Lenni Hämeenaho is set to make his NHL debut tonight as the New Jersey Devils face the Calgary Flames in a regular-season matchup.

The 21-year-old was drafted 58th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Devils.After being drafted by the Devils, Hämeenaho was called up to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday—marking his first NHL recall.

New Jersey Devils Recalled Lenni HämeenahoThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/">New Jersey Devils</a> announced they had recalled forward Lenni Hämeenaho on Saturday ahead of their matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ahead of stepping onto NHL ice for the first time, he spoke with NJD.tv about the upcoming debut.

“I feel great. It’s a dream to play the first NHL game,” Hämeenaho said. “I’m just trying to play my own game and bring my own strengths, play hard, and skate.”

Prior to his call-up, Hämeenaho had been playing with the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL). In his time with the Comets this season, he has recorded 21 points in 33 games.

Ahead of his debut, he told NJD.tv that his family would be tuning in from Finland, despite the time difference.

“It’s a late game, but I’m sure they’ll be up,” Hameenaho said. “It’s a big thing for me to tell them that it’ll be my first game. They were obviously happy and excited, and a little upset they couldn’t get here. But I’m sure they’ll enjoy and cheer me on back home.”​

The puck will drop at 9 PM as the Devils take on the Calgary Flames for the first time this season, with Hämeenaho making his rookie debut. 

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After losing 7-3 against the Nashville Predators on Friday and it has been over a week since their last win, the Colorado Avalanche got back to their winning ways today in a matinee matchup against the Washington Capitals, in which they won 5-2.

First Period

Colorado would get on the board first quickly off a goal from Parker Kelly, who tipped home a wrist shot from Cale Makar, who worked his magic and was able to shed a Washington player at the blue line, and let the puck fly towards the net.

The Capitals would tie it up at 1-1 after that, as Jakob Chychrun was able to beat Scott Wedgewood clean with a wrist shot from the top of the zone on the power play.

Second Period

Nathan MacKinnon would score on the power play for Colorado next, to give Colorado the lead back, and make it 2-1 in their favor. MacKinnon just took the puck into the zone against three Washington players on this play, and managed to shoot it through the defender and beat Charlie Lindgren. It was a classic rush play that led to the goal.

Victor Olofsson then would give the Avs a comfortable 3-1 lead following the MacKinnon goal, as he was able to clean up the rebound from a Josh Manson wrist shot.

Ethan Frank would respond for the Capitals shortly after the Olofsson goal, making it 3-2 heading into the third period.

Third Period

Initially, during this period, it appeared that Cale Makar had extended Colorado’s lead to 4-2, but that goal was ultimately overturned for goaltender interference, and the score remained 3-2. After that, Colorado kept pushing and was rewarded with a fourth goal that actually counted, as MacKinnon was able to find Artturi Lehkonen on a 2-on-1 rush, and Lehkonen buried it.

For good measure, MacKinnon would score with 3:30 left to play in regulation, as he stole the puck from a Capitals player from behind their own net and put it past Lindgren for his second goal of the night, for your final score of 5-2 in favor of Colorado.

Takeaways

After the Nashville game, it’s really nice to see this team bounce back in the way that they did against Washington here today. Colorado did well to control this game for the most part, and this game never really felt in question. Even after the Makar goal was overturned for goaltender interference, which was, in my opinion, a ticky-tacky call at best, the Avs just seemed to say, “we’re not doing this”, and kept their foot on the gas, adding two more goals in the process for good measure before time expired in regulation. Even when they’re missing key players, when this team remembers to actually do the little things night in and night out, they’re incredibly scary, which is exactly what makes me incredibly excited to watch this team come playoff time.

Speaking of missing key players, the lineup is getting thinner and thinner with two recalls needed prior to this game. Ivan Ivan returned after a weekend in Loveland and Alex Barré-Boulet made his Avalanche debut in a last second call up because Val Nichushkin sustained minor injuries in a car accident. The latter even managed a secondary assist on the first goal despite playing less than four minutes in the game.

