Category: Ice Hockey

ANAHEIM, Calif. — In his first comments since the Rangers retooling announcement, head coach Mike Sullivan assured that his team would continue to try to win every game.

That means the veteran bench boss plans to coach and make decisions that he thinks will put the Blueshirts in the best position on a game-to-game basis. There doesn’t appear to be any plan to hold players out of the lineup to protect against injury until a trade is imminent.

Amid the club’s current circumstances, however, the Rangers should be considering development and the long-term vision when making certain decisions going forward.

Asked how much he has to weigh coaching to win and development, given how the last couple of days have gone, Sullivan said he didn’t consider the two to be mutually exclusive.

“My outlook on it is that it tends to go hand-in-hand,” he said Sunday after practice at Honda Center. “I think when you look at the nature of the league and how it’s evolved, there was once a time when, really, development took place in the American League and the NHL was the NHL. I think with the salary cap and things of that nature, younger players are getting forced onto rosters, entry-level contracts, things like that to make the business side of it work. And as a result of that, development has to take place at the NHL level also. That’s probably been the last 20 years and that’s been my experience of being in the NHL.

“It’s an important element of what we do. I love that aspect of our job, but I also think it goes hand-in-hand with winning. I don’t know that it’s one at the expense of the other at our level. We’ve put a lot of young guys in prominent roles this year out of necessity, with guys being injured and guys get an opportunity to play up the lineup and in special teams situations. A lot of times, that’s how careers begin and develop, is with an opportunity with circumstances like this. Guys carve their way, they force their way onto a roster through their performance and their play. And that healthy competition is a positive thing for organizations. “We have a commitment to all of our players to help them continue to grow and develop, regardless of where they are in their career. Obviously, the young guys we pay particular attention to and we’ll continue to do that.”

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NHL STANDINGS AND RANGERS STATS

The Rangers have already had an influx of youth in the lineup this season, beginning with Noah Laba seizing the third-line center role out of training camp. Matthew Robertson also made the Opening Night roster, but the rookie defenseman has since taken root on the Rangers back end.

Since then, Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann and Scott Morrow have essentially joined the fray full time. Brett Berard and Jaroslav Chmelar also got looks at different points this season as well.

It is telling that Dylan Garand is still in Hartford amid goalie Igor Shesterkin’s lower-body injury.

The Rangers evidently have more trust in Spencer Martin than their organizationally grown netminder, whom they drafted 103rd overall in 2020. Garand has yet to make his NHL debut, but he has served as backup before.

Carson Soucy is expected to join the Rangers in California ahead of their matchup with the Ducks on Monday night.

As a result, defenseman Connor Mackey was assigned back to Hartford.

The 31-year-old Soucy did not play in Philadelphia due to personal reasons.

The Rangers recalled forward Anton Blidh from Hartford.

DETROIT (AP) — Alex DeBrincat scored 36 seconds into overtime to give the surging Detroit Red Wings a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Lucas Raymond and James van Riemsdyk also scored for Detroit. Patrick Kane assisted on Sandin-Pellikka’ goal, moving him two points shy of Mike Modano’s record of 1,374 career points by a U.S.-born player.

John Gibson made 19 saves for his 15th victory in his last 17 games. The Red Wings improved to 9-4 in overtime games.

Drake Batherson had a goal and an assist for Ottawa. Dylan Cozens and Shane Pinto also scored, and James Reimer made 30 saves.

DeBrincat’s team-high 26th goal was set up by Andrew Copp as Detroit kept pace with Tampa Bay atop the Atlantic Division standings. The Red Wings have won six of their last seven games.

LIGHTNING 4, STARS 1

DALLAS (AP) — Brandon Hagel’s tiebreaking goal midway through the second period proved to be the winner, and Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 19 saves on 20 shots as Tampa Bay beat Dallas.

