New York and Seattle are both low-scoring teams that play at slow paces and rely greatly on their goaltenders.

Neither team found the back of the net in regulation — or overtime — when they met earlier this season.

While that’s unlikely to be the case again, my Islanders vs. Kraken predictions are banking on another low-scoring affair.

Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Wednesday, January 21.

Puck-drop is set for 9:30 p.m. ET at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, with the game airing on TNT.

Islanders vs Kraken prediction

Islanders vs Kraken best bet: Under 5.5 (+100)

Both of these teams have been kind to Under backers this season. The New York Islanders own an O/U record of 22-26-1, while the Seattle Kraken come in at 19-27-2.

The Islanders rank 22nd in goals per game and don’t score a lot in the best of times. Finding the net is even more challenging without Bo Horvat, who comfortably leads the team in goals despite already missing 13 games, and veteran winger Kyle Palmieri.

They have relied on Ilya Sorokin to do the heavy lifting and he has answered the bell, sporting a .915 SV% through 29 appearances.

He is likely to improve those numbers against a Kraken team sitting 25th in goals per game. Sorokin has made seven appearances vs. Bottom-10 scoring offenses this season, allowing an average of 1.86 goals while posting two shutouts.

He should be able to greatly limit the damage. So, too, should Philipp Grubauer. He owns a .917 SV% on the season and recently held low-scoring teams like the Flames, Predators, and Flyers to one goal each.

With a pair of lower-end offenses set to square off against quality goaltenders, goals will likely be difficult to come by.

Islanders vs Kraken same-game parlay

One would think shooters like Jared McCann and Brandon Montour getting healthy would take volume away from Matty Beniers. Not the case. He has averaged 2.1 shots and 4.9 attempts with those two healthy compared to 1.7 shots and 3.1 attempts without both.

The Kraken have given up the fourth-most shots to defensemen this season, setting up nicely for the offensive-minded Tony DeAngelo to get a couple of pucks on net.

Islanders vs Kraken SGP

• Under 5.5
• Matty Beniers Over 1.5 shots
• Tony DeAngelo Over 1.5 shots

Islanders vs Kraken odds

• Moneyline: Islanders -115 | Kraken -105
• Puck Line: Islanders -1.5 (+210) | Kraken +1.5 (-260)
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)

Islanders vs Kraken trend

New York has hit the Under in 14 of its last 20 away games (+9.75 Units / 44% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs. Kraken.

How to watch Islanders vs Kraken

Islanders vs Kraken latest injuries

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

The Rangers visited Los Angeles supposedly "breathing easier" –  s a couple of MSG Networks analysts noted – following the now infamous Chris Drury retread letter of surrender and false hope.

But the "easy-breathing" has ended. The 4-3 loss to the occasionally competitive Kings last night in Tinseltown hurt more than any previous defeat.

In no uncertain terms, it doomed fans to a second straight non-playoff season. (Not that it matters, but at the highest ticket prices in the NHL.)

Now it's back to the normal, "Close But No Cigar" saga for the skating YO-YOs of Seventh Avenue.

You have to understand that when the Blueshirts embarked on their four-game road trip, life in Rangerville was far different than it is now. Faint as it was, at least there was some hope.

After that dastardly 8-4 home defeat at the hands of the feeble Ottawa Senators, one totally dismaying era ended.

We entered the new world of Letters From Lord Drury. This is the very same Drury who "earned" a new contract from MSG despite managerial mistake after mistake.

The pizza man, who doubles as not only Blueshirts' President" but Lord High Executioner, decided that his 2025-26 model Rangers, which looked good in the showroom, was obsolete.

Customer warranty is about as valuable as last night's performance.

Amazingly, the Blueshirt sedan broke down so far from the NHL Finish Line, Sir Drury drew up a proclamation for all to read (and if you didn't, you may fail the upcoming test.)

In this New Drury world, leading scorer Breadman Panarin will disappear and maybe even – perish the thought – Mika Zibanejad or Vin (The Bin) Trocheck being traded as well.

What the MSG Networks' analysts are now telling us is that Lord Drury is being a benevolent despot. Meaning that his proclamation has allowed the poor, overpaid players to "breathe easy."