Upcoming

Colorado takes on the Anaheim Ducks next on Wednesday, January 21. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. MT.

Pregame

Pittsburgh gets Ryan Graves into the lineup and gives Jack St. Ivany a night off. Stuart Skinner gets the start in goal.

Hockey 🔜! pic.twitter.com/3hDsUUwtul

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 19, 2026

First period

It’s not the smoothest start for the Penguins, though you wouldn’t know if from the scoreboard. Skinner has to stop Eeli Tolvanen on a clean breakaway early. Pittsburgh gets the game’s first power play but don’t do much with it. Soon after it expires they score anyways. Blake Lizotte sends a pass back to Parker Wotherspoon and it glides on into the net in no small part to the large frame of Anthony Mantha taking goalie Joey Daccord’s vision away. 1-0 Pens out of nowhere. Who needs a power play when you have Lizotte and Wotherspoon?

SPOONS SERVING TOP SHELF 🥄🚨 pic.twitter.com/pawUaZ9pRL

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 19, 2026

The Kraken are awarded a power play, yet it’s the Pens who score. Connor Dewar knocks the puck away from an opponent and has a step right by them for a breakaway. Dewar makes it count by blowing a shot by the glove of Daccord. 2-0.

Connor Dewar, picking pockets on the PK 😤 pic.twitter.com/1Y5UnolDWR

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 19, 2026

Seattle is the next on the board, Skinner and Brett Kulak can’t smoothly handover a transition play, the next thing they new Ben Meyers had the puck going to the net and lifted a beauty of a shot to the top corner.

these kids are all right, aren't they?! 😁 pic.twitter.com/zFAfsY2Swa

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) January 19, 2026

That’s the end of the first. The Pens are up, though they didn’t have a great start. Pittsburgh only managed three shots at 5v5, seven total in the period. They made the most of some chances as they popped up but there was a lot of downtime in between. The Kraken didn’t do much better posting five 5v5 shots of their own and six total in the first 20 minutes.

Second period

Lizotte gets sent off for a minor penalty, the Pens kill it off.

The period becomes heavy on the wall battles, Seattle wins one of those battles when Justin Brazeau can’t clear the defensive zone on his backhand along the boards. A couple of passes later it’s a tie game when Ryan Winterton makes a short pass for Ryan Lindgren to chip in. 2-2 game.

you know what they say, kids… always clean up after your rebounds! 🤗 pic.twitter.com/gzE1EEubMB

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) January 19, 2026

Pittsburgh finds an answer, Sidney Crosby wins an offensive zone faceoff back to Brett Kulak. Kulak pulls the puck towards the middle of the ice as he drifts backwards and tosses a long-range shot on goal. There’s enough traffic again to foil Daccord. 3-2, Pens back in front with five minutes to go.

KULAK'S FIRST AS A 🐧! pic.twitter.com/adEQ4djLcT

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 19, 2026

Ben Kindel gets needlessly driven into the ice late in the period by Lindgren, Pittsburgh gets their second power play of the game, but again are held off the board by Seattle’s 32nd ranked penalty kill.

Both teams scored in the second period, the Pens were able to handle the shot count by a tidy 15-8 margin in the middle frame. That’s more of what was expected coming into this game for Pittsburgh to take advantage in that department.

Third period

The Pens start out strong, Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov nearly team up for a goal but are denied on a nice save by Daccord. Daccord’s got nothin’ for Brazeau top-shelf shot off a drop pass from Anthony Mantha that hinders the goalie’s vision yet again. 4-2 Pittsburgh, still 17:39 to go.

Justin Brazeau makes it 4-2. Joey's had a hard time with shots through screens today. This time, it goes through Oleksiak's legs. pic.twitter.com/jm19hxbnBK

— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) January 20, 2026

The pressure continues, Kulak hammers a shot on net with a ton of traffic in front, Daccord fights it off but leaves a rebound that Noel Acciari knocks off the post.

Kulak takes his second minor penalty of the game, Seattle makes them pay. Holy cow does Tolvanen hammer a slapshot. Lotta power on that one. 4-3 game, the Kraken still have 12:13 to work with.

