In another season flush with injuries and disappointing performances, the Philadelphia Flyers are again leaning into their youth movement, this time handing an opportunity to one of their biggest, most physical defense prospects.
On Saturday, the Flyers recalled 6-foot-4 defenseman Hunter McDonald from the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, opting for one of their in-house favorites this time over someone like Ty Murchison, who impressed in a brief NHL cameo for Philadelphia last month.
McDonald, 23, is currently in the midst of his second full pro season, having played 71 games for the Phantoms last season, scoring four goals, 14 assists, and 18 points.
The 230-pounder has only five assists in 33 games this season, but as his size would suggest, scoring is not the name of McDonald's game.
Instead, it's all about hits, physicality, and intimidation.
Something McDonald has to work on, at least from my own limited viewings, is his discipline. A good number of his 160 penalty minutes over the last two seasons come from fights and physical altercations, but McDonald also has a tendency to grab in reach.
That's common for many young players who find themselves struggling to keep up with the pace of play. So, in some ways, McDonald is better suited for the NHL, and in other ways, like the above, not so much.
Either way, though, the former fifth-round pick was brought aboard in correspondence with Rasmus Ristolainen being placed on injured reserve, and it would be surprising to see the Flyers call up another young prospect just for him to not play.
If that were the case, and McDonald was just another healthy body as backup, options like Murchison and even Adam Ginning, who had just been put on waivers, would have made more sense.
Emil Andrae's play has tailed off in recent weeks, and given that the 5-foot-9 defenseman hasn't recorded a point since a Dec. 22 win against the Vancouver Canucks, it's fair to wonder if McDonald slots in behind Nick Seeler and Cam York on the left side at Andrae's expense.
The Flyers' three-game road trip will have them face fast, aggressive squads in Vegas, Utah, and Colorado, and they probably figure that McDonald's size and physicality gives them an edge defensively.
Should McDonald make his Flyers debut at some point on the trip, he'll be the third Flyers prospect to do so this season, following in the footsteps of teammates Murchison and Denver Barkey.
Roman Josi's efforts have not gone unnoticed this week as the NHL has named him the Second Star of the Week.
The league highlighted the Nashville Predators' captain's efforts against the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights, where Josi has recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) in three games.
Utah's Karel Vejmelka was named the third star of the week and Buffalo's Tage Thompson earned the first star.
He scored the game-tying goal and the overtime winner in the victory over Edmonton on Jan. 13 and had three assists in the Predators' upset victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 16 in Denver.
Despite a 7-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, Josi recorded two assists.
Tage Thompson, Roman Josi and Karel Vejmelka have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 18.
The weekly accolades were one day away from including Josi's three points (one goal, two assists) in the Predators' 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Jan. 11. That brings his total to 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in four games.
The Predators' 35-year-old defenseman has 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) in 36 games this season and is two games away from eclipsing a significant career milestone.
Nashville's game against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday will be Josi's 1,000th career game. In 998 games in the NHL, Josi has tallied 752 points (198 goals, 554 assists).
At his current pace, he will likely eclipse 200 career goals soon.
The Nashville Predators host the Buffalo Sabres next on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CST.
The Avalanche have accomplished a lot of firsts this season.
First team in the League to reach 70 points. First team to win 30 regular season games. First team to have multiple ten game winning streaks. First team to lose just one game in regulation on home ice.
With a win against the Washington Capitals this afternoon, the Avs will ensure that last statistic doesn’t change.
Colorado Avalanche (33-5-8)
The Opponent: Washington Capitals (24-19-6)
Time: 2:00 P.M. MST/4:00 P.M. EST
Watch: TNT/HBO Max, TruTV (US National Broadcast), MNMT (Washington Capitals Broadcast Area Only) SN+, NHL Centre Ice (Canadian Broadcast Areas)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
It took over one hundred days (one hundred and one, to be exact) for the Avalanche to suffer their first regulation loss on home ice since the start of the 2025-2026 season. The Nashville Predators, who made their final trip of the regular season to Ball Arena last Friday, secured a 7-3 victory off a four point night from former Avalanche center Ryan O’Reilly (which included his seventh career hat trick) and a three point night from captain Roman Josi. Goaltender Juuse Saros stopped 40 of 43 shots for Nashville’s third straight win, which has pushed them into contention for the last wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Head Coach Jared Bednar didn’t mince words after his team’s performance, citing “no positives” could be gained from his team’s effort against Nashville. He didn’t stop there, saying he “hated that game from start to finish”.
