kindel tagging along last-minute with he, Kevin Hayes, Connor Dewar, and a few other guys on their trip to Anguilla, and Shea was thrilled that the rookie was able to come along on the trip.

He mentioned that it was initially Hayes's idea, but that they were delighted to invite him to a place that he, likely, had never been before. And - evidently - Kindel was excited about the opportunity to hang out with his teammates and have some fun in the Caribbean over the break.

"It's actually hilarious because, when we asked him, he immediately said 'yes,'" Shea said.

Penguins' Players Part Ways To Enjoy Olympic BreakPenguins' Players Part Ways To Enjoy Olympic BreakAs you've surely heard by this point, there are four <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> who travelled 4,293 miles from the City of Steel to Milan, Italy, to represent their respective countries in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

Arshdeep Bains Sets New Abbotsford Canucks All-Time Points Record

With his 149th point as a member of the Abbotsford Canucks, Arshdeep Bains has set a new franchise record in all-time points. The forward’s 47 goals and 102 assists as a member of Abbotsford passes the record set by Linus Karlsson last year. Bains registered his 149th point with the AHL Canucks by scoring a short-handed goal against the Henderson Silver Knights tonight.  

Bains first joined Abbotsford after signing an entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks in 2022. He made his AHL debut on October 14 against the Ontatio Reign, also scoring his first AHL goal during this game. In his first season with Abbotsford, Bains scored 13 goals and potted 25 assists in 66 games played. 

The seasons after were when Bains began to showcase his offensive skills. In 2023–24, he put up 55 points in 59 games with Abbotsford and made his NHL debut with Vancouver on February 20 against the Colorado Avalanche. He was also named to the AHL All-Star Classic in that season and earned MVP honours. In 2024–25, he scored 43 points in 50 games and was an instrumental piece in Abbotsford’s Calder Cup win. 

Bains began the 2025–26 season with Vancouver but rejoined Abbotsford for two separate stints. Throughout his time in the AHL this season, the forward has scored seven goals and six assists in 17 games played. He is currently tied for eighth on his team in points. 

With Bains now holding the franchise record in all-time points, Karlsson (148), Christian Wolanin (124), Sheldon Dries (118), and Tristen Nielsen (115) all trail him to make up the club’s top-five. Karlsson still holds sole possession of the franchise lead in goals (70), while Wolanin leads in overall assists (109). 

Oct 13, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains (13) skates against the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains (13) skates against the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site

Former Canucks To Compete For Gold, Lankinen And Finland Playing For Bronze: Canucks At The 2026 Winter Olympics

Canucks Filip Chytil To Miss Indefinite Amount Of Time Due To Facial Fracture

Could The Canucks Select Keaton Verhoeff In The 2026 NHL Draft?

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 Hockey News
The Hockey News