J.T. Miller Paints Positive Picture After Rangers' Loss To KingsThe New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/">Rangers</a> have come out empty-handed on their west coast road trip thus far, dropping a 5-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night and a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.&nbsp;

Beating the sinking  Flyers in Philly supposedly provided that "breath of fresh air."

We have to believe it was only a one-game "easy breather"  because look what happened first in Anaheim and then L.A. last night. The "fresh air" was polluted by two more ersatz performances.

In Tinseltown, the Beloved Blueshirts coughed up a game to a team that was mired in a four-game skid.straight. As for any more "easy breaths,"  Mike Sullivan's troupe may find them in San Jose where the Sharks are inhaling some fresh NHL oxygen.

The Rangers should be so lucky!

The Minnesota Wild (28-14-9) dropped its last game of the road trip in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens (28-15-7).

Montreal scored with 15 seconds left to take a 4-3 lead in the third period.

That lead held up.

Wild General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin is also Team USA's General Manager for the 2026 Olympics coming up next month.

The Canadiens have two players on their team that were left off the USA roster. Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson. Both are on the smaller side and aren't physical.

Caufield, 25, is tenth in the NHL in goals with 25 and has 49 points in 50 games. He is first in the NHL in game-winning goals with seven. All he does is score and it always is big goals at crucial times.

But he is 5-foot-8.

Hutson, 21, recorded 60 assists and 66 points during his rookie season last year and won the Calder Trophy. He has nine goals, 43 assists and 55 points in 50 games this season.

Demidov holds, fakes, and then sends it to Hutson to finish the job! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uOEue2FxNg

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 21, 2026

Not only does he lead all defensemen in the NHL in points, but Hutson ranks sixth in the NHL in assists. Only Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, Mikko Ranatanen, Nathan McKinnon and Nikita Kucherov have more assists.

So in their first game against the Wild since being left off the Olympic roster, Hutson and Caufield came up huge.

Hutson scored the go-ahead goal in the second period to give the Canadiens a 3-2 lead. Vladimir Tarasenko scored his second of the night on the power play to tie the game in the third.

That was until the Canadians scored with 15 seconds left.

Who was it?

Caufield from Hutson.

.@usahockeypic.twitter.com/jUck62SBbY

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 21, 2026

That goal was Caufield's 21st game-winning goal in the third period or in overtime since making his debut in 2020-21.

The only players with more tallies over that span are Leon Draisaitl (28), Sebastian Aho (28), Sidney Crosby (23) and Steven Stamkos (23). 

The win for the Canadiens snapped a nine-game losing streak against Minnesota.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Recent Wild Stories

Newly Acquired Defenseman Quinn Hughes Breaks Franchise Record In 18th GameQuinn Hughes rewrites Wild history, shattering a scoring record in just 18 games. Discover how his immediate impact transforms the team's offensive attack.

- Wild Place Star Winger Matt Boldy On Injured Reserve.

- Immediate Impact: Quinn Hughes' Start With The Wild Has Been Historically Fast.

- 'You Want To Get Out Of Your Zone': Why Quinn Hughes Changes The Game For The Wild.

- Wild's Jonas Brodin, Joel Eriksson Ek Named To Sweden's Olympic Roster.

- 'We Want To Compete For The Stanley Cup': Why Bill Guerin Went All In.

If there was a night to test the Kings' depth, this would be it, playing very shorthanded tonight. 

Darcy Kuemper left the game with 38 seconds left in the first period after contact in the crease. Instead of unraveling and losing its fifth consecutive game, the Kings responded with grit and a clutch performance from Anton Forsberg, snapping their four-game losing streak in the process. 

Anton Forsberg

2 + periods, 27 saves on 28 shots, 1 GA 

Thrown into the ice after Kuemper goes down, Forsberg was everything the Kings needed to win this game tonight. Staying calm, composed, and clutch, he erased several scoring chances from the Rangers and won this game for Los Angeles. 

Grade: A +

Darcy Kuemper

1 period, 6 saves on 8 shots, 2 GA

Kuemper was ruled out for the rest of the game after the first period, so grading him feels unfair because he was barely on the ice. But, overall, he wasn't off to a great start in the first period, already giving up two goals, and who knows where the game would've gone. Hopefully, the injury isn't too serious, and he returns soon.  

