The Winnipeg Jets are navigating a mixed bag of a season, but one clear positive within the organization has emerged in 2024 fourth round pick Kevin He.

The 19 year old winger has spent this season in the Ontario Hockey League, beginning the year with the Niagara IceDogs before being dealt to the Flint Firebirds. No matter the jersey, He has continued to elevate his game and establish himself as one of the top junior players in Canada.

This past week, He delivered a dominant two game stretch, recording three goals and three assists for six points. The performance served as another exclamation point on what has already been a stellar campaign.

Through 41 games this season, the Chinese Canadian forward has produced 22 goals and 29 assists for 51 points. He is on pace to finish with roughly 74 points in 60 games, just one point shy of his career high of 75 points set last season.

He’s rise has been fueled by a relentless forechecking game, elite speed, and impressive stickwork that consistently separates him from defenders.

Let's go Kev! Kevin He has been named the OHL's Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/EViFrC82bu

— Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) February 2, 2026

Those tools have made him an intriguing and potentially exciting gem within the Jets prospect pipeline. Winnipeg has shown strong belief in his development, signing He to an entry level contract, with the possibility that he could make the jump to professional hockey as early as next season.

Beyond the numbers, He continues to break barriers in the sport. Born in Beijing, China, he developed his love for hockey by skating and rollerblading with his father before making the move to North America. He played his minor hockey in North York, Ontario, where his talent steadily grew into that of a high level junior player.

What a game for Jets prospect Kevin He (2024 4th) who finished with a five point (2G 3A) night for Flint.

He’s up to 51 points (22G 29A) in 41 games.

Named 1st Star of the Game.

His biggest points game of the year (had a six point contest last season for Niagara). #NHLJetspic.twitter.com/aQ570RtLgY

— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) February 1, 2026

When the Jets selected him in the 2024 NHL Draft, He became just the second Chinese born player ever drafted into the NHL, following New York Islanders draft pick Andong Song.

He later made history again as the first Chinese born player to sign an NHL contract. The list has since grown, with Haoxi Wang becoming the third Chinese born player drafted when he was selected 33rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

As He continues to take impactful strides both on and off the ice, he stands as a powerful example of hockey’s global growth. For Jets fans, it is an encouraging sight to know that Winnipeg is home to a historic talent whose best hockey may still be ahead of him.

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It may have been a multi-year wait, but NHL fans have been treated to not one but two separate goalie fights in the last two weeks. 

Former Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, now with the San Jose Sharks, squared off against Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers late last month, which was followed by the first outdoor goalie fight in NHL history on Sunday evening.

Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy and Boston's Jeremy Swayman both went at it at Raymond James Stadium during the NHL's Stadium Series matchup, marking the second goalie fight in exactly 13 days. 

Before the aforementioned fight in Florida, it had been current Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot who'd taken part in the most recent goalie bout while a member of the Calgary Flames in early February 2020. 

Talbot’s bout against Smith took place during the legendary Battle of Alberta between the Flames and Oilers, and on a Saturday night in front of a national audience on Hockey Night in Canada.

It was the kind of moment Talbot had dreamed of, though in hindsight he admitted he would have preferred to square off against a less physically imposing opponent than the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Smith.

"I wish I'd thought about it a little more, because seeing him standing at center ice is not the best guy you'd want to go up against; he's a big man, and it didn't go very well for me, but it was fun," Talbot said this week with a smile. "I'd always wanted to have a goalie fight, and there was nothing better than at center ice during Hockey Night in Canada." 

“It’s fun to see that emotion, the spark that it gives the guys," Talbot continued. "Obviously, Bob (Bobrovsky) saw something that maybe he was frustrated with, or he just didn’t like the way that Ned came out of his net, but I love that out of them."

"I think goalies have tried since then, and the refs have gotten in the way and not let it happen, but it’s fun to let it see them let it go on.”

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The Red Wings are no strangers to goaltending fights. Some of the most memorable moments from their 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup–winning seasons came from the bouts between Mike Vernon and Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy, followed just over a year later by Chris Osgood squaring off against Roy.

