NEW YORK (AP) — Ondrej Palat scored the opening goal and added an assist in his debut with the New York Islanders, who defeated their cross-town rival New York Rangers 5-2 on Wednesday night.
Simon Holmstrom had a goal and two assists, David Rittich made 14 saves, and the Islanders won their second straight game. Mathew Barzal, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Emil Heineman also scored.
Mika Zibanejad and Taylor Raddysh scored for the Rangers. Spencer Martin stopped 31 shots, but the Rangers lost for the fourth time in their last five games and are 2-8-1 since they won the Winter Classic in Florida on Jan. 2. Star forward Artemi Panarin was held out of the lineup for roster management purposes and will not play again for the Rangers before the Olympic break.
Holmstrom made a slick pass from the half wall to set up Palat in the slot for a power-play goal with 5:01 remaining in the first period.
Tony DeAngelo found Holmstrom for a tap-in goal 1:11 later, giving the Islanders a 2-0 lead.
Zibanejad buried a cross-ice feed from J.T. Miller late in the first period to pull the Rangers within one.
Barzal and Pageau scored 47 seconds apart midway through the second period to extend the Islanders’ lead to 4-1.
The Islanders acquired Palat from the New Jersey Devils, along with a third-round pick in 2026 and a sixth-round pick in 2027, in exchange for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.
Artemi Panarin was held out of the New York Rangers' lineup on Wednesday, Jan. 28 for roster management purposes.
The Athletic and other media organizations said Panarin isn't likely to play before the Olympic break. The Olympic roster freeze begins on Feb. 4.
He's the most valuable trade asset the Rangers have after general manager Chris Drury said in a letter to fans that they planned to "retool" the roster. Panarin has led the team in scoring each season since signing as a free agent in 2019. He leads again with 57 points in 52 games.
Panarin is in the final year of his contract but has a full no-movement clause, meaning he has the final say on where he goes if traded. TSN reported that Panarin, who averages $11.6 million in his current deal, would want an extension lined up before signing off on a trade.
Here are some possible places where it could make sense for Panarin to end up in a trade:
They have been aggressive the past two seasons, trading for Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen, though they weren't able to re-sign those players. The Hurricanes likely want to make a splash again as they try to get past the third round. They have cap space and a first-round pick.
The Red Wings are a legitimate threat to end their nine-year playoff drought. They made only minor moves at last year's deadline, which drew criticism. Acquiring Panarin would be a major addition and the Red Wings have tons of cap space. Panarin would be reunited with former Blackhawks and Rangers teammate Patrick Kane.
The Stars were also aggressive last season, trading for and signing Rantanen at the 2025 deadline. They could use forward help with Tyler Seguin out after ACL surgery. But they lack a first-round pick and their cap situation is tight.
If they could acquire and sign Panarin, it would help the team's future with Anze Kopitar going to retire after the season. They have a first-round pick and workable cap space.
Vegas Golden Knights
When are they not in the mix whenever a big name is available? They already traded for Rasmus Andersson this season. It doesn't matter what their cap situation is. They find a way.
Thursday night will feature a special moment in Jake DeBrusk's career. When the puck drops at Rogers Arena, the 29-year-old will skate in his 600th career regular-season game. Over the first 599 games, DeBrusk has recorded 341 points while also playing in 86 playoff games.
Hitting the 600-game mark is an impressive achievement for any player. The first 465 came with the Boston Bruins, while the remaining 134 so far featured DeBrusk in a Vancouver Canucks sweater. In an interview with The Hockey News, DeBrusk revealed that it was one of his younger teammates who reminded him that he was closing in on his 600th game.
"I haven't thought about that in a while, but yeah, I know it's lots," said DeBrusk. "You can go through the years, obviously, but a lot of good memories, a couple heartbreaks in there at the same time. Yeah, 600 games, a lot of games. I didn't even know about that till last game. Actually, Junior (defenceman Elias Petersson) told me about it. But, you know, we don't play the game to play games. We play the game to win. The 600 and I think 80-something playoff games as well. You know, I played a lot of hockey."
After recording 81 points in 72 games with the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL, DeBrusk was selected by the Bruins 14th overall in 2015. He was a player who rose up the rankings as the season went on and entered the draft as the 19th-ranked North American Skater. When asked about any advice he would have given his 18-year-old self, DeBrusk spoke about how he probably wouldn't have believed that he would one day play 600 games at the NHL level.
