The Philadelphia Flyers have used one of their last two post-NHL trade deadline call-ups, bringing a recently signed forward into the fold to close out the season.
On Saturday, the Flyers announced that journeyman forward Garrett Wilson, who signed an NHL contract with the organization ahead of the NHL trade deadline, has been called up to the NHL, using the third of their four allotted call-ups.
The other two were previously used on Denver Barkey and Alex Bump, respectively, as they needed to be on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' roster to be eligible to participate in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.
The same was true of Wilson, and now that Nick Deslauriers has been traded to Carolina with a chance to go win something, the Flyers have opted to bring his experience and leadership to the NHL locker room.
Wilson, 34, has not appeared in an NHL game 2019, when he played against the New York Islanders in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In 84 career NHL games, Wilson has scored two goals, six assists, and eight points in addition to adding 42 penalty minutes.
According to reports from the Flyers' morning skate, Wilson is not expected to make his Flyers debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.
Maxim Tsyplakov scored his first goal as a Devils player on Thursday as the New Jersey Devils fell 5-4 to the Calgary Flames.
Tsyplakov has played 11 games with the Devils since being traded from the Islanders on January 27, 2026.
The Devils traded a third and a 2027 sixth-round draft pick, plus Ondrej Palat, for 27-year-old Tsyplakov.
Tsyplakov spent two seasons with the Islanders after going undrafted. He has 12 goals and 26 assists in 115 NHL games.
Tsyplakov's first goal came in the third period off a pass from Nick Bjugstad, deflecting off a skate past Dustin Wolf. The goal was Tsyplakov’s first in 32 games and Bjugstad’s first point as a Devil.
The team ultimately lost, allowing five goals.
After the game, Jack Hughes discussed the team’s performance.
"It's hard to win when you give up five," Hughes said. "That's probably the story of the night….Just a frustrating loss."
The Devils have lost two straight after winning three in a row. They are in the midst of a seven-game homestand with two games remaining.
The team will play again on Saturday, aiming to return to the win column against the Los Angeles Kings.
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
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OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Linus Ullmark made 23 saves for his second shutout of the season and the Ottawa Senators blanked the Anaheim Ducks 2-0 on Saturday.
Michael Amadio and Thomas Chabot scored for Ottawa. Shane Pinto had two assists. It was the 14th shutout of Ullmark's career. The Senators have won four of five.
Ville Husso stopped 27 shots for Anaheim.
Nick Cousins won a battle along the boards at center which sprung Pinto down the ice. Pinto fed Amadio on a 2-on-1 and he made no mistake, beating Husso short-side 3:54 into the second period.
At the 9:21 mark of the second, the Senators capitalized on a turnover. Pinto intercepted a pass and found Chabot in the high slot for his seventh of the season and second career short-handed goal.
Anaheim challenged for goaltender interference but was unsuccessful.
Warren Foegele had a couple of chances from in close in the opening period, but just couldn’t settle a bouncing puck.
Husso then stopped Amadio on a short-handed 2-on-1.
Amadio later drew a penalty, but Husso made a big glove save on Tim Stutzle on the Senators’ power play.
The Colorado Avalanche spent much of Saturday afternoon chasing both the play and the scoreboard, ultimately falling 3–1 to the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre.
Winnipeg seized control early in the second period and dictated the pace for long stretches, while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck turned aside nearly everything Colorado generated. Martin Nečas finally broke through late in the third period, but the Avalanche’s push came too late to erase the deficit.
Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar each recorded an assist on Colorado’s lone goal. Meanwhile, veteran defenseman Brent Burns quietly added another milestone to his résumé, skating in his 990th consecutive NHL game and passing Keith Yandle for the second-longest ironman streak in league history.
Credit: Conrad Jack. Martin Necas breaks the shutout streak.
Mackenzie Blackwood made 15 saves on 17 shots in the loss.
For Winnipeg, Kyle Connor scored to secure the eighth 30-goal season of his career. Alex Iafallo and Cole Perfetti also found the net, while Hellebuyck finished with 28 saves to anchor the victory.
First Period
The opening 20 minutes unfolded as a cautious, tightly played stretch, with both teams probing for opportunities and combining for just 13 shots on goal.
Midway through the period, Brock Nelson was assessed a roughing penalty after Jets forward Iafallo latched onto his stick during a board battle. Nelson shoved him in an effort to free it, sending the Avalanche forward to the penalty box.
Colorado’s penalty kill responded effectively. The Jets failed to generate a single shot during the man advantage, allowing the Avalanche to escape the sequence without damage.
Late in the period, Colorado earned its first power play when Mark Scheifele bear-hugged Devon Toews in a race for the puck along the boards. Officials signaled the penalty immediately with just 20.6 seconds remaining.
The period expired before the advantage could begin, meaning Colorado carried 1:40 of power-play time into the second. After 20 minutes, the Avalanche held a narrow 8–5 edge in shots, though the game remained scoreless.