Talbot, who grew up idolizing Roy, also made sure never to miss a tilt between the Red Wings and Avalanche during the heyday of their legendary on-ice rivalry. 

“I’d hoped,” Talbot said of envisioning himself in a similar goalie fight. “Patrick was my favorite goalie growing up, so those series stick out in my mind. That was my childhood—to stay up late and watch those ones. I always thought those were the best series, the best fights, and obviously, the rivalry was second to none.

That was part of my childhood, and I loved it. That’s part of the reason why I always wanted to do one, just to say that I did it." 

"We Believe In Him": Red Wings Still Trust Cam Talbot Despite His Recent SkidJust because Detroit Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot hasn't picked up a win in his last six starts doesn't mean that he's lost the trust of his club.

While Talbot isn't one to encourage goaltenders to challenge one another just for the sake of it, he loves to see it under the right conditions - and knows that both the players and the fans love seeing it as well. 

"Under the right circumstances, I wouldn’t say to go do it for no reason, but if you have an opportunity, go for it," Talbot said. "I think the game is changing a little bit and getting away from that, but every time it happens, people seem to go nuts for it. It’s a good show for the fans, and I think the goalies enjoy it too.”

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The Buffalo Sabres take on the Florida Panthers in the first of three games in four nights, but based on the line combinations at the morning skate in Sunrise, FL on Monday morning, young forward Konsta Helenius will not be in the lineup. The 2024 first round pick made a strong impression after being recalled in mid-January, scoring his first NHL goal and adding a pair of assists in a win against Nashville and another assist in a victory in Montreal. 

It appears that the 19-year-old Finn may have hit the proverbial wall, as he has gone scoreless in his last four games. Helenius played only 9:54 in the 4-2 loss to the Canadiens on Saturday, and was on the ice for Cole Caufield’s third-period game-winning goal. 

Other Sabres Stories

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

 "I think this is just part of a young hockey player's journey. I think you can start off well, your emotions are running high and then you get into the grind of the games," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said.  "Sometimes you just see the peaks and valleys. It's all part of how a young guy gets to where he wants to gets to."

Helenius has made impressive progress in his second season in North America, nearly equaling his rookie point total in half the games with AHL Rochester. The youngster is likely to be sent back to the Amerks during the Olympic break to play regularly, and his return to the Sabres this season may be unlikely, as he has only two games left before burning the first year of his entry-level contract. 

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The Buffalo Sabres begin a stretch of three games in four nights to finish off the pre-Olympic schedule against the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Panthers have not been the same club this season, based on the loss of team captain Aleksander Barkov and winger Matthew Tkachuk, but Tkachuk has returned in advance of the games in Milano Cortina. 

The contest is critical for both clubs, but more so for the Panthers, who trail Buffalo by eight points for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot. Former Panther Alex Lyon will make his third straight start, and backup Colten Ellis with be in goal for the second of back-to-back games in Tampa on Tuesday. 

Other Sabres Stories

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

The Sabres made a roster move on Sunday, demoting defenseman Zac Jones and recalling winger Isak Rosen. Blueliner Jacob Bryson skated over the weekend and has been activated from injured reserve. Rosen, who has an impressive 20 goals in 28 games with AHL Rochester, has contributed at the NHL level playing higher in the lineup, with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 13 games. 

Head coach Lindy Ruff provided updates on goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and center Josh Norris, and indicated both players are making progress. Luukkonen suffered a leg injury in Toronto last Tuesday and is slated to be the third goalie for Finland in Italy later this month, unless his injury prevents him. Norris suffered a rib injury against Philadelphia last month and indicated that he is close to being 100%, but with only three games this week, opting to be cautious may be the better course of action. 

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Nashville Predators owner Bill Haslam said that Nick Saban, who purchased a minority stake in the team in December 2025, will be on the search committee to find a new general manager after Barry Trotz announced his retirement on Feb. 2.