"I was pretty raw. Honestly, I don't even know. I think I'd probably say, get ready for 2019, because we went to the finals that year in game seven. That's probably what I would tell myself at 18. But if I told myself this at 18, my draft year, I don't think I would have believed you, to be honest with you. At the start of that year, I think I was ranked either in the fifth round or the sixth round. Was like a C or D prospect at the start of that year. So I would be shocked if I was able to say, Hey, this is what you've been doing in the future. I don't know if I change a whole lot. I think everyone would change certain things, but I don't know if I'll give myself a single piece of advice."
The 2015 class is considered one of the deepest drafts in recent memory as it included Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, Kirill Kaprizov, Zach Werenski, Mathew Barzal and Brock Boeser. For Boston, though, it is seen as a missed opportunity as the organization had the 13th, 14th and 15th picks, yet only hit on DeBrusk. Even though DeBrusk turned into a successful player, he was used as a scapegoat to hide the fact that the Bruins' 2015 draft did not go as planned.
"I got asked about it a lot when I was a Boston, and obviously, I was the only one that really played. And I took the brunt of those questions from my rookie year on. So first and as a player, I was just happy to get selected by a team. It didn't really matter to me. I just was happy that the team wanted me. And coming into a situation in Boston, obviously, it was a great setup for me, but, yeah, I got asked about that a lot my first couple of years. Felt like I was kind of getting blamed for it, and you know, pushed me to become a better pro. And that's why I'm here, sitting at 600 right now. I think that's easy to say from the outset. But yeah, I took a lot of that heat, that's for sure."
Shifting back to the present, DeBrusk has experienced plenty of memorable moments in his career. He has played for an original-six franchise and been to the Stanley Cup Final. Overall, DeBrusk has packed a lot into the last decade, which is why it is hard to pick a favourite memory from his career so far.
"Yeah, probably my first playoffs. I think probably the first time playing in the post-season. You dreamed about as a kid. My rookie year, playing seven-game series, Winter Classics, first 20-goal season. Just little things. First goal is probably what I remember the most, how that felt. And, yeah, I would say probably those are the good memories, obviously, lots of different playoff goals. Usually, what I think about my career is my playoffs and just different little challenges that have come through that."
Jan 25, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk (74) during a stop in play against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
To wrap up the interview, DeBrusk was asked about any advice he has for the younger players on the team. Vancouver has one of the youngest rosters in the league, and is projected to get even younger as the organization enters a rebuild. For DeBrusk, he discussed the increased speed of the game and ensuring that, as a player, you don't lose confidence when the team is struggling.
"The NHL changes, it's a faster league. It's more skilled. You need speed. If you don't have speed, you die. We just played against a pretty young team in San Jose. And what's everyone talking about, how fast they were. Look at Chicago, look at the best team in the league in Colorado. Why are they so good, speed? So I look at that, and I think that's just how the game is changing. But in terms of these younger guys, just getting to know them. Obviously, it's a tough go. We're really struggling. So just try to be there for them if they need anything. Confidence is the biggest thing in the NHL. It's not something that is given to you at this level. You have to earn it, and you have to kind of keep it and learn how to stay with it. And when you lose, when you get scored on, it's human not to have any confidence. So for me, I just kind of look around and see how guys are doing in those terms. When you're young, you're trying to fight, to stay the next day. You're trying to fight, no matter what the score is or what's going on. So they got a pretty good read. But you know, they know I'm there for them if they need, and I try to crack a couple of jokes."
DeBrusk has had an impressive career to this point. As mentioned, he is closing in on 350 points and is on pace for his second-straight 20-goal season. Overall, DeBrusk provides value to the organization not just on the ice, but off it as well.
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.
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The Buffalo Sabres should be looking to add to their roster ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. When looking at their current group, it would not hurt for them to add an impactful center to their top nine.
When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Charlie Coyle stands out as an interesting potential option to consider.
If the Sabres landed Coyle, they would be adding a veteran two-way forward who chips in offensively, is solid defensively, kills penalties, and provides physicality. He is also capable of playing both center and right wing, which adds to his appeal as a possible target.