Rookie Dominic James and Jake Guentzel each had a goal and an assist, and Pontus Holmberg added a late empty-net score for the Lightning, who bounced back from a shootout loss at St. Louis on Friday that ended a franchise record-tying 11-game winning streak. Tampa Bay has a 13-game points streak and they are tied with Carolina atop of the Eastern Conference with 64 points, second overall to Colorado (74).

Hagel took a pass at the goal line to the left side of Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger, playing off the line, and muscled the puck through the stick of Stars defenseman Esa Lindell for a 2-1 lead. It was Hagel’s sixth winning goal this season, tied for second in the NHL behind Nashville’s Steven Stamkos, who has seven.

Tampa Bay is a league-best 18-4-4 on the road and 20-1-0 when leading after two periods.

Vasilevskiy has 10 straight 20-win seasons and is 17-4-3 in his career against Dallas.

Oskar Back scored for the struggling Stars, who came off a 2-3-1 road trip and have lost three straight in regulation, scoring one goal in each game. Oettinger, tied for eighth in the NHL with 17 wins, stopped 22 shots and is 1-4-2 in his last seven starts.

OILERS 5, BLUES 0

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Zach Hyman had two goals and an assist, Connor Ingram made 27 saves for his first shutout of the season, and Edmonton beat St. Louis.

Vasily Podkolzin had a goal and an assist and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Mangiapane also scored for the Oilers, who have gone 5-1-2 in their last eight games.

Nugent-Hopkins played in his 1,000th regular-season contest, becoming just the 63rd player in history to record a goal in his milestone match. Connor McDavid and Mattias Ekholm each had a pair of assists.

Edmonton is now 21-1-4 when scoring first this season.

Jordan Binnington had 23 saves for St. Louis, who snapped a two-game win streak.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Half-accusingly and half-jokingly, Patrick Roy said to go find some wood to knock on. Good health this late into a season is always a risky topic to bring up, after all.

Particularly so for Adam Pelech, who last got through a season without missing serious time in 2021-22. Not coincidentally, that year was also the only time in his career Pelech was voted to the All-Star Game.

Forty-eight games in, though, with Game 49 on Monday against the Canucks, Pelech has avoided injury. Not coincidentally, he’s quietly putting together what’s on pace to be his best season since he was last fully healthy.

“It makes a big difference,” Pelech told The Post after the Islanders practiced at Rogers Arena on Sunday. “It’s tough missing time, right? You’re on the shelf, rehabbing, whatever. Meanwhile, everyone else, all your teammates, are getting better every day. It’s tough missing time to injury.

“Unfortunately, I’ve had some bad luck the past few seasons. Knock on wood, I’ve been healthy this season. It makes a big difference.”

Pelech has never put up many points, and this season is no exception. He has just seven. Defensively, though, he’s been as good as ever.

His 52.79 expected goals percentage leads Islanders defensemen, and he’s second only to Ryan Pulock in on-ice goals against per 60 minutes, according to Evolving Hockey.

He’s also been central to the penalty kill’s transformation into a top 10 unit after years of languishing near the bottom of the league.

“We’re coached extremely well, for sure,” Pelech said of the PK. “Good plan every night. The coaches put a lot of work in to make sure we have the best opportunity to succeed and then just getting the reps in, sticking to the system and getting great goaltending.”

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NHL STANDINGS AND ISLANDERS STATS

It’s a little ironic that Pelech and Pulock are both having renaissance seasons when they’ve barely been partnered with each other. The two formed a stalwart top pair for the Islanders during the club’s deep playoff runs under Barry Trotz, and know each other’s games inside and out.

Pulock, though, has been cemented as Matthew Schaefer’s partner since November, as has Pelech with Tony DeAngelo. That seems to work well for all four of the players, as it creates two pairs with a primary offensive defenseman (Schaefer and DeAngelo) and one who’s comfortable sitting back in the play (Pelech and Pulock).

“Me and Tony have been getting better and better, developing chemistry together,” Pelech said. “What I love about playing with him, really smart player. Makes the game easy for his D-partner. I think we’ve been going well. And then [I’ve been] doing things that have always made me successful. Defensively, being a guy who’s dependable and the penalty kill’s been great too.”

