The Edmonton Oilers are taking a bit of a risk if the lines at practice on Friday are any indication of what's to be expected in Saturday's afternoon game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Both Ike Howard and Quinn Hutson were recalled from the AHL an on the ice. Both were on the third line, with fellow rookie Matt Savoie. 

Three rookies on the third line? It's a gamble, with some serious potential for offense. 

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Quinn Hutson recorded three straight multi-point outings in the AHL before making his way back to the big club.

Goals in four straight (6G, 2A — 8 PTS).

Took reps with Howard & Savoie at Friday’s practice. #Oilerspic.twitter.com/A7HuTuGnQQ

— Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) January 2, 2026

Edmonton has struggled to find any offense from their third line of late. They wanted to create a spark so badly, they took Jack Roslovic off a successful second line and put him at center on the third line. It didn't work and Roslovic was almost immediately put back in the top six, with head coach Kris Knoblauch saying, "We made that switch putting Roslovic there. Obviously, we feel that Roslovic is a better player, but I thought Andrew [Mangiapane] did some things that helped us."

Perhaps Mangiapane did some things, but it wasn't enough. He's now an asterisk on the second line, and might be a healthy scratch. Vasily Podkolzin was under the weather and not on the ice Friday. 

Back to the third line...

Having three rookies on the ice is asking a lot of that trio. It's clear that Huston and Howard can light it up at the AHL level. Howard scored 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 16 games with the Condors. Hutson has tallied 19 goals and 13 assists for 32 points in 26 games this season. Asking them to translate that over in the NHL won't be easy. And, while Savoie is a responsible two-way player, he's still fresh in the NHL, with only 46 total NHL games on his resume. 

The problems might come defensively. As sound as Savoie is, Hutson and Howard are question marks. Can the Oilers deploy that line in advantageous situations? On home ice, that's a bit easier to do. However, not always. These three will need to stay above water if they're going to see any minutes at all. The Flyers and any future opponents will try to isolate that line if they can get their top stars on the ice. 

Knoblauch wouldn't commit to the trio as a line for Saturday. He noted that there are some positives and negatives to the idea. Without an "NHL center," there is a risk. It is three smaller players, too. The positive is that they are skilled and have experience together. He noted that if he does go this route, he'll look at offensive zone starts and beneficial matchups. "There'll be some coaching," he said. 

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While the Detroit Red Wings picked up a valuable point in the standings during their 4-3 overtime setback against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday evening, they'll lament the fact that they only converted on two of eight power-play opportunities. 

Both James van Riemsdyk and Alex DeBrincat tallied with the man-advantage, the former coming during a four-minute double-minor opportunity, with the latter coming late in the third period to knot the score at 3-3. 

However, six other chances went for naught despite coming into the contest with the NHL's fourth-ranked power-play efficiency rate. 

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Head coach Todd McLellan did point to the positive of the statistical reality that they finished with a 25 percent conversion rate during the contest.

“At the end of the night, it was 25 percent, which isn’t too bad," McLellan said of Detroit's power-play. "It got us two goals and probably got us a point. Anytime you start a game on the power-play 20 seconds in, that’s a tough thing.”

Despite staying in the first place position in the Atlantic Division standings by picking up a point, the Red Wings feel that they could have played better as a whole 

"It’s a huge point to get," said DeBrincat, who picked up his 21st goal of the campaign. "Still a little disappointed in how we played, but some nights, good teams win those games. We feel like we should’ve won that game, but we can go win on Saturday and make it back." 

The Red Wings will once again face the Penguins on Saturday afternoon at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. 

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The Colorado Avalanche are having a fantastic 2025-26 season. At the time of this writing, they have a ridiculous 30-2-7 record and are 10 points ahead of the second-place Dallas Stars in the NHL standings. The Avalanche have also won each of their last nine games, so they are showing no signs of slowing down. 

One of the many reasons for the Avalanche's dominant first half of the season has been the play of former San Jose Sharks goalie MacKenzie Blackwood. The 29-year-old is having himself an incredible 2025-26 campaign and is only getting better as the year rolls on. 

In 16 games so far this season with the Avalanche, Blackwood has recorded a 13-1-1 record, a .924 save percentage, a 2.07 goals-against average, and two shutouts. He has also won all seven of his last starts and has had a .920 save percentage or better in each of them. With this, there is no question that the former Sharks goalie is on fire right now. 

Yet, as awesome as Blackwood has been playing this season, he was snubbed from Team Canada's Olympics roster. This has naturally made some hockey fans surprised, as Blackwood has been simply marvelous in 2025-26. 

When Gary Bettman took command of the National Hockey League 33 years ago, the idea of major league hockey succeeding in The Sunshine State was iffy, to say the least.

The Tampa Bay Lightning had just been born and from one season to another the Bolts' players couldn't tell whether they'd be playing in a makeshift arena or a baseball field or – with

cockamamee ownership – if they'd wind up playing at all.