In 51 games so far this season with the Blue Jackets, Coyle has recorded 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, and 69 hits. With numbers like these, he would be a nice addition to the Sabres' top nine if successfully acquired.
Coyle would also give the Sabres another veteran with plenty of playoff experience and who is known for being a good leader. With this, he could be a good pickup for a Sabres club looking to take that next step and cement themselves as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.
The pending Rangers sell-off is really about to take off now.
Two days after making their first retooling trade of the regular season, the Rangers held leading scorer Artemi Panarin out of Wednesday’s road game against the Islanders for “roster management,” The Post’s Mollie Walker reported about an hour before puck drop. The star winger will not play in the team’s final four games before the NHL’s upcoming break next week.
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General manager Chris Drury informed Panarin before his Jan. 16 letter to fans that the 34-year-old — a pending unrestricted free agent after his seven-year, $81 million deal signed as a free agent in 2019 expires this summer — would not be re-signed by the organization after extension talks went nowhere and they had “extremely candid” conversations.
“It’s hard to say how I feel. I’m still confused, but the GM decided to go in a different direction. I’m OK with that,” while promising “to give 100 percent in every game,” Panarin said earlier this month after the news became public.
Panarin must approve any trade because of a full no-movement clause.
Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller also are among those with no-movement clauses, but more deals are sure to follow ahead of the March 6 trade deadline, with the Rangers entering Wednesday’s game with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. But NHL rosters will be frozen from Feb. 4 through the Olympic break.
Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin waits for the puck to drop against the Bruins. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“We are not going to stand pat — a shift will give us the ability to be smart and opportunistic as we retool the team. This is not a rebuild,” Drury wrote in his letter. “This will be a retool built around our core players and prospects. We will target players that bring tenacity, skill, speed and a winning pedigree with a focus on obtaining young players, draft picks and cap space to allow us flexibility moving forward.”
Drury already has made one trade this week, sending veteran defenseman Carson Soucy to the Islanders for a 2026 third-round pick, meaning his first two games with his new team will come against the team that just traded him. The teams also will meet in the second half of back-to-back games Thursday night at the Garden.
Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers skates against the Boston Bruins. Getty Images
Panarin leads the Rangers with 57 points in 57 games this season, and his 19 goals rank second on the team behind Zibanejad’s 21. He also recently had a 10-game point streak with five goals and 18 points but the Rangers entered with just three wins over their previous 14 games (3-9-2) under first-year coach Mike Sullivan to fall out of playoff contention. They also missed the playoffs one year ago under since-fired coach Peter Laviolette.
Soucy said Wednesday morning that he and his former teammates knew trades likely were on the way, but that Drury did him “a favor” allowing his young family to remain in the New York area with Monday’s deal to the Islanders.
“Obviously with the Rangers I kind of knew some trades were coming,” said Soucy, who was acquired by the Rangers from Vancouver before last year’s deadline. “This one just kind of made sense with obviously my family and stuff, we don’t have to uproot. We can stick [in Westchester] where we are now, so it kind of made sense there.
“I guess it just showed where both teams are, really. And I think it’s just that Drury kind of did me a favor of not wanting to shift my family, like last year, where I was kind of across the country, with my wife and kids. We have a newborn right now, so it’s nice to not have to move houses right now. So I appreciate Chris kind of making that work for me.”
Now, Drury must also work with Panarin and perhaps others on a preferred destination.
Braden Schneider finds himself in an awfully similar spot to the one K’Andre Miller did last year.
Entering the 2024-25 campaign, Miller and the Rangers had still not agreed to a long-term contract extension, with his future still in flux.
Selected in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Miller quickly rose up the ranks of Rangers prospects and given his skillsets, playing a physically-minded game, while also having the capabilities of a strong puck-moving defensemen, expectations were high for Miller.
Those expectations grew even further when Miller recorded 43 points during the 2023-24 season, as it seemed he would only continue to ascend.
However, it didn’t quite work out that way. Over his final two years with the Blueshirts, Miller’s point totals decreased and his inconsistent defensive game also brought up concerns.
Entering the 2025 offseason, Miller was still without a contract extension, and the red flags shown in Miller’s game made Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury reluctant to give the young defenseman a long-term commitment.
Ultimately, the Rangers sent Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes in a sign-and-trade deal, and he signed an 8-year $60 million contract with the Hurricanes.
