EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Celtic missed its chance to close the gap on Heart of Midlothian on Sunday after conceding late to draw 2-2 with the Scottish Premiership leader.
Claudio Braga's 87th-minute goal at Tynecastle Park leveled the game and kept first-place Hearts six points clear of the defending champion.
But the draw saw Rangers move up to second and within four points of Hearts with a 3-0 win against Dundee.
Hearts is the surprise leader in Scotland in a league that has long been dominated by Celtic and Rangers.
Celtic has lost two managers already this term — following the departure of Brendan Rodgers and the dismissal of Wilfried Nancy — and is being led by club icon Martin O'Neill on an interim basis for the second time this season.
Yet it remains in contention at the top and looked to pick up a vital win at Hearts when Yang Hyun-jun opened up a 2-1 lead in the 62nd.
But the visitors went down to 10 men when Auston Trusty was sent off 15 minutes later.
Hearts eventually made the numerical advantage count with Braga's equalizer.
Celtic had taken an early lead through Benjamin Nygren, but Stuart Findlay made it 1-1 just after halftime.
James Tavernier, Danilo and Djeidi Gassama struck in Rangers' win against Dundee at Ibrox, with two of those goals coming in time added on.
Aaron Judge’s biggest supporter was by his side for a celebratory Saturday night.
Over the weekend, the Yankees superstar was joined by his wife, Samantha, at the 2026 BBWAA [Baseball Writers’ Association of America] dinner in New York, where he was honored with his second consecutive AL MVP award.
Dressed in a beautiful burgundy gown, Samantha smiled as she posed next to Judge, 33, who looked dapper in a black tux.
Samantha and Aaron Judge at the 2026 BBWAA Awards Dinner in NYC on Jan. 24, 2026. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Judge, a seven-time MLB All-Star, made history in November when he became the fourth player in Yankees history to clinch a third AL MVP title with the club, joining the esteemed company of Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio. He won his first AL MVP prize in 2022.
“I never came into this game chasing awards or chasing anything but getting a chance to win and leaving the game better than I found it,” Judge said in a conference call at the time. “If I won by one vote or 20 votes, it really didn’t matter in my eyes.”
Before Judge delivered his acceptance speech Saturday, his close friend and former teammate, Anthony Rizzo, took the mic and gushed over Samantha’s presence in Judge’s life.
“Sam, without you — and getting to know you over all these years — without you, Aaron is not a three-time MVP, and I mean that sincerely. You are such a rock for him, and what you bring, your steady presence, is amazing,” Rizzo said, according to Yankees Source.
Aaron Judge, here in October 2025, is a three-time AL MVP winner. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The couple became first-time parents in January 2025 with the birth of their daughter, Nora Rose.
“What an incredible week it’s been, can’t wait for the memories the three of us make,” Judge said in an Instagram post announcing his daughter’s birth.
Judge hit 53 home runs in 2025. He also earned the first batting title of his career with an average of .331.
The dozens of men’s college basketball games that took place on Saturday, Jan. 24 were defined by a slew of eyebrow-raising efforts from what’s being hailed as the best freshman class in years.
Illinois’ Keaton Wagler scored 46 points – more than double his previous career high – in an upset win at No. 4 Purdue, projected No. 1 overall NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa poured in a career-high 43 points in BYU’s victory over rival Utah and even in a losing effort, Houston’s Kingston Flemings had 42 points in a loss at No. 12 Texas Tech. According to ESPN research, it marked the first time in at least 20 years that multiple freshmen scored 40 or more points in a single day.
One of the more notable performances of the day came from someone who was playing in the G League a week ago.
In his first college game since 2023, Alabama’s Charles Bediako had 13 points, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 25 minutes in a 79-73 loss to Tennessee.
Bediako’s return had been one of the most controversial and breathlessly discussed subjects in the sport for much of the week. After playing two seasons for Alabama, from 2021-23, the seven-foot center declared for the NBA draft and played the next three seasons in the G League, most recently for the Motor City Cruise. Though Bediako has been playing professional basketball for the past three years, he has never played in an NBA game.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, he filed a request to Tuscaloosa County (Alabama) Circuit Court for a temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction, with a Judge James Roberts Jr. granting a temporary restraining order the following day that made Bediako immediately eligible to suit up for coach Nate Oats and the No. 17 Crimson Tide.