Eeli Tolvanen puts it right to the top shelf 🚨 pic.twitter.com/h4274FJs2p

— NHL (@NHL) January 20, 2026

Brandon Montour gets a penalty called on him and the Pens have a chance for a potential dagger but they can’t score on the power play. Instead the dagger comes a little later from Rickard Rakell. Crosby wins the puck back off the wall and quickly passes it back to Rakell who jams one in front the front of the net. 5-3 game.

67 FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET 🚨

And that makes it a multipoint night for Sid in game no. 1400 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Ly6gFCkFin

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) January 20, 2026

Seattle pulls the goalie but there’s no late-game dramatics to be found today. Dewar shoots from way back to extend the score to a 6-3 final.

Some thoughts

• The early start wasn’t the best, perhaps for understandable reasons considering the long plane flight yesterday combined with an odd 2pm local start. Body clocks must have been going haywire, tough to get the legs freed up- which shown through in the Pens’ game in the early going. They got better and grew stronger in their play as the game went along.
• Have to give Seattle some credit though, they clogged things up as much as possible and made Pittsburgh play a hard game along the boards. We all know Crosby doesn’t mind getting in the trenches and muckin’ it up but that makes for a long night at the office when the puck is along the wall so often and a player has to fight for and earn every inch out there.
• To that end of making the game tough, the Pens had their share of moments too. Daccord’s eyes were taken away with bodies in front of him, that strategy brought success for the visitors to score on a couple of innocent enough long-distance shots, had the goalie been able to see them.
• Dewar’s shorthanded goal was only Pittsburgh’s second of the whole season, now 48 games into the season. That’s a bit of a surprise with how generally good the PK has been and even how productive many of the typical PKers have been at even strength.
• It was also only the second game of the season for the Pens that two defenseman scored in the same game (the other being 10/25 vs CBJ).
• You can tell how dissatisfied the coaches were with St. Ivany by opting to dress four left-handed defensemen instead, a rarity for them to select these days. The move also got Graves into his first NHL game in over a month. Shame there for St. Ivany, how long will he stay in the doghouse?
• While one right-handed defenseman in St. Ivany is stock down in recent days and games, Connor Clifton would have to be the opposite for stock up. These last five games were the first time this season Clifton has gotten picked to play five in a row, he’s been making the most of the opportunity with his physical play (as to be expected), the more surprising inputs have been his skating and puck moving being noticeable these days. And if you haven’t seen the #content Clifton produced from the team’s jet, spend the next 3:17 of your day on it. A star is born?
• The Pittsburgh PK gave up their first goal in 21 tries against them in the third, took one heck of a blast from Tolvanen to break the streak. Considering the Pens’ PK scored a goal for themselves they found an unconventional way to keep it even.
• The power play was hardly as good, though. Aside from picking on a weak Flyer PK last week that group hasn’t been performing that well lately, perhaps the one area where Erik Karlsson’s injury absence has been felt the most.
• Casual two point night for Crosby in his 1,400th career NHL game. Such a satisfying career to watch unfold, especially since becoming the 45th player in league history to hit this many games looked more a longshot at times. Instead, only Wayne Gretzky had more points through 1,400 games. Maybe Connor McDavid has something to say about that one day, for now that speaks to how great Crosby has been.

The Pens will now head north of the border for a bit, next game is in Calgary on Wednesday to try and repay the Flames for winning in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago.

The Buffalo Sabres lost out on a potential fit when the Vancouver Canucks traded rugged winger Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks on Monday. But as we covered in this story, the Canucks still have other players Buffalo GM Jarmo Kekalainen should be interested in. And the biggest takeaway is that the price the Sharks paid to land Sherwood is a price the Sabres should be more than willing to part ways with to add NHL-ready talent right now.