Grade: C

Kevin Fiala

17:43 TOI, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, + 1

When the Kings needed offense after the Rangers tied the game 1-1, he delivered to give Los Angeles some breathing room in his 700th career game. Fiala has been impressive in his last few games and was solid tonight, helping the Kings snap their losing streak.  

Grade: B

KEV IN HIS 700TH NHL GAME! pic.twitter.com/csH05crSVG

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 21, 2026

Adrian Kempe

19:01 TOI, 1 goal, 1 point, 4 shots, + 1

CLARKIE TO JUICE AND IT'S 1-0 pic.twitter.com/7Pu3SLzp5M

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 21, 2026

Adrian Kempe was great tonight, setting the tone early for Los Angeles, scoring the first goal in just 18 seconds of tipoff, which gave the Kings early momentum. Kempe was a constant threat and finished when it mattered. 

Grade: A -

Taylor Ward

9:00 TOI, 1 goal, 1 point, 2 shots

With limited minutes, give credit to Taylor Ward, who played his 8th game of the season for the Kings after getting recalled from the AHL, and tonight scored his career's first NHL goal. While he didn't dominate the statsheet, Ward helped play a reliable role on a shorthanded team, giving the Kings a 3-2 lead early in the second period.

WARDOOOO pic.twitter.com/DSKcOgxsUy

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 21, 2026

Grade: B

Andrei Kuzmenko

16:19 TOI, 1 goal, 1 point, 4 shots, + 4

THE KUZMENKSHOW IS ON pic.twitter.com/JjPASQMyr6

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 21, 2026

Andrei Kuzmenko helped put the game away when he gave the Kings a two-goal cushion lead late in the second period. His scoring touch and attack in the net all night were key in Los Angeles, generating offense when they needed it the most. Kuzmenko’s goal came at a momentum-turning point and helped the Kings regain control after an early back-and-forth match. 

Grade: A

Alex Turcotte

14:28 TOI, 1 assist, 1 point, + 2

Alex Turcotte made a great pass to Fiala, showing his excellent vision in the offensive zone. While the scoresheet doesn't show him doing much, Turcotte was solid defensively and contributed when it mattered, but didn't generate a high-impact night offensively like some of the other guys. 

Grade: C +

Coach Jim Hiller

Once Kuemper exited, the game became about control and adjustments. Give credit to Hiller for having Forsberg ready to start in the second period and trusting him to deliver down the stretch of this game. 

Grade: B

Saturday's inactives: Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar

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During the most recent episode of TSN Insider Trading, Darren Dreger reported that the Montreal Canadiens are among the teams that have expressed interest in Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri.

"I would say there's some developing interest. There is some tire-kicking from Toronto, Montreal, Colorado, LA, maybe the Dallas Stars," Dreger said about Kadri. "But there's still a lot of work to get done, and there's no rush as far as Calgary's concerned."

Hearing that the Canadiens are among the teams interested in Kadri is not surprising in the slightest. They could use another proven top-six center ahead of the playoffs, and bringing in a veteran like Kadri would give them just that. 

If the Canadiens acquired Kadri, he could slot nicely at their second-line center spot. Furthermore, he would be an obvious choice for the Canadiens' power play because of his offensive skill. 

Kadri's playoff experience could also make him a great addition to a Canadiens club looking to cement themselves as legitimate contenders. The 35-year-old has a Stanley Cup on his resume and has recorded 44 points in 52 career post-season games. 

Kadri would be more than a rental for the Canadiens if they acquired him, too. This is because he signed until the end of the 2028-29 season, where he carries a $7 million cap hit.

In 45 games so far this season with the Flames, Kadri has posted nine goals, 25 assists, and 34 points. 

The U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team has made a change to its roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics that impacts a member of the Florida Panthers.

On Wednesday, Team USA announced that Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe had been named to the Olympic roster as a replacement for Panthers blueliner Seth Jones.

Jackson LaCombe has been named to the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, replacing Seth Jones.#MilanoCortina2026

Details: https://t.co/Rb28VuWgkspic.twitter.com/lkX5Cqscpi

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 21, 2026

Jones, who suffered an upper-body injury during the 2026 NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 2 when he was hit in the shoulder/collarbone area by a deflected puck, has been out of the Panthers lineup since.