Second Period
Winnipeg wasted little time shifting momentum.
Just 2:05 into the period, the Jets struck moments after killing off Colorado’s power play. As he exited the penalty box, Scheifele collected the puck in the neutral zone and accelerated up ice before spotting Connor streaking into the offensive zone. Scheifele threaded a precise pass to the left circle, where Connor snapped a wrist shot past Blackwood glove side to make it 1–0.
The Jets doubled their advantage midway through the period. At 11:52, Scheifele fired a shot from the point that struck Iafallo in the slot. The deflection left Blackwood scrambling, and Iafallo quickly corralled the puck before slipping it past the screened goaltender to push the lead to 2–0.
Colorado attempted to respond by increasing its physical presence around the crease, looking to generate offense through traffic. Moments later, Makar drifted laterally along the blue line and snapped a low wrister toward the net, but Hellebuyck calmly gloved it down.
The Avalanche nearly found a lifeline in the final seconds of the period. Nelson found himself alone at the right side of the crease with a bouncing puck on his stick, but his attempt at a quick tap-in slid across the goalmouth and out of the zone.
The missed opportunity preserved Winnipeg’s 2–0 lead heading into the third.
Third Period
Colorado earned an early power play in the third after Winnipeg defenseman Jacob Bryson was called for high-sticking Parker Kelly.
Despite the opportunity, the Avalanche continued to struggle to solve Hellebuyck and the Jets’ defensive structure.
They finally broke through in the closing minutes. With Blackwood pulled for the extra attacker, MacKinnon slid the puck across the ice to Nečas, who blasted a one-timer past Hellebuyck to cut the deficit to 2–1. The goal ended a lengthy regular-season drought for Colorado at Canada Life Centre—their first since Jack Johnson scored there on December 16, 2023.
MacKinnon lost control of the puck in the neutral zone moments later, allowing Winnipeg to transition quickly the other way. Perfetti gathered the loose puck and fired it into the empty net, sealing the 3–1 victory.
Cole Perfetti with the empty-net Hail Mary to regain Winnipeg's two-goal lead ✅ pic.twitter.com/SYh0uju03S
On Friday, TSN’s director of player scouting, Craig Button, released his list of top affiliated prospects and took a look at the best prospects affiliated with Canadian teams.Montreal Canadiens fans will be happy to hear that their favourite has four of the top eight prospects affiliated with a Canadian team.
Button has NCAA sophomore Michael Hage in the top spot, praising him as a sure bet for a top-six NHL player and one who can play both in the middle and on the right. The 19-year-old and his Michigan Wolverines are currently involved in the Big 10 playoffs, and once his season is over, likely after the Frozen Four, Canadiens’ fans should be able to see him make his NHL debut.
Button then has the early second-round pick at the last draft, Alexander Zharovsky, in the second spot. The young Russian has 38 points in 56 games with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, which are very good numbers, but he’s currently struggling a bit and was demoted to the fourth line after scoring just 1 goal in the last 10 games.
In fourth place, he has right-shot defenseman David Reinbacher, who has stepped up nicely with the Laval Rocket this season. The youngster has 22 points in 47 games, but he’s also polished his game, and his decision-making has improved.
Finally, in seventh place, Button puts right-shot defenseman Bryce Pickford, who has been lighting up the WHL this season with 81 points (including 44 goals). He’s 13th in the league in points and tied first in goals with Cameron Schmidt.
It’s encouraging for the Habs to see that not only do they have four players in that top eight, but they have two up front and two on the blueline. The Canadiens’ rebuild has been a masterclass in balance; the front office has been working hard to cover all their bases with talent at every position. While Kent Hughes said when he was hired that he wanted his version of the Canadiens to be a fast-paced, offence-oriented team, he hasn’t gone out all guns blazing, focusing solely on talented forwards like some teams have in the past.
The Philadelphia Flyers return home with a renewed sense of urgency and a measure of momentum as they prepare to face the Columbus Blue Jackets.
After collecting all four points from a demanding midweek back-to-back against the Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild, the Flyers have kept themselves within reach of the playoff race.
Yet inside the room, there is little appetite for celebration. The standings offer a clear reality: every remaining game carries weight, and any slip could erase the progress they’ve fought to regain.
That urgency will define Saturday’s matchup. With Dan Vladar set to start in goal and AHL veteran call-up Garrett Wilson joining the roster, the Flyers will look to extend their recent success against a Columbus team capable of disrupting rhythm if given the opportunity.
1. Momentum Is Real, But the Flyers Know It’s Fragile
Momentum in the NHL can—and does—quickly, and the Flyers are well aware of that fact.
Their back-to-back victories earlier in the week offered a valuable boost, not only in the standings but also in confidence. Tight games that extend into overtime or shootouts test a team’s composure, and the Flyers have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to handle those situations.