Under the terms of the restraining order, Bediako is eligible until his next injunction hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 27, which means the Tennessee loss could end up being the only game he plays.
"Right now I'm just focused on the team," Bediako said after the game. "Obviously, I'm just going to take what happened today, just continue to do the film, and right now our main focus is on this next game (against Missouri)."
Bediako made five of his six field-goal attempts in the loss to the Volunteers.
He was much more productive than many other former G League players who have joined college basketball teams for this season. Thierry Darlan is averaging just 6.5 points per game for Santa Clara, big man Abdullah Ahmed is averaging only 2.8 points in 14.8 minutes per game for No. 13 BYU, and London Johnson has yet to play in a game for No. 21 Louisville. James Nnaji, a seven-foot center who was selected in the 2023 NBA Draft and has played professionally in Europe, has only 10 points in six games for Baylor.
The trend of former professional players joining the college ranks has earned ire from across the sport and from the NCAA itself, which voiced its disapproval with the judge’s ruling on Bediako.
"These attempts to sidestep NCAA rules and recruit individuals who have finished their time in college or signed NBA contracts are taking away opportunities from high school students," the NCAA said in a statement on Wednesday. "A judge ordering the NCAA let a former NBA player take the court Saturday against actual college student-athletes is exactly why Congress must step in and empower college sports to enforce our eligibility rules."
Panthers vs Blackhawks best bet: Blackhawks moneyline (+110)
The Chicago Blackhawks are finally starting to get healthy with the returns of Frank Nazar, Jason Dickinson, and Andre Burakovsky. This more rounded lineup is beginning to make some noise, especially after a difficult two-game stretch against the Hurricanes and Lightning.
Chicago picked up three points in those two games against two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, a trend that should continue against a struggling Florida Panthers team.
One of the Blackhawks’ greatest strengths during this stretch has been the play of goaltender Spencer Knight, who is slated to start against his former team. Knight enters this matchup in excellent form, allowing three or fewer goals in each of his past seven starts.
He is 5-2 during that span with a .924 SV% and a 2.25 GAA.
Meanwhile, Florida enters this contest on the second half of a back-to-back that included travel, which does not bode well for a team expected to start its backup goaltender. This season, Daniil Tarasov trails Knight in wins, SV%, and GAA.
Panthers vs Blackhawks same-game parlay
Now is the time to buy low on Chicago’s Connor Bedard, who has struggled to finish over the past few weeks. However, he continues to generate high-danger scoring chances, and the goals should begin to follow.
That also increases the correlation of Andre Burakovsky recording an assist, considering he skates alongside Bedard on the top line and possesses excellent passing ability.
Panthers vs Blackhawks SGP
Blackhawks moneyline
Connor Bedard anytime goal
Andre Burakovsky 1+ assists
Panthers vs Blackhawks odds
Moneyline: Florida -169 | Chicago +116
Puck line: Florida -1.5 (+159) | Chicago +1.5 (-238)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+105) | Under 6.5 (-125)
Panthers vs Blackhawks trend
Chicago has won two of its past three games. Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Blackhawks.
How to watch Panthers vs Blackhawks
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Scripps 66, Chicago Sports Network
Panthers vs Blackhawks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane is on the verge of making history once again.
While many fans have been waiting to witness Kane score his 500th career goal, another milestone may arrive even sooner. Kane is just one point away from tying former Red Wings great Mike Modano for the most points by an American-born player in NHL history.
Kane currently has 1,373 career points and recently met with Modano following Detroit’s overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild last Thursday. If Kane records a point when the Red Wings return home Tuesday to face the Los Angeles Kings, he would break the record in significantly fewer games. Modano reached the mark in 1,499 games, while Kane has played just 1,340 games so far in his career, a difference of 158 games.