Pretty accurate: the Avalanche surrendered the first goal of the game right out of the gate with just thirty seconds played to O’Reilly (a bit of payback of sorts for Brent Burns scoring just fifteen seconds on Saros in the Avs’ 3-0 victory at Bridgestone Arena back on November 22), which was the beginning of a very long night for the returning Mackenzie Blackwood. Blackwood, who had missed the past six games due to injury since recording a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on New Year’s Eve, stopped 23 of 28 shots in his first action of 2026. While some of those goals that got past him could be explained away as incredibly unfortunate (Sam Girard deflecting a puck past him), or near unpreventable (O’Reilly’s point-blank redirect of Luke Evangelista’s shot through heavy traffic), there were certainly others that Blackwood surrendered (Michael Bunting’s breakaway late in the second period) that would have been nice to see him come through with a save.
While many of the Avalanche skaters certainly deserve their fair share of criticism for their performance on Friday night, Brock Nelson may be one of the few who could be spared. Nelson matched O’Reilly goal for goal in the first period and gave his teammates opportunities to build on his efforts. Unfortunately, a completely uninspired second period allowed Nashville to take control of the game. Martin Nečas’ early third period goal that pulled the Avs within one provided a blip of hope, but Nashville rolled off three goals within a 2:28 span late (including a pair of empty net goals) to put the game out of reach.
While the loss to Nashville certainly stings, and they have played the Avalanche very tough this season, it’s important to keep in mind that this was the first regulation loss on Ball Arena ice this season, and it was due to happen at some point. Had they put together a more complete game and still came out on the losing end, the loss may not taste quite so bitter.
The loss also didn’t impact the Avs’ position as the undisputed leader across the Central Division, Western Conference, and entire League standings. Factor in that Dallas has only won twice this calendar year (and lost ten of its last twelve games) and Minnesota has won just three times in January, a lopsided loss for the Avs to Nashville—the single regulation loss on home ice this entire season—seems comically light by comparison.
Nathan MacKinnon remains the League leader in goal scoring (36), and will have a chance to reclaim the League lead in overall points from Edmonton’s Connor McDavid; MacKinnon is one point behind McDavid’s 83 points for the mark. Cale Makar still leads all defensemen in points (53), but Columbus’ Zach Werenski is one point shy of tying him for that mark. Scott Wedgewood still leads the League for the lowest goals against average (2.19), and while it seems plausible for Bednar to turn to him after being idle since the Avs’ overtime loss against Toronto, he may start Blackwood to keep him working to return to form and save Wedgewood for Wednesday’s game against Anaheim.
Today’s game against Washington will be the fifth game of the seven game home stand for the Avs. Prior to splitting the season series last year, Colorado enjoyed a four game winning streak against Washington dating back to November 19, 2022.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Gavin Brindley – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin Victor Olofsson – Jack Drury – Ross Colton Zakhar Bardakov – Parker Kelly – Ivan Ivan*
Defense: Cale Makar – Sam Girard Josh Manson – Brent Burns Ilya Solovyov – Sam Malinski
Between the Pipes: Mackenzie Blackwood Scott Wedgewood
*Ivan Ivan, who was recalled from Loveland ahead of the Nashville game, was sent back down after the loss. It’s possible he could be recalled again as he played in Saturday’s Colorado Eagles game but sat out on Sunday.
Washington Capitals
Washington can also relate to the struggles of Dallas and Minnesota, having only three wins to their credit to begin the month of January. They have lost six of their previous nine games since the start of the calendar year, the most recent being a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday at Capital One Arena. As Brock Nelson was the primary source of offense for Colorado against Nashville, defenseman Jakob Chychrun filled that role for Washington against Florida, scoring the team’s only goals in the contest. After giving his team a 2-1 lead near the halfway mark of regulation, Florida scored four unanswered goals against goaltender Logan Thompson and never looked back.
Washington currently sits in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division, and trail the Buffalo Sabres (yes, the Buffalo Sabres) by three points for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. With today’s game marking the start of a five game road trip through the Western Conference, which includes some winnable contests against Vancouver, Calgary, and Seattle, Washington can gain some ground (or build some momentum, at least) in the wild card race before wrapping up their road swing in Detroit prior to returning to the District.
If you were asked who was leading Washington in goals, you’d probably say it was Alex Ovechkin. Incredibly, Tom Wilson leads all Capitals skaters in goals (22), just eleven shy of his career best he posted last season (33). He also leads the team in points (42), and was recently named to Team Canada’s roster for the upcoming Olympics in Italy. Wilson, however, has not played for Washington since a 3-2 shootout loss to Chicago on January 3 due to injury. As for the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, Ovechkin is second in goals (20) and points (41). Defenseman John Carlson is third on the team in points (38), and leads all Washington skaters in assists (29). Chychrun is second among Washington skaters in points (35), but leads all defensemen in goals (17).