Saban, the former Alabama football coach and current analyst on ESPN's "College GameDay," is a longtime fan of the Predators.

CAA will coordinate the search, with Haslam as the leader of the committee. Trotz also will be assisting in the search.

" . . . Nick Saban, our newest owner, who has a little familiarity with helping winning organizations, has agreed to be on the search committee as well," Haslam said during the news conference at Bridgestone Arena.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nick Saban, Predators minority owner, on search committee for new GM

Defenseman Charles Alexis Legault has been activated off of injured reserve and reassigned to the Chicago Wolves the Carolina Hurricanes announced on Monday.

After getting his hand sliced open from a skate blade on Nov. 9 following a fight in Toronto, Legault had surgery to repair the extensor tendons on his right hand and was given a three to four month recovery timeline.

However, it looks like he was a quick healer as he'll returning to the ice just a week before the three-month mark.

Legault, 22, played in eight games with the Hurricanes this season after a plethora of injuries depleted the team's blueline.

He made the most of his opportunity and even scored his first NHL goal as well.

Legault has played in 65 AHL games throughout his career, with three goals and 14 total points in that span, since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 draft.

The 6-foot-4 defender will be a big boost for the Chicago Wolves as they battle to secure a spot in the postseason.

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Goalie fights seem to be all the rage in the NHL these days. On January 19, Sergei Bobrovsky and Alex Nedeljkovic dropped the gloves in a match between the Florida Panthers and the San Jose Sharks; on the following day, it was the talk of the virtual town that is the internet. Then, on Sunday, with his team down 5-2 against the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy decided to try to wake up his team by fighting Jeremy Swayman. The Bolts’ netminder had the upper hand, and the tide turned after the bout, with the Florida outfit completing the comeback for a 6-5 overtime win.

After seeing two goalie fights break out in the last two weeks and seeing the reaction to the event, it’s clear that fans and media alike enjoy seeing netminders drop the gloves. Still, it generally remains a rare feat in the Montreal Canadiens’ game. There was nearly one back in November 2023 when the Habs were taking on the Bruins at the Bell Centre, when Swayman, who had lost his mask following a scrum around his net, stared at Samuel Montembeault at the other end of the ice and extended a challenge, but the Becancour native declined the invite.

Jeremy Swayman vs. Sam Montembeault? pic.twitter.com/iVK8yGI6QP

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) November 12, 2023

How The Canadiens Chose Their Game Prize
Canadiens: Slafkovsky Is Having The Best Season Of His Young Career
Canadiens: Dobes Secured The Number One Role

It wouldn’t have been the first time a goalie fight broke out in a Canadiens-Bruins match, though. In February 2011, a young Carey Price took on Tim Thomas after the Bruins goalie skated the length of the ice to stop Price from getting involved in the scrum around his net. It wasn’t much of a fight in the end, but the gloves and masks came off as the two goalies tried to exchange punches at center ice before falling to the ice. The Habs’ netminder said afterwards that they were play-fighting more than anything else.

Price could have been involved in another one when he lost his cool and punched Kyle Palmieri with his blocker in a game against the New Jersey Devils on December 9, 2016, but their respective teammates and the referees jumped in to stop him. Cory Schneider who had started skating towards the Canadiens’ net retreated to his own cage and Price picked up a four-minute penalty for roughing.

But there was one time when a Canadiens goaltender was involved in a real fight: during the Good Friday Massacre. On April 20, 1984, the Habs were taking on the Quebec Nordiques in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and there was no love lost between the provincial rivals. No less than 14 fights broke out in that game, one of which included each team’s backup netminder: Richard Sevigny for the Sainte-Flanelle, and Clint Malarchuk for the Nordiques.

Given Montembeault’s reaction to Swayman’s invite in 2023, it would be surprising to see the Quebec drop the gloves in the future, but given how Jakub Dobes plays the game, it wouldn’t be shocking if he did. The 24-year-old is quite aggressive in net and doesn’t shy away from discreetly hitting rivals with his stick at times, and he does get involved in trash-talking. In last year’s series against the Washington Capitals, it was his trash-talking that led to the Caps getting in his way as he tried to exit the ice at the end of the second period, which led to the famous Josh Anderson-Tom Wilson fight in the visitors’ bench.

