Hearing that the Flames have their eye on Xhekaj is easy to understand. With the Flames rebuilding, they should be looking to add young talent with good upside. At 25 years old, Xhekaj would have the potential to fit in nicely on a team that is focused on the future, like the Flames.
If the Flames acquired Xhekaj, he would have a far better chance of receiving consistent playing time. This is because the left side of the Flames' defense is weaker than Montreal's. With this, Xhekaj could even be a potential option for Calgary's second pairing if brought in.
Yet, while Xhekaj is generating interest from the Flames, the Canadiens trading him would come with some real risk. Xhekaj is exactly the mean and bruising defenseman that contenders need to have when the games get tougher during the playoffs. As a result, the Canadiens may be better off holding on to him rather than trading him.
Nevertheless, it is going to be interesting to see what happens between the Canadiens and Xhekaj leading up to the deadline.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins checks Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins in the first period at the TD Garden on January 11, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to Tuesday Night Hockey, folks!
After a disappointing showing in Philadelphia, the Bruins will face another team from the Keystone State as they welcome the Penguins to TD Garden.
The Penguins are having a surprisingly good year and are fresh off of a thorough beating of the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.
The Bruins have been great at home lately and will look to recover from Saturday’s (hopefully) blip.
The standings are getting tighter too, with Washington, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Ottawa all within four points of the Bruins for that second wild card spot.
While the score didn't go Los Angeles' way - and neither did the shot clock or puck possession time - the Kings looked slightly different on the ice with Smith now calling the shots.
For starters, the Kings had three players make their NHL debuts in this contest. Defenseman Angus Booth, right winger Jared Wright and center Kenny Connors were fairly noticeable in what was their first taste of action in The Show.
Before Monday's game, that trio, who have spent all of this season in the AHL with the Ontario Reign. With that, they are also the first players to make their NHL debuts among Kings players who were drafted in 2022 or later.
Even though the Kings were undermanned with injuries, that statistic says a lot about D.J. Smith and the trust he has in the youngsters of the organization.
With the injection of youth into the Kings' lineup, not only did the lineup look different on paper, but they played differently, too.
The defense-first mindset was still there, but there was far more pushback on the mighty Avalanche. There was a clear step up in the team's aggression, specifically on the forecheck, and there was some noticeable speed on the rush.
"What we wanted to establish is a sense of work ethic, a sense of physicality, a sense of we’re not going to sit back, we’re going to come get you," coach Smith told reporters after the game. "I think we did all those things tonight. So, you need the points for sure, but at this point, you can’t fault the effort, and we’re going to need that every game.
"Now, it didn’t look good early. We made some mistakes, we gave up too many odd man rushes, but what you saw from that group is a real effort to forecheck, a real effort to get pucks back, to hunt, to hit people, and you’re going to see that the rest of the way," the interim bench boss added.
Taylor Ward (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Smith wasn't afraid to make tweaks to the Kings' lineup throughout the game, either. Alex Laferriere started the game on the right wing with Alex Turcotte in the middle and Warren Foegele on the left wing. But later, Smith brought Laferriere back to the middle, and Corey Perry was bumped up to that line on the right flank.
Additionally, there was a relatively even distribution of ice time for the majority of the team's forward group. Anze Kopitar's line with Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe on his flanks had a positive influence on the game, despite no even-strength scoring from them.
Furthermore, the Kings' bottom six earned some regular ice time in the second half of the contest and imposed their will physically, especially the fourth line of Samuel Helenius, Jeff Malott, and Taylor Ward.
Like Smith said after the game, it's too late for moral victories. However, there are some promising developments from a Smith-flavored performance.
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As the 2026 NHL trade deadline approaches, more teams are interested in St. Louis Blues forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, and the possibility of them being dealt has substantially increased.
On Saturday, during Elliotte Friedman’s ‘Saturday Headlines’ feature during Hockey Night In Canada, Friedman stated that there is a decent chance Thomas is moved before the March 6 trade deadline. He also linked the Utah Mammoth to Thomas.
Today, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the Buffalo Sabres are a team to keep an eye on in the Thomas sweepstakes and that talks between the two teams are heating up.
The Sabres would be an interesting destination for Thomas, and the Sabres have both the draft capital and the prospects to make a deal. The Sabres currently sit in second place in the Atlantic Division, trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning by four points.