Initially, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice indicated that Jones could be back in Florida’s lineup before the Olympic break, but that appears not to be the case anymore.

According to a release by Team USA, Jones “is injured and unable to participate” in the Olympics.

The 31-year-old native of Arlington, Texas is playing in his first full season with the Panthers after being acquired at last year’s Trade Deadline.

Through 40 games, Jones has racked up 2 goals and 24 points, 13 of which coming on the power play, while earning 16 penalty minutes and skating to a minus-two on-ice rating.

The Panthers have nine games remaining until the NHL pauses for the Olympics, starting on Thursday when they begin a three-game road trip against the Winnipeg Jets.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

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Photo caption: Dec 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones (3) in the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks won the draft lottery in 2023, which allowed them to select Connor Bedard with the first overall pick on the 2023 NHL Draft.

Since then, he has blossomed into the superstar that they were hoping for. The fact that he will continue to get better makes the Blackhawks a threat to compete for championships down the line. Nothing is guaranteed at any pick in the draft, but the Blackhawks got this one right. 

Currently, Chicago boasts a wealth of talent across its various sports teams. Connor Bedard fits right in with guys like Caleb Williams and Pete Crow-Armstrong, who were just in attendance for the Blackhawks’ win over the Jets on Monday. 

GOOD MORNING CHICAGOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/BO5sm4orfC

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 20, 2026

CW18 at the #Blackhawks game rocking the Bedard sweater 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3w4NGRL2dy

— Chicago Sports Network (@CHSN__) January 20, 2026

Last week, Bedard wore a Caleb Williams Bears jersey into the United Center. Williams appreciated that, and he paid it back by attending a Blackhawks game wearing a Bedard jersey. The images of them sitting along the glass went viral across social media. 

"It's cool," Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said of Williams and PCA coming to visit Bedard. "Even that ovation (for Caleb Williams from the crowd) was incredible."

Blashill admitted that he thought a fight was going on because the crowd's reaction to seeing the other stars in town was so loud. 

"There are some really young, super-talented athletes in this city," Blashill continued. "Hopefully, all of them can really enjoy success here moving forward. It's an unmatched sports city, so it's really cool to be a part of." 

To win championships in any sport, you need elite stars who can lead the way. Connor Bedard is proving this year that he is capable of being that guy for the Blackhawks to build around. Alongside him on and off the playing surface are some amazing stars in other sports, and that group will only grow as the years go on. 

In the win over the Jets, Bedard scored his 20th goal of the season. He’d have more if he never sustained an injury, but he’s still on pace for 38 this season. That would put him right there, in terms of production, with some of the best pro athletes in town. 

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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The Colorado Avalanche have steamrolled teams at home this season, winning 20 of 24 games while averaging more than 4.5 goals per game.

My Ducks vs. Avalanche predictions see Colorado’s home success carrying forward tonight.

Let’s dive into my NHL picks for Wednesday, January 21.

Ducks vs Avalanche prediction

Ducks vs Avalanche best bet: Avalanche -1.5 (-120)

The Colorado Avalanche are the most dominant team we’ve seen in years, especially in their own building. They routinely overwhelm opponents with speed, skill, and a seemingly never-ending supply of goals.

They are 16-1-1 over their past 18 games in Colorado. Of those 16 wins, 14 came by at least two goals. Nearly 88% of their home victories over the past couple of months have come with room to spare.

Colorado hosted the Anaheim Ducks during that span and bested them 4-1. That came back in November when the Ducks were otherwise humming and looked like one of the league’s best teams.

They have since fallen off, particularly defensively. The Ducks rank 21st in shots allowed, 22nd in penalty killing percentage, and 31st in goals against. Defending has been a challenge, and their goaltenders have struggled as a result.

Anaheim is also dealing with injuries to key players. Troy Terry is banged up, and Leo Carlsson is out for the foreseeable future with a lower-body injury.

That’ll make it even more difficult to keep up with a team that has averaged 4.75 goals over its last 20 at home.