The veteran winger started the season in strong form, averaging a point per game, but his production has slowed at times. Kane has eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points in 38 games this season. Even with the dip in pace, few doubt the ability of the player known as “Showtime” to rise to the moment once again.
Modano, a Livonia, Michigan native, is expected to be in attendance Tuesday. However, Kane may have to be patient, as the Kings boast one of the NHL’s strongest defensive units and rank fourth in goals allowed per game this season.
If Kane does not break the record right away, there will be more opportunities. Tuesday’s game marks the start of a three-game homestand, followed by matchups against the Washington Capitals on Thursday and a marquee primetime game against the Colorado Avalanche next Saturday.
Whenever the milestone is reached, the hope is that Detroit fans will be there to witness another historic moment in franchise history.
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GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Opener Abhishek Sharma hit a whirlwind 68 not out off 20 balls as India beat New Zealand with ease, winning the third Twenty20 match by eight wickets on Sunday with 10 overs to spare.
India took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Sharma reached his 50 off only 14 deliveries, including four sixes, and put on 102 off 40 balls with skipper Suryakumar Yadav (57 not out off 26) as India reached 155-2 in 10 overs in reply to New Zealand's 153-9 in 20 overs.
“This is what my team wants from me – I want to execute it all the time,” Sharma said. “It is not easy to do it, but I keep trying.”
Jasprit Bumrah returned for India and took 3-17 in four overs as New Zealand was restricted to a sub-par score.
Glenn Phillips top-scored for the Black Caps with 48 off 40 and Mark Chapman was out for 32.
India won the first T20 in Nagpur by 48 runs, and the second T20 in Raipur by seven wickets.
The fourth T20 is at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
India's chase
Chasing 154, India started badly by losing Sanju Samson for a golden duck to Matt Henry.
But Sharma hit five sixes and seven fours overall to put New Zealand’s bowling to the sword.
Ishan Kishan hit 28 off 13 deliveries as the pair added 53 off only 19 balls for the second wicket. Kishan then holed out off Ish Sodhi, yet it didn’t end New Zealand’s misery.
India set a hectic pace scoring 100 in only 6.3 overs. Yadav got his second consecutive half-century – off 25 balls. He finished with three sixes and six fours overall.
New Zealand struggles
New Zealand was put into bat but failed to make a good start. Bumrah bowled Tim Seifert for 12 after Harshit Rana dismissed Devon Conway for one.
Hardik Pandya (2-23) made it 34-3 in 5.1 overs with Rachin Ravindra's dismissal for four.
New Zealand never really recovered from those early blows despite a 52-run partnership between Phillips and Chapman, who both fell to wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi (2-18).
Bumrah then returned for another spell and got two more wickets.
Alright, I have settled down. The initial shock has passed. The wave hit, it knocked me over, and now I am back on my feet, looking around and taking inventory.
Jalen Green goes down. Devin Booker follows. In real time, that kind of night does not invite patience or perspective. It invites panic. It invites spirals. It invites every scar this fan base carries to start itching again. And yes, I reacted as it was happening. Loudly. Honestly. Without a filter. Thank you for letting me do that in real time.
But here is the pivot.
Once the noise fades, once the adrenaline drains out, you are left with the same choice you always are. You can stay in doom mode, or you can look ahead. I am choosing the latter, not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. “Get busy living or get busy dying. That’s goddamn right.”
Injuries have a way of dragging Suns fans straight to the worst possible conclusion. History does that to you. Experience does that to you. This is a fan base conditioned to brace for impact. So if my first reaction leaned dark, understand where it came from.
I am a Suns fan. Of course it did.
Looking forward starts tonight against the Miami Heat, and at least now we know what the injury report says. Devin Booker is out with an ankle injury. Jalen Green is listed as questionable with the hamstring. All things considered, that is actually encouraging.
Personally, I do not think either one plays.
This feels like the organization shifting into protection mode. Less short-term urgency, more long view. Protect the bodies. Preserve the runway. This is about health, not pride. That is where they are right now.
We are at the halfway point of the season. There are still 37 games left on the schedule. 17 days from now, the All-Star break arrives. Between now and then, the Suns play 10 games. Nine of them are at home.