Now, Schneider could find himself in the same boat, if history were to repeat itself.
Schneider was also a highly touted prospect, with the Rangers selecting him with the 19th overall pick in the 2020 Draft.
It didn’t take long for Schneider to make waves in the NHL, playing 43 games for the Rangers during the 2021-22 campaign.
Through his first three NHL seasons, Schneider showed flashes of potential in a third-pairing role.
In 2024, Schneider signed a two-year, $4.4 million bridge deal with the Rangers. The hope was that he would eventually blossom into a reliable top-four defenseman for the Blueshirts.
Similar to Miller, Schneider hasn’t taken that next leap that the organization had anticipated, specifically this year where he’s struggled in a top-four role when the opportunity has been presented, while his defensive woes are becoming more and more prevalent, indicative of his -15 plus/minus rating (the worst of his NHL career).
In Drury’s recent letter issued outlining the team’s plan to retool the roster, he states that fans may have to say “goodbye to players that have brought us and our fans great moments over the years” and you have to wonder if that includes Schneider.
The 24-year-old defenseman is set to become a restricted free agent this summer and will likely seek a long-term contract, which the Rangers may be reluctant to succumb to a long-term commitment, given Schneider’s underwhelming year thus far.
Schneider’s age, on top of the heavy style of play that he brings to the table, makes him a valuable trade committee, should opposing teams be enticed to pursue him.
Unlike most of the Rangers’ premier players, Schneider does not hold a no-move or no-trade clause in his current contract, which makes him easier to move.
Since what many are calling the Letter 2.0 was released, Schneider’s name has been the subject of trade rumors, and that speculation only continues to pick up steam.
“One name I did hear a little bit about today, knowing I was coming on here and calling around, aside from the obvious ones, was Schneider,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said. “I think that for a defenseman who's a bit heavier, there's always interest in that kind of a player, and I think there is some in him, and the Rangers may have a decision to make."
The Rangers do indeed have a decision on their hands regarding Schneider’s future, and that decision could very well be made before the March 6th NHL Trade Deadline.
Zayne Parekh’s conditioning stint with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers has looked every bit like a confidence reset.
In three games with the Wranglers, the 19-year-old defenceman has produced four points — two goals and two assists — while logging heavier minutes and showcasing the offensive instincts that made him a top-ten draft pick. His shot has been noticeable, his puck touches frequent, and the overall body of work suggests a player beginning to settle into the pro game.
With the stint expected to conclude this weekend, Parekh is slated to rejoin the Flames, though questions remain about how — and when — he fits back into the NHL lineup.
While the offensive upside has never been in doubt, concerns surrounding Parekh’s strength, size, and defensive consistency persist. Those questions aren’t rooted in long-term projection — he has plenty of time to develop physically — but rather in durability. Multiple injuries this season stemming from physical contact have limited his ability to find rhythm at the NHL level.
Like most young defencemen, his defensive game remains a work in progress. The offensive flashes, however, have been undeniable during his time with the Wranglers.
The adjustment back to pro hockey following the World Junior Championships has been a key part of that progress.
“Just getting used to the speed, obviously it’s not NHL speed but it’s a lot faster than junior hockey so it’s a good jump for me,” he said. “It’s a step in the right direction and I’m really enjoying it.”
That comfort level appears to be translating into confidence — something Parekh lacked earlier in the season with the Flames. The conditioning stint has offered him a chance to reset mentally, play through mistakes, and focus on incremental improvement rather than immediate results.
“Just keep getting better, I think that’s been the change in mindset for me over the last couple weeks,” Parekh said. “It’s going to take a little bit for me to get my game in the NHL but as long as I continue to get a little bit better each day…I think I’m going to get there eventually. It’s going to take some time but I’ve just got to trust in the process and have a little belief in myself and that’s starting to come.”
What happens next remains unclear. Do the Flames keep him out of the lineup until after the Olympic break? Does he get a handful of games beforehand? Calgary’s blue line is crowded, meaning roster movement would be required to create space. Still, it’s clear where Parekh’s long-term development needs to continue — at the NHL level.