The price San Jose GM Mike Grier paid for Sherwood was steep: two second-round draft picks, and prospect defenseman Cole Clayton. But the reason why Grier was comfortable surrendering three assets for a player who will be a UFA this summer is because the Sharks are moving from a long-term rebuild into a team ready to challenge for a Stanley Cup playoff spot. And you can say the same thing about where Kekalainen is with the Sabres.

Indeed, you can make the case that for many years now, the Sabres have been where San Jose is right now. But that’s a column for another day. The point of this column is that, if Grier was justified paying a big price to land a player of note, then Kekalainen should be ready, willing and able to do the same thing to improve the Sabres.

As it stands, Buffalo currently has two of its three second-round draft picks in the next three drafts – its second-rounder in 2027, and its second-rounder in 2028. The Sabres also have a prospect pool deep enough where they can deal one or two young players and still have a solid group of youngsters to build around.

Obviously, the trick is to figure out what youngsters to hold on to at all costs, but you have to give something to get something, and that’s why a decent prospect should be expendable for Kekalainen.

Sabres Facing Crucial Stretch That Could Define Their SeasonThe Buffalo Sabres' playoff hopes could hinge on a grueling 10-game stretch. Can they rise to the challenge and end their 14-year playoff drought?

Standing pat can’t be an option for the Sabres. There’s enough talent on the trade block for Kekalainen to at least come away with one experienced hand – and, like Sherwood, someone who could be kept beyond this season, should the stars align and make the player a fine fit for the long haul.

At some point, you have to be more willing to package prospects and draft picks in return for younger players with upside. And that’s where Buffalo is right now.

If San Jose can afford to sacrifice some of their promise in return for players who can make a positive impact right away, surely the Sabres can do the same. And if he doesn’t do that, Kekalainen is going to be rightfully criticized. 

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.

For a long time, the Sabres were the team who dealt away players like Sherwood in exchange for picks and prospects. But the tables have turned 180 degrees, and it’s now in Buffalo’s best interests to step to the plate and take a massive swing on the trade market.

A former Montreal Canadiens forward is getting another chance in the NHL.

The Colorado Avalanche have called up former Canadiens forward Alex Barre-Boulet from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. 

Barre-Boulet was called up to the Avalanche's roster in response to forward Valeri Nichushkin being sidelined for the Central Division club due to an upper-body injury.

Barre-Boulet immediately made his Avalanche debut following his call-up against the Washington Capitals on Jan. 19. The former Canadiens forward made a solid first impression during his debut for Colorado, too, as he recorded an assist on Parker Kelly's first-period goal for the Avalanche. 

Barre-Boulet certainly earned this call-up from the Avalanche, too, as he has been having a strong season with the Eagles. In 36 games with the AHL squad so far this campaign, the former Canadiens forward has posted 12 goals, 25 assists, 37 points, and a plus-11 rating.

Barre-Boulet spent this past season with the Canadiens organization. In two games with Montreal during the 2024-25 season, he recorded zero points and two penalty minutes. Yet, he primarily played with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, this past season. In 64 games with Laval in 2024-25, he posted 22 goals, 41 assists, and 63 points. He also had three goals and 11 points in 13 playoff games for Laval. 

The Philadelphia Flyers have made some roster moves ahead of their contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. 

The Flyers have announced that forward Bobby Brink has been activated off injured reserve. In addition, the Flyers shared that goaltender Dan Vladar has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 14. 

Brink has not played for the Flyers since getting injured during their Jan. 6 matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, where he was limited to only 26 seconds of ice time. Yet, now that Brink has been activated from injured reserve, he is set to return to action for the Metropolitan Division club. 

Getting Brink back is good news for the Flyers, as he has been a solid part of their roster this season. In 41 games so far this campaign, he has posted 11 goals and 20 points.

Vladar, meanwhile, has been sidelined since leaving the Flyers' Jan. 14 matchup against the Buffalo Sabres early due to injury.

In 28 games this season with Philadelphia, Vladar has a 16-7-4 record, a .905 save percentage, and a 2.46 goals-against average. 