Still, internally, the focus remains squarely on the present moment. The Flyers understand that a short winning stretch means little without sustained execution. Their path toward postseason relevance depends on treating each remaining game with playoff-level urgency—a mindset that has been echoed repeatedly by players and coaches.
2. Dan Vladar Looks to Anchor Another Important Start
Goaltending consistency becomes even more valuable late in the season, and the Flyers will once again turn to Vladar to provide stability in net.
Vladar has shouldered a heavy workload at times during the stretch run, yet he continues to give the Flyers an opportunity to win when games tighten defensively. His calm approach in high-pressure moments—particularly in overtime and shootout situations—has helped the team secure critical points during their playoff push.
Against Columbus, his role may be equally important. The Blue Jackets often rely on quick transitions and opportunistic offense rather than extended zone time, meaning defensive lapses can quickly turn into dangerous chances.
For Philadelphia, that makes Vladar’s ability to track pucks through traffic and manage rebounds a key component of the game plan. When the Flyers are structured defensively and their goaltender is seeing the puck clearly, they become a far more difficult team to break down.
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
3. Garrett Wilson’s Call-Up Adds Experience and Energy
The Flyers’ lineup will also feature a familiar face from the organization’s developmental system.
Garrett Wilson, who has served as captain of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the past six seasons, was recently signed to a two-way NHL contract and has now earned a call-up to Philadelphia. For Wilson, the opportunity is both a reward for leadership in Lehigh Valley and a chance to contribute meaningful minutes during a crucial stretch of the season.
If he does end up playing tonight, Wilson’s impact is unlikely to come in the form of highlight-reel scoring. Instead, his value lies in the details: responsible shifts, physical engagement along the boards, and a willingness to play the type of grinding hockey that the Flyers need to fill out their bottom six.
Veteran depth players frequently become important during playoff-style stretches because they understand the demands of tight, low-scoring contests. Wilson’s experience and leadership qualities make him a logical addition to a roster that is balancing youthful energy with situational maturity.
4. Another “Playoff Game” in Everything but Name
Perhaps the most defining characteristic of the Flyers’ current mindset is how clearly they view the remainder of the schedule.
Inside the room, there is little discussion of long-term scenarios or standings projections. Instead, the approach has become simple: treat each game as though it carries the stakes of postseason hockey.
“For me, it’s a playoff game. We need to act like it.”
- Rick Tocchet on Flyers’ game tonight against Blue Jackets, a team they’re chasing pic.twitter.com/3twxixFGmz
For the Flyers, success will depend on maintaining their structure and continuing to capitalize on the balanced scoring that has carried them recently.
If they can replicate the discipline and urgency shown earlier in the week, the opportunity to extend their momentum will be there.
But at this stage of the season, the Flyers understand a simple truth: nothing will be given. Every point must be earned.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Alex Bump - Christian Dvorak - Travis Konecny
Nikita Grebenkin - Trevor Zegras - Owen Tippett
Denver Barkey - Noah Cates - Matvei Michkov
Carl Grundstrom - Sean Couturier - Garnet Hathaway
Dec 19, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry (17) and Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson (11) take a face off from referee Chris Lee (28) in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Colorado Avalanche have been soaring to incredible heights all season.
Today, the highest-flying team in the NHL will fly into Canadian airspace at Canada Life Center against Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets to finish off their two game road swing.
Colorado Avalanche (44-11-9)
The Opponent: Winnipeg Jets (26-28-10)
Time: 2:00 P.M. MDT/4:00 P.M. EDT
Watch: ALT, ALT+ (Avalanche Local Broadcast Area), TSN3 (Winnipeg Local Broadcast Area), ESPN+, NHL Center Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – US), SN+, NHL Centre Ice (Canadian Broadcast Areas)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche come into today’s game fresh off a 5-1 victory over the reeling Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday night. The Avs would regain the services of Nathan MacKinnon, who returned to the lineup after being served a major penalty (courtesy of on-ice officials Kelly Sutherland and Brandon Schrader) and a corresponding game misconduct (which was rescinded by the NHL on Thursday) upon colliding with Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram (courtesy of Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse) in the 4-3 loss on Tuesday night. If MacKinnon was harboring any resentment after the events of Tuesday night, he channeled all of it towards Seattle’s Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer, resulting in a four point effort (1G/3A/4PTS), which included the game-winning tally, in the win. Martin Nečas scored his 30th goal of the season for the first time in his career, and Nazem Kadri scored his first regular season goal in a Colorado sweater since April 29, 2022, en route to the victory. Scott Wedgewood stopped 28 of 29 shots for his 25th win of the season, extending his career high.