Despite losing his last three starts, Thompson ranks sixth in goals against average among goaltenders (2.38), just behind Colorado’s Blackwood (2.26). He will likely get his fourth straight start in today’s contest against the Avalanche.
Washington skated away with a 5-2 victory over Colorado in their only visit to Ball Arena last season on November 15, 2024. They wrap up the season series against Colorado at home on March 22.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Anthony Beauvillier Aliaksei Protas – Connor McMichael – Ryan Leonard Ivan Miroshnichenko – Nic Dowd – Ethen Frank Brandon Duhaime – Hendrix Lapierre – Brett Leason
Defense: Jakob Chychrun – John Carlson Martin Fehérváry – Matt Roy Rasmus Sandin – Trevor van Reimsdyk
Between the Pipes: Logan Thompson Charlie Lindgren
After missing the last three games, which resulted in all losses for the Kings, including the last game Perry played against the Stars, the Kings could use the 40-year-old right winger, who has been great this season for them with 10 goals, 13 assists, and 23 points.
Perry was reportedly on ice as practice got underway this morning and skated with the Kings' power play unit alongside Brandt Clarke, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, and Andrei Kuzmenko.
Corey Perry is on the ice this morning for the @LAKings as practice gets underway!
Top PP unit was on the ice very early working on a few things and Perry was with that group, alongside Clarke/Fiala/Kempe/Kuzmenko.
The Canadian winger also took rushes with Kempe and Alex Laferriere, indicating that the coaching staff is actively evaluating his play to see where he could slot back into the lineup for tomorrow's home game.
The veteran forward missed the Kings' last three games, including the Jan. 14 game against the Vegas Golden Knights and the back-to-back games against the Anaheim Ducks on the 16th and 17th. Perry hasn't played in a week since his last match against the Stars last Monday, where he finished with one point and an assist, resulting in a loss.
The Kings desperately need Perry, who is currently on a four-game losing streak and has lost six of their last seven games, clearly playing their worst stretch of the season. Not to say Perry will solve all of Los Angeles' problems, but could use the veterans play with no Anze Kopitar yet in the lineup.
In other news, with Perry eyeing his return to the lineup, the Kings are going to loan forward Andre Lee to the Ontario Reign. Lee played seven games amid injuries and players away from the team, scoring one goal, one assist, and two points.
Clearly not great numbers, but Lee had some strong moments on the ice and should continue to improve as he develops in Ontario.
There are also future implications for Anze Kopitar's status with the team, as he's missed the last 7 games for the Kings, and there is still no target date for his return. This means that if Kopitar is unable to play tomorrow against the Rangers, we may see Perry step into the top-six role to give Los Angeles a reliable veteran contributor amid Kopitar's injury.
As the Kings prepare for a key matchup against the Rangers tomorrow night at 10 p.m. ET, with their team struggling over the last 13 games, this game could provide an emotional lift for a team still looking to find its identity and momentum in a tight Western Conference.
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.
A six-game losing streak has followed them across time zones, joined now by fresh injuries and a lineup that seems to change by the day. What begins against the Golden Knights is more than another road game; it is a chance to reduce the season to something manageable again.
1. A Losing Streak That Has Become Mental as Much as Tactical.
Six losses in a row do not all look the same, but they begin to feel the same.
For the Flyers, the slide has taken on a familiar rhythm: an early mistake, a burst of opposition goals, a furious but incomplete push back into the game. What started as a couple of uneven nights has hardened into something heavier, the kind of stretch that makes every pass look a fraction slower and every decision a fraction louder in a player’s head.
Travis Konecny: “There’s plenty of time to figure it out. We’ll be okay.”
Echoed the statements of Cam York and Rick Tocchet today that guys are overthinking and sometimes doing too much to try to get going during games.
The numbers are stark, yet the mood around the team is more complicated than the record suggests. This is not a group that has stopped working, but has stopped trusting that the simple play will be enough. When confidence dips, structure tends to follow it out the door. Philadelphia has begun chasing offense before earning it, searching for a single shift to erase what should be a 60-minute process.
Vegas represents the most unforgiving kind of opponent for a team in that state. For the Flyers, the challenge will be to resist the temptation to play the entire game in the first ten minutes and to remember that discipline, not desperation, is the quickest path out of a skid.