After their worst loss of the season against the Nashville Predators, the Colorado Avalanche face off against the Washington Capitals. There were some questionable calls in this game, but it was the Avalanche who capitalized on their chances late and secured a 5-2 victory.

Period 1:

Ilya Solovyov is called for an early holding call, but the Avalanche are able to kill it off. Cale Makar shakes off Ryan Lenard with a nifty spin move on the blue line and sends a wrist shot towards the net, which Parker Kelly tips in to open the scoring. That is his ninth goal of the season, officially marking a career high in goals.

Included in the goal is Alex Barre-Boulet, who was called up before the game to replace Valeri Nichushkin, and he gets the secondary assist on the goal, his first point as a Colorado Avalanche.

Then one of the most controversial calls of the season happens as Scott Wedgewood is called for tripping when a Capital knocks his stick out of his hands and trips over it behind the net. Jacob Chychrun capitalizes on the power play as he rips home a wrist shot from the blue line and in to tie the game 1-1. Josh Manson is called high-sticking, but the Avalanche kills off that penalty, and the period ends 1-1.

Period 2:

Jacob Chychrun, behind the net, goes to battle for the loose puck infront of his own net but gets called for high-sticking Ross Colton. The call is a double minor, and after review, it stands, sending the Avalanche to a 4-minute power play. Halfway through the power play, Martin Necas helps Nathan MacKinnon explode into the offensive zone with a nifty drop pass, and MacKinnon rips it to make it 2-1. 

Ivan Miroshnichenko was called for hooking, but Samuel Girard was called for holding, leading to 4-on-4 time. Aliaksei Protas called for interference, but the Avalanche can’t capitalize on it. Victor Olofsson roofs a rebound off a Manson point shot to make it 3-1. Brock Nelson with a clean face-off win to help get the puck straight to Manson, which sets up the play. Though, just 17 seconds later, Ethan Frank is wide open infront of the net to finish the pass from Ovechkin, 3-2.

Period 3:

Chychrun sends the puck over the glass and is called for delay of game. Just over 30 seconds in, Anthony Beauvillier is called for hooking, sending the Avalanche to 5-on-3 for the remaining 1:26. Unfortunately, just 23 seconds into the two-man advantage, Neslon is called for hooking, and all of the calls are killed off.

MacKinnon finds Makar cutting to the net, and he rips to make it 4-2, though the Capitals take a timeout and decide to challenge it for goaltender interference. After review, it goes to the Capitals' way, and the goal is overturned back to 3-2. Though the lead is re-gained quickly after MacKinnon steals the puck as a Capital is trying to leave their zone and feeds Artturi Lehkonen to make it 4-2 again. MacKinnon passes Peter Stastny on that goal in 2+ point games and is now 2nd in franchise history. 

MACK TO LEHKY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ZHAorLbg0N

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 19, 2026

Necas steals the puck from Rasmus Sandin behind Charlie Lindgren and finds MacKinnon to make it 5-2. That is also MacKinnon's 1,100th point and the 70th player in NHL history to reach that mark. Lindgren, with less than 20 seconds left, makes a diving stick play that trips Olofsson and is called for it.

The Avalanche are back in action on Wednesday, Jan 21, when they face off against the Anaheim Ducks.

Trade Ideas Heat Up: O’Reilly, Colton, and the Stakes in Colorado’s Cup ChaseThe Colorado Avalanche are still looking for their solution at third-line center.

The BC Hockey Hall of Fame has announced their class of 2026. Among those who will be inducted later this year is former Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green. The others who will join Green are former NHLers Josh Georges and Andrew Ladd, builders Malcom Ashford and Daryl Reaugh and the 2009 and 2010 Vernon Vipers. 

Green, who is from Castlegar, BC, started his career in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs. He recorded 341 points in 283 games, which led to him being drafted 23rd overall in 1989 by the New York Islanders. Green made his NHL debut on November 19, 1992 and scored his first goal on November 21, 1992.

Over his 14-year career, Green played 970 games while recording 455 points. During his career, he also won a World Championship in 1996 and the Spengler Cup in 2007. Green retired from the NHL after the 2006-07 season. 