With this victory, the Avalanche maintained a five point lead over the Dallas Stars—who defeated Edmonton by a score of 7-2 Thursday evening—and still hold a critical game in hand over their second place rivals. They remain the undisputed leader across the Central Division, Western Conference, and League standings. Coach Jared Bednar said after Thursday’s game, “Every win matters this time of the year. We’re trying to hang on to first place. Teams around us are winning, and to get a start like that [tonight], and have those guys feel good about their game is real important this time of year.”
Today’s game marks the first of two visits to Winnipeg in a two week span for the Avs. Both teams previously met on December 19 back at Ball Arena, a 3-2 Avalanche victory. Parker Kelly scored what proved to be the game winner in that contest. Look for Mackenzie Blackwood to get the start in Winnipeg today, as he looks to rebound from a performance on Tuesday night where he gave his teammates plenty of time to take control of the contest, but ultimately was unable to provide key saves when his defenders weren’t at their best.
Coach Bednar deployed eleven skaters at the forward positions on Thursday, along with seven defensemen. This saw the debut of Nick Blankenburg, acquired from Nashville just before the trade deadline, in an Avalanche sweater. Blankenburg, fared decently in his first outing with his new team, but as the seventh defenseman, had a team low 9:31 among the blue line corps. At the time of this writing, the Avalanche haven’t called anyone up from Loveland (which would be a curious decision given that there can be only five call-ups to use between now and the end of the regular season), and Ross Colton’s status is still unknown, so it’s possible that Bednar considers using this same lineup against Winnipeg and allow Blankenburg another opportunity to showcase his abilities.
Even with his four point performance on Thursday, Nathan MacKinnon trails Edmonton’s Connor McDavid in the overall points lead (MacKinnon has 108 points; McDavid leads the League with 111). His 44 goals on the season still lead all NHL skaters. Nečas is now tied for second in team goal scoring with Brock Nelson (30). Cale Makar remains one goal away from a fourth consecutive 20 goal season.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Nazem Kadri – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Joel Kiviranta – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin Parker Kelly – Nicolas Roy – Gavin Brindley Zakhar Bardakov – Jack Drury
Defense: Devon Toews – Cale Makar Josh Manson – Brent Burns Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski Nick Blankenburg
Between the Pipes: Mackenzie Blackwood Scott Wedgewood
Winnipeg Jets
After capturing the Presidents Trophy as the League’s best team in the regular season with 56 wins last year, an encore performance seemed all but certain. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was awarded his second straight Vezina Trophy as the League’s best goaltender, and secured the Hart Trophy for the first time. However, their dominant run saw an early exit in the second round of the postseason at the hands of the Dallas Stars. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff got to work through the next several months, locking up several key figures to long-term, lucrative contracts: defenseman Neal Pionk (six years, $42 million dollars), center Gabe Vilardi (six years, $45 million dollars), left wing Kyle Connor (eight years, $96 million dollars) and captain Adam Lowry (five years, $25 million dollars). Cheveldayoff also signed former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, who hadn’t seen NHL action since the end of the 2022-2023 season, to a one-year contract. Management made their commitment to the roster, and the future was looking bright.
Winnipeg didn’t have as dominant of a start to the 2025 – 2026 season began, as they went 12-8 in the first twenty games. However, Hellebuyck underwent knee surgery on November 22nd, causing him to miss three weeks of action. The Jets lost eight of their next ten games without Hellebuyck, and eleven of twelve games after his return on December 13. With Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota all but untouchable at the top of the Central Division standings, and Utah making a strong case for wild card consideration, Winnipeg was fighting an uphill battle, as they fought to prevent sinking to the Central Division basement. Currently, a stretch of .500 hockey coming out of the Olympic break sees Winnipeg seven points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. However, just one point separates them from cellar-dwelling Chicago.
With their hopes for playoff contention fading, Winnipeg traded defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for right wing Isak Rosén, defenseman Jacob Bryson, a conditional 2026 4th round pick, and a 2027 2nd-round pick prior to the trade deadline. They would later trade left wing Tanner Pearson to Buffalo for a 2026 7th round pick on trade deadline day. It would take a lot to close the gap on the teams ahead of them in the wild card race, but a successful weekend at home could help turn the tide in their favor.
Winnipeg is currently in the midst of an eight game homestand, and today’s game against Colorado serves as the first half of a back to back set of weekend games, with the St. Louis Blues paying a visit to Canada Life Center on Sunday afternoon. Winnipeg has lost its previous two games, a 4-1 defeat at the hands (wings?) of the Anaheim Ducks, and a 6-3 loss courtesy of the New York Rangers. Hellebuyck started the previous seven of Winnipeg’s eight games since the return from winning Olympic gold with the United States (and teammate Kyle Connor) in Italy, and is likely to start again today. While Hellebuyck has been a formidable opponent against Colorado, he will face them with a depleted blue line, as both Pionk and Colin Miller remain out of the lineup due to injury. Other notable absences include former Avalanche center Vladislav Namestnikov and right wing Nino Niedereitter.