The Nobleton, ON native was selected ninth overall by the Flames in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, following a record-shattering junior career with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. Parekh posted back-to-back 30-goal seasons, a feat previously achieved only by Hall of Famer Bobby Orr among OHL/OHA defencemen. His 2024 season saw him record 33 goals and 74 assists for 107 points in 61 games, earning both the Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL Defenceman of the Year and CHL Defenceman of the Year honours.
For now, the focus is simple: continued growth, steady confidence, and trusting that the process will carry him where he ultimately belongs.
Edmonton Oilers forward Andrew Mangiapane is undoubtedly a trade candidate to watch between now and the deadline. It is no secret that the 29-year-old forward has struggled with the Oilers and could benefit from a fresh start.
In a recent article for The Athletic, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun named the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, and St. Louis Blues as potential trade fits for Mangiapane.
"I wonder about teams such as the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators or St. Louis Blues as fits. The fact that Mangiapane has another year on his deal might actually be more appealing to those teams, none of whom are sitting in a playoff spot," LeBrun wrote.
The Jets stand out as an interesting potential option for the Oilers. When looking at their roster, it is clear that they could use another skilled winger in their top nine. If Mangiapane bounced back in Winnipeg, he would give their forward group a nice and much-needed boost.
When looking at Ottawa's group, Mangiapane could be a solid replacement for Nick Cousins on their third line. It would also be understandable if the Senators tried to add to their roster ahead of the deadline, as their playoff hopes are not fully gone yet.
The Blues could be a good landing spot for Mangiapane as well. The Central Division club has struggled to produce offense this season and should be open to adding to its forward group because of it. With this, they are in a position to buy low on a former 55-point forward.
After six long games, injured Philadelphia Flyers goalie Dan Vladar is expected to make his return to the ice and reclaim his place as the club's starter.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Flyers announced that Vladar, 28, was activated from injured reserve, signaling his official return.
In a corresponding transaction, top goalie prospect Aleksei Kolosov was returned to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Vladar hasn't played for the Flyers since a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 14; the Czech netminder saved four of the six shots he faced before departing with a lower-body injury at the end of the first period.
Kolosov started only one game for the Flyers in Vladar's absence, ceding three goals on three shots in a 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers.
The Belarusian's other appearance with Vladar on the shelf came in relief of Ersson, when Kolosov made 13 saves on 16 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ersson, who retains his hold on the Flyers' backup goalie job with Kolosov failing to impress in limited action, went 2-2-1 over the last six games, allowing 19 goals, making 130 saves on 149 shots, and posting a 3.61 GAA and .872 save percentage.
Those numbers are far from ideal, regardless of how the Flyers performed in front of him, and now Vladar, who is now fully healthy and ready to go, will jump back into the driver's seat with Philadelphia's season on the line.
It's also worth mentioning that Kane missed the entirety of the 2024-25 season as he underwent two surgeries. That includes treating a sports hernia in September 2024 and his knee in January 2025.
In Vancouver, he played 52 games, scoring nine goals and 24 points this year. With that, he's been averaging 16:47 of ice time per game and has recorded a minus-18 rating on a struggling Canucks team that is last in the NHL.
There shouldn't be much shock that Holland would be interested in Kane. After all, they were together in Edmonton between 2022 and 2024. In fact, Holland signed Kane as a free agent in January 2022.
In the past off-season, the Canucks acquired Kane in a trade that would likely be a blueprint as to what Vancouver will be looking for in an effort to move off the veteran. The Oilers shipped him to the Canucks for a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Evander Kane (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)
If the Kings were to acquire Kane, it certainly wouldn't cost much in terms of departing assets. However, the aging left winger comes with a $5.125-million price tag.
Los Angeles has $12.875 in current cap space, according to puckpedia.com. How they use that space in the coming weeks is to be seen.
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The Winnipeg Jets are expected to make roster moves ahead of the NHL trade deadline, with a pair of pending free agents drawing league-wide interest. Defensemen Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley have emerged as the primary candidates to be dealt, though the exact timing of any moves remains uncertain.
Of the two, Stanley is the player most likely to be shipped out or not return to the team next season. The 27-year-old towering six-foot-seven defenseman has reportedly not yet discussed a contract extension with the Jets, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Drafted 18th overall in 2016, Winnipeg traded up to select Stanley and he has struggled to live up to expectations early in his career, often serving as a depth defenseman. However, this season has marked a breakout, with Stanley recording eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 51 games. He is on pace to surpass his previous career highs, making him an attractive option for playoff-bound teams seeking a second- or third-pairing defenseman.