While fights aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that goalie fights are generally very well-received by fans and that their teammates seem to enjoy them as well.

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The Montreal Canadiens visit the Minnesota Wild on Monday, February 2. This exciting matchup featured on Amazon Prime Video consists of two teams in the midst of three-game winning streaks.

My Canadiens vs. Wild predictions and NHL picks suggest a red-hot Jakub Dobes will continue to keep the Canadiens afloat in a jam-packed Atlantic Division.

Canadiens vs Wild prediction

Canadiens vs Wild best bet: Jakub Dobes Over 24.5 Saves (-105)

The Montreal Canadiens are turning to Jakub Dobes to make his fourth consecutive start tonight. He's won the last three, comfortably hitting the Over for saves in each, averaging 31.3 per game.

The Minnesota Wild average nearly 29 shots per game, and Dobes is riding his hottest streak of the season. He made 36 stops in a crucial win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

The Czech native has looked as cool and collected as Jon Cooper did with his Scarface-inspired outfit and cigar during the Stadium Series thriller in Tampa yesterday. Look for him to hit the Over yet again.

Canadiens vs Wild same-game parlay

Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson leads the team in ice time despite sharing the blue line with the likes of Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson.

He's hit the Over for shots in six consecutive games, totaling 15 SOG. He also has six assists in his last seven games — perhaps indicative of his offensive eagerness.

Meanwhile, captain Nick Suzuki has a whopping 15 assists in his last 14 games and four multi-assist games in his last 10. His 47 helpers this season are good for 10th in the NHL.

Canadiens vs Wild SGP

• Jakub Dobes Over 24.5 Saves
• Mike Matheson Over 1.5 Shots on Goal
• Nick Suzuki Over 0.5 Assists

Canadiens vs Wild odds

• Moneyline: Canadiens +115 | Wild -135
• Puck Line: Canadiens +1.5 (-210) | Wild -1.5 (+170)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-110) | Under 6.5 (-110)

Canadiens vs Wild trend

Montreal snapped a nine-game losing streak against Minnesota with a 4-3 win on January 20. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Wild.

How to watch Canadiens vs Wild

Canadiens vs Wild latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to win their seventh game in a row on Monday when the Ottawa Senators come to town. 

This is a Senators team that has had the Penguins' number as of late, winning eight of the last 10 games between the two teams. One of those eight wins came back on Dec. 18, a 4-0 shutout in Ottawa. The Penguins haven't beaten the Senators in regulation since Jan. 20, 2023, when they won 4-1 at home. 

The Senators have won three in a row heading into this game, and two of those wins came against the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights. They have outscored their opponents 16-4 during this three-game winning streak. 

Offense hasn't been the issue for the Senators this year. They rank ninth in goals per game (3.33) and, according to MoneyPuck, have the third-best 5v5 expected goals percentage in the league (54.7%). They just can't get saves and have gotten the worst goaltending in the league this year. 

Linus Ullmark will start in goal for the Senators on Monday, and while his numbers are down this year (2.89 goals-against average and .884 save percentage), he has played very well against the Penguins during his career. He is 7-0-0 against the Penguins with a 2.32 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage.

Tim Stutzle is having another great year for the Senators, compiling 25 goals and 57 points in 54 games. Drake Batherson has also been great with 19 goals and 46 points in 51 games, ditto for Jake Sanderson, who has 10 goals and 44 points in 54 games. 

The Penguins will go with the same lineup that they had on Saturday against the New York Rangers. Arturs Silovs will start in goal after he backed up Stuart Skinner for that game.

Forwards

Rakell-Crosby-Brazeau

Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin

McGroarty-Kindel-Mantha

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Defensive pairs

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Kulak-Shea

Solovyov-Clifton

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

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The Chicago Blackhawks have played against every team in the NHL this season at least once, except for the San Jose Sharks. That will change on Monday night with a match set to take place at the United Center. 