Center Mark Scheifele currently leads all Winnipeg skaters in goals (30), assists (49), and points (79). Connor is second in all three categories (29G/43A/72PTS). Defenseman Josh Morrissey, who earned a silver medal with Team Canada in Italy, leads all Winnipeg defensemen in all three categories (11G/33A/44PTS).
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Alex Iafallo Cole Perfetti – Adam Lowry – Gabe Vilardi Gustav Nyquist – Jonathan Toews – Isak Rosén Cole Koepke – Morgan Barron – Brad Lambert
Defense: Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo Dylan Samberg – Elias Salomonsson Haydn Fleury – Jacob Bryson
Despite having promising names such as Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow, Kieron Walton and Kevin He developing within the organization, none were included in Button’s ranking. The list is difficult to crack, particularly with several high-end recent draft picks occupying prominent spots. Prospects like Anton Frondell, Brady Martin and Caleb Desnoyers headline the rankings, many of them still in junior or European leagues but carrying the pedigree of top draft selections.
That pedigree often carries significant weight in prospect rankings. Many of the players listed have yet to make the transition to professional hockey, but their draft status and projected ceilings keep them highly regarded among evaluators.
Both Yager and Barlow made the jump to the American Hockey League this season and have experienced quieter starts as they adjust to the pro game. While that transition period is common for young players, it can sometimes stall momentum in prospect rankings that prioritize immediate impact or standout performances.
Still, the omission of any Jets prospects feeds into a narrative that has followed the organization for years: the sense that Winnipeg teams and players often fly under the radar compared to larger markets around the league. While the names included on Button’s list are undeniably elite, there is a growing argument that a few Jets prospects could have warranted at least consideration.
One of the strongest cases belongs to Walton as the young forward has emerged as one of the most productive players in junior hockey this season, recording 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points in just 25 games. That production places him on pace for roughly 90 points over 62 games.
Another compelling candidate is He, whose breakout campaign has become one of the most notable stories in junior hockey this year. The Chinese forward has been electric offensively, posting 36 goals and 36 assists for 72 points in 56 games while showcasing a dynamic scoring touch and strong playmaking ability.
Both Walton and He are building impressive resumes that could push them onto more prospect radars moving forward. While the Jets’ system may lack the top-heavy collection of elite prospects found in organizations that have recently drafted near the top of the NHL Draft, it remains a pipeline filled with promising talent.
Winnipeg’s sustained success at the NHL level has naturally limited its opportunities to select near the top of the draft in recent years. As a result, the organization’s prospect pool leans more on depth and development rather than headline-grabbing blue-chip names.
Even so, the performances of players like Walton and He suggest the Jets may have more emerging talent than some rankings currently recognize. If their upward trajectories continue, it may only be a matter of time before Winnipeg prospects begin appearing on lists like Button’s in the future.
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For a team that has spent much of the season overwhelming opponents with speed, skill, and offensive pressure, the Colorado Avalanche have one oddly persistent blemish on their résumé.
They keep giving up shorthanded goals.
The Avalanche have allowed 12 shorthanded goals through 64 games this season — the most in the NHL — a surprising statistic for one of the league’s top teams. On the surface, it sounds alarming, and to some degree, it is.
But history suggests it’s far from a fatal flaw.
Colorado has dominated large portions of the season despite operating with a power play that hasn’t always been among the league’s elite. The penalty kill, meanwhile, has remained one of the NHL’s most dependable units, consistently shutting down opposing power plays and keeping the Avalanche firmly in control of games.
While the Avalanche power play has started converting at a higher rate, the risk has grown on the other end of the ice. Colorado has surrendered eight shorthanded goals over its last 24 games — a spike that stands out for a team with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations.
It’s not a crisis, but it is something the Avalanche would prefer to clean up as the calendar inches toward the playoffs.
A Problem Even Great Avalanche Teams Have Had
Oddly enough, shorthanded goals against have followed the Avalanche before — even during championship seasons.
When the franchise captured its first Stanley Cup after relocating to Denver in 1996, Colorado allowed an astonishing 22 shorthanded goals during the regular season. That total remains tied for the most in NHL history, alongside the 1984–85 Pittsburgh Penguins and the 1991–92 Minnesota North Stars.
Yet that didn’t stop the Avalanche from hoisting the Stanley Cup.
Credit: @RVR Photos. Mario Lemieux in 1996.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the other two teams. The Penguins — despite having Mario Lemieux, who debuted that season and scored on his very first NHL shot — finished with a 24-51-5 record. The North Stars weren’t much better, ending the season at 32-42-6.
The Avalanche were the clear anomaly, and it certainly didn’t hurt that they had one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history — Patrick Roy — anchoring the crease.
Even the legendary 2000–01 Avalanche, widely regarded as one of the most talented teams of the modern era, wasn’t immune to the issue. That team allowed 11 shorthanded goals during the regular season, which ranked ninth-most in the league.