The Jets appear to be focused on retooling for next season, meaning Stanley’s trade value could be modest. While exact returns are uncertain, a fourth- or fifth-round pick could be expected. By comparison, defenseman Carson Soucy was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the New York Islanders this season for a third-round pick. Even a mid-round selection for Stanley would exceed the value Winnipeg might have expected at the start of the season.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers activated goaltender Dan Vladar off injured reserve Wednesday, clearing him to return at night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Vladar missed the past two weeks after leaving a game at Buffalo with what the team called a lower-body injury. The Flyers have lost four of six games since.
At 28 now after being mostly a backup since reaching the NHL, Vladar was in the middle of arguably the best season of his career when he got hurt. He is 16-7-4 with a 2.46 goals-against average that ranks ninth in the league and a .905 save percentage that is good for 18th among netminders with at least 20 appearances.
Vladar was one of three goalies chosen to play for the Czech Republic at the upcoming Olympics in Milan. Anaheim's Lukas Dostal is expected to be the Czech starter, with Vladar and Utah's Karel Vejmelka competing to back up.
The Buffalo Sabres remain the hottest team in the NHL after winning four of five games on their just-completed five-game road swing. The Sabres are 19-3-1 since mid-December, and have climbed into a tie for third place in the Atlantic with Boston and Montreal, and have carried three goalies in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis all season, something that head coach Lindy Ruff is thankful for.
"We've had good goaltending, and the fact we've had three with the injuries we've had between UPL, Lyon, and Ellis with his concussion, three has been a blessing for us as it has turned out." Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said after the club held a short practice on Wednesday. "(Managing three goalies has) sometimes (been) tough to deal with, but it's turned out to be a strength of ours. It's got us through a lot of games."
Lyon missed three weeks earlier this month with a lower-body injury, while Ellis missed a couple of weeks last month with a concussion. Luukkonen suffered a lower-body injury during summer workouts, missing time during training camp, and re-aggravated it after one period during the preseason, missing the first three weeks of the regular season.
In Tuesday’s 7-4 victory over Toronto on Tuesday, Luukkonen left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury and was replaced by Ellis. Lyon, who was with the team but not suited up, headed to the Sabres locker room and was got into his equipment. With the possibility of Luukkonen being out longer than a few days, the burden will fall on the 33-year-old, who has tied a club-record with nine consecutive victories.
"When you have a goalie room with guys that are competitive and care about winning, I think that those types of things kind of build on themselves," Lyon said. So when (UPL) and I are going back and forth here this last little bit, you always feel a little competitive with each other and you don't want to let the other guy down at the same time. That's really healthy. Colton is of the same mindset as the both of us. So I think our goalie room is in a good spot right now."
Ruff did not have an update on Luukkonen’s status, and Lyon patrolled the Sabres home net at practice in preparation for their game against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Washington Capitals forward Brandon Duhaime was fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct for poking Seattle’s Jacob Melanson while on the bench.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced the supplemental discipline Wednesday. The department, led by retired enforcer George Parros, recently took over control of all the league's in-arena disciplinary decisions, some of which were previously handled by hockey operations.
Duhaime made contact with Melanson while the Kraken player was skating by with just over seven minutes left in the second period of the teams’ game Tuesday night. Melanson reached for his right arm and left the ice immediately but remained in the game, and no penalty was called on the play.
Duhaime started a fight with Melanson with just over a minute left in the Capitals’ 5-1 loss and got an extra minor penalty for roughing. Duhaime, 28, is a pending unrestricted free agent and could be dealt ahead of the March 6 deadline if Washington opts to sell.
ST. PAUL, Minn. - During last week, Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov tore up the scoresheet.
Kaprizov, 28, recorded multiple points in all four of his contests to top the NHL with 3 goals, six assists and nine points in four games for the Wild.
Kaprizov then posted two goals and an assist, including his 13th career overtime goal, in a 4-3 victory against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 22.
He added a goal and an assists for his fifth straight multi-point performance dating to Jan. 17 against the Florida Panthers to end the week.
The 5-foot-11 forward is fourth in the NHL in goals with 28 and ranks seventh in points with 64 in 54 games this season.
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