After a few seasons, Green jumped behind the bench in the WHL. He started as an assistant coach with the Portland Winterhawks and led them to the Memorial Cup in 2013. Green then made his way to the AHL, where he became the head coach of the Utica Comets for four years. 

Green would eventually get his chance with the Canucks in 2017 and would spend four and a half seasons with the organization. He went 133-147-34 as head coach while also winning 10 playoff games. Green is currently the head coach of the Ottawa Senators and has been behind the bench in Ottawa for two seasons.

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Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

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Canucks Trade Kiefer Sherwood To The San Jose Sharks

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Flyers put losing streak to bed with impressive road win over Golden Knights originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers brought their season-worst losing streak to a halt Monday night by gutting out a 2-1 win over the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.

Travis Konecny delivered a big-time performance. He scored both of the Flyers’ goals on breakaways, with the second coming in the third period at shorthanded.

Amid the toughest stretch of his NHL career, Samuel Ersson had his best outing of the season.

The Flyers (23-17-8) stopped a six-game slide (0-5-1) in which they were outscored 31-12.

Rick Tocchet’s club earned a much-needed win to open a challenging three-game road trip against teams all in Western Conference playoff position.

The Flyers won in Vegas for the first time since Dec. 10, 2021, when they picked up a 4-3 decision. Carter Hart made 41 saves and Keith Yandle had two assists. Hart, now with the Golden Knights, didn’t face his old club Monday night. The former Flyers goaltender was out with a lower-body injury.

Vegas had a seven-game winning streak snapped. The Flyers split their two-game regular-season series with the Golden Knights (24-12-12). They lost to Vegas, 3-2, in overtime last month at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

• Perhaps this relieves some pressure for the Flyers.

They badly needed to grind one out and found a way to do it. The biggest positive for them was a competitive, low-scoring game, something that had totally eluded them the last five games of the losing streak.

Now the Flyers need to build on it and try to make life a little easier on themselves.

• Ersson was excellent, converting 24 saves on 25 shots.

He made a number of timely stops. The Flyers will hope this is a major jolt for his confidence.

The 26-year-old entered with an .855 save percentage and had given up 15 goals over his previous three starts.

Dan Vladar was placed on injured reserve Monday, a stint retroactive to last Wednesday. So the 28-year-old could be activated this week. Based off Tocchet’s comments two days ago, it sounds like Vladar has a chance to return Friday for the final game of the road trip.

He has missed the last three games with what the team disclosed Monday as a lower-body injury.

Golden Knights netminder Adin Hill stopped 15 of the Flyers’ 17 shots.

• The Flyers were getting annihilated on special teams over the losing streak.

Despite allowing another power play goal Monday night, the Flyers’ penalty kill went 6 for 7 and produced the game-winning marker. Konecny has 11 shorthanded goals over the last four seasons.

Vegas tied the game with 32 seconds left in the second period after Noah Cates was whistled for tripping. Tomas Hertl deflected one home from the slot.

The Flyers have surrendered nine power play goals in the last five games, but their PK was tested a lot against the Golden Knights and looked significantly stronger.

• Nick Seeler made a great defensive play to break up a 2-on-1 rush in the second period and had a huge blocked shot in the final minute of the third period.

• After missing all six losses of the Flyers’ skid with an upper-body injury, Bobby Brink returned to the lineup.

It’s not a coincidence that the Flyers were better with him back.

Lane Pederson, called up Sunday from AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, centered the Flyers’ fourth line in place of the injured Rodrigo Abols. The 28-year-old Pederson was playing his first NHL game in over 1,000 days.

• The road trip continues Wednesday when the Flyers visit the Mammoth (9 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

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There is no more tightly contested division in the NHL right now than the Atlantic, which features several clubs that just can't seem to lose. 

The main focus for fans of Hockeytown is the Detroit Red Wings, who are in a first-place tie with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the division's top spot; the Lightning have won 12 of their last 13 games. 

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs have all gone on prolonged winning streaks of their own. Only eight points separate the first seed from the fifth seed. 