Ducks vs Avalanche same-game parlay

Sam Malinski continues to pile up the shots without Devon Toews in the lineup. He has attempted a whopping 42 shots over the past six games, clearing in five. That includes four straight hits while logging more than 20 minutes in each.

Rookie Beckett Sennecke is taking on a larger role with a couple of Anaheim’s best weapons injured. He has generated 16 shots on goal over the last three, and his average attempt output over the past 10 games (6.5) is miles above his season rate (4.2).

Ducks vs Avalanche SGP

• Avalanche -1.5
• Sam Malinski Over 1.5 shots on goal
• Bennett Sennecke Over 2.5 shots on goal

Ducks vs Avalanche odds

• Moneyline: Ducks +240 | Avalanche -300
• Puck Line: Ducks +1.5 (+110) | Avalanche -1.5 (-120)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-130) | Under 6.5 (+110)

Ducks vs Avalanche trend

The Colorado Avalanche have covered the Puck Line in 15 of their last 20 games at home (+10.85 Units / 47% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Ducks vs. Avalanche.

How to watch Ducks vs Avalanche

Ducks vs Avalanche latest injuries

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

The Vancouver Canucks will look to snap an 11-game losing streak against the Washington Capitals at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, January 21.

Washington has also dropped three straight, so my top Capitals vs. Canucks predictions and NHL picks expect both teams to pay extra attention to keeping the puck out of their net to send this total Under the number tonight. 

Capitals vs Canucks prediction

Capitals vs Canucks best bet: Under 6.5 (-135)

The Vancouver Canucks have the lowest team shooting percentage and scored just 1.41 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 and 1.82 per game during their 11-game skid.

Injuries to Filip Chytil (upper body) and Marco Rossi (lower body) have left Vancouver thin up the middle and easy to defend, with the supporting cast jumping the boards lacking a true scoring punch.

As a result, Vancouver needs to simplify its game and shift more attention to defensive detail, and I’m anticipating the heightened focus on battening down the defensive hatches to help keep this total Under the number tonight.

The Washington Capitals have allowed 13 goals across three consecutive losses, too, so look for the Caps to take a similar defensive approach tonight.

Capitals vs Canucks same-game parlay

The Canucks can hang around in a low-scoring game, and the Caps are reeling along a 6-11-3 stretch with just four wins by two goals or more. Additionally, Vancouver has positive regression ahead of its unsustainably low 5.4 team SH% at 5-on-5 during its own 11-game skid.

Vancouver also loaded up its No. 1 line with Elias Pettersson centering Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser, and Pettersson has hit the scoresheet six times during the losing skid. With Washington allowing a healthy 3.55 goals per game and fifth-most expected goals per 60 at 5-on-5 during its 20-game slide, Pettersson is positioned to pick up a point tonight.

Capitals vs Canucks SGP

• Canucks +1.5
• Under 6.5
• Elias Pettersson Over 0.5 points

Capitals vs Canucks odds

• Moneyline: Capitals -155 | Canucks +130
• Puck Line: Capitals -1.5 (+160) | Canucks +1.5 (-190)
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-135) | Under 5.5 (+115)

Capitals vs Canucks trend

The Washington Capitals have only won six of their last 20 games (-12.55 Units / -47% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Capitals vs. Canucks.

How to watch Capitals vs Canucks

Capitals vs Canucks latest injuries

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

The American Hockey League’s Board of Governors and Professional Hockey Players’ Association's full membership have ratified a collective bargaining agreement that ensures labor peace in the top layers of the sport in North America for the foreseeable future.

The AHL and PHPA announced the final step in the process Wednesday. The CBA, like that of the NHL and ECHL, is good through the summer of 2030.

“We have long had a positive relationship with our players and we look forward to continuing to work with the PHPA so that the league and our players can grow and prosper for years to come,” AHL president and CEO Scott Howson said.

The AHL agreement came together with little consternation, unlike the ECHL negotiations that led to a two-day strike out of the league’s holiday break in December. The ECHL and PHPA then worked out a CBA of their own, after 28 games had been postponed.

The AHL, the top developmental league that feeds into the NHL, is in the middle of its 90th season.

“This agreement delivers important gains for our members while providing long-term certainty across the league,” PHPA executive director Brian Ramsay said. “This was a collaborative and disciplined bargaining process that resulted in a strong agreement for our membership.”