2. Another Injury, Another Test of Identity.
Just when the lineup seemed thin enough, it got thinner.
Rodrigo Abols’ placement on injured reserve with a lower-body injury landed with particular weight because of what followed: his removal from Latvia’s Olympic roster, an ominous sign that this is not a short interruption. Abols had quietly become a fourth-line staple for the Flyers—responsible defensively, useful on the forecheck, capable of stabilizing a line.
Rodrigo Abols (18). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
He joins Rasmus Ristolainen on IR, another absence that cuts directly into the team’s physical spine. Ristolainen’s recent upper-body injury has already forced the defense into uncomfortable pairings, and the Flyers have felt it most in front of their own net, where details have frayed.
The call-ups of Lane Pederson and Hunter McDonald will bring new legs and hopefully new life into this group. Pederson brings veteran edges and a willingness to live in the uncomfortable parts of the ice. McDonald offers size and a simple, north-south approach on the back end.
3. Vegas as a Mirror.
If the Flyers want to remember what they are trying to become, Vegas is a useful study guide.
The Golden Knights are not flawless, but they are relentlessly coherent. They play fast without playing rushed. Their defense activates without forgetting its first job. Most importantly, they are emotionally flat in the best possible way—never too high after a goal, never too frantic after one against.
Philadelphia, by contrast, has been riding waves within single periods. The Flyers’ best hockey this season arrived when they mirrored Vegas’ temperament: five men above the puck, clean breakouts, offense born from layers rather than heroics. Those habits have slipped during the skid, replaced by hopeful stretch passes and extended shifts spent in survival mode.
The road environment may actually help. There is a simplicity to being away from home—no last change to overthink, fewer distractions, a collective bunker mentality. Against a team like Vegas, the Flyers need to be adult: win walls, exit zones on the first touch, make the goalie’s life predictable for a night.
Travis Sanheim (6), Travis Konecny (11), and Trevor Zegras (46). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
4. The Opportunity Hidden Inside the Trip.
This game begins a road stretch that could easily intimidate a fragile team, but the Flyers are anything but.
At home, the losing streak has hung over every shift like an unpaid bill. On the road, the season can shrink to a simpler equation—one opponent, one building, one chance to change the story. Philadelphia has historically responded well to those conditions, and there is reason to believe the travel schedule could act as a palate cleanser.
The coaching staff’s message has been consistent: stop trying to solve everything at once. The Flyers do not need to score six goals in Vegas. They need to win the first period, then the next shift, then the next puck race. A single composed performance would not erase the past two weeks, but it would remind the room what competence feels like.
Pederson and McDonald may play modest roles, yet their presence carries symbolic weight. They arrive without the baggage of the streak, with simple instructions and simpler expectations. Sometimes that's contagious.
5. Getting Out of Their Own Heads.
More than systems or personnel, the Flyers’ opponent right now is psychological gravity.
You can see it in the way sticks tighten after an early goal against, in the extra deke at the blue line, in the pass that looks for a perfect option instead of the correct one. Rick Tocchet has spoken repeatedly about “cheating” for offense and the mental fatigue that follows losing. The Flyers have been trying to think their way out of a problem that requires skating their way out.
Vegas will test that resolve immediately. The Golden Knights start fast and punish hesitation. If the Flyers can absorb pressure without abandoning structure—if they can play boring in the best sense of the word—they will give themselves a chance to not just stay in the game, but win it.
The season is not at a crossroads yet, but it is approaching a busy intersection. For a team that has spent two weeks watching games slip through its fingers, the chance to grab one back is more valuable than ever.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Trevor Zegras - Christian Dvorak - Travis Konecny
Nikita Grebenkin - Sean Couturier - Owen Tippett
Matvei Michkov - Noah Cates - Denver Barkey
Carl Grundstrom - Lane Pederson - Garnet Hathaway
Defense:
Travis Sanheim - Cam York
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Emil Andrae - Noah Juulsen
Goalies:
Sam Ersson
Aleksei Kolosov
Vegas Golden Knights
Forwards:
Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Mark Stone
Pavel Dorofeyev - Mitch Marner - Reilly Smith
Keegan Kolesar - Tomas Hertl - Braeden Bowman
Cole Reinhardt - Tanner Laczynski - Alexander Holtz
Currently on a three-game winning streak after snapping a nine-game winless streak, the Ducks look to keep things rolling against the New York Rangers. The Ducks are coming off a 2-1 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, while the Rangers are coming off a 6-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
“That's got to be our mindset,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said. “Continue on building on that kind of standard. How well we play without the puck is important. Let’s be hard to play against, playing that way.”
