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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel recorded a goal and an assist in Thursday's 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. This performance extended his personal point streak to four games. Eichel also reached a significant milestone, tallying his 200th assist in a Golden Knights uniform.
Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Avery Hayes scored two goals in his NHL debut, leading the team to a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Called up from the AHL due to multiple absences, Hayes learned he'd be playing just hours before the game. He scored his first NHL goal on his first shot at 9:18 of the first period, then added a second goal late in the period. Hayes, who has 13 goals and 10 assists in 31 AHL games, impressed with his speed, two-way play, and work ethic, drawing comparisons to Bryan Rust.
Pierre-Luc Dubois (abdomen) made a strong return to the Washington Capitals lineup Thursday against the Predators, scoring a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win. This marked his first game back after missing 47 contests due to abdominal surgery, last playing Oct. 31. Dubois played 17:35, recording two shots, one block, and one hit, with his goal coming on the power play. He immediately slotted into a second-line center role and the second power-play unit. His return was earlier than expected, thanks to dedicated staff support.
Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun delivered a stellar performance in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Predators, scoring two goals and an assist, and firing seven shots. His first goal was the game-winner, featuring a spin move and a long-range wrist shot. This marks his third multi-point game in his last five outings (3 goals, 5 assists, 16 shots). Chychrun heads into the Olympic break with 46 points, a career-high 21 goals (most among NHL defensemen), and 182 shots in 57 games, just one point shy of his NHL career high.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Pontus Holmberg scored a goal at 6:09 of the third period in Thursday's 6-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Holmberg is among the Lightning players who will participate in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel opened the scoring 2:08 into Thursday's 6-1 victory over the Florida Panthers, tipping a Victor Hedman shot. He also engaged in a fight with Matthew Tkachuk in the third period. Hagel, who will participate in the Olympics, has been thriving in Brayden Point's absence, averaging 3.6 shots and 7.5 attempts per game, and 4.3 shots at home, clearing 2.5 shots in 13 of 17 games. He's scored eight goals in nine home games without Point, playing on the top power play and line.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak scored his first goal of the season in Thursday's 6-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. His wraparound goal came with 2:10 remaining in the second period. Cernak is set to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel scored a power-play goal in Thursday's 6-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. His goal came at 1:14 of the second period, capitalizing on a rebound. Guentzel is slated to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Zemgus Girgensons scored a goal in Thursday's 6-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. His backhand goal at 14:08 of the first period extended the Lightning's lead to 2-0. Girgensons is among several Lightning players who will participate in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy started Thursday against Florida, stopping 33 shots in a 6-1 victory. He extended his impressive winning streak to eight games, improving his record to 16-0-1 in his past 17 games. During his streak, he has allowed only 12 goals on 174 shots, boasting a .931 save percentage. This season, Vasilevskiy holds a 26-7-3 record with a 2.14 GAA and a .917 save percentage over 36 starts. This was the Lightning's final game before the Olympic break.
Goaltender Daniil Tarasov sustained an apparent lower-body injury during Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Making his first start since January 29, Tarasov allowed five goals on 25 shots before exiting the game and being replaced by Sergei Bobrovsky. While the severity of the injury is unknown, the Panthers' upcoming three-week Olympic break provides a recovery window. For the 2025-26 season, Tarasov holds an 8-7-2 record with a 2.67 GAA and a .904 save percentage across 18 outings.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale scored on a wrist shot with just 1:14 remaining in regulation, forcing overtime against the Senators in a game the Flyers ultimately lost 2-1. His goal, which came on only the 14th shot for Philadelphia, earned the team a crucial point. Drysdale emphasized the need for the team to "reset" during the Olympic break and "come out swinging" when play resumes.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim was beaten by Tim Stutzle, who scored 47 seconds into overtime to give the Ottawa Senators a 2-1 victory over the Flyers. Sanheim is one of three Flyers players heading to Italy for the Olympics, where he will represent Team Canada.
Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle scored his 28th goal of the season 47 seconds into overtime, securing a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Stutzle executed a gorgeous deke past Flyers goalie Dan Vladar, capping a strong defensive road performance for the Senators. After hustling back on a Flyers 2-on-1, he received the puck and blew past Travis Sanheim and Vladar for the game-winner. The Senators head into the Olympic break with five wins in their last six games.
New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat scored the game-winning goal at 16:33 of the third period, securing a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils and a season-series sweep. This clutch goal, his 24th of the season, also marked his 600th NHL point. Horvat, who has five points in his last two games, mugged Nico Hischier off a faceoff and backhanded the puck past Jake Allen. He will now make his Olympic debut next Thursday with Team Canada.
New York Islanders forward Casey Cizikas gave his team a 1-0 lead at 6:30 of the second period against the New Jersey Devils. He buried a rebound for his seventh goal of the season after a turnover by Jake Allen. Cizikas's goal was a key contribution from the Islanders' fourth line in their 3-1 victory.
New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal scored an empty-net goal at 19:36 of the third period, sealing a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Barzal will carry an impressive four-game goal streak into the Olympic break, putting him just six goals shy of tying his career high of 23 in a season.
New Jersey Devils goalie Jake Allen started Thursday against the Islanders, stopping 11 shots in a 3-1 loss. Allen has faced a challenging period since the new year, posting a 1-5-0 record with a 3.25 GAA and .883 save percentage over his last six starts. He conceded the game-winning goal to Bo Horvat late in the third period and was involved in a turnover that led to the Islanders' first goal. This was the Devils' final game before the Olympic break.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Anthony Mantha provided a crucial assist to Avery Hayes, setting up Hayes' second goal in his NHL debut with a perfect between-the-legs backhand pass. Mantha later went to the penalty box for hooking with 1:29 remaining in the game.
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs started Thursday against Buffalo, making 26 saves in a 5-2 victory. Despite allowing an early goal, he bounced back with crucial stops, including a game-changing save on Tage Thompson in the third period. Silovs has posted a 2-2-2 record with a 2.15 GAA and a .921 save percentage over his last six starts, and a .910 save percentage since January 1. He will represent Team Latvia in the Olympics, where he has a history of success.