If you want to map out an ideal window for two players carrying a combined $88.7 million cap hit to miss time, this is about as clean as it gets. They can stay around the team. They can rehab without constant travel. They effectively get an extra eight days folded into the recovery process because of the break.
None of this will be easy. The competition is real. The combined winning percentage of the upcoming opponents sits at .539. That is the stretch. That is the test.
The Suns have 10 games remaining before the All-Star break. Their opponents’ combined winning percentage sits at .539.
We will wait for more reporting to come out, but the hope is that Jalen Green is not nearly as injured as the fear suggests. That is the optimism baked into the questionable tag.
He pulled up lame because he felt something tweak, not because something exploded. It did not look violent. It did not look aggressive. It was nothing like November against the Clippers, when he was clutching his hamstring in obvious pain. This looked different. This looked like awareness. He felt something was off, recognized it immediately, and removed himself from the situation.
Now, full disclosure. This is speculation. I am not a doctor. I am not in the locker room. I do not have access to imaging or medical notes. I am reacting to what my eyes tell me, same as everyone reading this, same as the folks who will weigh in below. That context matters.
If this turns into only a couple of missed games, it could actually work in the Suns’ favor.
Because in a strange way, this becomes a handoff moment. Almost like Devin Booker tapped Jalen Green on the shoulder and said, “Your turn”. This is Green’s chance to live inside these lineups, to feel the speed of the game with this group, to learn how these possessions breathe without Booker on the floor. It is reps. It is information. It is clarity.
For the coaching staff, it becomes a live experiment. You get to see how Green operates with teammates not named Devin Booker. You get to see how the spacing holds. How the actions flow. How well everyone meshes. How cleanly the schemes execute when the hierarchy shifts.
Those answers carry weight. Not only now, but later. Down the road. In the postseason, when options matter and familiarity becomes currency.
On the Booker side of things, that one looked rough. No medical degree here, but it immediately registered as something that could linger. All of his weight came down on it, and in real time it looked like a high ankle sprain at minimum.
nasty looking ankle injury for Devin Booker, who had been on fire for the Suns with 31 points in the first 3 quarters 😬 pic.twitter.com/VXpgErMBN3
Context matters too. He had already tweaked that ankle earlier in the road trip against the Heat, which turns this into an insult on top of injury situation. Stack enough stress on the same joint, and eventually it gives you a reminder. That is what this felt like.
It would not be surprising if we do not see Devin Booker again until after the All-Star break. We still need the medical report. We still need clarity on the severity.
As frustrating as it is, this is also one of those injuries that forces rest in the middle of the year. It creates space to heal. It creates time to get right. And with the break looming, the timing is not catastrophic. If there was ever a window to absorb something like this and still keep the bigger picture intact, this is it.
Both of those injuries were brutally unfortunate, no question. But if you zoom out and look at the reality of how the NBA operates right now, this is the landscape. Every team is dealing with it. Night after night. The Suns are not some isolated case.
Jalen Green has missed 41 games this season. That means this team has been fully intact for two games out of 45. Two. That is the context we are living in.
According to Spotrac, the Suns have lost 100 combined games to injury so far, translating to $23.1 million in cash value tied up in missed time. 100 games sounds massive until you stack it against the rest of the league. That number is tied for the sixth-fewest in the NBA. Portland leads the league at 259 games lost.
This is not unique to Phoenix. You see it every night. Ja Morant hits the injury report. Giannis Antetokounmpo hits the injury report. Anthony Davis is out for an extended stretch. At this point, I honestly do not know how the league will hand out end-of-season awards when the threshold is 65 games played. Nobody gets there anymore. The pace is relentless. The wear accumulates. Bodies break down.
The Suns are dealing with injuries. So is everyone else. This is the modern NBA. And while it never feels good when it hits your team, it is not happening in a vacuum.
As it applies to the Suns, this is the same stretch every team eventually has to survive. This is the part of the season where theory turns into proof. Where availability thins out and the ideas either hold or they do not.
This becomes the real test for Jordan Ott. Not when everything is clean and the roster is whole, but when talent is stripped away and the structure has to carry the weight. The question is simple: How replicable are his schemes when the names change?