Flash forward to January 2, 2026 and the Lightning have become one of the league's most successful franchises artistically, monetarily and ownership-wise.

Drive across Alligator Alley to beautiful Downtown Sunrise and there you'll find yet another Floridian success story, the two-time Stanley Cup champion Panthers.

But tonight, the title-holders will take a sentimental journey of sorts to Miami, the Panthers original home, and face the Rangers on, of all places, a baseball field – LoanDepot Park.

Bettman, Inc. is pulling off what once was considered an impossibility, an outdoor NHL game surrounded by the sheltering palms of the Florida Marlins home field. So, how amazing is this?

Floridian author-beat writer for Florida Hockey Now – who grew up at old Madison Square Garden – Alan Greenberg, puts it best:

"This game is a tribute to how hockey has grown in Florida in recent years," says Big Al. "With the Panthers or the Lightning having been in the Stanley Cup Final for six straight years, hockey interest has grown exponentially, especially on the Panthers side which had lagged for years."

If it takes Two to Tango, the franchise also needed player support to make this work.

Greenberg: "The players love it. Even guys like Brad Marchand and Jeff Petry, plus head coach Paul Maurice, have been here twice before. This Winter Classic is unique because of the Florida venue."

The NHL creative geniuses showed their worth, dividing the stadium into a winter wonderland right out of Northern Ontario on one side and, as for the Floridians, I'll let Greenberg explain:

"On the other side, the decor simulates the Tropics with beach chairs and a mural of the ocean. It's a perfect contrast to the fake snow and  simulated ice for the Canadian sport of curling on the cold side." 

Credit for this amazing event goes to the league's leaders, Commissioner Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and their make-the-seemingly-impossible-happen, NHL President of Content and Events, Steve Mayer.

Let this most astonishing Winter Classic begin!

The 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic comes at a critical point in the New York Rangers’ season. 

As the Rangers stepped onto the ice at LoanDepot Park on Thursday afternoon ahead of their Friday night Winter Classic matchup against the Florida Panthers, a vibrant, joyous mood was evident among the team. 

The Winter Classic only happens once a year, so the opportunity to play in an event of this magnitude is certainly not taken for granted. 

“There's a certain level of excitement around these events that I think brings out the very best in our sport,” Mike Sullivan said. “I think it's such a privilege to have the opportunity to participate in these types of events. I think the league does a tremendous job in making each one of these unique in their own way… All of these events in my experience over the years are so unique, and I think the league does a great job in just embracing each venue and making each one of them different in how they play themselves out.

“I think for the players and their families, I think it's an opportunity to create lifelong memories. I think these types of events, players and coaches and all of us that have the privilege to participate in these types of events, we'll talk about these events 20 years from now.”

Players were laughing and smiling with one another as they got onto the ice with excitement and curiosity. 

While the Rangers did partake in a practice, it was no ordinary one. A mixture of family members, media people, and fans surrounded the ice in what was more of a spectacle as opposed to a practice. 

After the practice, the players were embraced by their family on the ice, some of whom got the special opportunity to skate with their kids, partners, and parents.

“It’s special,” Zibanejad said on being able to share the ice with his family. “I’ve been lucky enough to play a few of these events before. Each one of them is special in its own way. When you get to share those moments and share moments with your family and the ones close to you, it means a lot. It becomes a bigger thing than if you would. I’m just happy I get the opportunity to do so.”

Friday night’s matchup will also mark the first time the NHL is hosting an outdoor game in Florida. 

When you think of any outdoor game and specifically the Winter Classic, the Sunshine State isn’t exactly the destination that likely comes to mind. 

It’s truly a unique set of circumstances, which the Rangers seem to be embracing.

“I was pleasantly surprised maybe because just the perception of playing hockey outdoors in Florida at this time of year would suggest it's hard to keep ice,” Sullivan emphasized. “I thought it (the ice) was actually in pretty good condition given the circumstances. It's always a challenge in this type of an event. I thought it was pretty good today.”

Through all of the hoopla and spotlight that the Winter Classic presents, it’s hard to remember that there are still two points on the line that come from this game.  

For the Rangers, this event couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. We are now just past the midpoint of the 2025-26 season, and New York’s play has been sporadic to say the least. 

They currently sit with a 19-18-5 record and find themselves on the outside looking in of the playoff picture. Going into this matchup, they've also lost three consecutive games. 

At this point in the season, every game and every point is so important. 

If the Blueshirts continue to go down this rabbit hole of inconsistent play and if the playoffs are out of their reach by around the time of the trade deadline in March, Rangers general manager Chris Drury may be forced to take a selling approach and focus on accumulating assets for the future.

The Rangers are viewing the Winter Classic as an opportunity to reset and hope that it will be a turning point in their season.