Throughout their current road trip, of which Monday marks the sixth game, the Islanders have leaned heavily on their defense, spending significant time in their own zone as they struggle to sustain possession and offensive zone time with star center Bo Horvat injured. For the most part, they’ve survived by doing that, though Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Flames was their worst game of the trip.

“I’d say that our D corps, the three of them: Pully and Schaef and Pelly’s been playing really well for us,” Roy said. “Tony D’s been a good addition with Pelly. I understand Pelly’s playing the big role and helps Tony D to be more free in the offense a bit.

“… I feel like whoever plays with Pelly will have success because of the way he handles it and the way he comes to play. He’s a real pro. He’s fun to have around us and we’re very blessed to have him on our team.”

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy will be a dream realized for several NHL players, as the league has not participated in the Olympics since 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

There are some, such as Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby and top defenseman Erik Karlsson, who have been there before and are, potentially, set to particpate for the final time in their careers. There are also some young players who are experiencing it for what is, hopefully, only the first time.

But there are others - many others - who never had the benefit of a chance at participating, even if they're a decade or more into their NHL careers.

And one of those players is Penguins' forward Rickard Rakell.

After being named to Team Sweden for the 2026 Games, Rakell will finally have his chance of a lifetime. And it will come within a calendar year that has also included representation at the 4 Nations Tournament last February and a trip to Stockholm - albeit, while injured - for the NHL Global Series. 

“It's kind of, like, all of my dreams coming true in hockey in one year," Rakell said. "It's been really special first to get the chance to represent Sweden at the 4 Nations tournament. That was so cool to just be a part of that and play those games, and I'll get the chance to play for Sweden in the Olympics.

"It's a dream come true for me. First time, first chance for me to go there and do that. So, I'm just going to take it all in and leave it all out there. Just have a chance to win a gold medal.”

Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell Named To Team Sweden Olympic RosterTwo Pittsburgh Penguins players have been called to Team Sweden for the Olympics.

Of course, Rakell was only 20 years old and toggling between the NHL and AHL back in 2014. He is one of many NHL players - and teammates, including players of similar age like Filip Forsberg, Alex Wennberg, and Mika Zibanejad - who are on the the back nine of their careers but never really had the chance to represent at the Olympic Games. 

Now, they finally will get a chance, and they will get to do it as a collective unit that is all looking forward to experiencing it for the first time.

"I'm very familiar with the players that are on that team," Rakell said. "There's just so much excitement to get the chance to play together with them and have all those players on the same team and just see what you can do together.”

And they will get that chance because of the effort the NHL has put in to get itself back on the international scene. The 4 Nations Tournament last season - at which Canada bested Team USA in the gold medal game - acted as a sort of guinea pig for the NHL to gauge interest in international tournaments. 

Well, it sure generated some buzz. The game generated 16.1 million viewers, which was the most-viewed non-NFL game ever on ESPN+. 

How Canada Struck Gold At 4 Nations Face-Off 'For 40-Plus Million People'BOSTON – The 4 Nations Face-Off did not disappoint.<u></u><u></u>

Rakell believes it's important for the NHL to keep up its international presence and continue making efforts to go to the Olympics not only because it keeps more eyes watching hockey, but also because it's such a unique experience for the players - even if it alters the regular season a bit. 

“I think it's been great," Rakell said. "Even though it changes our schedule a little bit, especially with the Olympics since that's going on for such a long time, the NHL season has to compress a little bit. But, at the same time, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

He smiled. "I like playing hockey games, so I don't mind it."

Tournaments like 4 Nations and the Olympics being mid-season also helps a bit in terms of preparation and approach. Rakell said that having mid-season tournaments can work both ways, whether a player is on a heater going into it or struggling. 

And, because they're already in mid-season form, it makes the training and transition aspect of it easier. 

"It kind of goes both ways," Rakell said. "If you are playing really well, you want to keep that up in those tournaments if you're already feeling really good going into those tournaments. While, I think, if you're maybe struggling a little bit, there's a chance, an opportunity, to get a change of scenery and just reset.

