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CHICAGO- Ahead of Monday night's matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, news came out that Connor Bedard would not be playing. This has nothing to do with an injury. He came down with the "stomach bug" that the whole team has been dealing with over the last week. 

Colton Dach, who was initially scheduled to be a healthy scratch, ended up drawing into the lineup in Bedard's spot. While Connor Bedard was out with his shoulder trouble, the team started to learn how to play as a team without him. His absence was never going to be an excuse in this matchup. 

In the first period, Connor McDavid ended his career-high point streak to 19 games on a goal that put Edmonton up 1-0. He sent a pass to Evan Bouchard, who centered the puck into the net off of Zach Hyman. That 1-0 score would hold to the end of the first. 

16 seconds into the second period, Evan Bouchard slid one behind Spencer Knight to make it 2-0. Connor McDavid also collected an assist on this goal. That would be the end of scoring in the middle frame. 

In the final frame, it looked like the Oilers were on their way to skating out of Chicago with a shutout victory. However, Tyler Bertuzzi brought some life back into the United Center by scoring his 24th of the season off a Wyatt Kaiser rebound. 

The Blackhawks were unable to do anything with this momentum. Eventually, Bouchard scored his second of the game into the empty net to make it 3-1. That wasn't enough for Edmonton, however, as Leon Draisaitl took advantage of a Wyatt Kaiser turnover in front of the net and made it 4-1 twelve seconds after the empty netter. 

It is difficult enough to beat the Oilers when they have forwards like McDavid and Draisaitl leading the way, but you can't give them easy chances like that and expect good results. 

The score was not indicative of how close the Blackhawks made it in the end, but they don't feel like they played well either. A lot of passes made their way through seams without sticks being properly placed by defenders.

There were also long stretches of time during which Edmonton controlled play and kept Chicago from getting any zone time. Their neutral zone work was a big key to their win. 

Both goaltenders were magnificent in this one. Connor Ingram made 29 saves on 30 shots, while Spencer Knight made 33 saves on 36 shots. 

One positive note about the Blackhawks is their penalty kill. For one, they only gave the Oilers two power plays. Secondly, they didn't give up a goal to the power play that is atop the NHL by a lot. Chicago's penalty kill remains in the top three. 

Teuvo Teravainen left the game after the first period and didn't return. It was thought that he may have gotten the illness as well, but Jeff Blashill confirmed it was an upper-body injury. He did not say he will miss any time beyond this game and that he'll know more on Wednesday. 

With everyone who was sick last week back to start this week at morning skate, it looked like they were going to have a healthy group for this match against the Oilers. Then, Connor Bedard fell ill to throw a wrench in that. Only time will tell if anyone else gets hit before their next practice, which will be on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. 

Watch Every Chicago Goal

big fans of this⬇️🙂‍↕️ pic.twitter.com/KEiY67x1Et

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 13, 2026

What’s Next For The Blackhawks?

The Blackhawks are back in action on Thursday night at the United Center. The other team from Alberta, the Calgary Flames, will be in town. 

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Heading into the summer of 2026, the Pittsburgh Penguins were set to have 13 expiring contracts on the books. 

Well, they have reduced that number to 12.

On Monday, the Penguins inked pending-unrestricted free agent center Blake Lizotte to a three-year contract extension, the team announced. The deal comes in at an average annual value of $2.25 million, which is a raise on Lizotte's current contract that pays him $1.85 million annually. 

The 28-year-old from Lindstrom, Minn. has been a key part of the Penguins' lineup this season, registering five goals and 10 points in 35 games while being a key part of their penalty kill unit as well as a steady defensive presence. The Penguins went 1-8 without Lizotte in the lineup due to an injury during the month of December, and they are 6-2 since his return. 

In general, the Penguins are in a much better spot than most thought they would be in at this point in time. They're just one point out of a playoff spot with at least a game in hand on all but two of the teams above them in the standings, they're 7-3 in their last 10 games, and they have more forward depth this season than they've had in recent memory. 

And Lizotte's signing, even if small on the surface, is the latest in a line of moves that suggest the Penguins may already be in the process of changing gears. 

A few weeks ago - and just after an eight-game losing streak threatened to bury their season before the holiday break - the Penguins made a move to acquire winger Egor Chinkahov from the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was the first time the Penguins really went out and "bought" a player since the Jake Guentzel trade back in the spring of 2024, spending a 2026 second-round pick as well as a 2027 third - plus forward Danton Heinen - to get the deal across the finish line. 

Penguins Sign Forward To Multi-Year ExtensionThe Penguins are keeping this forward around.