The Sabres are led by captain and former 2018 first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin, alongside former Blues draft pick and 6-foot-6 center Tage Thompson. They’ve improved drastically offensively this season thanks to solid seasons from several young forward prospects. They appear to be on track to make the playoffs for the first time in 14 years and are looking to be buyers.
Robert Thomas has scored 12 goals and 35 points in 43 games this season. (Jeff Le-Imagn Images)
While the talks have reportedly intensified and interest from several teams is growing, The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford reports that the Blues have not yet asked Thomas to waive his no-trade clause. He also mentioned that the Blues previously had interest in Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, but he is not expected to be included in a potential deal.
In addition to the Mammoth and the Sabres, Marco D’Amico of RG Media reported that the Canadiens have kicked tires with the Blues about Thomas, but the asking price is reportedly too high, as the Blues are looking for a package that could include prospect Michael Hage and 24-year-old defenseman Kaiden Guhle.
Ultimately, Thomas holds the power. If he wants to remain in St. Louis, he can simply decline to waive his no-trade clause. If a team he is interested in playing pulls off a deal, he agrees to be traded and moves on.
In the end, whatever team lands Thomas via trade will be better for it and will likely elevate towards Stanley Cup contenders.
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The Buffalo Sabres are swinging for the fences and pursuing the NHL's top trade candidate.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, trade talks between the Sabres and St. Louis Blues "are heating up" regarding star center Robert Thomas.
TSN's Chris Johnston also added that the Sabres are offering the "equivalent of multiple 1st-rounders" to try to land Thomas from St. Louis.
If the Sabres end up landing Thomas, they would be bringing in another legitimate star for their top six. This would be massive for a Sabres club that is looking to officially snap its 14-year playoff drought and cement itself as true contenders in the process.
However, it is also important to note that Thomas has a complete no-trade clause, so he would need to accept a move to Buffalo for the Sabres to have any chance of landing him.
Thomas would be more than a rental for the Sabres if acquired, as he has a $8.125 million cap hit until the end of the 2030-31 season.
Thomas has appeared in 43 games this season with the Blues, where he has recorded 12 goals, 23 assists, and 35 points. This is after he had 21 goals and 81 points in 70 games last season for St. Louis.
The Montreal Canadiens are spending the trade deadline week away from the noise and rumours of Montreal, as they are in California, where they’ll play three games before heading back home on Sunday. On Tuesday, they’ll take on the San Jose Sharks and phenom Macklin Celebrini.
The hosts are on the outside looking in at the playoffs picture, four points away from the wildcard spots in the Western Conference held by the Edmonton Oilers and the Utah Mammoth, but they have won their last two games. Still, they’re only 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, and every point is as important as it gets for them. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are 6-2-2 and coming off a dominant 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals.
Judging by the lines at practice on Monday, it looks like Martin St-Louis will stick with the same lineup with Joe Veleno (who’s got a cold right now), Arber Xhekaj, and Patrik Laine on the press gallery. Jakub Dobes will be back in net.
It will be be his first duel with the Sharks. As for Samuel Montembeault, he has a 3-1-0 record against the Sharks with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.
At the other end of the ice, the San Jose Sharks have yet to confirm who will start, but Alex Nedeljkovich was in the net during the Sharks’ last game on Saturday, a 2-1 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets. The netminder has played 26 games this season, while rookie Yaroslav Askarov has featured in 37 matches. Askarov has faced the Habs only once and lost; he has a 4.15 GAA and a .886 SV%. Meanwhile, Nedeljkovich has a 3-1-1 record against Montreal with a 1.74 GAA and a .947 SV.
Up front, former Canadiens Tyler Toffoli is San Jose’s most productive player against the Habs with 20 points in 22 games, followed by Dimitry Orlov with 17 points in 33 games and Alexandre Wenneberg with 16 points in 22 games. However, Montreal would do well to keep an eye on youngsters Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund, who are all on a two-game point streak and have all been successful against St-Louis’ men in the past. As for rookie Michael Misa, he has never faced the Sainte-Flanelle, but he’s on a three-game point streak and has 12 points in 21 games this season.
