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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Tuesday, January 27

George Demoted to AHL, Pulock Expected Back Soon

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Isaiah George was sent down to AHL Bridgeport to make room for Carson Soucy on the Islanders' roster. George played two games with the Islanders, notching an assist. His demotion suggests Ryan Pulock, day-to-day with an upper-body injury, is nearing a return.

Kane's Agent Exploring Trade Options

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Evander Kane's agent has been granted permission to explore trade options for the veteran forward. Kane and the Canucks are open to a change due to his inconsistent fit and pending UFA status. Contenders like the Stars, Avalanche, and Kings have been linked to the 34-year-old.

Schmid to Start Against Canadiens; Seeks to Improve Record

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Akira Schmid will be in net for the Vegas Golden Knights in Tuesday's road matchup against Montreal. He is coming off a 25-save effort in a 4-3 loss to Boston. This season, Schmid holds a 15-5-5 record with a 2.51 GAA, an .896 save percentage, and two shutouts through 26 appearances. Montreal's offense ranks fifth in the league, averaging 3.37 goals per game.

Swayman to Start Home Game for Bruins Against Nashville Predators

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Jeremy Swayman will protect the home goal for the Boston Bruins against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. He has won four of his last five outings, during which he allowed 13 goals on 140 shots, resulting in a .907 save percentage. The Predators have been offensively active, scoring 23 goals over their last six games and securing three wins, setting up a potentially challenging matchup for both teams.

Perreault Shows Elite Offensive Instincts

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Young winger Gabe Perreault is showing improved play for the Rangers, solidifying his top-six spot. Coach Mike Sullivan praised his offensive instincts and comfort level. Perreault recorded an assist on J.T. Miller's goal Monday, bringing his season total to three goals and five assists in 20 games.

Boeser on IR After Illegal Hit, Out At Least a Week

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Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser has been placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss at least a week following an illegal check to the head from Bryan Rust. Rust received a three-game suspension for the incident. Boeser's absence is a significant blow to the Canucks' lineup.

Rust Suspended 3 Games for Illegal Check

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Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust has been suspended for three games for an illegal check to the head on Brock Boeser. Rust will forfeit $80,078 in salary and miss upcoming games against Chicago, NY Rangers, and Ottawa. He had recorded one goal, one assist, and nine shots during the Penguins' recent four-game winning streak.

Avalanche Sign Malinski to 4-Year, $19M Extension

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski signed a four-year, $19 million extension ($4.75M AAV). The 27-year-old has set career highs with 21 assists and 24 points this season, averaging 16:43 of ice time. GM Chris MacFarland praised his work ethic, skating, and defensive commitment.

Soucy Traded to Islanders by Rangers

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The New York Rangers traded defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders on Monday night in exchange for a third-round pick. Rangers coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged the move as a result of the team's current situation.

Marco Rossi Suffers Setback, Out Until After Olympic Break

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Vancouver Canucks center Marco Rossi (lower body) has suffered a setback in his recovery and is now officially ruled out until after the Olympic break. Rossi has already missed the last 13 games due to his lower-body issue and will be sidelined for at least five more contests before the break. Upon his eventual return, Rossi is expected to reclaim a spot in the team's top six.

Lankinen to Start Tuesday, Expected to Carry Load After Demko Injury

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Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen will start in net Tuesday against San Jose. Lankinen has a 7-16-4 record this season with a 3.44 GAA and .884 save percentage through 28 appearances, losing his last two outings while allowing eight goals on 49 shots. With Thatcher Demko (hip) undergoing season-ending surgery, Lankinen is now expected to serve as the primary option and receive plenty of starts for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.

Thatcher Demko Undergoes Hip Surgery, Out for Season

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Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko will undergo hip surgery, effectively ending his 2025-26 campaign. The team announced Tuesday that the procedure is unrelated to last season's surgery and he is projected to be ready for training camp in the fall. This marks the second straight year Demko will play fewer than 25 games, raising concerns. Kevin Lankinen is now expected to serve as the primary option in net for the Canucks for the remainder of the season.

Mattias Ekholm Notches Surprise Hat Trick in Oilers' 7-4 Win

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Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm scored a hat trick in Monday's 7-4 victory over the Ducks, a surprising offensive outburst given he hadn't scored in his previous 22 games. He netted two goals in the second period and sealed his hat trick with an empty-netter in the final frame. This performance brings his season total to six goals. Despite the impressive showing, the analysis suggests this is likely an outlier and he's not expected to become a regular fantasy contributor.

Leon Draisaitl Records Four Assists in Oilers' 7-4 Victory

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Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl delivered a stellar performance with four assists, including one on the power play, in Monday's 7-4 win against the Ducks. This outing boosts his season totals to 49 assists and 74 points in 51 contests, placing him fourth in the league for helpers. Despite missing three games earlier in January due to family illness, Draisaitl has been red-hot, accumulating 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 10 games this month.

Jordan Binnington to Start for Blues Despite Recent Struggles

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St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington is expected to start in Tuesday's home game against the Stars. Following a 26-save shutout to begin the year, Binnington has struggled, posting an 0-4-0 record with a 4.54 GAA and an .830 save percentage in his last four starts. Overall, the 32-year-old netminder holds an 8-14-6 record, a 3.57 GAA, and an .868 save percentage through 29 appearances this season. He faces pressure to perform as Joel Hofer has been more consistent recently.

Devon Toews (Upper Body) Out for Wednesday's Game in Ottawa

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (upper body) is day-to-day and will not play in Wednesday's game against Ottawa, according to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette. Toews has not yet taken contact in practice, making his availability for Thursday's game in Montreal also unlikely, though not officially confirmed. With only five healthy defensemen currently on the roster, the Avalanche are expected to call up a player from the minors before Wednesday's contest.

Mikael Granlund Scores Power-Play Hat Trick in Ducks' Loss

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Anaheim Ducks forward Mikael Granlund netted a power-play hat trick in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Oilers, scoring all three of the Ducks' four goals with the man advantage. These were his first power-play goals since October 23. Granlund has been turning his performance around after a recent slump, now accumulating six points (three goals, three assists) in his last three games, indicating a positive shift in his offensive production.

Jakub Dobes to Start Tuesday, Expected to Face High Shot Volume

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Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes is slated to start in net Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Dobes holds a 4-0 record with a .907 save percentage across his past four home starts. The Golden Knights are anticipated to generate a high volume of shots after a recent 7-1 loss where they only recorded 20 shots on net. Despite Montreal's recent improvements in shot suppression, Dobes is expected to be busy between the pipes.

Mads Sogaard Sent to AHL Belleville After First-Star Performance

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Ottawa Senators goaltender Mads Sogaard has been returned to AHL Belleville on Tuesday, despite being named the first star for his performance in Sunday's victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. His demotion is part of a roster shuffle that sees forward Xavier Bourgault recalled. This move allows James Reimer to draw back into the lineup, while Linus Ullmark, who was a healthy scratch, could potentially start Wednesday.

Pageau Nets Two Goals, Including Shorthanded Game-Winner

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Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored two goals, including a shorthanded game-winner, in Monday's 4-0 victory over the Flyers. The veteran center opened the scoring late in the first period. This marked his third shortie and third GWG of the season, as well as his first multi-goal performance. Through 44 games, Pageau has produced 10 goals, 21 points, 59 hits, 44 shots on net, 40 blocked shots, and a plus-1 rating.