Chris Kreider returns to the lineup against his former team after missing the past two games with an illness. He’ll slot in on the top line alongside Mason McTavish and fellow former Ranger Ryan Strome.
Jan 13, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider (20) moves the puck against the Dallas Stars during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
“Last week was great,” Kreider said. “Taking four points in the home and home back-to-back, that was great. Our game against Dallas was our best game of the year.”
“We kind of stopped shooting ourselves in the foot a little bit,” Jacob Trouba said. “Played pretty simple, solid hockey. To play against LA, those two games, I think that's kind of what it requires. I thought we did a good job of sticking with that game and we've had some success with it, so probably stick to that in defending and being responsible and making good plays with the puck.”
“Simple in the game, putting it in areas where we can keep the puck and advance it,” Quenneville said on the adjustments his team has made lately. “The risky plays being inside or outside the blue lines are probably more predictable and enhances us getting pucks. Eliminating unnecessary rush chances is probably what it can lead to.”
Jan 5, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba (65) scores a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
“They’ve been going pretty good the last couple games,” Trouba said of the Rangers. “I think last game, scored a lot of goals. Mika (Zibanejad) has been good and hot, which is good to see. Staying consistent with our game and simplicity and what made us successful the last couple is what we're going to have to stick to.”
“A ton of firepower, detail-oriented team,” Kreider said. “ Our game's got to be tight. Got to continue to build on what we’ve done the last few games. Play good defense, help our goalies out and trust that we'll get our chances from playing good defense.”
Chris Kreider speaks to the media after the Ducks’ morning skate at Honda Center.
Ducks Projected Lines
Chris Kreider - Mason McTavish - Ryan Strome Alex Killorn - Mikael Granlund - Beckett Sennecke Jeffrey Viel - Ryan Poehling - Cutter Gauthier Ross Johnston - Tim Washe - Ian Moore
Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba Olen Zellweger - Radko Gudas Pavel Mintyukov - Drew Helleson
Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)
Rangers Projected Lines
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafrenière Gabe Perreault - Mika Zibanejad - J.T. Miller Will Cuylle - Noah Laba - Brennan Othmann Taylor Raddysh - Sam Carrick - Jonny Brodzinski
Vladislav Gavrikov - Braden Schneider Matthew Robertson - Will Borgen Urho Vaakanainen - Scott Morrow
The Vancouver Canucks continue their eight-game homestand on Monday with a matchup against the New York Islanders. Vancouver comes into this game having lost their last 10 and will be looking to avoid a historic 11th straight loss. Here are the lineup notes for January 19, 2026.
During morning skate, the Canucks announced that they had traded Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks. In return for the reigning NHL hit king, Vancouver received two second-round picks and defenceman Cole Clayton. Sherwood is currently injured and may not be ready to return in time for when the Sharks visit the Canucks later this month.
As for the starting goaltender, that will be Kevin Lankinen. Monday will be his 23rd start of the season, with the 30-year-old posting a record of 6-13-4. Lankinen has played the Islanders three times in his career and has posted a 1-2-0 record.
Lastly, Teddy Blueger most likely will not play on Monday. Head Coach Adam Foote didn't completely rule him out, but it appears his return will have to wait. Blueger has been out since October 19 and has only played two games this season.
Jan 3, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood (44) during a stop in play against the Boston Bruins in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
M. Pettersson-Hronek Buium-Myers
E. Pettersson-Willander
Lankinen Patera
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: Rogers Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
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.
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.
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The San Jose Sharks have acquired one of the most sought-after trade candidates of the NHL season by getting winger Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks more than six weeks before the March 6 deadline.
San Jose sent 2026 and ’27 second-round draft picks and minor league defenseman Cole Clayton to Vancouver for the 30-year-old pending free agent. The teams announced the deal Monday.
Sherwood led the Canucks with 17 goals through their first 48 games. He also has six assists.
"We would like to thank Kiefer for all his hard work and dedication in Vancouver," Canucks general manager Patrik Alvin said. “As an organization, we take a lot of pride in giving him the opportunity to grow and excel as a player. Given where things currently stand and the direction of our rebuild, we felt it was necessary to make a move like this as we continue to build our pipeline.”
Giving up draft picks to get Sherwood signals a shift for the Sharks from sellers to buyers. They’re in a playoff spot past the midway point of the season.
San Jose visits two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida on Monday night.
The Vancouver Canucks will look to snap a 10-game losing streak with the New York Islanders visiting Rogers Arena on Monday, January 19
My Islanders vs. Canucks predictions and best NHL picks are calling for a high-scoring game tonight in the City of Glass.