The Canadiens only have one player who has reached double-digits against the Sharks; Philip Danault, who has 11 points in 26 games. Defenseman Noah Dobeson has eight points in as many games, while Josh Anderson also has eight points, but in 14 games. However, it’s worth noting that Nick Suzuki has seven points in nine games against San Jose while Cole Caufield has six points in seven games. The sniper also has three goals in his last two games.
Interesting note, St-Louis now has a 148-148-46 record in 342 games behind the bench. With a win tonight, the coach would have more wins than regulation losses for the first time in his career. A clear sign that the Canadiens are on the right path and have turned a corner in their rebuild.
Tuesday night’s tilt will be the 50th meeting between the two sides, and the Canadiens have a 20-23-4-2 record. Montreal won the last duel with the Sharks 4-3 in overtime at the Bell Centre, but each team has won five of the last 10 games. Four of the Tricolore’s five wins came in San Jose, where the Habs have won the last four matches.
The game is set for 10:00 PM, and you can catch it on NBCSCA, TSN2, and RDS. Francois St-Laurent and Tom Chmielewski will be officiating, while Trent Knorr and Devin Berg will be the linemen. After the game, the Canadiens will head to Los Angeles right away, as they’ll face the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, trade deadline day, and the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings have just under $13 million in cap space heading into Friday's trade deadline with many options available on the table.
Most insider reports have indicated the same when it comes to the team's desires on the open market, being a second line center and a top four defenseman being on the top of their list although, based on the team's recent play a depth forward may also be a good idea to look into.
Detroit is a destination on the rise with the Red Wings appearing to be on the upswing towards becoming a perineal contender once again and players would have the honor of representing one of the most prestigious teams in the NHL.
With that in mind, some players on the available market have come up in trade rumors linked to Detroit and could be the next big move by Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman as he looks to finally get his team over the hump and into the playoffs. Here are all of the names the Red Wings have been linked to over the last few weeks and who could be on the move to the Motor City.
Elias Pettersson, C
One of the most talked-about names connected to Detroit is 27-year-old Elias Pettersson, the former 102-point producer whose performance has dipped over the past few seasons.
Since signing his massive eight-year contract carrying an average annual value of roughly $11.6 million, the Swedish center has not matched the elite production that earned him the deal. Instead of hovering near the 100-point plateau, he is projected to finish around the 50-point mark this season while still being compensated like a franchise cornerstone.
It appears the Vancouver Canucks are growing impatient waiting for Pettersson to rediscover his top form and have quietly explored moving him, though only for a substantial return.
The Red Wings are positioned better than most organizations to construct such a package thanks to their draft capital and deep pool of high-end prospects.
A report from the Ottawa Citizen’s Bruce Garrioch added fuel to the speculation last Saturday, noting, "keep an eye on Canucks forward Elias Pettersson; We’re told the Red Wings have been aggressive in their pursuit."
Detroit generated buzz recently after presenting a trade proposal to Vancouver for veteran defenseman Tyler Myers, with some reports suggesting the offer involved a second-round pick.
The 36-year-old Texas native fits the profile Detroit is seeking as a large, physical, hard-nosed presence capable of logging shutdown minutes. Myers has consistently delivered between 20 and 30 points per season.
Although Vancouver’s difficult campaign has left him sitting at minus-25 this year, he recorded a combined plus-18 rating across the previous two seasons.
At six-foot-eight, Myers would also bring leadership and experience that could benefit Detroit’s younger core. His mentorship could be especially valuable for towering forwards like Elmer Soderblom and Michael Rasmussen, while his biggest impact may come in guiding Simon Edvinsson.
The 23-year-old Edvinsson shares a similar frame and developmental trajectory, and learning how Myers has maintained longevity and effectiveness in the NHL could be invaluable.
Whether a deal materializes remains uncertain. TSN’s Chris Johnston recently reported that "at this point in time [Detroit's] not necessarily a place that Myers is looking to go", while Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos countered that Myers did not outright reject the move but is "looking over options, however, by making Detroit wait, the Red Wings could change direction and pursue Rasmus Ristolainen or another defenceman instead."
Rasmus Ristolainen, D
Among the most sought-after names ahead of the deadline is Rasmus Ristolainen, the former eighth overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. Now 31, the once 40-point defenseman has seen his offensive totals decline but remains an imposing physical presence.
Standing six-foot-four, Ristolainen has evolved significantly over his career. Early seasons were marked by strong offensive numbers but also heavy minus ratings.