If this team has shown anything, it is that the identity does not live in star power. It lives in effort. In competitiveness. In connectivity. In communication. Those things travel. Those things do not get ruled out on an injury report. This group has that in spades.
Now it is time to show the rest of the league that even without Devin Booker, or without Jalen Green, this is still a problem on any given night.
And for the love of basketball sanity, let us not turn that into 23 shot attempts from Dillon Brooks every game. We need him doing what he does best. Setting the tone. Being the enforcer. Making life miserable for the other team. Not trying to moonlight as the primary shot creator.
Looking forward begins now, not because this is comfortable or clean, but because this team has built an identity sturdy enough to stand upright when the ground starts shaking.
After three days of rest, playing against the ST. Louis Blues, who were playing a back-to-back tonight, the Los Angeles Kings refused to let this game slip away.
Across the first period and early second, the Kings jumped out to a 2-0 lead; they looked dominant, fast, and on point defensively against the ST. Louis Blues.
But the struggle started quickly, as it has happened time and time again, especially when the Kings have gotten off to fast starts. Los Angeles gave up three goals alone in the second period, finishing the first 40 minutes of regulation tied 3-3.
LA was outplayed in the second, losing the period 3-1, and we're not entirely sure how they still ended up winning tonight, given the Kings are one of the worst clutch teams in the league.
So, let's dive into how the Kings won. We will grade the top players' performances on the Kings tonight, helping them escape the St. Louis Blues.
After leaving Tuesday's game against the New York Rangers in the first period due to a lower-body injury, Darcy Kuemper returned tonight and did what he always does. Finishing with 25 saves on 29 shots and made multiple clutch stops late in regulation and Overtime.
This game doesn't go the Kings' way without Kuemper; he bailed the Kings out multiple times in OT and slammed the door when it mattered most.
Grade: A
Trevor Moore
19:43 TOI, 1 goal, 5 shots, +1, and shootout winner.
Trevor Moore, who hadn't played since Dec. 29, looked like he hadn't missed a step tonight. Moore scored the go-ahead goal in the third to give the Kings a 4-3 lead after it looked like the momentum had shifted to the Blues, and then finished the game in the shootout.
Moore was aggressive all night and clutch when the Kings needed him most, and also notched his 100th career NHL goal.
Since the NHL introduced the shootout back in the 2005-06 season, 301 players have at least 20 attempts.
Only 11 of those players have converted at least 50 percent of their attempts. Trevor Moore is one of those players. Consistently money in the shootout.
Alex Laferriere was one of the Kings' dangerous forwards tonight, along with Moore. Scoring the game-tying goal in the second after the Kings gave up three goals, Laferriere kept the game in reach.
Brian Dumoulin was one of the key contributors to help the Kings get off to a fast start in the first period, giving Los Angeles a 2-0 lead and scoring his first goal of the season.
Grade: B
Taylor Ward
9:48 TOI, 1 goal, 1 shot, +1
Once again in his limited minutes, Taylor Ward contributed for the Kings, starting them off to a fast start in regulation. It's now the second consecutive game that Ward has scored a goal, and the Kings have picked up wins in both matches. Again, playing limited minutes, but all the Kings ask of him right now is high energy and consistent play.
Jim Hiller almost blew another game where his team had an early lead. But the Kings were able to squeak out a win on the road, especially with Hiller using his depth again, with Ward and Samuel Helennius giving them solid minutes, so credit to Hiller for believing in his guys.
But it wasn't a pretty second period for him, and the game could've gotten out of reach if not for his players stepping up in the clutch.
Grade: C
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The Anaheim Ducks will head north of the 49th parallel to take on the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday, January 25. This marks the first meeting between these two Pacific Division teams this season.
My Ducks vs. Flames predictions and NHL picks suggest that while Calgary may continue its offensive struggles, some key players may be primed to rise to the occasion in this exciting divisional bout.
Ducks vs Flames prediction
Ducks vs Flames best bet: Yegor Sharangovich Over 2.5 shots on goal (+136)
On a team that has scored the second-fewest goals in the league, Calgary Flames forward Yegor Sharangovich has been somewhat of a bright spot.