For the Red Wings, they understand the importance of raising their level of competition against Atlantic Division opponents. 

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

"They mean a lot, it's a four-point game if you win in regulation, and you can get that advantage over them," Alex DeBrincat explained after scoring the overtime game-winner on Sunday evening against the Ottawa Senators, another Atlantic Division opponent. "An overtime win is good too, but I think you get more amped up for them. You see them four times a year, and there's a little bit of a rivalry there, so you have to be ready to play." 

While the Red Wings didn’t get off to the start they wanted against Ottawa, they rallied for their second win over the Senators in two weeks after a 5–3 victory on Jan. 5.

Speaking of divisional opponents, the Red Wings will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday for the fourth and final time this season, barring a matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Red Wings, who have already defeated the Maple Leafs three times this season, have been mostly playing with more energy and "juice" in the eyes of head coach Todd McLellan.  

“I think our guys have been coming to the rink with a lot of juice for all the games, which is a real good sign," McLellan said. "Now, divisional, yes, they understand the standings and circumstances of wins and losses." 

"We talk about winning season series; we’ve got four points against this team now, and they have one," he continued. "We can’t quite have the series in the bag, but it certainly helps. Our group has been coming to play....for the most part, we're there." 

Detroit has two remaining games against the Senators this season, starting with their first game in the post-Olympic break on Feb. 26, followed by the fourth and final matchup in Detroit on March 24. 

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Brandon Bussi made a few spectacular saves and the Carolina Hurricanes rode him to defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1 on Monday afternoon at the Lenovo Center.

Bussi, who has been setting NHL records since his time with Carolina, set another one on Monday. He won his first 18 NHL games in the shortest period of time in NHL history, just 22 games. His record is now 18-3-1.

A couple of Bussi’s saves were unbelievable including one against a wide open Tage Thompson where the TNT announcers thought the sharpshooter had scored and announced it as such, but the replay actually showed that the goaltender had somehow gloved the shot.

BRANDON BUSSI WITH THE SAVE OF THE YEAR?!?!

📺: @NHL_On_TNT & @StreamOnMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3Tpic.twitter.com/lGRmOnojhn

— NHL (@NHL) January 19, 2026

The Hurricanes have now won three games in a row and they are 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

Just a minute and change into the game, Rasmus Dahlin fired a shot that got past Bussi to give the visitors the early lead.

Later in the opening period, the red hot Andrei Svechnikov tied the score off another nice pass from Sebastian Aho.

Svechnikov now has five goals in the last three games and Aho has assists on all of them.

Both teams battled back and forth in an entertaining, physical match up.

Two minutes into the third period, Seth Jarvis scored a powerplay goal to give the home team a lead they would struggle to hold onto the rest of the way.

Bussi made a few saves right up until the final moment to hold the Carolina lead.

The Canes now have a couple of well earned days off before they play their next game against Chicago on Thursday night.

Game Summary – https://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20252026/GS020770.HTM

Event Summary – https://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20252026/ES020770.HTM

Interviews – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ckg9jfx3sq2eulit5lrwr/ACrYTyDQZKjcAYSVhHwE-F0?rlkey=td55hicjpc0h7av6tle09m2m1&e=1&st=iwy8n87d&dl=0

The Buffalo Sabres called up center Konsta Helenius from Rochester last week, but had the 2024 first-round pick watch a couple of games to get acclimated and one practice with the NHL club. On Monday, the 19-year-old made his NHL debut in a 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. 

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that when he got into the lineup, he wanted to see what the club’s top prospect looked like, but against the first-place Canes, the youngster was carefully spotted, accumulating just 10:47 in the contest.  This has been a trend for the veteran coach with young prospects like first-rounders Isak Rosen and Noah Ostlund, who, for most of their call-ups to Buffalo, have played on the fourth line. 

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Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

The young Finn is having an excellent second season with AHL Rochester thus far, with 30 points (9 goals, 21 assists) in 34 games, which is just five points short of his rookie season total with the Amerks. The 19-year-old was expected to be a main cog of Team Finland for the recent 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships in Minnesota, but Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen did not release Helenius to play in his third WJC. 