The San Jose Sharks are 27-22-4, which is a record (58 points) keeping them on the playoff bubble. At 21-25-9, the Blackhawks are 7 points behind them. Although each team has been in the bottom five over the last several years, there has been steady improvement shown by both. 

Bedard vs Celebrini

This is a matchup between two of the NHL’s brightest young stars. Connor Bedard was the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, while Macklin Celebrini went first one year later at the 2024 NHL Draft. These two are compared for a variety of reasons. With that said, this matchup is much more than two young stars going head-to-head. 

Blackhawks Vs Sharks Is Much More Than "Bedard Vs Celebrini" The Chicago Blackhawks are going to take on the San Jose Sharks on Monday, which is much more than Connor Bedard vs Macklin Celebrini.

Scouting San Jose 

The San Jose Sharks do rely on Celebrini a lot in terms of their offensive production. He currently has 79 points, which is good for fourth in the entire NHL. The next closest Sharks player is Will Smith with 38. This will get him in Hart Trophy conversations if they do end up making the playoffs. 

Smith-Celebrini-Toffoli

Eklund-Wennberg-Graf

Regenda-Misa-Kurashev

Goodrow-Gaudette-Reaves

Orlov-Liljegren

Ferraro-Mukhamadullin

Dickinson-Desharnais

Askarov

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to see Yaroslav Askarov in San Jose's net, who is another good young goalie trying to make his way as an elite player in the league. 

Outside of Celebrini and Smith, other young skaters like William Eklund, Michael Misa, and Sam Dickinson are there forming what promises to be a great core for a long time. Veterans like Tyler Toffoli, Alex Wennberg, and Dmitri Orlov are there for support as well. It's a good group that's only going to get better as the years go on. 

Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks will still be without Nick Foligno for this game. He is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, although he skated with the team at practice on Sunday. 

Nazar-Bedard-Bertuzzi

Teravainen-Greene-Burakovsky

Donato-Dickinson-Mikheyev

Slaggert-Moore-Dach

Vlasic-Crevier

Kaiser-Rinzel

Grzelcyk-Murphy

Knight

Spencer Knight will start in goal for Chicago, as each team will go with their young up-and-coming star goalies. Sam Lafferty is the healthy scratch up front, and Artyom Levshunov will continue his development program, keeping him out of the lineup. 

Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar have started to gain some chemistry together at even strength. In this game, they will be with Tyler Bertuzzi. With Landon Slaggert and Colton Dach on Oliver Moore's wing, they will form an energy line.

Jeff Blashill is continuing to evaluate what he has in Moore, who has shown versatility in terms of where he is in the lineup and what position he plays. 

How To Watch

The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found on CHSN locally. Nationally, it can be streamed on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 7:30 PM CT. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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There are a lot of reasons why the 2025-26 Pittsburgh Penguins are finding success that they haven't found in the last few years.

For one, they're getting contributions from up and down their lineup. They already have eight players with 10 or more goals - more are on the way, too - and seven players are on pace to score more than 20 goals (and, it could be eight if Rickard Rakell - injured for 20 games this season - gets hot, as he is currently on pace for 19). In addition, 10 players are on pace to clear 40 points this season.

In addition, they're getting solid and timely goaltending. Stuart Skinner has a combined .895 save percentage since he was dealt to the Penguins from the Edmonton Oilers in December, but that's including three shaky starts to begin his tenure in Pittsburgh. Since those three starts, he is 8-1-0 with a .916 save percentage. Arturs Silovs has been solid, too, going 5-1-2 with a .905 save percentage since the holiday break.

And, of course, the Penguins are playing better defense, as they are pretty much near the middle of the pack in most major defensive metrics - a step up from where they were at earlier in the season. They've gotten the most out of guys like Parker Wotherspoon and Ryan Shea on the back end, and Erik Karlsson is having a renaissance season. 

