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.
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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)
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Ivan Barbashev is having another productive season for the Vegas Golden Knights, pacing for 58 points, which would be a new high during his tenure with the team.
My Flyers vs. Golden Knights predictions expect Barbashev to build on those outputs on his home ice.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Monday, January 19.
Flyers vs Golden Knights prediction
Flyers vs Golden Knights best bet: Ivan Barbashev Over 0.5 points (+115)
Ivan Barbashev has points in 63% of his home games compared to just 39% when playing on the road.
His numbers are even better when rested, hitting the scoresheet in 10 of 15 in Vegas after an off day, tallying 16 points in total.
He is currently riding shotgun with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone on the top line, which is a dream spot to be.
Eichel leads the Vegas Golden Knights in points, while Stone is producing at by far the highest level of his career, averaging more than 1.5 points per game.
The Golden Knights have filled the net at an unbelievably high rate with that trio on the ice. They’re averaging nearly five goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play, numbers comparable to the Nathan MacKinnon-Martin Necas duo (5.25 per 60).
The Philadelphia Flyers are also dealing with goaltending issues. Starter Dan Vladar is banged up, and the Flyers have not gotten any saves without him. Even if Vladar can return, he’s not invincible.
Vladar is giving up an average of 2.82 goals per game to Top-10 scoring offenses and has won only three of 11 appearances.
Flyers vs Golden Knights same-game parlay
Stone has skated with Eichel and Barbashev for 10 games this season. He recorded multiple shots on goal in nine of them, averaging 2.9 in total.
It’s hard not to get excited about Owen Tippett right now. He has generated 3+ shots in seven straight, including twice against an excellent Lightning squad. His 5-on-5 shot volume is particularly strong, which is important as Vegas doesn’t take many penalties.
Flyers vs Golden Knights SGP
Ivan Barbashev Over 0.5 points
Mark Stone Over 1.5 shots on goal
Owen Tippett Over 2.5 shots on goal
Flyers vs Golden Knights odds
Moneyline: Flyers +170 | Golden Knights -210
Puck Line: Flyers +1.5 (-135) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+115)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)
Flyers vs Golden Knights trend
Ivan Barbashev has nine points over his last 10 home dates. Find more NHL betting trends for Flyers vs. Golden Knights.
How to watch Flyers vs Golden Knights
Location
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Date
Monday, January 19, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSP+, SCRIPPS
Flyers vs Golden Knights 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
The Florida Panthers entered the fifth game of their six-game road trip last Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes, feeling better about their hockey after winning two straight.
When the final buzzer sounded, the only feeling was one of dread and embarrassment. The Panthers found themselves tied 1-1 early in the second period, but they went on to allow six goals in the third period, losing 9-1.
Sergei Bobrovsky was in goal for all nine goals, finishing with a .743 save percentage, turning away just 26 of the 35 shots he faced. The Panthers’ penalty kill percentage took a significant blow as they allowed four goals on five opportunities.
When the Panthers travelled to Washington to take on the Capitals, Daniil Tarasov backed the Panthers, turning away 22 of the 24 shots he faced en route to a 5-2 victory.
Although Tarasov’s numbers are significantly better than Bobrovsky’s, Tarasov is still taking on very few starts, and prior to his start against Washington, it had been five games since he last played.
The 37-year-old Bobrovsky will be back in goal tonight against the San Jose Sharks, looking to slow down Macklin Celebrini and the rest of the young, high-flying forwards the Sharks dress. The Sharks are tied for third place in the Pacific Division with 51 points and a 24-20-3 record.
The Sharks average the 16th most goals per game (3.11), 29th most shots on goal (25.3), and the fifth-best shooting percentage (12.3 percent). Bobrovsky has at times shown he is the goaltender who backstopped the Panthers to consecutive Stanley Cup wins, but his inconsistency has plagued the Panthers.
The Panthers remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, but are now four points back of a wild card spot with two teams ahead of them. They are also eight points back of third place in the Atlantic Division, with three teams ahead.
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.
Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in goals with 36, but he hasn’t scored in three straight games, tying his season-long dry spell.
My Capitals vs. Avalanche predictions expect MacKinnon to find the back of the net while leading the charge for a Colorado team looking to rebound from a pair of losses.
Let’s dive into my NHL picks for Monday, January 19.
Capitals vs Avalanche prediction
Capitals vs Avalanche best bet: Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal (+100)
Nathan MacKinnon has filled the net at an incredible pace this season, scoring at least one goal in 54% of his appearances, and 57% at home.
He has often led the charge in winning efforts, scoring in 64% of the Colorado Avalanche’s wins. That’s certainly noteworthy as the Avalanche are 19-1-3 at home and more than -200 favorites against the Washington Capitals in this game.