With the injury to center Josh Norris, Ruff leaned heavily on Tage Thompson, playing the top center nearly 23 minutes on Monday, and gave more of a workload to Ryan McLeod and Ostlund, who have shown more offense with the Sabres this season playing higher in the lineup. 

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The NHLs’ trade deadline is under two months away, and we are just a few weeks away from the Olympic roster freeze, and with that, trade chatter has begun to pick up speed. 

On Sunday, Rasmus Andersson, who’s long been considered the biggest fish on the trade market, was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, prospect Abram Wiebe, a 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional 2028 second-round pick that can become a first-round pick. 

Although they paid a hefty price to acquire the right-handed defenseman, insiders believe the Golden Knights aren’t finished just yet. One name they are reportedly targeting is St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn.

“Brayden Schenn is another name that the Golden Knights have circled around on,” said David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. 

Schenn is drawing plenty of interest on the trade market due to his experience and his two-way pedigree. Teams would feel comfortable adding him to the fold as either a second or third-line center. 

The Golden Knights are currently in need of a center amid William Karlsson’s uncertain health. He’s currently on the LTIR, and the Golden Knights haven’t been able to set a timetable for him. Schenn could be a replacement for Karlsson, as Schenn earns just $600,000 more than Karlsson.

The Golden Knights would have to address their cap situation if they want to acquire the 34-year-old Schenn. They currently have $3.8 million in cap space, but Brayden McNabb’s $3.65 million cap hit will come off the LTIR at some point. The Golden Knights will be required to trade one of their other depth forwards who earn around $2-3 million.

Schenn isn’t lighting it up offensively this season with just nine goals and 19 points in 49 games, but he’ll have two years of control, and that’s something the Golden Knights have valued in trade negotiations previously. 

In addition to the Golden Knights, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Capitals are some of the teams with reported interest. 

Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos also speculates that Schenn could be interested in playing with his brother, Luke. Both are playing for underperforming Central Division teams and are trade candidates. 

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First Period

It's a new career-high! Parker Kelly deflects a point shot from Cale Makar and it goes by Charlie Lindgren. That's Kelly's ninth goal of the season and from a scoring perspective, this is officially his best year yet as a pro. 

Scott Wedgewood was called for tripping after Anthony Beauvillier knocked his stick out of his hands and tripped over the stick a couple of strides after. Washington capitalized on the "penalty" when defenseman Jakob Chychrun ties it up on the power play with a wicked wrister that sizzled its way through traffic and by Scott Wedgewood to tie the game at one. 

It was Chychrun's 18th goal of the season, which is tied for the best in the NHL amongst defensemen.

We have 4:18 left in the opening frame and the Avalanche are going on the PK after Josh Manson was whistled for high-sticking. Colorado kills the penalty. An Ovechkin one-timer in person is always special. The sound is just different coming from the all-time leading goal scorer.

Second Period

Chychrun went to the box after high-sticking Ross Colton, drawing blood from the Avs forward. As a result, the former Arizona Coyote was handed a four-minute double minor. 

AVS TAKE THE LEAD

Martin Necas leaves the puck for Nathan MacKinnon in the neutral zone, and the "Dogg" drives it into the Capitals defensive zone and beats Lindgren with a wrister to give Colorado a 2-1 advantage. 

Shortly thereafter, we saw some 4-on-4 action as both Samuel Girard and Martin Ferhervary were each whistled for separate infractions.

Another Power Play

8:02 left in the second period and Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas tripped Zakhar Bardakov to give the Avs another shot on the man advantage. 

Both Teams Score

The Avs and the Capitals each took turns in scoring. Victor Olofsson snuck a backhander by Lindgren after Brock Nelson won the o-zone faceoff to set it up. Then, the Caps responded in similar fashion when Ethen Frank snuck past the defense and swept the backhander by Wedgewood. It's a 3-2 game with two minutes to go in period two.