Islanders vs Canucks prediction
Islanders vs Canucks best bet: Over 5.5 (-125)
The Vancouver Canucks have closed with a 6.5 total in five consecutive games, and they’ve also allowed four or more goals eight times for 4.5 per during their active 10-game losing streak.
On the flip side, the Canucks have scored the fewest goals per 60 minutes with the lowest team shooting percentage at five-on-five during the skid. A splash of statistical correction to the shooting percentage, paired with the continued poor defensive play, clears the path for this total to go Over the number tonight.
Additionally, there have been at least six goals in seven of the past 10 games for the New York Islanders, and the Isles have averaged 3.1 per night during the stretch.
Islanders vs Canucks same-game parlay
Canucks center Elias Pettersson has recorded two or more shots in eight of 12 games since the holiday break while logging a healthy 18:16 of ice time per game, including 3:23 on the power play.
The Islanders also have a 46.0 Corsi For percentage and 47.8% shot share at 5-on-5 during the noted 10-game run, so this matchup isn’t daunting, and I’m anticipating the Pettersson and the Canucks putting pucks on net tonight.
As a result, New York No. 1 Ilya Sorokin is also positioned to pile up saves, and he’s posted a .942 save percentage with an eye-popping 9.32 goals saved above expected across his past four starts.
The Vancouver Canucks have only covered the Puck Line in 2 of their last 13 games (-15.60 Units / -74% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs. Canucks.
How to watch Islanders vs Canucks
Location
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
Date
Monday, January 19, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
MSGSN2, SNP
Islanders vs Canucks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
In a recent column for The Fourth Period, NHL insider David Pagnotta mentioned the Chicago Blackhawks as a team that could pursue New York Rangers star forward Vincent Trocheck.
"Vincent Trocheck is also on the radars of multiple clubs, including the Minnesota Wild, and he is someone to keep tabs on this trading season. I would venture a guess that teams like Carolina, Los Angeles, Chicago and Winnipeg may also inquire," Pagnotta wrote.
Seeing the Blackhawks be viewed as a potential suitor for Trocheck is certainly interesting. With Trocheck being an impactful top-six forward with a good amount of experience, there is no question that he would give Chicago's forward group a nice boost if acquired.
With the Blackhawks' playoff chances being low at this point in the season, they should not be in the business of adding rentals at the deadline. However, with Trocheck being signed until the end of the 2028-29 season with a $5.625 million cap hit, he would be a player who helps the Blackhawks for multiple years as they look to become a playoff team.
Yet, as good a player as Trocheck is, it is also important to note that the Blackhawks have multiple promising young centers, both on their NHL roster and in their system. If the Blackhawks want to bring in another top-six forward, a winger may make more sense because of this.
In 35 games this season with the Rangers, Trocheck has posted 11 goals, 18 assists, and 29 points.
The Vancouver Canucks’ last regulation win came against the New York Islanders on December 19.
That was exactly one month ago.
Yes, the Canucks have yet to register a regulation win since before the holiday break in December. Every single one of their two wins after that have been in overtime. As well, of course, they also have yet to win a game since 2026 started. Throughout all 48 games in the 2025–26 season, Vancouver has only registered 10 regulation wins.
Wins at home have been hard to come by for the Canucks. Wins in regulation at home have been even more elusive. Of their 10 regulation wins this season, only three have taken place at Rogers Arena: Vancouver’s 5–1 home-opener win against the Calgary Flames, their 4–3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 8, and their 4–2 win against the Minnesota Wild on December 6. The Minnesota game in particular is one to note, as this was the last time the Canucks won on home ice.
One thing that has been noticeable about Vancouver’s regulation winning pattern is the manner in which they do-so. Four of their 10 regulation wins have been separated by only one goal, while only four of these have ended with scores separated by more than two goals. Two of these regulation wins nearly resulted in blown multi-goal leads, as Vancouver nearly gave up a 4–0 lead against the Washington Capitals and allowed the Anaheim Ducks to erase a 3–1 deficit.