"And I think everybody who is going to play are thinking a lot about the Olympics. After that, it will hopefully end the way you want it to, and you just come back and focus on the rest of the season. So, it's kind of nice.”

And the preparation isn't all about the physical and mental side of things, either. There is also an aspect of communication, as each Olympic team has to convene and strategize as much as possible in the lead-up to the tournament.

"I've talked to a few guys, and I think it will be just more and more going forward here in the next few weeks leading into the tournament," Rakell said. "I mean, we don't have much time from when we leave from New York to the tournament until games start. So, you try to prepare as much as you can, and you get together and just talk about systems and expectations so you don't have to do that when you get there.” 

Communication shouldn't be too difficult with one Swedish teammate, though. Rakell may have the chance to go with his Pittsburgh teammate in Karlsson, who was named to the final roster but is currently out with a lower-body injury. His status for the Games remains unclear, but he is practicing non-contact and travelled with the team on their Western road trip.

Erik Karlsson Returns To Penguins Practice On SundayErik Karlsson took another step in his recovery on Sunday.

He and Karlsson have become good friends during their three shared seasons in Pittsburgh, and Rakell mentioned that they both have a sharp appetite to compete in the Games.

"I think we're both hungry to win something, and we'll get the chance to do that together," Rakell said. "We've been playing together for a few years now, and we've become really good friends. So, I think that would be really special for us.”

But it doesn't end there. Rakell will have the full support of his family and friends, as his wife, Emmeli, his kids, his in-laws, his parents, and many others are making the trek over to Milan to witness him live out his childhood dream of playing on the world's biggest stage.

And that means more than anything else to Rakell, who is grateful for the chance to be surrounded by those who helped him get there in the first place. 

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "And I want to share it with them.”

A Sitdown With 'Stu': Skinner Talks Hockey, Transition To PittsburghNew Pittsburgh Penguins' goaltender Stuart Skinner is adjusting to life in Pittsburgh after spending his first five-plus NHL seasons with the Edmonton Oilers

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The Calgary Flames have completed a notable blue-line move, sending defenceman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights as part of a multi-piece trade.

Coming back to Calgary are NHL defenceman Zach Whitecloud, University of North Dakota blueliner Abram Wiebe, a first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, and a conditional second-round selection in 2028. To finalize the deal, the Flames will retain 50 percent of Andersson’s salary cap hit.

Andersson leaves the organization ranked 15th in franchise history in games played with 584, seventh among defencemen, and sixth among blueliners in scoring with 261 career points. This season, Andersson notched 10 goals and 30 points in 48 games.

Whitecloud arrives with a reputation as a reliable, detail-oriented defenceman who plays a heavy, physical game. Through 47 games this season, the 29-year-old has recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) while ranking near the top of the Golden Knights’ roster in several defensive categories, including hits (73), blocked shots (63), and short-handed ice time per game (1:44).

Originally signed by Vegas as an undrafted free agent in 2018, Whitecloud was a part of the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship run in 2023. He is currently in the fourth season of a six-year contract with a $2.75 million average annual value.

Wiebe, 22, adds a developmental piece to the Flames’ pipeline. Selected by Vegas in the seventh round (209th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, the University of North Dakota defenceman has put together a strong junior season, registering 14 points in 24 games

Former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy has been placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks.

Leddy is currently in his first season with the Sharks after the Pacific Division club claimed him off waivers from the St. Louis Blues this past off-season. Now, with this latest news, Leddy is once again available for the taking after being placed on waivers. 

Leddy being placed on waivers by the Sharks comes with San Jose blueliner Vincent Desharnais set to return to their lineup. 

Leddy has recorded zero goals, four assists, six penalty minutes, and a minus-9 rating in 19 games this season with the Sharks.  