But beyond personnel, the Penguins' new system under head coach Dan Muse and his staff is also doing them a ton of favors. So, too, is this team's ability to capitalize on momentem swings.

And that ability to not just capitalize on those swings, but outright dominate because of them, has been a pretty big factor behind this team's success.

"Hockey's a weird game, and when pucks go in, they go in in bunches sometimes," forward Tommy Novak said. "It seems like the next line up is always hungry for another one and to keep [the opposition] in the d-zone."

Penguins' Improvement On Defense A Big Factor In Playoff StandingThe Pittsburgh Penguins have shown improvement in process and a commitment to details this season - and it's paying off for them.

First thing's first: There is a glaring disparity between when the Penguins strike first this season in comparison to when the opposition does. Pittsburgh is 23-3-5 when scoring the first goal of the game this season as opposed to 5-11-6 when they allow it, which speaks to their ability to control play from the drop of the puck.

But, digging deeper, there are some pretty interesting figures behind the Penguins' quick-strike offense and their ability to keep piling on once they seize momentum. 

Through 53 games this season, the Penguins have scored:

- Two goals within a minute 10 times
- Two goals within two minutes 19 times
- Three goals within 10 minutes eight times
- Four goals within 20 minutes three times
- Three-plus consecutive goals 25 times
- Four-plus consecutive goals 11 times
- Five-plus consecutive goals five times

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

In other words, this team is not only generating a lot of offense from different parts of their lineup, they are able to string together shifts where they dominate possession, roll four lines, and pile on offense in order to give themselves either a good chance at a comeback or some always-needed insurance.

So what's behind this team's ability to take full advantage of momentum swings within games?

The truth is, no one really knows why this team is able to do this as often as it does.

"I wish I could say it's something that's, like, planned," Muse said. "I have nothing to do with it. It's the guys on the ice. I think, sometimes, it's just a little bit of that momentum. You're feeling it, the bench is feeling good, so you get that next opportunity. On the flip side of it, for the team on the other side, when momentum's going against you, you're kind of back on your heels.

"You've seen it where it's the same line doing it twice, then another line doing it next. But, sometimes, when you're kind of on the right side of things, it's just continuing to build traction, continuing to go in the right direction. It's a credit to the group and that next line or that next pair that's jumping over the boards after a goal. Whether it's a goal or it's just another good offensive shift keeping the momentum on our side, it's always a good thing."

Penguins' Kindel Proves Importance To Lineup In Whirlwind Rookie SeasonPittsburgh Penguins' rookie center Ben Kindel is making his case as an important part of the NHL lineup this season - and he only figures to get better.

"Momentum" will certainly be a theme for the Penguins over the next month-plus, as they're the hottest team in hockey with three games left to play before the near-three-week Olympic break. They're currently on a six-game win streak, sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 67 points, and have scored 31 goals in their past six games. 

Perhaps the Olympic break is coming at a tough time for this team, especially because they have so much momentum. But the key for the Penguins is continuing to build on the formula that has made them so successful this season.

"Every line's able to bring some offense," Mantha said. "And if there's one goal, you know the next line's going to be able to hop on the ice and do the same thing.

"It's maybe a little bit of luck, it's maybe the good work we're putting in. But, at the end of the day, it's good for our team."

Takeaways: Penguins Survive Late Push By Rangers To Earn Sixth Straight Win On 2016 Cup Anniversary CelebrationFor the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>, Saturday was a special night for a plethora of reasons.&nbsp;

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Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann has been named the NHL’s first star of the week.

The 29-year-old was dominant, notching four goals and seven points in three games. He picked up points in all three games, including two goals and two assists against the Washington Capitals, a goal and an assist against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights. 

The Kraken won all three games with McCann leading the way. 

McCann has missed a large part of the season dealing with several lower-body ailments. The Kraken haven’t indicated whether they are all separate issues or the same, but he’s been on injured reserve multiple times because of lower-body injuries.