The one-time 30-goal scorer is mired in a subpar offensive season (as is most of his team), but has been firing on all cylinders recently.
He has 14 shots in his last four games, hitting the Over in each. For good measure, he has the same number of shots as Nathan MacKinnon and David Pastrnak during that span.
He faces an Anaheim Ducks team that ranks 21st in shots allowed. Look for the Belarusian to fire a few pucks towards Lukas Dostal tonight.
Ducks vs Flames same-game parlay
Recent trade acquisition Zach Whitecloud has stepped right in to fill the void left by Rasmus Andersson. The former Vegas Golden Knight has seen a significant uptick in ice time in his three games as a Flame thus far, culminating in 25:16 of ice time on Friday night.
He's blocked six shots in three games since being traded to Calgary and just shattered his season-high ice time mark a game ago — a fantastic scenario to block a few shots from a confident Ducks team on a six-game winning streak.
Despite Anaheim's recent hot stretch, I like the Under here, as Calgary has scored just five goals in its last four games while being held to just one in three straight.
Ducks vs Flames SGP
Yegor Sharangovich Over 2.5 shots on goal
Zach Whitecloud Over 1.5 blocked shots
Under 6.5
Ducks vs Flames odds
Moneyline: Ducks -105 | Flames -115
Puck Line: Ducks +1.5 (-250) | Flames -1.5 (+205)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120)
Ducks vs Flames trend
Calgary has won four of the last five meetings and seven of the last 10. The Under has hit in three of the last four Find more NHL betting trends for Ducks vs. Flames.
How to watch Ducks vs Flames
Location
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
Date
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Victory+, Sportsnet
Ducks vs Flames latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Veteran NBA coach J.B. Bickerstaff will coach his first NBA All-Star Game next month.
Boston's loss to Chicago on Saturday ensured Detroit will have the No. 1 seed in the East on Feb. 1 (the cut-off date for deciding the coaches). This will be Bickerstaff's first time as an All-Star Game head coach, and he will coach one of the three teams — two USA, one world team — in this year's All-Star Game format (more on that below).
J.B. Bickerstaff will be the Pistons’ first All-Star head coach since Flip Saunders in 2005-06. pic.twitter.com/kAiOIl81mg
The Pistons have been the clear No. 1 seed in the East and looked every bit the title contender this season, with a 32-11 record that leads the East and is second in the league (to the Thunder). This is the second year of the turnaround Bickerstaff has led in Detroit, he took over a 14-win team two seasons ago and led it to the playoffs last season. Bickerstaff finished second in Coach of the Year voting last season and is considered the frontrunner to win the award this season.
Another coach will come from the West. Because Oklahoma City's Mark Daigneault coached the All-Star Game last year, he is ineligible to coach this year, which leaves either Mitch Johnson from No. 2 seed San Antonio or David Adelman from No. 3 seed Denver as the most likely coach from the West (just half a game separates their teams in the standings).
All-Star Game format
This year, the NBA All-Star Game returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock — and it falls right in the middle of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. That was a perfect setup for the first-of-its-kind All-Star Game format, a USA vs. World showdown that fans and players have been asking for.
The 24 All-Star players — 12 from each Conference, the 10 starters have been named — will be divided into three teams, two USA teams and one world team. Those three teams will compete in a round-robin tournament of four 12-minute games. Each of the three teams will have a minimum of eight players (if the USA or World teams are short on players, the league office will select one or more players to reach the required number).
At the end of the round-robin, the two top teams will play a championship game (the fourth 12-minute game of the day) for the title.
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, an earlier time than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
At the 2025 deadline, the Islanders sent Nelson to the Avalanche in a deal involving top prospect Calum Ritchie, a 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional 2027 third-round pick, along with defenseman Oliver Kylington, who was quickly flipped to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations.
Panarin, 34, is a pending free agent and has been told by Rangers management that he will not be brought back this pending offseason as the two sides work towards a trade.
Potential trade suitors include the Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Florida Panthers.