Leddy played his first four NHL seasons with the Blackhawks from 2010-11 to 2013-14. In 258 games as a member of the Blackhawks over that span, he recorded 20 goals, 73 assists, 93 points, and a plus-10 rating. This included him recording 34 assists and 37 points in 82 games with Chicago in 2011-12. 

Leddy's time with the Blackhawks came to an end ahead of the 2014-15 season when he was traded to the New York Islanders. 

The Buffalo Sabres have been enjoying success of late, but they’re still in a dogfight to hang onto a Stanley Cup playoff berth. And their next 10 games could be the difference in making or missing the post-season.

The Sabres start the week on a five-game road trip, with showdowns against the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. Do any of those teams sound like pushovers to you? Us neither. But that’s only the first half of the Sabres’ next five games.

Once they finish up with the Islanders game, the Sabres will play the Los Angeles Kings, Canadiens (again) and Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Again (and with due respect to the Penguins), that’s nine games out of 10 that the Sabres get an opponent who could beat them.

That means, between now and then – ‘then’ being three weeks from today,– the Sabres could find themselves either in a top-three position in the Atlantic Division, or they could be in the basement of the Eastern conference once again. The difference between being a playoff team and a non-playoff team is razor-thin, and that’s why every game counts.

The Sabres will need to produce about 14 standings points out of 20 points available to them in their next 10 games. Anything less than that, and there’s room for competing teams to leapfrog them in the standings. 

Sabres Get Massive Night From Thompson In Win Over Habs – And That's What They Need More OfBuffalo Sabres star winger Tage Thompson had a season-best performance against the Montreal Canadiens. And the Sabres need consistent brilliance from Thompson to secure their playoff spot.

The Sabres have to show right now that they’re a different group than the Sabres teams that wilted beneath the pressure that has built every year since Buffalo last was a playoff team.

But there's no question the Sabres have a major test in the 10 games ahead. And the way they respond to that challenge will largely dictate whether they can end their playoff drought, or see it increased to 15 years.

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Despite not getting off to the start that they wanted, the Detroit Red Wings finished strong on Sunday evening. 

Alex DeBrincat's goal at 0:36 of overtime gave the Red Wings a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators, who scored twice to take a 2-0 lead by the time the first period was barely five minutes in the books. 

BOOM! #LGRWpic.twitter.com/9Ns2vCqrBd

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 19, 2026

With the victory, the Red Wings are back in a first-place tie with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who beat the Dallas Stars earlier in the afternoon, for the top spot in the Atlantic Division at 30-16-4.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.  

Ottawa's Drake Batherson struck first for the Senators at 4:26, banging home a rebound past goaltender John Gibson, who initially made two straight saves. Not even a minute later, Dylan Cozens doubled the lead while on the power-play.

However, the Red Wings would strike with a man-advantage of their own, as rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka's shot beat former Detroit goaltender James Reimer through a screen.

Shortly before the midway point of the second period, Lucas Raymond sniped a shot past Reimer's glove, knotting the score with his 15th goal of the season. 

Eventually, the Red Wings would grab their first lead of the evening while on the power-play thanks to a beautiful net-front goal from James van Riemsdyk.

But before the period came to a close, the Senators responded with the tying marker while Elmer Soderblom was in the penalty box for interference. 

Neither team found the back of the net in the third period, setting up overtime in which they ultimately emerged victorious. 

Gibson stopped 19 of the 22 shots fired his way, while Reimer, who was signed by the Senators to a one-year contract earlier this week, made 30 saves in his Ottawa debut. 

The Red Wings will next hit the road to play their fourth and final game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the regular season. 

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For the second time in as many days, the Ottawa Senators blew a two-goal lead and lost in overtime. Alex DeBrincat scored just 36 seconds into the extra frame to give the Detroit Red Wings a 4–3 home victory.

As was the case in Saturday's overtime versus Montreal, the Senators had a prime chance at one end, couldn’t capitalize, then surrendered an odd-man rush the other way. DeBrincat led the charge and ripped a shot high glove-side past newcomer James Reimer, who had a solid debut despite the loss.

Ottawa was outshot 34–22 in the game.