___

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

Goals will be at a premium at the Scotiabank Saddledome with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames hitting the ice on Wednesday, January 21.

My top Penguins vs. Flames predictions and NHL picks are calling for a low-scoring bout with Calgary eking out the victory tonight.

Penguins vs Flames prediction

Penguins vs Flames best bet: Under 5.5 (+110)

Both the Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins have been tidy defensively out of the holiday break, respectively ranking first and third in penalty-kill percentage. 

Calgary has allowed the seventh-fewest goals per game (2.67), and Pittsburgh has been even better with just 2.17 against per game to rank second in the league. 

The Flames have also allowed the second-fewest goals per home game this season (2.35), and No. 1 Dustin Wolf has shown off with a .924 save percentage and 2.16 GAA across his 19 starts in Cowtown. He posted equally impressive .921 and 2.33 home marks last season, too.

Penguins vs Flames same-game parlay

The Flames' strong defensive numbers have paved the way to go 13-7-3 on home ice, and they’ve also driven possession with a 51.8 Corsi For percentage and posted the fourth-highest team save percentage at 5-on-5.

Pittsburgh is missing No. 1 defenseman Erik Karlsson (lower body), too.

Turning to the final leg of this same-game parlay, Calgary forward Yegor Sharangovich has been putting more pucks on net recently and has recorded two or more shots in seven of his past 10 games for 23 total on 46 attempts.

Penguins vs Flames SGP

• Flames moneyline
• Under 5.5
• Yegor Sharangovich Over 1.5 shots on goal

Penguins vs Flames odds

• Moneyline: Penguins -110 | Flames -110
• Puck Line: Penguins -1.5 (+220) | Flames +1.5 (-270)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)

Penguins vs Flames trend

The Calgary Flames have covered the puck line in 16 of their last 20 games at home (+18.35 Units / 57% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Flames.

How to watch Penguins vs Flames

Penguins vs Flames latest injuries

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

The Nashville Predators (23-22-4) couldn’t quite get out of their own way Friday night, falling 5-3 to the Buffalo Sabres (27-17-5) as rookie Konsta Helenius delivered a coming-out performance.

Helenius, Buffalo’s No. 14 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, scored his first NHL goal and added two assists for the first three points of his career, factoring into three of the Sabres’ five goals.

At 19 years old, Helenius became the youngest Finnish player to score his first NHL goal since Kaapo Kakko in 2019.

Nashville had stretches where it carried play and generated looks, but breakdowns in coverage and slow reads off the rush kept tilting the ice back toward Buffalo.

Each time the Predators started to build momentum, the Sabres found a way to answer, with Helenius at the center of it.

"We had the momentum and control of the game, but just the hole we dug was too deep," Center Ryan O'Reilly said. "We're gonna have times where we lose momentum, and things don't go our way, but to do it for a full period that's not us. 
You can't be doing that. It's too tough." 

The rookie Helenius also became the seventh Finnish teenager in NHL history to record a three-point game, joining names like Patrik Laine, Sebastian Aho and Aleksander Barkov.

The Predators pushed late and made the scoreline respectable, but the early damage proved too much to overcome. Nashville will look for a cleaner start and tighter defensive execution as it continues its homestand.

"You learn from it, move on," head coach Andrew Brunette said. "Obviously, we're disappointed. There's no consolation, but you saw the team we can be when we get going."

Up next: Ottawa Senators (23-19-7, 8th Atlantic) at Nashville Predators (23-22-4, 5th Central) on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. CST at Bridgestone Arena. 

The Vancouver Canucks (16-28-5) continue their homestand on Wednesday as they face the Washington Capitals. Vancouver enters this game looking not just to end an 11-game losing streak, but pick up their first win of 2026. As for the Capitals, they have also hit a rough patch of late as they enter Wednesday with a 3-6-1 record in their last 10. 

While the Canucks did skate away with a victory the last time these two teams played, it was a costly game for Vancouver. The Canucks sustained multiple injuries, with Teddy Blueger and Filip Chytil yet to return to the lineup since the October 19 matchup. Based on Adam Foote's comments this week, Blueger may be ready to come off IR on Wednesday, which would provide the team a massive boost at center ice. 