Panarin, a winger, sits at 19 goals and 37 assists for 56 points in 51 games this season for the Rangers.
He is in the final season of a seven-year, $81,499,999 contract ($11,642,857 AAV) with the Rangers.
Villa win at Newcastle, Chelsea take the points at struggling Palace, and Forest record a crucial victory at Brentford
Oh, but here’s Rosenior, explaining that Cole Palmer isn’t fit to play today, but has a chance of making Wednesday’s trip to Naples.
He notes that the league is close and physical, but he has good players and is excited to see where the project goes – the club “demands winning in this moment”. There aren’t many days on the training pitch, but he hopes the work they’re doing with the team and with individuals are working.
If this was a taste of what life on the road under Liam Rosenior might be like for Chelsea fans, then anyone who doubted his appointment may have to think again.
A brilliant performance from Estêvão, who scored the first after a mistake from his fellow teenager Jaydee Canvot before setting up João Pedro for the second, inspired Chelsea to end a run of five Premier League games without an away win at their new head coach’s first attempt, as they piled on the misery for Crystal Palace, who also had Adam Wharton sent off.
In Saturday night’s defeat against the Boston Bruins, the Montreal Canadiens gave up three power-play goals, which ultimately led to their demise. Of course, that could have been avoided had the Habs played a more disciplined game. Still, hockey being a physical sport, it’s almost impossible to avoid penalties altogether, which is why it’s crucial to have a reasonable penalty kill.
Last season, the Canadiens ranked ninth in the league with an 80.9% penalty kill success rate, but this year they are 26th with a 76.5% efficiency rate. In 52 games, they’ve already given up 40 power-play goals and are on pace to surrender 63 man-advantage lamplighters. Last season, they had only given up 49 in 82 games.
What has changed? Well, the Habs lost three of the eight players who were mainstays on their penalty kill. David Savard retired, Joel Armia walked as a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Kings, while Christian Dvorak did the same with the Philadelphia Flyers. Armia currently plays on the Kings’ first penalty kill, but they are 25th overall in the league in that department, just ahead of the Canadiens at 77.3%. As for Dvorak, he’s not used on the penalty kill by the Flyers.
You don’t become a penalty killing specialist overnight. This season, the Canadiens have been relying on rookies Oliver Kapanen and Joe Veleno to play significant roles when down a man. Kapanen has done it overseas, but he understandably needs some time to adapt to the NHL's power play. As for Veleno, he’s spending 27.4% of his time on ice on the penalty kill, which is almost double the amount of shorthanded time he had on the ice last season with the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks.
At the start of the season, Martin St-Louis also made it clear that he wanted Alex Newhook to become a PK specialist. In his 17 games this season, Newhook spent 33.4% of his time on ice down a man. His injury has no doubt been a big blow to the penalty killing unit.
With Alexandre Texier coming back in the lineup for the game against the Bruins, the coach decided to scratch Veleno, who has not only been a regular on his penalty kill but also one of the centermen who can take the shorthanded draws. This season, he has won 51.2% of his draws, which is more than Nick Suzuki and Kapanen.
As things stand, Stephane Robidas is the assistant coach who’s responsible for the penalty kill. Is it time to perhaps explore another avenue? Earlier this week, the Ottawa Senators, who are currently 31st in the league when down a man, gave Mike Yeo the helm of the penalty kill unit instead of Nolan Baumgartner; the latter wasn’t fired, but the team felt the PK needed a new voice.
Perhaps it would also help to let Nick Suzuki back on the PK. Of course, you don’t want to overuse the captain, but with the second line making more of an offensive impact and having more ice time, it could be an idea.
Better goaltending would also help. While you generally won’t blame the goaltender for power-play goals, the best player on a successful penalty-killing unit is often the masked man. This season, that’s not happening for the Canadiens. Whichever way you look at it, good goaltending is a must in all aspects of the game.
There’s no magical solution, but clearly something has to be done if the Canadiens don't want to be fighting for a playoff spot until the very end, as last season. Special teams are a must for a successful team, and in an ideal world, nobody wants to wait for the last game of the season to know if they’ll be part of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