The Senators got things going early in the first period, scoring twice in just 39 seconds.

Just over four minutes in, Drake Batherson had a wide-open net and made no mistake after Red Wings goaltender John Gibson stopped initial shots from Thomas Chabot and Fabian Zetterlund. For number 19, it was goal number 19 on the season.

Ottawa kept pressing and earned a power-play opportunity soon after. Batherson chipped a puck down low to Brady Tkachuk. Tkachuk passed it out front to Dylan Cozens, who finished with a smooth forehand-backhand deke to beat Gibson and give the Senators a 2–0 advantage.

Detroit cut into the lead just over two minutes later. Following an elbowing call on Nick Cousins that didn't look like much, the Red Wings’ power play went to work. Axel Sandin-Pellikka scored his sixth of the season, firing a long wrist shot through traffic that Reimer never picked up through the screen.

Six minutes into the second period, Lucas Raymond tied the game with his 15th goal of the year. In a one-on-one with Jake Sanderson, Raymond ripped the puck past him, and beat Reimer cleanly up high. Senators goaltending continues to struggle with shots from distance, ranking among the league leaders in goals allowed from long range.

Late in the second, with David Perron off for holding, James van Riemsdyk buried a rebound on the power play to give Detroit a 3–2 lead. It was similar to the between the legs shot that Tim Stutzle had scored versus Montreal on Saturday.

But the Senators answered before the end of the period. With Elmer Söderblom in the box for interfering Ridly Greig, Shane Pinto redirected a crisp pass from Claude Giroux into a vacant net. The goal sent both teams to the locker room tied 3–3 after 40 minutes.

Early in the third period, the Senators continued their recent trend of taking offensive-zone penalties. Brady Tkachuk was called for tripping 190 feet from Ottawa’s net. James Reimer made a couple of big saves on the ensuing sequence, forcing him to move laterally and keep the game tied.

Dylan Cozens had a prime opportunity to give the Senators the lead five minutes into the third. Off a hard forecheck by Greig, the puck was jarred loose and slid out to Cozens alone in front with no one around him, but Gibson made a nice glove save.

With nine minutes left to play, Reimer made another fine save to keep the score tied at three. Elmer Soderblom was all alone in front and redirected a shot from the point, but Rhymer got his right pad on it.

The Shane Pinto line had a great look in the final minute of regulation, but never quite got a clean shot off.

That set the scene for DeBrincat's OT heroics against his former team.

Reimer was solid in his first NHL regular-season start in nine months. At 37, Reimer is the third oldest goalie to play this season in the NHL. Jonathan Quick is the oldest followed by former Senator Cam Talbot.

Prior to the game, the Red Wings held a ceremony honoring forward Patrick Kane, celebrating his recent entry into the NHL’s 500-goal club.

The Senators will be in Columbus on Tuesday night.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

This story is from The Hockey News Ottawa. You can visit the site here or click on one of their latest articles below:

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VANCOUVER -- The New York Islanders hit the ice against on Sunday afternoon ahead of their Monday showdown against the Vancouver Canucks. 

Mathew Barzal is from Coquitlam, British Columbia, which is about a half hour from Vancouver, so he'll have family and friends in the stands for this one. 

After backing up David Rittich in their 4-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday, Ilya Sorokin will return to the crease. He stopped all 26 shots that came his way in a 1-0 shutout win against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. 

Sorokin, Islanders Snap McDavid's 20-Game Point Streak In 1-0 Shutout Win Over OilersSorokin blanks McDavid's Oilers with a masterful shutout. Duclair's timely power-play goal seals a crucial 1-0 victory for the Islanders.

Maxim Tsyplakov, who hasn't played since the Islanders' 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild, will draw back in for Maxim Shabanov. He'll skate alongside Calum Ritchie and Emil Heineman. 

"There's nothing personal," head coach Patrick Roy said. "I mean, sometimes you've got to try different things. And Tsyppy hasn't played since the Minnesota game, and so we thought this was a good time for it."