Also working in his favor is rest. The Avalanche have had a couple of days off, and they’ve been borderline unstoppable when that’s the case.
Colorado is 12-1-1 following 2+ days of rest. They've scored 3+ goals in all 14 games and are averaging 4.57 in that span — absurd production.
As you’d expect, MacKinnon has played a huge part in that. MacKinnon has scored in four of the last five games following two off days, potting six goals in that span.
He is the tone-setter for the Avalanche, and he’s undoubtedly licking his chops to get back out there after suffering a pair of losses in a row.
The Capitals haven’t defended all that well of late, either.
They rank 22nd in expected goals against at 5-on-5 and on the kill over the last 10 games. They’ve also played at the 10th-highest pace, which MacKinnon and the Avalanche will certainly welcome at altitude.
Capitals vs Avalanche same-game parlay
Sam Malinksi is playing a much larger role in the absence of Devon Toews, averaging just over 20 minutes spanning the past five. His numbers reflect the spike in usage, with Malinski producing 3.0 shots on 6.2 attempts per game in that span.
The Avalanche have won by 2+ goals in nine of 12 victories following at least two days off. They’ve only lost multiple games in a row two different stretches this season, and exited both of them with eight-goal performances.
Capitals vs Avalanche SGP
Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal
Sam Malinski Over 1.5 shots on goal
Avalanche -1.5
Capitals vs Avalanche odds
Moneyline: Washington +175 | Colorado -215
Puck line: Washington +1.5 (-130) | Colorado -1.5 (+110)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115)
Capitals vs Avalanche trend
The Avalanche have covered the Puck Line in 17 of their last 25 games at home (+10.30 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Capitals vs. Avalanche.
How to watch Capitals vs Avalanche
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Monday, January 19, 2026
Puck drop
4:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT, HBO Max
Capitals vs Avalanche 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
The Carolina Hurricanes (30-15-4) have been on fire over their last two games and they are looking to continue that level of play this afternoon at 1:30 PM against the Buffalo Sabres (26-16-5) at home.
After dominating the Florida Panthers 9-1 on Friday, including six third period goals, the Canes blew past the New Jersey Devils 4-1 on Saturday thanks to an Andrei Svechnikov hat trick. There’s a lot to be excited about as Carolina currently sits with a seven point lead atop the Metropolitan Division.
The same reigns true on the other side of this matchup, too. Ever since the firing general manager Kevyn Adams on December 15, the Sabres have completely turned things around. In that span, Buffalo has gone 12-2-1, including a seven game winning streak. The Canes and Sabres have split the season series so far, but it’s safe to say this isn’t the same Buffalo team from October and November.
Tage Thompson has led the way for the Sabres over that stretch, netting nine goals and 21 points in that span. On the year, Thompson leads Buffalo in goals and points, with 25 and 50 in 47 games. Alex Tuch and Josh Doan have been effective complimentary goal scorers, with the pair netting 17 and 15 goals this season.
On the defensive end, Rasmus Dahlin is still showing why he was the first overall pick in the 2018 draft and one of the top defenseman in the league. Dahlin has 34 points in 43 games so far this year to lead Buffalo’s defensive core.
Between the pipes, starter Alex Lyon has missed the last nine games due to injury. In 21 games this season, Lyon has posted a 2.82 GAA and .906 save percentage.
Lyon practiced on Sunday for the first time since the injury, but it should be backup Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen getting the nod this afternoon. Despite the Sabres recent surge, Luukkonen has not been strong in net, posting a 3.40 GAA to go along with a .896 save percentage over his last five games.
Getting pucks to the net and generating good offensive chances will be key to coming out on top today for Carolina.
It is not clear whether Shayne Gostisbehere will suit up today. The defenseman has missed the last two games and is still listed as day-to-day. William Carrier, who has missed the last four games due to injury, is also listed day-to-day.
In net, the most likely option looks to be Brandon Bussi, who stopped 15 of 16 shots in his last start on Friday in the 9-1 win over the Panthers. Bussi will be looking for 18th win of the year.
After winning two straight, the Canes are looking to carry their recent momentum into today’s matchup against a red-hot Sabres team.
Here’s how to catch this afternoon’s game:
Time: 1:30 PM
TV: TNT
Streaming: HBO Max
Radio: 99.9 The Fan
Odds: Hurricanes -196 Moneyline, Hurricanes -1.5 at +120
The Florida Panthers are getting one of their top forwards back in the lineup.
On Monday, the Panthers held a morning skate at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Coral Springs ahead of their matchup with the San Jose Sharks.
Injured forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand were both on the ice, but only Tkachuk was taking regular line rushes, skating on the right side with Evan Rodrigues and Mackie Samoskevich.
Following the skate, Tkachuk told media members in the locker room that he would in fact be making his season debut against the Sharks.