Ray Bourque with the Stanley Cup on January 23 during the Avalanche's celebration of the 2001 Cup-winning team.
In other words, elite teams can survive this problem — and sometimes even win championships despite it.
The Current Pace
Still, the numbers are worth keeping an eye on.
Colorado’s 12 shorthanded goals allowed already lead the league, and there are still 18 regular-season games remaining.
At their current rate — 12 goals in 64 games — the Avalanche are on pace to allow about 15 shorthanded goals over an 82-game season. That would still be a notable number, but it remains comfortably below the all-time record.
In the grand scheme of things, it’s a manageable issue rather than a catastrophic one.
The Real Fix
At this stage of the season, sweeping changes are rarely the answer.
The Avalanche aren’t going to reinvent their power play system with the postseason looming — nor should they. What matters now are the small adjustments that separate good teams from championship teams.
Puck management becomes critical. So does anticipation.
Loose pucks at the blue line must be won. Risky cross-ice passes have to be timed properly. When a play breaks down — and eventually one will — the response has to be immediate.
That’s where championship habits take over.
Backchecking urgency. Defensive awareness. The instinct to recover rather than hesitate.
In the playoffs, every mistake is magnified. A single shorthanded goal can swing momentum, silence a crowd, or flip an entire series.
Credit: Jerome Miron. Martin Necas has been a bright spot on the power play for the Avalanche this season.
But if the Avalanche continue generating offense on the power play while tightening those defensive gaps, the equation becomes simple.
A dangerous power play paired with elite five-on-five play makes Colorado one of the toughest teams in the NHL to beat.
And if history has taught us anything, it’s this:
Even Avalanche teams with flaws have found a way to win it all.
The Islanders really need to not mess this up. The second-worst team in the league (even worse than the Rangers) is in town and the Isles need the points in the very tight Eastern Conference playoff race. David Rittich will get the start, so hopefully he and the skaters in front of him recapture their better forms.
The Flames are two games from finishing a long trip, having lost 4-0 at MSG but then winning 5-4 in Newark. Both teams have equally putrid power plays, clicking at 16% for a tie for 29th in the league.
With the Isles having played (and lost to) the Kings last night, lineup updates and injury statuses will come closer to game time.l
Takeaways: The Isles lament their pattern of slow starts. Flipping the top two lines back was a bid for a “spark” after they fell behind 3-0. [Isles]
The Skinny: Matthew Schaefer breaking more ice-time-at-18 records, and Anders Lee’s next goal will have him pass Clark Gillies and his next point will pass Bob Bourne. (At the other end, Brayden Schenn is in a 58-way tie for 444th on the Isles’ all-time points list. But he’s gunning for Carson Soucy, Travis Zajac and Aatu Raty, I just know it.) [Isles]
Gross: The Isles could use some more raucous nights and electricity at Belmont. [Newsday]
Max Shabanov spoke a bit (through a translator) about the adjustment from the KHL and getting, maybe, a little bit, more of a chance the last two games. [Post]
Part of the reason Roy is tinkering with lines is to learn what (re)combos he can turn to when playoff matchups cause problems. [THN]
Elsewhere
Only two games last night. In the other, the Blues rallied to top the Oilers in overtime.
Radko Gudas got five games for taking out Auston Matthews’ knee. [NHL] Matthews will miss the rest of the season with a Grade 3 MCL tear.
The next Global Series matchup will have the Senators and Blackhawks meet for two games that count in Dusseldorf, Germany. [NHL]
BUFFALO — One day after the Toronto Maple Leafs learned they would be without their captain for the remainder of the season, players and staff reacted to the NHL’s Department of Player Safety’s decision to suspend Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas for five games following his knee-on-knee hit on Auston Matthews.
Not surprisingly, the consensus was that the suspension was insufficient.
“I think the league could have done a little bit more, seeing as our best player, our captain, is not going to be with us for the rest of the year,” Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies said, following his team’s morning skate at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. “That's a big loss for us. That decision is kind of out of my control, but I would have loved to see a little bit more.”
The Leafs announced late Friday that Matthews would miss the rest of the season with a Grade 3 tear of his MCL and a quad contusion. Shortly after the decision was handed down by the NHL Department of Player Safety, led by former NHL enforcer George Parros, Matthews’ agent, Judd Moldaver, released a statement to reporters ripping the league’s safety department for the discipline handed down to Gudas.
While the players did not use the same harsh language as the agent, there appeared to be a shared sense of resignation that the outcome would not change.
“I can sit here and say whatever, but it's not going to change it,” Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe said of the suspension. “I'm not George (Parros) sitting in the chair making the phone call and making those decisions. So it doesn't matter what the hell I say.”