Tsyplakov has just one goal in 24 games this season. Roy wants to see the player he saw in the KHL footage before the forward signed with the Islanders ahead of the 2024-25 season. 

"I want him to play his game," Roy said. "When I was watching him two years ago, before he came to the Islanders, I thought that, the way I was watching him, he was a power forward. He's a guy that will bring pucks to the net, a guy that plays really well defensively...to me, that's his DNA, and I want him to play that game. I don't need him to be fancy with the puck -- I know he will, which is fine with me at times. But what I really want to see is his net presence, his ability to do a great job in the defensive zone, and stuff like that. And I know he could do it."

Here's the rest of the lines: 

#Isles  lines at Sunday’s practice:

Lee-Barzal-Duclair
Drouin-Pageau-Holmstrom
Tsyplakov-Ritchie-Heineman
MacLean-Cizikas-Gatcomb
E: Shabanov

Schaefer-Pulock
Pelech-DeAngelo
Boqvist-Mayfield
E: McWard

Sorokin
Rittich

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) January 18, 2026

Puck drop between the Islanders and Canucks comes your way at 10 PM ET. 

CHICAGO (AP) — Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar practiced with the team on Sunday and could return as soon as Thursday at Carolina.

Nazar, who turned 22 on Wednesday, was hit in the face by a puck during a 6-4 loss at Ottawa on Dec. 20.

“It feels great to be back with the guys and skating and had a lot of fun out there today,” Nazar said.

The Blackhawks have lost three in a row going into Monday night's home game against Winnipeg. They visit the Hurricanes on Thursday before hosting Tampa Bay on Friday night.

“As far as I know, he won't play tomorrow. Unless something drastically changed, I don't think he will,” coach Jeff Blashill said of Nazar. “So that would allow him another full practice at least and then see where we go from there.”

Blashill also said Teuvo Teravainen won't play against the Jets because of an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old forward got hurt in the first period of last week's 4-1 loss to Edmonton.

Nazar, a first-round pick in the 2022 draft, has six goals and 15 assists in 33 games this season. He agreed to a $46.2 million, seven-year extension with the Blackhawks in August.

“Just really itching to get back and give what I can to help the team win,” Nazar said.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The Vancouver Canucks have announced four roster moves ahead of their matchup on Monday against the New York Islanders. Vancouver has recalled defenceman Elias Pettersson while assigning defenceman Victor Mancini and Nikita Tolopilo to the AHL. The Canucks have also called up goaltender Jiri Patera under emergency conditions.

Pettersson was sent down to the Abbotsford Canucks on January 11 and skated in two AHL games. He did not record a point but did have two penalty minutes and two shots on goal. This season, Pettersson has played in 38 NHL games, where he has recorded six points. 

As for Mancini, he skated in four games for the Canucks since his call-up on January 11. In those four games, he recorded two shots and averaged 16:33 of ice time. Mancini has spent the majority of his season in the AHL, posting six points in 20 games. 

Moving to the goaltenders, Tolopilo played two games on his recent call-up. In those two games, he posted a 6.01 goals against average and a save percentage of .842. Tolopilo is 4-4-3 in the AHL this season with a save percentage of .900.

Lastly, Patera is projected to serve as the backup on Monday against the Islanders as Thatcher Demko remains out with an injury. He has played one NHL game this year, where he allowed seven goals on 40 shots against the Florida Panthers. This season, Patera is 7-6-4 in the AHL and has a save percentage of .915. 

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MONTREAL (AP) — Phil Goyette, the former NHL forward who helped the Montreal Canadiens win Stanley Cup titles in his first four seasons and was the New York Islanders' first coach, has died. He was 92.

The Canadiens said in a statement Sunday that Goyette died Saturday, saying Goyette's “family would like to thank the public for their wishes of sympathy.” The team didn't provide a cause of death.

Goyette, from Lachine, Quebec, made his debut with the Canadiens in 1956-57. He also played for the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues, winning the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct in 1969-70 with St. Louis.