Despite all the game action he’s missed, McCann has recorded 16 goals and 29 points in 30 games, ranking second in goals and sixth in points on the Kraken.

'He Has Been Our Most Offensive Guy,' Jared McCann's Four Point Effort Powers Kraken Past CapitalsPowered by a four-point effort from Jared McCann, the Seattle Kraken defeated the Washington Capitals 5-1 and picked up their 24th win of the season.

Here’s what the NHL’s press release said about McCann’s week:

"McCann registered 4-3—7 in three games to lift the Kraken (26-19-9, 61 points) to a perfect week and into third place in the Pacific Division. He notched his second career four-point performance (also Feb. 22, 2024 vs. VAN: 1-3—4) with 2-2—4, including his 26th career game-winning goal, in a 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals Jan. 27. McCann then posted 1-1—2, his sixth multi-point effort of the campaign, in a 5-2 triumph versus the Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 29. He capped the week by scoring his 200th NHL goal (and 134th with Seattle) in a 3-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights Jan. 31. The 29-year-old McCann, the Kraken’s all-time leader in goals and points, ranks second on the team with 16 goals and sixth with 29 points despite only playing in 30 of Seattle’s 54 total contests this season (16‑13—29)."

Joining McCann as stars of the week were Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andre Vasilevskiy, who was named second star after posting a 3-0-0 record, a .930 save percentage, a 1.95 goals-against average, and a shutout. The third star of the week was Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny, who scored five goals and seven points in four games. 

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The Winnipeg Jets visit the Dallas Stars in a Central Division clash at the American Airlines Center on Monday, February 2.

My top Jets vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks are headlined by emerging Winnipeg winger Cole Perfetti. 

Jets vs Stars prediction

Jets vs Stars best bet: Cole Perfetti Over 1.5 shots on goal (-105)

Winnipeg Jets winger Cole Perfetti has upped his shot volume out of the holiday break, recording two or more shots in 14 of 19 games for 39 total on 79 attempts.

I also value Perfetti being promoted to the No. 1 power-play unit in addition to pacing Winnipeg forwards in Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 during the same 19-game stretch.

While the Dallas Stars limit opposing shots to the sixth-fewest per game (25.1), they also rank 30th in CF% at 5-on-5, so Perfetti is set to tilt the ice in his favor for stretches and generate shooting opportunities tonight. 

Jets vs Stars same-game parlay

Dallas has only won by multiple goals once across its past nine games, and Winnipeg No. 1 Connor Hellebuyck has a sterling .926 save percentage and 2.28 GAA across his past four road starts. 

The key to success for the Jets is to play solid defense in front of Hellebuyck, and Winnipeg has tidied up defensively with the eighth-fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 out of the holiday break. With Dallas allowing the fifth-fewest xGA per 60 at 5-on-5, I’m anticipating a close, low-scoring game. 

Jets vs Stars SGP

• Jets +1.5
• Under 5.5
• Cole Perfetti Over 1.5 shots on goal

Jets vs Stars odds

• Moneyline: Jets +125 | Stars -145
• Puck Line: Jets +1.5 (-200) | Stars -1.5 (+165)
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-115) | Under 5.5 (-105)

Jets vs Stars trend

The Dallas Stars have only hit the Over in three of their last 10 games (-4.95 Units / -44% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Jets vs. Stars.

How to watch Jets vs Stars

Jets vs Stars latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Matthew Tkachuk has hit the ground running this season, leading Florida in points and expected goals, while sitting second in shots over his first seven games.

My Sabres vs. Panthers predictions expect another active offensive performance from Tkachuk against Buffalo.

Let’s break down my NHL picks for Monday, February 2.

Sabres vs Panthers prediction

Sabres vs Panthers best bet: Matthew Tkachuk Over 2.5 shots on goal (-155)

Matthew Tkachuk has shot the puck at a healthy clip since returning from injury, averaging 2.9 shots on target through seven games.

He has posted better numbers at home, where he attempted at least five shots in all three showings.