While those struggles came during difficult years with the Buffalo Sabres, he has adjusted his game. Last season, he finished plus-three, marking the first positive rating of his 13-year NHL career.
Injuries have limited the Flyers defenseman this season to 23 games, where he has six points and a minus-three rating. For Detroit, the appeal lies in adding size and a physical shutdown element to the blue line. The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta reported that the Red Wings are among several teams pursuing Ristolainen.
Justin Faulk, D
Another experienced blueliner on Detroit’s radar is St. Louis’ Justin Faulk. His offensive instincts from the back end have drawn interest, particularly for a Red Wings team that has struggled at times to generate scoring beyond its top six forwards.
At 33, Faulk is slightly younger than Myers and carries a $6.5 million cap hit through the end of next season, giving Detroit some contractual flexibility. A dependable 30 to 40 point contributor with the ability to push toward 50 points as he did in 2022-23, Faulk would immediately bolster the offensive dimension of the defense corps.
He could also aid in the development of Detroit’s younger defensemen, including Edvinsson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Albert Johansson, helping refine their offensive upside. TSN’s Darren Dreger described Faulk as one of the premier right-shot options available and someone Detroit may seriously consider.
MacKenzie Weegar, D
The Calgary Flames appear poised for significant roster movement ahead of the trade deadline, with Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, and MacKenzie Weegar headlining potential departures. Of that group, Weegar has generated the most discussion in connection with Detroit.
Entering the season after compiling 99 points across the previous two years, Weegar was viewed as Calgary’s most valuable trade chip.
Though he has registered 21 points in 59 games during what has been a down year for the Flames, a change of scenery could reignite his production. Detroit has the assets to compete for a player of his caliber, and a move to the Motor City could restore him to 50-plus point form on the back end.
Jake DeBrusk, LW
Injecting additional scoring into Detroit’s middle six would be ideal, and Jake DeBrusk presents a consistent option. The 29-year-old winger is on pace to surpass 40 points for the fifth consecutive season and has reached that mark in seven of his NHL campaigns.
Comparable in consistency to current Red Wing James van Riemsdyk, DeBrusk offers reliable depth scoring with the ability to elevate beyond that baseline.
He could provide offensive stability during stretches when production dries up. The Fourth Period recently reported that the Bruins, Kraken, and Red Wings are among the teams expressing interest in DeBrusk.
The priciest acquisition on the list is 26-year-old Robert Thomas, a player squarely in his prime who can serve as either a first- or second-line center. Having recorded 80-plus points in each of the past two seasons, Thomas would command a significant return.
Detroit, however, possesses the prospect depth and draft capital to make a competitive offer if management believes the move accelerates their playoff push. Adding a point-per-game center would be transformative, but the true question remains whether the acquisition cost would justify the reward.
Vincent Trocheck, C
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Vincent Trocheck may be the most likely elite center to change teams. The 32-year-old showcased his elite two-way ability while helping Team USA capture gold, anchoring a penalty kill unit that did not surrender a single goal throughout the tournament.
Detroit is one of several clubs monitoring the situation. RG’s James Murphy reported that "the Minnesota Wild still appears to be a frontrunner" but added that Detroit "will likely be in the mix as well."
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The Chicago Blackhawks made a notable move on Monday, as they traded defenseman Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round pick. The Blackhawks moving Murphy was not surprising, as he was the subject of trade rumors for quite some time due to his pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) status.
Now, with the Blackhawks trading Murphy, one of their promising young defensemen is getting another chance on the NHL roster.
The Blackhawks called up defenseman Ethan Del Mastro with Murphy being traded. Now, Del Mastro has a golden opportunity to show what he can do during his latest opportunity on the Blackhawks' roster.
After appearing in a career-high 24 NHL games last season with the Blackhawks, Del Mastro has only played in two games so far this campaign with Chicago. The Blackhawks' defensive depth made it hard for Del Mastro to crack the Blackhawks' roster this campaign, but with Murphy now gone, it has opened the door for him to get another look on Chicago's roster.
Del Mastro has certainly earned this latest call-up from Chicago, as he is having a solid year in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs. In 45 games, the 6-foot-4 defenseman has recorded two goals, 16 assists, 18 points, and a plus-1 rating. This is after he had nine assists in 47 games with Rockford last season.