Now, about two weeks later, the Penguins re-sign Lizotte, someone who very easily could have fetched a decent return for them at the trade deadline. Every contending team could use a player like Lizotte in their bottom-six, as he is fast, tenacious, elite defensively, and good on the forecheck. 

Going into the 2025-26 season, the Penguins - by many measures - were supposed to be near the bottom of the standings. With so many pending-UFAs and RFAs - and several more such as Anthony Mantha, Justin Brazeau, and Arturs Silovs added to the roster in some capacity - it became somewhat apparent that the team was probably hoping to flip some of these players for more assets and draft capital at the trade deadline. 

Well, at least that's what was assumed. Because, even GM and POHO Kyle Dubas said at conclusion of the 2024-25 season that the Penguins making the playoffs in 2025-26 would be "an accomplishment." But, intentionally or not, those very acquisitions, plus a few others, have all helped steer the Penguins toward contention instead of merely performing well while the team is bottoming out. 

The Early Returns For Egor Chinakhov Are Encouraging Egor Chinakhov is fitting in nicely with the Pittsburgh Penguins since they traded for him.

So, perhaps the focus and the narrative has shifted a bit. 18-year-old rookie center Ben Kindel - drafted 11th overall in 2025 - has been a revelation at the NHL level this season and has certainly made an impact far sooner than anyone could have expected. 19-year-old defenseman Harrison Brunicke - although recently optioned back to his junior team - also began the season with the NHL club and showed flashes of potential. Rutger McGroarty, Filip Hallander, and Ville Koivunen have also seen a chunk of NHL ice this season between injuries and recalls. And there is more youth on the way.

The Penguins have managed to combine their youth and development movement, their long-tenured veterans, and those offseason acquisitions to foster a competitive team. Or, at least, a more competitive team than folks thought they would be. 

What the Lizotte signing - and the Chinakhov trade - signals is that the Penguins are prioritizing winning hockey games. Of course, signing an effective bottom-six forward for a relatively low cap hit, especially with the cap going up, doesn't seem like a big move on the surface. But the fact that the Penguins, once again, "bought" on a player - one they easily could have sold instead for future capital - says a lot about what their aims are for the rest of the season.

'I'm Lucky To Be Able To Play With Him': Penguins' Rookie Relishes Opportunity To Center All-Time GreatPittsburgh Penguins' rookie Ben Kindel is experiencing a rare opportunity to center an all-time great NHL player in Evgeni Malkin - and he hopes to make the most of it.

This is a better team with Lizotte on it. He helps them win hockey games, and Dubas and the Penguins know this. If asset collection was still the primary focus of this organization, they would not have bought on Chinakhov or extended Lizotte. That doesn't mean that they won't sell off any assets by the trade deadline - depending on where the team is at standings-wise - it just means that they won't sell players for the purpose of selling and collecting as much draft capital as possible.

Pittsburgh already has 15 picks within the first three rounds accumulated for the next three NHL drafts. If they want to, they can recoup more. But, as things stand now, they are clearly focused on winning this season because the team willed it so. And Dubas has rewarded his team's performance with the Chinakhov and Lizotte moves.

Now, we just have to wait and see how the Penguins respond and perform prior to Mar. 6.

Chinakhov Trade Shows Penguins Are Starting To Shift GearsKyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins traded for Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, and it could be a sign of things to come over the next several months.

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On a night all about honoring Sergei Fedorov, the Detroit Red Wings made sure to end the evening with a flair for the dramatic.

Andrew Copp scored in overtime for the Red Wings, converting on a centering pass from teammate Alex DeBrincat to give his team a 4-3 overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena. 

THAT'S ANOTHER #REDWINGS WIN! #LGRWpic.twitter.com/5RGg9UKwbr

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 13, 2026

The Red Wings, who had built up a 3-0 lead through 40 minutes of play, allowed their lead to slip away thanks to a trio of Hurricanes goals in the third period. However, it was Copp who ensured that Detroit kept pace with Carolina for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. 

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Before the game, Fedorov's iconic No. 91 jersey number was raised to the rafters in a special ceremony that included several of his former teammates, as well as the Stanley Cup, the Hart Trophy, and the Frank J. Selke Trophy. 

Fedorov's rousing speech in which he thanked Red Wings fans earned multiple standing ovations from the sellout crowd, who continued to bring that energy after the opening puck drop.

James van Riemsdyk continued to be a force for Detroit in front of the net, scoring his 12th goal of the season after burying a rebound past goaltender Frederik Andersen. 