The big question heading into this game is, will the losing streak finally end? Vancouver has not won a game since December 29, while their last home victory came on December 6. Even though a loss hurts the tank, picking a win in front of the home crowd every once in a while would be appreciated. 

Players To Watch:

Filip Hronek:

Filip Hronek has stepped up his game since the Quinn Hughes trade. The 28-year-old played 28:01 on Monday and has already surpassed the 25-assist mark for the third straight season. Hronek has become a leader on the ice for the Canucks and is showing he can be a successful top pair defenceman regardless of who is partner is. 

Alex Ovechkin:

Wednesday could be the final time fans get to see Alex Ovechkin play at Rogers Arena. The NHL's all-time leading goal scorer hasn't indicated whether he will play next year or not, but he is an unrestricted free agent after the season. If this is the end of the road for the "Great 8", he has certainly made his presence known in Vancouver, as he has 16 goals and 27 points in 29 career games against the Canucks. 

Vancouver Canucks (16–28–5): 

Points: 

Elias Pettersson: 13–16–29

Filip Hronek: 3–25–28

Jake DeBrusk: 12–10–22

Brock Boeser: 10–12–22

Linus Karlsson: 10-12-22

Goaltenders: 

Thatcher Demko: 8–10–1

Kevin Lankinen: 6–14–4

Nikita Tolopilo: 2–3–0

Jiří Patera: 0–1–0

Washington Capitals (24–20–6): 

Points: 

Tom Wilson: 22-20-42

Alex Ovechkin: 20-22-42

John Carlson: 9-29-38

Dylan Strome: 11-26-37

Jakob Chychrun: 18-18-36

Goaltenders: 

Logan Thompson: 17-14-4

Charlie Lindgren: 7-6-2

Game Information: 

Start time: 7:00 pm PT 

Venue: Rogers Arena 

Television: Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 650 

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After losing to the Minnesota Wild for the last nine games, the Montreal Canadiens were finally able to put an end to that losing streak by taming their pet peeve. It wasn’t always easy, even against a team that was playing its third game in four nights, but when all was said and done after 60 minutes, the Habs had scored one more goal than the Wild, even if they scored the last one with just 15 seconds left.

For the first time since November 15, Kirby Dach was playing, and while there was some understandable rust, he didn’t look out of place playing alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the first line. He spent almost 17 minutes on the ice despite missing over two months of action.

Canadiens’ Prospect On The Verge Of Making History
Canadiens Facing Big Patrik Laine Decision
Canadiens: Kent Hughes’ Best move

Message Received

After mustering just 16 shots in regulation in their dramatic overtime win over the Ottawa Senators, the Canadiens did a lot of shooting at Monday’s practice in Brossard, and it showed. Martin St-Louis’ men had heard the message loud and clear, and they were shooting from left, right, and center throughout the first frame, reaching 15 shots, just one short of their Saturday night output.

Furthermore, they only allowed Minnesota to take two shots in the first 20 minutes, in what was perhaps their most dominant period of the season, even if the scoreboard didn’t make that overly obvious.

Tour de passe-passe signé Demi et Lane ✍️

Demi-Lane connection just simply hits different#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/nE6LTMpZoz

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 21, 2026

Montreal did struggle to get pucks on net at the start of the third frame, though, even though they enjoyed a power play. As the coach mentioned, their power play didn’t give them any momentum tonight, but there will be games like that. After 10 minutes, they had no shots, but once the Wild had equalized, they managed to test Jesper Wallstedt nine times, and the last one was the right one.

It Was A Struggle

If the Canadiens played well both offensively and defensively, Jakub Dobes struggled in net. It’s hard to fault him on the first goal, which came on a Vladimir Tarasenko one-timer on the power play, but the other two goals shouldn’t have gone in.

On the second one, Brock Faber took a shot that wasn’t all that strong from the blueline, and it wasn’t deflected, or at least not by anyone other than Dobes himself, who got some of it with his glove, but not enough, and the puck ended in the net.

It was the third goal that was the most unsettling, however, since the netminder lost his balance without being touched by anyone else, which unsteadied him, and less than 15 seconds later, the puck was in the net. Dobes has never been perfect from a technical standpoint, but if he loses his positioning when it’s not provoked, it won’t end well.