“Obviously, against the two-time defending cup champions in a big stage, I think maybe it could help us get that ship going in the right direction,” said Adam Fox. “There's only so many games before the (Olympic) break, and then maybe the standings start to sort out a little bit. Some teams have to make decisions on which direction they're looking to go, so I think a good opportunity for us to get going here a little bit and have a good finish before the break.”

Adam Fox Expresses Disappointment Regarding U.S. Olympic SnubThe 2026 U.S. Olympic Team will not include New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/">Rangers</a> defenseman Adam Fox.&nbsp;

The entirety of 2025 was a difficult year to fathom for all involved with the Rangers. The team missed the playoffs during the 2024-25 campaign and despite making a substantial move during the offseason by hiring Mike Sullivan to be the team’s head coach, New York hasn’t shown signs that they could get back to Stanley Cup contending status. 

However, 2026 is a new year, and it all starts with the Winter Classic. 

“It’s opportunities like this. I think, looking back at how it's been, how it ended last season, how it's been this season so far, I think definitely,” Zibanejad said of whether the Rangers are using the Winter Classic as a way to change their perspective as a team. “Obviously, you don't want to be in that position to have that as a moment, but we're, we're in it now. 

“Having this opportunity to play an outdoor game with all the families here, and a special game like this, obviously the two points mean a lot, but I think the two points add a lot more to the experience too.”

St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg has been named to Team Sweden's 2026 Men's Olympic roster. 

This will be Broberg's first time competing for Sweden at the senior level, as he previously represented Sweden at the U-17s, U-18s, Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, and World Juniors Championship. He won gold at the U-18s, silver at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and bronze at the world juniors.

Broberg is in his second season with the Blues, and he's taken another step forward in his development. The 24-year-old has scored two goals and 13 points in 41 games while skating on the Blues' top pairing and averaging 23:12 of ice time. His 23:12 is nearly three minutes more than he played in his first season with the Blues. His ice time also leads the Blues and ranks 31st in the NHL.

The 6-foot-4 defender has become a defensive stalwart while being a potent puck mover. The offensive numbers have translated; Sweden won't need Broberg to be a driving force offensively. With defenders like Rasmus Dahlin, Erik Karlsson and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Sweden needs defenders they trust to play a stout defensive game against teams like Canada and the USA. 

Broberg isn't a lock to be in the lineup from day one, but he'll have every opportunity to fight for a bottom pairing role. His size, skating and defensive capabilities should keep him in contention.

Sweden's roster:

Forwards:
Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils
Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
Pontus Holmberg, Tampa Bay Lightning
Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
Elias Lindholm, Boston Bruins
William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins
Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
Alexander Wennberg, San Jose Sharks
Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers

Defenseman:
Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames
Philip Broberg, St. Louis Blues
Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild
Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto Maple Leafs
Gustav Forsling, Florida Panthers
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins

Goaltenders:
Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild
Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils
Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild

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Just as he was for the highly successful Four Nations Face-Off tournament, Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin has been officially chosen to represent the United States in the Olympics next month. 

THAT'S OUR CAP 🇺🇸

Congrats to Dylan Larkin on being named to the @usahockey roster for #MilanoCortina2026! pic.twitter.com/0LjyagBALi

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 2, 2026

However, his teammate Alex DeBrincat was not among the names chosen by Team U.S.A. general manager Bill Guerin, who also manages the Minnesota Wild. 

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Additionally, forward Patrick Kane, who is only two goals shy of 500 in his Hall of Fame career and is considered arguably the greatest American-born player in NHL history, also wasn't selected. 

DeBrincat has enjoyed a torrid scoring pace, having already tallied 21 goals; he's on pace to reach 41 if he continues his current trajectory.

Meanwhile, Kane has experienced multiple injuries this season that have limited his availablility, a likely factor in Guerin's decision not to extend an invitation to him. 

Larkin was a force for Team U.S.A. during the Four Nations Face-Off, scoring the game-winning goal against Team Canada in the preliminary-round. 

The full USA roster is as follows: 

Team U.S.A. forwards

Jack Eichel, Golden Knights

Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs

Brady Tkachuk, Senators

Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers

Matt Boldy, Wild

Kyle Connor, Jets

Jake Guentzel, Lightning

Jack Hughes, Devils

Clayton Keller, Mammoth

Dylan Larkin, Red Wings

J.T. Miller, Rangers

Brock Nelson, Avalanche

Tage Thompson, Sabres

Vincent Trocheck, Rangers

Team U.S.A. defensemen

Brock Faber, Wild

Noah Hanifin, Golden Knights

Seth Jones, Panthers

Jake Sanderson, Senators

Jaccob Slavin, Hurricanes

Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets

D Quinn Hughes, Wild

D Charlie McAvoy, Bruins

Team U.S.A. goaltenders

Connor Hellebuyck, Jets

Jake Oettinger, Stars

Jeremy Swayman, Bruins

The Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place between Feb. 6-22 in Milano and Cortina, Italy. There will also be a lengthy break in the NHL schedule in February to accommodate the return of NHL players to Olympic competition. 

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