Del Mastro is a solid prospect who Blackhawks fans should be excited to see back on the NHL roster. It will be fascinating to see how much of an impact he can make with Chicago, but there is no question that the 22-year-old has a great opportunity here.
A Nazem Kadri reunion in Colorado once felt like wishful thinking. Now, it feels possible.
As trade chatter intensifies around the Calgary Flames forward, the idea of him returning to the Colorado Avalanche is gaining legitimate traction. With the deadline approaching and contenders looking to separate themselves from the pack, Kadri is emerging as one of the most intriguing names potentially available — and Colorado suddenly checks every box as a landing spot.
Nazem Kadri could be useful in the shootout as well.
Reports of Kadri being available date back to training camp, but the noise has grown significantly after word surfaced that the 35-year-old would welcome a move to a Stanley Cup contender. That development alone changes the market. Kadri isn’t just a veteran scorer — he’s a proven playoff performer who can tilt a series.
Several teams have been mentioned as possible fits, including the Dallas Stars, Utah Mammoth, and Montreal Canadiens. But Colorado is the team generating the most traction — and for good reason.
After moving Samuel Girard to the Pittsburgh Penguins last week, the Avalanche created roughly $9.8 million in cap space. That kind of breathing room gives them the ability to swing big without gutting the roster. If they want to add a true difference-maker down the middle, they can.
Right now, Colorado is relying on Jack Drury as its third-line centre. He’s been solid, but that spot feels like a clear area to upgrade before the playoffs. Kadri, who leads the Flames with 41 points, would be a major boost in that role — and head coach Jared Bednar knows exactly what he brings in high-pressure games.
Talks Picking Up
Momentum behind the talks appears to be building.
“Definitely, things are picking up with talks between the Avalanche and the Flames,” Chris Johnston said on The Chris Johnston Show.
“Right now, the way it looks is that Colorado could be at the front of list. We’re down to one phone call territory now, where everything could change at a moment’s notice.”
Kadri spent three seasons in Colorado and played a key role in the franchise’s 2022 Stanley Cup run, posting a career-high 87 points that year. The organization wanted to keep him at the time but simply couldn’t make the numbers work under the cap.
Now, the situation is different.
Kadri still has term remaining on his contract through the 2028-29 season, carrying a $7 million cap hit along with a 13-team no-trade clause. That long-term commitment is something Colorado would need to weigh carefully. While the cap hit is manageable now, it could create challenges down the road as other core players come up for new deals.
But windows don’t stay open forever.
Could we see this again? Credit: Geoff Burke
The Avalanche sit first in the NHL standings and look every bit like a legitimate Cup threat again. Adding a familiar, battle-tested centre who thrives in big moments might be the move that separates a contender from a champion.
If the Flames are serious about moving Kadri — and if Colorado is serious about maximizing this season — this reunion may not just be talk for much longer.
The Montreal Canadiens are among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, so they should be buyers at the 2026 NHL trade deadline. Due to this, they are now being predicted to address a specific roster need.
In a recent article for The Athletic, Arpon Basu predicted that the Canadiens would trade for a right-shot defenseman ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline.
"It is bold because the right-shot defensemen seemingly available on the market are in high demand, and one just came off the board with Connor Murphy’s move to Edmonton. When demand is higher than supply, prices generally inflate, and the Canadiens are unlikely to want to overpay. But it could happen because it represents a clear area the Canadiens can improve, balancing out their left-shot-heavy defense corp," Basu wrote.
It is no secret that the Canadiens could use another right-shot defenseman, so predicting that they will acquire one ahead of the deadline makes sense. They have already been connected to Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. A few other interesting names floating around the rumor mill who could make sense for the Canadiens include Justin Faulk, Zach Whitecloud, MacKenzie Weegar, Braden Schneider, and Brandon Carlo.
Ultimately, with the Canadiens needing another impactful defenseman on their right side, they should not be afraid to swing a deal for a new blueliner. It will be interesting to see if they do just that from here.
The Vancouver Canucks are 60 games into their 2025–26 NHL season and sit comfortably at dead-last in the entire league. They have yet to win a game since their January 29 shutout against the Anaheim Ducks. With one game remaining before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, here’s how the Canucks stack up to the rest of the NHL at the 60-game mark.
Team Stats
Vancouver Canucks team stats 60 games into 2025-26.