His outputs have also shown spikes following a day of rest. He has generated 3.8 shots per game through four games under those circumstances.

Tkachuk is at home and rested, and the matchup against the Buffalo Sabres doesn’t get much better.

The Sabres are a high-event side that gives up a lot of shot volume. They’ve allowed the second-most shots to wingers over the past 10 games while playing at the sixth-highest pace.

This is a big pace-up spot for the Florida Panthers, who sit 31st in pace during that span. The Sabres should speed the Panthers up a bit, creating a better game environment for offense.

In an important inner-division clash against a team just ahead of the Panthers in the standings, Florida will be heavily reliant on its star winger to lead the charge.

Sabres vs Panthers same-game parlay

Tkachuk has only scored in one of his seven games this season, but he is getting a lot of looks around the net, and the Panthers are favorites in a game with a total of 6.5. This would be a good spot to get one.

Carter Verhaeghe is playing on Tkachuk’s opposite wing, and the two are both featured on the No. 1 power play. Dating back to last year, Verhaeghe has 15 assists over his past 18 games with Tkachuk in the lineup.

Sabres vs Panthers SGP

• Matthew Tkachuk Over 2.5 shots on goal
• Matthew Tkachuk anytime goal
• Carter Verhaeghe Over 0.5 assists

Sabres vs Panthers odds

• Moneyline: Buffalo +115 | Florida -135
• Puck line: Buffalo +1.5 (-215) | Florida -1.5 (+175)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+115) | Under 6.5 (-135)

Sabres vs Panthers trend

Matthew Tkachuk has averaged 4.5 shots on goal over his last eight games against Buffalo. Find more NHL betting trends for Sabres vs. Panthers.

How to watch Sabres vs Panthers

Sabres vs Panthers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Both the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins rank in the Top 10 in goals per game, but it's the Under that stands out in this matchup.

My Senators vs. Penguins predictions expect a lower-scoring affair between two Eastern Conference teams riding winning streaks.

Let’s break down my NHL picks for Monday, February 2.

Senators vs Penguins prediction

Senators vs Penguins best bet: Under 6.5 (ODDS)

The Pittsburgh Penguins have done a very good job defensively under first-year head coach Dan Muse, ranking 13th in shot suppression, fifth in penalty kill percentage, and tied for ninth in goals allowed.

The Ottawa Senators have had a more difficult time keeping the puck out, but they’ve largely held up when facing other teams that defend well.

Seven consecutive Senators games vs. Top 10 teams in goal prevention have featured five goals or fewer. They allowed 25 shots or less in each of those games, helping make life as easy as possible on their goaltenders.

This stretch includes a matchup with the Pens back in December. Just four goals were scored in that contest — a 4-0 victory for Ottawa — and the two sides combined for only 50 shots on target.

Defense is Ottawa’s calling card, and the Senators will be looking to keep things tight as they try to inch back towards a playoff spot.

The suspension of Bryan Rust and injury to Kris Letang should also take a bite out of their offense and make them easier to slow down.

Senators vs Penguins same-game parlay

Dylan Cozens has generated shots at a very consistent clip, averaging 2.7 on 4.5 attempts over his last 10 games. He cleared 1.5 shots in nine of them, only failing to do so against the No. 1-seeded Colorado Avalanche.

While Thomas Chabot left Ottawa’s last game with an injury, it was cited as precautionary. If he’s good to go, two shots is not much to ask for the minute-muncher who has registered multiple shots on target in 14 of his past 20.

Senators vs Penguins SGP

• Under 6.5
• Dylan Cozens Over 1.5 shots
• Thomas Chabot Over 1.5 shots

Senators vs Penguins odds

• Moneyline: Senators -105 | Penguins -115
• Puck Line: Senators +1.5 (-250) | Penguins -1.5 (+205)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120)

Senators vs Penguins trend

The Over is just 2-7-1 over the past 10 head-to-head matchups. Find more NHL betting trends for Senators vs. Penguins.

How to watch Senators vs Penguins

Senators vs Penguins latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here