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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Leo Carlsson scored a third-period goal for the Anaheim Ducks, contributing to their 5-4 overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets. His goal, alongside those from Pavel Mintyukov and Ryan Poehling, helped the Ducks take a 4-3 lead in the final period. The Ducks eventually secured the win with an overtime goal from Chris Kreider, extending their impressive home winning streak.
Kyle Connor tied the game for the Winnipeg Jets with 1:22 remaining in the third period, with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck pulled for an extra attacker, against the Anaheim Ducks. Despite his late-game heroics, the Jets ultimately fell 5-4 in overtime to the Ducks. This crucial goal forced the game into extra time, showcasing Connor's clutch scoring ability.
Ryan Poehling scored a third-period goal for the Anaheim Ducks, contributing to their 5-4 overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets. His goal, along with those from Leo Carlsson and Pavel Mintyukov, helped give Anaheim a 4-3 lead in the final period before the Jets tied it late. The Ducks ultimately secured the win with an overtime goal from Chris Kreider.
Chris Kreider scored the game-winning goal at 4:47 of overtime, beating Connor Hellebuyck off a rebound to give the Anaheim Ducks a 5-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Beckett Sennecke initiated the play with a shot on a two-on-one break, allowing Kreider to backhand the loose puck into the net. This crucial goal secured a significant win for the Ducks.
Connor Hellebuyck returned to the Jets' net after securing an Olympic gold medal for Team USA, making 35 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The 32-year-old netminder had struggled before the Olympic break, going 1-4-3 with a 3.01 GAA in his last eight outings. Despite his strong save performance in his first game back, he was beaten by Chris Kreider in overtime. He will look to carry his Olympic momentum into the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.
Joel Eriksson Ek sustained an injury to his face from a high stick during Friday's game against the Mammoth. There was no immediate update on his condition following the contest. The 29-year-old forward's seven-game point streak ended as he did not return to the game. His status for Sunday's game against the Blues is in doubt, with Ben Jones potentially drawing into the lineup if he cannot play.
Braeden Bowman scored for the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period against the Washington Capitals, breaking Logan Thompson's shutout bid. His goal was part of a late push, but the Golden Knights ultimately lost 3-2, snapping their three-game winning streak. Bowman's effort contributed to Vegas's attempt at a comeback, but it wasn't enough to secure a victory.
Pierre-Luc Dubois powered the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring two goals and adding an assist. All three of Washington's goals came in the second period, with Jakob Chychrun also finding the net. Dubois, who had surgery earlier this season, has been impactful since returning, tallying three goals and two assists in his last three games, showcasing strong form post-Olympic break.
Jakob Chychrun netted his 22nd goal of the season, contributing to the Washington Capitals' 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. His goal, along with two from Pierre-Luc Dubois, helped the Capitals secure the win. This victory moved Washington closer to playoff positioning in the Metropolitan Division, improving their record to 2-0 since the Olympic break and 6-1 in their last seven games.
Tomas Hertl scored a power-play goal in the third period for the Vegas Golden Knights, making the score 3-2 with 10:45 remaining against the Washington Capitals. Despite his effort and the return of several Olympians, it wasn't enough as the Golden Knights fell 3-2, snapping their three-game winning streak. Pierre-Luc Dubois led the Capitals with two goals and an assist in the contest.
Daniil Tarasov, slated to start for the Florida Panthers, expressed fury after a controversial goal was allowed in their 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Beck Malenstyn's game-winner was upheld despite replay showing Mattias Samuelsson's stick contacting Tarasov's glove. The Panthers' goaltender stated, "I don’t know what these guys are smoking there," questioning the NHL's officiating. Tarasov, recovered from a lower-body injury, entered the game with an 8-8-2 record, 2.83 GAA, and .899 save percentage.
Artemi Panarin, recently traded to the LA Kings from the Rangers, secured his desired jersey No. 72 by gifting a Rolex watch to the team's mascot, Bailey. The former Rangers star, who waived his no-movement clause for the trade, also signed a two-year, $22 million contract extension with the Kings. Panarin was acquired by Los Angeles in exchange for prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional draft pick, expressing pride in his time with the Rangers.
Beck Malenstyn scored the game-winning goal for the Buffalo Sabres in their 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday. His slap shot from the point found the back of the net past Panthers goalie Daniil Tarasov. Malenstyn's goal helped secure Buffalo's eighth win in their last 11 games.
Alex Lyon made 27 saves to defeat his former Florida teammates, guiding the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 victory over the Panthers on Friday. This marks Buffalo's eighth win in 11 games. Lyon, who played for Florida in 2022-23, boasts a 14-8-3 record with two shutouts, a 2.72 GAA, and a .913 save percentage this season. He allowed goals to Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett but secured the win with strong play.
Mikael Granlund will miss Friday's game against the Jets due to an upper-body injury. This marks his second consecutive absence. The 34-year-old forward was considered day-to-day, and there's a possibility he could return as soon as Sunday against the Flames. The Ducks will dress seven defensemen due to Troy Terry also being unavailable.
Troy Terry will not play in Friday's game against the Jets due to an undisclosed injury. He saw limited ice time on Wednesday, recording one assist. Defenseman Drew Helleson is expected to replace him in the lineup as a seventh blueliner. Terry previously missed time in January with an upper-body injury.
Lukas Dostal is scheduled to start in goal for the Anaheim Ducks' home game against the Jets on Friday. Dostal allowed five goals on 27 shots in his last outing against the Oilers. With Petr Mrazek sidelined for the season, Dostal is expected to handle a significant workload, with Ville Husso serving as his backup.
Jesper Wallstedt will start in goal for Friday's road game against the Mammoth. He was pressed into duty late in Thursday's win after Filip Gustavsson (illness) couldn't finish. With Gustavsson healthy enough to back up, the Wild aim to establish a rotation to keep Wallstedt playing regularly.
Filip Gustavsson is expected to serve as the backup goaltender for Jesper Wallstedt in Friday's game against the Mammoth. Gustavsson, who was ill Thursday but earned a win, has a 21-9-6 record with a 2.60 GAA and .909 save percentage this season. While he's on the bench Friday, he remains the Wild's more experienced goalie and may see a slight majority of playing time moving forward.
Steven Stamkos has refuted reports suggesting he would waive his no-move clause, stating he has had "zero" trade talks with GM Barry Trotz and has no interest in leaving the Nashville Predators. The 36-year-old forward leads the team with 29 goals this season and is committed to playing meaningful games with the Predators as they contend for a playoff spot.