Tkachuk has not played since Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final last June when he helped the Panthers win their second straight championship.
He then underwent surgery on a torn adductor and sports hernia in July, and has been working his way back to health in the weeks and months since.
Tkachuk joined his Panthers teammates for regular practices back in December, but it took him a couple weeks to shed his non-contact jersey, and couple weeks after that for him to work his way back to game shape and get clearance from the medical staff.
We’ll have to wait and see how the Panthers make it work financially, having to fit Tkachuk’s $9.5 million AAV (average annual value) underneath the salary cap.
Remember, the start time to Monday’s matchup with San Jose was moved up an hour to 6 p.m. due to the Miami Hurricanes playing the CFP Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens at 7:30 p.m.
Photo caption: May 9, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
The Winnipeg Jets head to the Windy City this evening for a matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.
Kyle Connor continues to play like the superstar that he is, and my Jets vs. Blackhawks predictions and NHL picks expect him to get in on the action tonight.
Jets vs Blackhawks prediction
Jets vs Blackhawks best bet: Kyle Connor Over 0.5 assists (-120)
Kyle Connor signed a mammoth $96 million contract extension before the 2025-26 campaign began, and he’s been worth every penny.
The 29-year-old has 23 goals and 33 helpers this season. While the Winnipeg Jets have been struggling, Connor is certainly doing his part.
Connor has compiled six helpers in January, and he’s logged an assist in four of his last six games. While he didn’t have a helper on Saturday against the Maple Leafs, Connor did register back-to-back assists before that contest.
The winger has dished out 15 helpers in 23 road games this season, and he dominated the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this season with a goal and two assists. He’ll keep it rolling tonight.
Jets vs Blackhawks same-game parlay
Josh Morrissey is averaging 1.76 SOG per game this season, and he’s also collected 39 points. The Calgary native has managed to go Over 1.5 shots on net in four of his last six appearances.
Alex Iaffalo has nine goals and 10 helpers for Winnipeg, and he’s done a lot of his damage in January, posting six points. He's logged a point in four straight.
The Jets have cashed the Over in 15 of their last 20 games for +9.65 units and a 44% ROI. Find more NHL betting trends for Jets vs. Blackhawks.
How to watch Jets vs Blackhawks
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Monday, January 19, 2026
Puck drop
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
TSN3, CHSN
Jets vs Blackhawks 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
The Colorado 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 Avalanche 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)
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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 since 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
The Vancouver Canucks (16-27-5) continue their eight-game homestand on Monday when they battle the New York Islanders. These two teams met just before the holiday break, with Vancouver picking up a 4-1 win. Unfortunately for Canucks fans, they will not be able to see former captain Bo Horvat play as he is currently out of the lineup due to injury.
History could be made on Monday as Vancouver enters the game having lost 10 straight games. While the Canucks have gone 13 straight without a win, the team has never lost 11 straight games, meaning any form of defeat would be a franchise record. Even though it won't go down as the longest losing streak in franchise history as per NHL records due to two overtime losses, Monday could be the day that the organization does something it has never done before.
As for notes, Monday could be the long-awaited return of center Teddy Blueger. The 31-year-old has only played twice this season, with his last game coming on October 19, 2025. Blueger was skating on a line with Conor Garland and Liam Öhgren at practice on Sunday, which is a good indicator that he is planning to play on Monday night.
Players To Watch:
Conor Garland:
Garland is one of the hardest-working players on the team, but like Vancouver's other wingers, has struggled to score this season. The 29-year-old has seven goals in 37 games, with his last tally coming over a month ago. If the Canucks are going to snap this losing streak, Garland needs to find a way to get back on the scoresheet.
Mathew Barzal:
Mathew Barzal is once again having a strong season. The pride of Coquitlam leads the Islanders in points with 38 in 47 games and has a plus/minus of +11. Barzal is always dangerous when he plays Vancouver, as he has 19 points in 12 games against his hometown team.
Mar 26, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (53) skates into New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
Vancouver Canucks (16–27–5):
Points:
Elias Pettersson: 13–16–29
Filip Hronek: 3–24–27
Kiefer Sherwood: 17–6–23
Jake DeBrusk: 12–10–22
Brock Boeser: 10–12–22
Goaltenders:
Thatcher Demko: 8–10–1
Kevin Lankinen: 6–13–4
Nikita Tolopilo: 2–3–0
Jiří Patera: 0–1–0
New York Islanders (26–17–5):
Points:
Matthew Barzal: 11-27-38
Bo Horvat: 21-12-33
Matthew Schaefer: 13-19-32
Anders Lee: 11-16-27
Simon Holmström: 12-12-24
Goaltenders:
Ilya Sorokin: 15-11-2
David Rittich: 11-6-3
Marcus Högberg: 0-0-0
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: Rogers Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
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