Goals from Alex DeBrincat and Albert Johansson gave the Red Wings a 3-0 lead which they took into the third period, only to watch Carolina fight their way back into the contest. 

They got back to within one goal after tallies from Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis, and while on a late 5-on-3 power-play chance, former Red Wings defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere knotted the score at 3-3 with a wrist shot past goaltender John Gibson's blocker. 

Ultimately, it would be the Red Wings who earned the extra point thanks to Copp, and they are now tied with them for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. 

Gibson improved to 13-2 in his last 15 total games, making 31 saves. Andersen countered with 14 saves. 

The Red Wings will be back on the ice in less than 24 hours, as they travel to Boston for a tilt against the Bruins. 

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After two consecutive blowout losses, one thing is clear: the Philadelphia Flyers still have a long way to go before thinking themselves part of the NHL's top playoff pack.

The Flyers are, at the time of this writing, still sitting comfortably at 11th in the NHL with their 22-14-8 record and 52 points, but three games--6 points--separate them from as low as 25th in the league.

If the special teams continue to misfire and stall out, as they did against the Tampa Bay Lightning, once again, on Monday night, that free fall becomes a distinct possibility.

The Lightning, on the strength of Brayden Point (knee) and Brandon Hagel, scored on two of their four power play attempts, while the Flyers stumbled to 0-for-2 on the night.

And, not only did the Flyers not score, but they failed to do so at the most inopportune times, considering the context of the game and trailing for all but the first 1:10 of the contest.

It should be noted, too, that the Flyers actually out-hit the Lightning 32-10 on Monday night, which is just proof that you cannot put wrestlers up against sprinters in a race and hope to win.

Top Flyers Prospect Dominating Upon Return from International TournamentWhile the 2026 World Junior Championships went awry in a hurry, this top <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> prospect is taking his revenge out on the NCAA.

Speaking of wrestling, it was encouraging that players like Rodrigo Abols and Nikita Grebenkin threw their weight around all night and then backed it up in their respective fights.

Grebenkin, 22, could have easily backed down as the young, inexperienced player, but instead tussled with the larger, older Max Crozier, took him down, landed some uppercuts, and taunted him after, much to the appreciation of Xfinity Mobile Arena's Pride Night crowd.

Generally, though, the Flyers' frustration with two losses in a row to Tampa Bay--which come at a combined score of 12-3--manifested in more ways than just physically.

Trevor Zegras slammed his stick on the ice and on the bench door multiple times, Travis Konecny was ejected for abuse of the officials, and even Dan Vladar ended up chasing Yanni Gourde around his net at some point.

For the second game in a row, the Lightning were too fast and too good for the Flyers, and the Flyers had no answers for it.

As for someone like Matvei Michkov, who should be a go-to difference-maker in games where the Flyers trail early and often, head coach Rick Tocchet says the 21-year-old is "easily checked" and "looks like he just got stuck in mud sometimes."

The difference between Tocchet and John Tortorella when it comes to handling Michkov is staggering, and it has reflected on the ice and statistically.

'F--king Amazing': Flyers' Trevor Zegras Has Found a Permanent NHL HomeFor all intents and purposes, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> can officially be considered the permanent NHL home of Trevor Zegras, who is enjoying every moment of the new lease on life he's found in his career.

When a franchise-changing talent like Michkov is virtually invisible and made to play in ways that run counter to his skillset, how much of a chance do the Flyers really have in the long run?

A coin flip, according to MoneyPuck, who had the Flyers' playoff chances drop from 57.8% to 51.8% following the regulation loss to Tampa Bay.

Veterans like Sean Couturier and Nick Seeler, who witnessed firsthand the collapse of the 2023-24 season, chalked this one up to consistency and generally not playing well enough, but that cannot be the case in every loss to a good team for the rest of the season.

If it is, well, we have new knowledge about the Flyers and where they are in this rebuild thing.

It's not all doom and gloom yet, but consecutive thrashings at the hands of the Lightning will assuredly teach the Flyers just what it's like to go head-to-head with a top-tier playoff team several games in a row like they would in a series.

These last two games were a gut check for the Flyers and have now established the standard of performance going forward.

The Florida Panthers were looking to build some momentum after a strong win in Ottawa over the weekend.

Florida went into the barn of the hottest team in the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres, and picked up a gutty 4-2 victory.

The Panthers got things started early, thanks to an interference penalty on Josh Doan that was drawn by rookie Sandis Vilmanis.