Unsurprisingly, the Canucks rank dead-last in nearly all of their team stat categories including goals-against (222) and penalty kill (70.6%). Shockingly, they aren’t last in goals-for (149), faceoff winning rate (48.3%), or power play (17.7%). Those honours belong to the Calgary Flames for goals-for (146), the Buffalo Sabres for faceoff winning percentages (44.6%), and the Colorado Avalanche for power play efficiency (15.3%). Intriguingly, along with the Avalanche, Vancouver ranks ahead of two other teams currently in a playoff spot when it comes to power play success rate — the Utah Mammoth (15.9%) and New York Islanders (15.8%).
Individual Skater Stats
Vancouver Canucks individual skater stats 60 games into 2025-26.
Vancouver’s current leading points-getter, Elias Pettersson, is tied with nine other players for 136th in the NHL including former Canuck defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Their new goal-scoring leader, Drew O’Connor, is tied with 17 other players in the NHL for the 121st-most goals this season with 14. Alongside him with 14 are former Canuck J.T. Miller, Edmonton Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Boston Bruins rookie Fraser Minten. Filip Hronek remains within the top-10 in the NHL in overall TOI with 1466:48; in the lead is Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings with 1562:55, followed by former Canucks captain Quinn Hughes with 1528:20.
Goaltending Stats
Vancouver Canucks goaltending stats 60 games into 2025-26.
With Thatcher Demko sidelined for the remainder of the season and Kevin Lankinen coming off a bronze-medal win at the Olympics, Nikita Tolopilo has officially taken the lead for the highest SV% by a Canucks goaltender who has played in 10 or more games through the 2025–26 season. Ironically enough, compared to the rest of the NHL, he’s tied with Artūrs Šilovs in this stat with a .901 SV%. Impressively, the other category that Tolopilo leads his team in is high-danger SV% (.870%), which ranks third of all NHL goaltender who have played 10 or more games. Only Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (.878%) and Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley (.877%) have registered higher.
Vancouver’s final game before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is on Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. After that, they’ll spend two games on the road against the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets before returning home for an eight-game home stand.
Mar 2, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium (24) and Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston (53) watch as goalie Nikita Tolopilo (60) makes a save in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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This will be the second meeting between the two teams this year after the Bruins won the first matchup 1-0 back on Jan. 11. The Penguins couldn't generate much of anything in that game and lost on a game-winning goal from Viktor Arvidsson.
Since that game, the Penguins are 10-1-4 and are in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 75 points. The Bruins are in the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 71 points and are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
This is a very top-heavy Bruins team led by David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie. Pastrnak is one of the best players on the planet, compiling 22 goals and 72 points in 54 games. Geekie is having another outstanding season, racking up 33 goals and 55 points in 58 games.
Outside of those two, Charlie McAvoy does it all on the backend, and the Bruins have gotten some depth scoring from other players in their lineup, including Elias Lindholm, Arvidsson, and Pavel Zacha.
Jeremy Swayman will start in goal for the Bruins. He's having a better season this year compared to last year with 22 wins, a 2.89 goals-against average, and a .903 save percentage. He's also fourth among all goaltenders in goals saved above expected with 16.9.
The Penguins will feature some new line combinations and pairings for this game. Blake Lizotte has been ruled out for this game with a lower-body injury, meaning Avery Hayes will center the fourth line. Ben Kindel will also center the top line after Rickard Rakell was in that spot for the last three games.
Here's a look at the projected lineup:
Forwards
Rakell-Kindel-Rust
Malkin-Novak-Chinakhov
Mantha-K. Hayes-Brazeau
Dewar-A. Hayes-Acciari
Defensive pairs
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Shea-Letang
Girard-Clifton
Stuart Skinner will start in goal for the Penguins.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
Ottawa Senators (29-22-8) at Edmonton Oilers (29-24-8)
Date: March 3, 2026 Time: 9:00 PM EST Location: Rogers Place TV/Radio: SNW, TSN5, RDS2/TSN 1200
Alberta-Bound
The Senators begin a four game western road swing on Tuesday night with a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Ottawa will then head down to Calgary to face the Flames on Thursday.
Friday will bring the annual NHL trade deadline at 3 pm so the Senators' Alberta performances will probably have at least some influence on whether Steve Staios pulls the trigger on something or not.