To get their first win of 2026, the Canucks will need to do the simplest thing in the book — score goals. It may sound like an overly-simplified solution, but it’s true. Throughout Vancouver’s 10 regulation wins on the season, they’ve put together an average goals-for of 4.2 — miles above their season average of 2.54. In all but two of their regulation wins, the Canucks have scored 4+ goals, with their highest being six in their 6–2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 16. Outside of regulation, Vancouver has only scored five or more goals twice — in a 5–4 win against the Nashville Predators in overtime and an 8–5 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Jan 3, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) and forward Evander Kane (91) and defenseman Zeev Buium (24) and forward Drew O'Connor (18) celebrate a goal scored by defenseman Filip Hronek (17) against the Boston Bruins in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Pro-rebuild fans have likely been content with the Canucks’ progress throughout the past couple of weeks, as they’ve successfully played themselves far into 32nd in the NHL with 37 points. With that being said, the lack of pushback from the team itself in games such as their 6–0 drumming against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday is concerning. Regardless of where things are heading, losing in a manner like that doesn’t quite instill hope in a fanbase that has its eyes set on the future. While this season is more than likely lost for the Canucks, it’s not like they can avoid winning forever.
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.
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.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies will be a game-time decision on Monday night as the club hosts the Minnesota Wild inside Scotiabank Arena.
The 23-year-old has been dealing with an undisclosed injury for "quite some time," said Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube on Monday after Toronto's morning skate, which Knies missed.
Berube added that Knies has been dealing with the same ailment since before Christmas.
"It's obviously bothering him a lot for quite some time," added Toronto's head coach. "It hasn't gotten really much better, other than when he gets some breaks, you know, Christmas time and stuff. He comes back, it feels better, but it's an ongoing issue."
Knies has missed three games this season, all in mid-November: Nov. 18 vs. St. Louis, Nov. 20 vs. Columbus, and Nov. 22 vs. Montreal. Through 45 games this season, Knies has 12 goals and 40 points, ranking fourth among the Maple Leafs.
Scott Laughton held Knies' spot on the Maple Leafs' second line at the skate, alongside John Tavares and Matias Maccelli. Laughton's shift to a larger role in the lineup suggests that Knies is less likely to play against the Wild.
Berube has been impressed with Laughton's game as of late, thus promoting him to a higher spot in the lineup. Toronto's head coach added, however, that if Laughton doesn't work there, he won't hesitate to switch things around again.
"(Laughton's) been in those situations before, played wing, played up with a more top-six role," Berube said. "He's played some real good hockey for us, so he has an opportunity to go up there, but I can move other guys in and out too, so we'll see him move around if that's the case."
Laughton has two goals in his last six games with Toronto. He also has a team-leading 59.8 win percentage in the face-off dot this season, and ranks fifth in the NHL (among players who've taken 300 or more face-offs).
With Laughton moving up, Jacob Quillan, who was called up ahead of Toronto's morning skate on Monday, will center the fourth line, between Steven Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok.
The 23-year-old has played three NHL games this season (four in total), but has been strong in the AHL, scoring eight goals and 27 points in 28 games. Quillan most recently scored a hat-trick and an assist in the Toronto Marlies' 6-1 win over the Belleville Senators on Jan. 9.
This will be Toronto's first game against the Wild this season. Joseph Woll is expected to start for the Maple Leafs. Oh, and don't forget: the start time will be half-an-hour later than normal (7:30 ET) as the game airs on Prime Monday Night Hockey.
William Nylander will miss yet another game when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Minnesota Wild on Monday. Although there isn't a clear timeline for the Swedish superstar to return, the issue is severe enough that the player hasn't been able to take the ice.
"I don't know how long the timeline will be for him," Berube said. "When he feels good enough to get on the ice and he goes out there and skates and it feels good, then I expect him to be back fairly quick then. But until then, I'm not sure when he's going to be on the ice."
When Nylander initially suffered the injury, the forward was often on the ice before his teammates, working through the ailment. Given that isn't happening this time, it suggests the ailment could either be worse than before or that the club is being cautious to make sure this doesn't become a lingering problem.
Naturally, this issue raises questions regarding whether Nylander will be healthy enough to compete for Sweden at the Olympics in early February. Granted, the tournament is weeks away; however, does it make sense for him to push it and risk further injury? We're not there yet, but it is certainly something to keep an eye on as the Leafs deal with a grueling schedule ahead of the best-on-best tournament.
The Leafs have had little practice time given the condensed schedule. However, if Nylander heals in time, it sounds like the coaching staff would be willing to play him immediately. "If Willy comes to me and says he's reason to go, and he hasn't practiced for a few days, I'm going to say, 'well, that's okay.' He can go play. I mean, it depends on the situation," Berube explained.
Nylander's absence leaves a significant hole in the lineup. He logged only 2:17 of ice time against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday before leaving the game with the injury. Berube didn't confirm when the injury took place, but you could see Nylander's skate buckle as he celebrated his goal.