Oftentimes, he doesn’t look in control in the net, just like earlier in the third frame when he was scrambling madly to try to get the puck that was bouncing on the ice in the middle of traffic. He ended up looking like a bear skin in front of a fireplace back in the 1980’s, and while he didn’t have control of the puck, he mercifully got a quick whistle.

Since Jacob Fowler was sent back to the Laval Rocket, neither Dobes nor Samuel Montembeault has been very convincing in net.

Clutch Caufield

Once again, Cole Caufield came up clutch for the Canadiens, scoring his league-leading seventh game-winning goal of the season. There’s no denying that the sniper has talent, but he also has great instinct. Speaking after the game, St. Louis explained:

He takes a shot from there that’s not necessarily his spot, but it’s where the game was asking him to go, based on where everybody else was on the ice. We had a lot of motion […], but you have to have balance inside that motion. Danault was at the net, guys changed spots a lot during that sequence, Suzi ended up on the right, and then Cole came and supported that, to keep us in balance. It doesn’t guarantee he’s going to get it, but when you’re playing balanced, the guy who has the puck has options.

- Martin St-Louis on Caufield

That’s what’s special about Caufield: his ability to read the play and make the right decision. That’s the reason why a guy who many called “too small” can score so many goals in the NHL. Tonight’s lamplighter was his 25th of the season, meaning he’s on pace for 41 on the year.

Jamais douté

Never a doubt#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/M0pJvBZz3y

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 21, 2026

It truly is surprising that Team USA considered that it didn’t need that kind of goal-scoring ability or that capacity to score when it matters the most.

The Canadiens will be back on the ice in Brossard on Wednesday morning to get ready for Thursday night’s duel with the Buffalo Sabres.

---

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Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

Simon Nemec played the hero again as he tallied the overtime game-winner to give the Devils a 2-1 win on Monday. Lenni Hameenaho made his NHL debut, and Luke Hughes left the game with an injury. [Devils NHL]

Truly a cursed season:

Sounds like initial diagnosis was #njdevils Luke Hughes dislocated his shoulder tonight in Calgary.

Will await word from Devils postgame and potential timeline as he continues to be evaluated.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 20, 2026

I'm told #NJDevils defenseman Luke Hughes is consulting with his Colorado doctor.

Earlier today, HC Sheldon Keefe told reporters in Edmonton it is going to take a bit to know the full extent of what he is dealing with.

— Kristy Flannery (@InStilettos_NHL) January 20, 2026

Then on Tuesday, the Devils scored twice and held on for dear life in the third period against Connor McDavid and the Oilers to take a 2-1 win. [Devils NHL]

What life is like on the bench for the Devils: “Obviously, the coach can help a little bit, which he does, just addressing some structural things. But if guys aren’t going, if everyone is kind of lagging behind, you have to drag each other into the fight.” [The Hockey News]

Could the Leafs be a potential fit for a Dougie Hamilton trade? [The Athletic ($)]

“Should the New Jersey Devils be buyers this season? That depends. Rentals are out of the equation unless they go on some insane Buffalo Sabres-like heater over the next few weeks. That seems unlikely, though, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be buyers. Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald should be looking to add pieces that will help the team beyond the 2025-26 season, but there is a certain type of player he should be targeting.” [Devils on the Rush ($)]

John MacLean talks about notable moments in his career, the late Pat Burns and plenty more ahead of his induction into the Devils Ring of Honor on Jan. 27: [NHL.com]

Hockey Links

Where might Artemi Panarin end up in a trade? A look at a few potential destinations: [The Athletic ($)]

Linus Ullmark talks about his absence from the Senators: “The real reason is mental health. And there’s been a lot going on for a long time. I would say dating back to, ever since the trade, and a lot of things have been positive as well throughout the years or these times. But a lot of the things that I had gone through or worried about hasn’t really been dealt with in the right way. And so, things have been piling on – off the ice, on the ice, stuff like that. And it comes a time – and you never know when – where the cup starts to overflow.” [TSN]

Goalie fight!

GREATEST SPORT IN THE WORLD pic.twitter.com/EW7dmrub7f

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) January 20, 2026

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.