Carrying the puck along the Sabres blue line, Uvis Balinskis sent a flat wrist shot toward the net that was deflected by Sam Reinhart on its way past Colten Ellis just 2:35 into the game.

Buffalo tied the score about midway through the period on a long shot by Jacob Bryson that got past a screened Sergei Bobrovsky, give some life to the fans inside KeyBank Center.

The excitement didn’t last long though thanks to A.J. Greer.

On a rush that started in Florida’s zone, Greer and Sam Bennett played the give-and-go game while going up the ice, with Greer eventually firing a long wrister from the top of the right circle that got past Ellis’ glove to send Florida into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.

The advantage held for Florida until late in the second period.

Tage Thompson sent a hard shot on Bobrovsky from a sharp angle that was stopped by the goaltender, but Zach Benson was able to outwrestle Aaron Ekbald to the loose puck in the crease and slide it over the goal line with 2:03 left in the middle frame.

Florida earned their third lead of the game just past the midway point of the third period.

Anton Lundell fired a backhand shot that Ellis stopped, but he couldn’t control the rebound and Eetu Luostarinen was able to push the puck back to Lundell at the side of the net.

He swept the puck into the net, giving the Panthers a 3-2 lead with 8:53 to go.

An empty-net goal by Greer, his second of the game and ninth of the season, cemented the victory for Florida, their second straight, despite a goal by Buffalo with 12.1 to go.

On to Carolina.

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Photo caption: Jan 12, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)

The San Jose Sharks suffered an ugly 7-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 11. Former Sharks forward Tomas Hertl was a major reason for the Golden Knights' blowout win. 

Hertl put together a monster game for the Golden Knights against the Sharks, as he recorded two goals, three assists, and five points during the contest. With this, there is no question that Hertl was on fire against his former club.

Yet, this was only the latest big performance by Hertl, as he has been on a major hot streak as of late. Due to this, he was recently rewarded for it by the NHL. 

The NHL has announced that Hertl is the league's First Star of the Week from Jan. 5 to Jan. 11. When looking at how well the former Sharks star performed, it is very easy to understand why.

Hertl simply dominated during this past week for the Golden Knights, as he recorded three goals, six assists, and nine points in just four games. With numbers like these, it is clear that the former Shark is playing some fantastic hockey right now. 

With his ongoing hot streak, Hertl now has 18 goals, 21 assists, and 39 points in 44 games so far this season with the Golden Knights. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets and GM Don Waddell made a surprise decision to fire head coach Dean Evason on Monday. 

Even though Columbus is about 2,000 miles away from Los Angeles, that doesn't mean Los Angeles Kings coach Jim Hiller can't be affected by the changes within the Blue Jackets organization.

Kings fans have been asking for a Hiller dismissal for months now, and Evason's sacking will only increase the pressure on Hiller's job security.

In their respective conferences, the Kings and Jackets are not in the same place. 

Los Angeles is currently in a playoff position, the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. In the meantime, Columbus is last in the Eastern Conference, seven points out of a playoff berth.

While they seem far apart, they're really not when you look at each team's record and points total so far this season.

Going into their clash with the Dallas Stars, the Kings have a 19-15-10 record with 48 points. In contrast, the worst team in the East has a 19-19-7 record and 45 points. 

Kings Vs Stars Game Preview: Kings Looking To Win Back to Back GamesThe Kings are looking to win back-to-back games after defeating Edmonton in a Shootout on Saturday.

Just three points separate the two teams - the Kings with playoff hopes, and the Blue Jackets with lottery hopes.

If the Blue Jackets believed it was time to make a change behind the bench for performance reasons, how far away are the Kings from thinking the same way?

In addition to the Blue Jackets' position not being far off from the Kings, there's now another NHL bench boss at home waiting to pounce on another opportunity to coach in the league.

Throughout the season, there have been several conversations and rumors about Pete DeBoer filling in if Hiller were ever to get fired.

Why Jim Hiller Is Quietly Sliding Toward The Hot Seat In Los AngelesLess than a year ago, Jim Hiller tied a franchise record for points and had the Kings playing strong night in and night out. The future was looking bright with Hiller and Los Angeles, but a year later, the Kings have one of the worst power plays and are currently out of the playoff picture.

DeBoer has been a successful coach wherever he's gone. He led the Stars to three straight Western Conference finals, as well as another two in tenures with the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights.

Now, Evason, a solid NHL coach, is also available if Los Angeles' brass were interested in making a coaching change. 

Not to mention another coach who has had plenty of playoff success and even a Stanley Cup to his name, Peter Laviolette.

The hot seat under Hiller has just got hotter.

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