Even in that short time, Nylander scored a goal and added an assist. In 31 games this season, he has recorded 17 goals and 31 assists, serving as a vital part of the club's offense.
The NHL had a big trade happen on Jan. 18, as the Vegas Golden Knights acquired defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames. This was after Andersson was one of the NHL's top trade candidates for multiple months.
Now, with Andersson getting traded, could it lead to more teams keeping an eye on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy? It certainly seems possible.
Andersson was the top right-shot defenseman available on the trade market and naturally had a lot of suitors because of it. Yet, now that Andersson is off the board, Murphy is certainly standing out as one of the most intriguing right-shot blueliners who could get dealt by the deadline.
In addition to Murphy, other right-shot defenders who have been creating chatter in the rumor mill include Dougie Hamilton (New Jersey Devils), Justin Faulk (St. Louis Blues), Luke Schenn (Winnipeg Jets), and Andrew Peeke (Boston Bruins). With this, the market has some options, but Murphy stands out among the top ones.
It will be interesting to see if Murphy's market starts to heat up now that a top blueliner like Andersson is off the board. When looking at teams that could make sense for Murphy as landing spots, clubs like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings stand out.
The Winnipeg Jets head to the Windy City on Monday for what promises to be one of their most memorable games of the season, and one that carries special meaning for a key Jets player.
Former longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews returns to the city where he became a hockey legend, winning three Stanley Cups, setting numerous franchise records, and cementing his status as one of the greatest players ever to wear a Blackhawks jersey.
The matchup is also significant for both teams in the standings as Winnipeg and Chicago enter the game with nearly identical records, with the Jets at 19-22-6 and the Blackhawks owning just one additional overtime loss. Winnipeg has found new life since the start of 2026, as a revitalized offense has fueled four wins in their last five games.
Chicago, meanwhile, has been a team of extremes. The Blackhawks have shown they can get hot, but those stretches have often been followed by sharp downturns. Entering Monday, Chicago has dropped four of its last five games. Before that, they won five of seven, and prior to that run managed just one win in nine games.
When things click for Chicago, they can be dangerous. When they do not, the results can be among the league’s worst. Winnipeg will quickly discover which version of the Blackhawks shows up Monday in what should be a must-watch contest.
Lineup Storylines
The Jets appeared on track to make it five straight wins Saturday when holding a 3-1 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs yet Winnipeg has continued a trend that has suddenly appeared just this season when they start to give away leads.
It isn't their first time doing it this season and not the first time they've done so in the last few weeks. The Leafs scored a pair of third period goals to tie things up before Max Domi would win the game for Toronto in overtime. It was a painful defeat but there were a lot of positives to take out of the win.
They earned a much needed point and are now within striking distance of a playoff spot if they can continue their hot streak while their offense has continued their renaissance with more depth forwards finding the scoresheet.
After appearing to be a potential candidate for an AHL assignment, Vladislav Namestnikov has responded in a big way, recording two assists in the loss to Toronto. Possible trade chips Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn also boosted their value by picking up points against the Maple Leafs, while Nino Niederreiter finally ended his 21-game goal drought.
Several middle-six forwards have also rediscovered their scoring touch with Alex Iafallo opening the scoring against Toronto and extended his point streak to four games. Veteran center Jonathan Toews saw his four-game goal streak come to an end Saturday, but the 37-year-old still has nine points over his last 11 games.
Their balanced attack will aim to overwhelm a Blackhawks lineup that relies heavily on superstar center Connor Bedard. Even after the 20-year-old returned from injury, Chicago has struggled to regain its rhythm, losing three of the four games he has played since coming back.
During that stretch, Bedard has been held without a goal and has recorded three assists, producing just under a point per game. Much of the offensive burden has instead fallen on top-six forward Tyler Bertuzzi, who has carried the load for Chicago in recent games.
Over his last 12 games, Bertuzzi has surprised many with eight goals and three assists for 11 points and could be another player the Jets need to keep an eye on besides Bedard.
Chicago: Spencer Knight Expected (13-13-6 record, 2.61 GAA, .910 SV% | VS WPG: 0-2-1 record, 5.34 GAA, .854 SV% in three games)
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.
Dan Vladar Injury Update: Flyers Avoid Doomsday ScenarioIn the midst of what has easily been their worst stretch of games all season, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> have gotten at least some positive news in the form of the latest injury update regarding goalie Dan Vladar.
Bailey: The Flyers Still Have No IdentityThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> went from rebuilder to playoff dark horse... or so they thought, and now the team and its loyal but increasingly impatient fans are paying the price.