The Maple Leafs snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 6-4 win against the Ducks on Thursday, though they were heavily criticized for their lack of an initial response to the Gudas hit. Eventually, they found more physicality in the third period and will look to carry that momentum into their game against the Atlantic Division-leading Sabres.
However, being without their captain certainly dampens the morale in the Toronto locker room, and many felt the league missed the mark.
“I feel like he was a repeat offender in situations like that,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Gudas, noting that the defenseman has been suspended five times previously. “I don't think it was enough is all I'll say about that.”
The Montreal Canadiens look to push their win streak to four when they welcome the San Jose Sharks to Bell Centre tonight.
Cole Caufield has been one of the league’s most lethal goal scorers since the calendar flipped to 2026, and he features in tonight's Sharks vs. Canadiens predictions.
Find out why in my NHL picks for Saturday, March 14.
Sharks vs Canadiens prediction
Sharks vs Canadiens best bet: Cole Caufield to score (+130)
Cole Caufield’s 37 goals are tied for third-most in the NHL this season behind only Nathan MacKinnon (44) and Kirill Kaprizov (38), but the Montreal Canadiens forward has actually been the best scorer in the league down the stretch.
Since the calendar flipped to 2026, Caufield leads the league with 18 goals in 24 games, scoring in 10 of his last 16 outings.
At the other end of the rink, the San Jose Sharks are floundering with just four wins in their last 12 games while giving up 3.67 goals per game — tied for the fourth-most in the NHL over that span.
Sharks vs Canadiens same-game parlay
The Sharks (65.1%; 1st) and Canadiens (59.4%; 8th) are two of the NHL’s top puckline teams this season, but they’ve been trending in opposite directions. San Jose is 4-8 ATS over its last 12, while Montreal is 8-4 ATS over that same span. The Habs are also 8-2-1 over their last 11 games at Bell Centre.
The Canadiens have covered the Puck Line in 17 of their last 25 games (+11.05 Units / 28% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Sharks vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Sharks vs Canadiens
Location
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSCA, CITY
Sharks vs Canadiens 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.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — When Jared Spurgeon first arrived in Minnesota, the odds were stacked against him. He was undersized for an NHL defenseman at 5-foot-9 and was a sixth-round pick by the New York Islanders who never signed him.
And when the Minnesota Wild gave him an opportunity in 2010, there were no guarantees it would last.
Spurgeon, 36, was the highest-scoring defenseman for Spokane in the WHL which led him to be picked in the sixth round of the 2008 NHL Draft at pick No. 156.
He played two more seasons with Spokane and became a free agent after the Islanders did not sign him. He then accepted a training-camp invite from the Wild before the 2010-11 season.
That led to a contract, a short stint with Houston of the American Hockey League and, on his 21st birthday, he made his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames.
15 seasons later, Spurgeon never looked back and is now set to skate in his 1,000th NHL game tonight against the New York Rangers, and every single one of them has come in a Wild sweater.
"Yeah, he is the captain for a reason," Wild head coach John Hynes said. "He is very well spoken and understands the game and obviously, he's got great experience. I think the way he runs the team, along with the other assistant captains, I mean I think everyone talks about (how) it's a great team to be a part of and it's a great locker room environment. I think he and his wife Danielle do with the team away from the rink, it's an all-inclusive team.
"He's just a great human being. He is a great player, but I think he cares about people, he cares about the team and he cares about the organization. He treats everybody the same. If he is talking to Billy Guerin or Craig Leipold or anyone else in the organization, he is the same guy, which I think makes him a great captain."
For a player who was once overlooked because of his size, the milestone is a testament to consistency, intelligence and quiet leadership.
Spurgeon never needed to be the loudest voice in the room. Instead, he built his reputation through reliability. Shift after shift, year after year, he became one of the most trusted players in the organization.
That trust eventually led to him being named the second-longest tenured captain in franchise history in 2021, succeeding longtime leader Mikko Koivu.
"As a player, he is just so smart, so competitve and is a great skater (who) plays in all situations," Hynes said. "He plays the game the right way all the time. He plays to the system and the structure we want. I think in my experiences, 11 years in the NHL, just seeing him as a leader and coming in later in his career, it has been awesome as a coach because you have a great captain that you can count on, and you know things are taken care of when you are not around. He does the right things on and off the ice."
Along the way, Spurgeon also became one of the most productive defensemen the Wild have ever had. His offensive instincts, skating and ability to move the puck helped redefine what Minnesota’s blue line could look like over the last decade.
But the number that stands out most is the one he will reach tonight. 1,000 games.
"I am really happy for him and his family," Zach Bogosian said. "He's been an example of an undersized defenseman that's played a long time and that plays the right way. He's been great in the community and he's definitely what the Wild (want) and he embodies that."
For most players, that milestone alone is rare. For someone who many believed was too small to succeed in the NHL, it’s even more remarkable.
And for the Wild, it represents something else entirely. A career built entirely in Minnesota.