Where Things Stand
The Senators are 18th in the NHL standings while the Oilers are 20th. But the two teams are tied with 66 points, and that total buys you a lot more in the Western Conference than it does in the East.
While the Sens are five points and four teams out of the final Eastern wild card spot, the Oilers own the final Western wild card spot with a four point lead to go with it. With two fewer losses, the Senators actually have a better points percentage (.559) than the Oilers, the two-time Western Champs (.549).
Senators fans are now in full scoreboard-watching mode, and will primarily keep a close eye on the 7 pm Tuesday matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the team they're trying to catch, the Boston Bruins.
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
Since the Olympic break ended, the Senators have secured three of a possible four points with a 2-1 overtime loss to Detroit on Thursday and then a one-sided 5-2 demolition of Toronto on Saturday.
The Oilers have scored 17 goals in 3 games since the break, but somehow have only two points to show for it. They lost 6-5 to Anaheim, beat the LA Kings 8-1, and lost 5-4 to San Jose, one of the teams that's right on their tail for the final wild card. Overall, the Oilers have lost five of their last six games.
Blue Line Renos
The Oilers got started on the deadline early, bolstering their blue line. They acquired right-shot defenceman Connor Murphy from the Blackhawks on Monday in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2028 NHL Draft. Chicago will retain 50% of Murphy's $4.4 million salary. That's a fairly light price tag for Murphy, who was often mentioned in sports talk circles as a potential target for the Senators who may still be eyeballing the addition of a right D this week.
How We First Met
In the Senators' first meeting with the Oilers back in October, they overcame a 2-0 deficit before falling 3-2 in overtime. Jake Walman's slapshot from the point beat Linus Ullmark, who appeared to duck his head as the puck whistled past his ear. Walman, meanwhile, celebrated by trading in his usual griddy celebration for a weird little bobblehead dance.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 21: Martin Necas #88 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against Pavel Mintyukov #98 of the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena on January 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
After winning 4-2 against the Los Angeles Kings yesterday, courtesy of a late third-period go-ahead goal from Devon Toews, the Colorado Avalanche are back at it again tonight as they take on the Anaheim Ducks on the second leg of a back-to-back. This will be the third and final regular-season game between these two teams.
Colorado Avalanche (40-10-9)
The Opponent: Anaheim Ducks (33-23-3)
Time: 8:00 p.m. MT
Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, ESPN+
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado kicked off their second back-to-back in seven nights against the Kings yesterday. The visitors managed to build a two-goal lead early in the first period, but LA was able to come back and ultimately tie the game at 2-2. Devon Toews would be the one to give the Avs the lead back late in the third period, off a beautiful pass from Nathan MacKinnon to set him up. The Avalanche won 4-2 and in doing so was the first team in the NHL to reach the 40 win milestone.
The other big piece of news during the game last night was, of course, Artturi Lehkonen going out during the game. He won’t be playing tonight in Anaheim and is going to miss some time. If Joel Kiviranta, who is still dealing with his own upper-body injury, can’t play they are going to need the services of an extra forward, which is Jason Polin who was called up from the Colorado Eagles this morning.
Projected Lineup
Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas Parker Kelly – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin Ross Colton – Jack Drury – Victor Olofsson Jason Polin – Zakhar Bardakov – Gavin Brindley
Devon Toews – Cale Makar Josh Manson – Brent Burns Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski
Scott Wedgewood Mackenzie Blackwood
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks come into this game off a 3-2 shootout win over the Calgary Flames on Sunday, and are currently locked in a battle for the top spot in the Pacific Division, sitting just one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights for that spot. The Ducks are an incredibly fun and talented team, with a phenomenal goaltender in Lukas Dostal. They’ve shown that they can certainly be competitive, as they’re competing for the top spot in the Pacific, and every point matters to this team at this point. Colorado is perfectly capable of beating this team, but it’ll certainly be easier said than done.
Projected Lineup
Chris Kreider – Leo Carlsson – Cutter Gauthier Jeffrey Viel – Mason McTavish – Beckett Sennecke Alex Killorn – Ryan Poehling – Jansen Harkins Ross Johnston – Tim Washe – Ian Moore
Jackson LaCombe – Jacob Trouba Olen Zellweger – Radko Gudas Pavel Mintyukov – Drew Helleson