In 940 regular-season games, Goyette had 207 goals and 467 assists. The center added 17 goals and 29 assists in 94 playoff games. He wrapped up his playing career in 1971-72, falling short of a fifth Stanley Cup title when the Rangers fell to Boston in six games in the final.

“We join the hockey world in sending our condolences to Phil’s loved ones, friends, and former teammates,” the Rangers said in a statement.

Goyette coached the expansion Islanders in 1972-73, going 6-40-4 before he was replaced by Earl Ingarfield.

“The Islanders are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Phil Goyette, the organization’s original head coach,” the team said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

According to TSN insider Darren Dreger, the Calgary Flames have traded defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights, a move that further strengthens an already loaded Western Conference and adds another obstacle in the Winnipeg Jets path should they qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The return to Calgary includes defenseman Zach Whitecloud, Vegas 2027 first round pick, a conditional 2027 second round pick that escalates to a 2026 first rounder if the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup, and the rights to unsigned defenseman Abram Wiebe. The Flames are also retaining 50 per cent of Andersson salary for the remainder of the season.

While Winnipeg was not directly linked to Andersson, his landing spot is significant. Rather than a top defenseman leaving the Western Conference or landing in the Eastern Conference, Andersson joins a Vegas team that the Jets could realistically face in a postseason matchup. The deal removes one of the best defensemen from the trade market while simultaneously reinforcing a direct conference rival.

The timing only adds to the challenge for Winnipeg. Central Division heavyweights Dallas, Colorado, and Minnesota have all made notable moves and increasingly resemble legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Now Vegas, already among the league’s deepest and most battle tested teams, adds a proven top four blueliner with offensive upside and playoff experience.

Despite playing on a middle to bottom tier Flames team, Andersson has quietly put together a strong season. The 27 year old has recorded 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 47 games, along with a plus one rating.

A former 46 point defenseman, Andersson has consistently produced between 30 and 40 points per season while logging heavy minutes against top competition. He brings a reliable two way game, physicality, and puck moving ability that translate well to playoff hockey.

For Vegas, the move signals an all in approach as they gear up for another deep postseason run. For the Jets, it is another reminder of how narrow the margin is in the West. Any potential Winnipeg dark horse Stanley Cup push now looks even more complicated with yet another conference rival getting stronger at the deadline.

If the Jets are to navigate a brutal Western Conference playoff picture, they will likely need to rely on internal growth, elite goaltending, and timely performances, because the arms race around them shows no signs of slowing down.

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According to TSN insider Darren Dreger, the Calgary Flames have traded defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights, a move that reshapes the trade market and represents a missed opportunity for the Detroit Red Wings.

The return to Calgary includes defenseman Zach Whitecloud, Vegas’s 2027 first-round pick, a conditional 2027 second-round pick that escalates to a 2026 first-rounder if the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup, and the rights to unsigned defenseman Abram Wiebe.

The Golden Knights do not have a contract extension in place with Andersson, and the Flames are retaining 50 per cent of his salary for the remainder of the season.

The deal takes one of the top available defensemen off the market. Detroit was among the teams believed to be in the mix for Andersson, who had drawn significant league-wide interest as one of the most attractive blueliners potentially available via trade.

Despite playing on a middle to bottom tier Flames team, Andersson has delivered strong results this season. The 27 year old has produced 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 47 games, along with a plus one rating.

A former 46 point defenseman, Andersson has consistently posted between 30 and 40 points per season while logging heavy minutes. He brings a physical element, reliability, and steady two way play that appealed to teams looking to strengthen their blue line.

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For Vegas, the move adds a proven top four defenseman with offensive upside and playoff experience to an already deep roster as the Golden Knights gear up for another postseason run.

For Detroit, missing out on Andersson is a notable setback. The Red Wings have been actively exploring upgrades on defense as they push to solidify their roster and remain competitive in the playoff race.

While Andersson is no longer an option, Detroit continues to monitor the market for other opportunities to address its blue line needs.

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