When it is all said and done, his No. 46 will never be worn again for the Wild. Spurgeon will have been the first player in Wild history to wear 46 and the last.
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The Winnipeg Jets welcome the NHL’s top team, the Colorado Avalanche, to Canada Life Centre for their first of three meetings this month.
Mark Scheifele has been dishing out plenty of apples for Winnipeg, and my Avalanche vs. Jets predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, March 14 will break down why he’ll pick up another assist tonight.
Avalanche vs Jets prediction
Avalanche vs Jets best bet: Mark Scheifele Over 0.5 assists (-135)
The Winnipeg Jets’ season may not be according to plan, but that hasn’t stopped Mark Scheifele from having a great campaign.
Scheifele leads Winnipeg in goals (30), assists (49), and points (79), and has been a particularly strong playmaker down the stretch. He’s collected at least one assist in nine of his last 13 games.
The Winnipeg center is averaging 21:25 of ice time per game, the sixth-most among all forwards, and is collecting a point every 17 minutes. Scheifele will see plenty of ice and add to his assist totals this afternoon.
Avalanche vs Jets same-game parlay
Scheifele has logged Over 1.5 shots on net in seven of his last 11 games, while Josh Morrissey has hit that number in nine of his last 12 contests.
Both players also had two shots in their only prior meeting vs. the Colorado Avalanche this season.
Avalanche vs Jets SGP
Mark Scheifele Over 0.5 assists
Mark Scheifele Over 1.5 shots on goal
Josh Morrissey Over 1.5 shots on goal
Avalanche vs Jets odds
Moneyline: Avalanche -190 | Jets +160
Puck Line: Avalanche -1.5 | Jets +1.5
Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Avalanche vs Jets trend
The Under is 4-1 in the last five head-to-head meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Jets.
How to watch Avalanche vs Jets
Location
Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB
Date
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Puck drop
4:00 p.m. ET
TV
ALT, TSN3
Avalanche vs Jets 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.
Exactly one week after the NHL trade deadline, the AHL's version passed on Friday at 3 pm, and the Ottawa Senators came away with three new players who are all former second-round NHL Draft picks.
Two of them are defenseman, who will help their organizational blue line depth, which is currently being tested. Jake Sanderson is described as week-to-week with a shoulder injury and Nick Jensen has been shutdown for at least this weekend with a lower body injury, and the Sens "aren't sure yet," about Jensen's status beyond that. Jensen played on
That means Dennis Gilbert and Lassi Thomson have been called up to Ottawa. Gilbert will slide into Ottawa's bottom pairing on Saturday afternoon, while Nik Matinpalo will likely move over to his natural right side.
On Friday, the Senators acquired 23-year-old left-shot defenseman Ryan O’Rourke for future considerations. O' Rourke has split his time between the AHL and ECHL this season. Minnesota chose him in the the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, five picks before the Sens took Tyler Kleven.
O’Rourke has spent most of the past five years in the AHL, mostly with Iowa, where he was teammates last season with Ottawa natives Graeme Clarke and Cameron Crotty, who both now play for Belleville.
Clarke was acquired from Washington last Friday for Belleville forward Wyatt Bongiovanni.
The other deal for defenseman went down on Thursday as Ottawa sent forward Jan Jeník to the Los Angeles Kings for defenseman Samuel Bolduc.
Originally selected in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Bolduc has appeared in 52 NHL games, all with the Islanders, recording four goals and four assists. The 25-year-old, another left shot, has played 56 games this season with LA's AHL team, recording five goals and 21 points.
Jeník appeared in 41 games with the AHL’s Belleville Senators this season, putting up 17 points. He was acquired in the summer of 2024 for Egor Sokolov.
The Senators also acquired 22-year-old forward Riley Kidney in exchange for Belleville goaltender Hunter Shepard and forward Jake Chiasson.
Kidney was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The former Gatineau Olympique was a two-time 100-point scorer in the QMJHL. Kidney also represented Canada at the 2022 World Junior Championship, but he's still trying to find his way as a pro. He spent two seasons in AHL Laval before being sent to the ECHL earlier this season.
Meanwhile, Shepard’s departure helps clear a logjam in the Senators’ AHL depth chart in Belleville, where Mads Søgaard and Leevi Meriläinen are holding down the fort, both hoping to win jobs in Ottawa this fall.
So the Senators end up with three former second-rounders who were fairly recently well-regarded NHL prospects. The Sens certainly believe these players will help their farm system, and they're all young enough that their long-range NHL potential might still have a pulse.
Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was originally published at The Hockey News. For more Senators news, analysis, and features, visit the Ottawa Senators site at The Hockey News.
Flyers' Connections Can Help Them Land Top KHL Free AgentAfter missing out on Maxim Shabanov in the summer, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> could dip right back into the KHL free agent pool this coming offseason.
