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

Tuesday, January 20

Askarov Guards Crease Tuesday for Sharks Against High-Scoring Tampa Bay

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Yaroslav Askarov will guard the road goal for the San Jose Sharks against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, following Alex Nedeljkovic's start in Monday's game. The 23-year-old Askarov has a 16-12-1 record this campaign, posting a 3.53 GAA and an .890 save percentage across 30 appearances. He faces a challenging matchup against Tampa Bay, which ranks second in the league this season with an average of 3.49 goals per game.

Martin Pospisil Rejoins Flames After Conditioning Stint, Olympic Bound

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Forward Martin Pospisil has rejoined the Calgary Flames following a brief conditioning assignment with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers. He had been sidelined since the preseason due to an injury sustained against the Vancouver Canucks and appeared in two AHL games for recovery. Pospisil is expected to make his regular-season debut as early as Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins and will represent Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Dryden Hunt was reassigned to the AHL to make roster room.

Travis Konecny Scores Two Goals, Leads Flyers to End Losing Skid

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Travis Konecny scored both goals in a 2-1 road victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, snapping the Flyers’ season-worst six-game skid. The 28-year-old winger scored his 11th shorthanded goal in the last four seasons and recorded his 11th multi-point effort this season, in which the Flyers are 10-1-0. With 17 goals and 26 assists in 47 games, Konecny is on pace for his second straight 70-plus point season and is driving the team's playoff push.

William Nylander Misses Practice with Groin Injury, Status Uncertain

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William Nylander missed another Toronto Maple Leafs practice and appears unlikely to play in Wednesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, as he continues to rehab a re-aggravated groin injury. He hasn't been on the ice since exiting a game against the Vegas Golden Knights last week after playing just 2:17, where he scored a goal and an assist. Nylander initially missed six games with the injury in December. Despite missing 12 of 49 games, he still leads the Maple Leafs in points with 17 goals and 38 points in 37 games.

Ilya Solovyov Traded to Penguins in Exchange for Puustinen, Draft Pick

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Defenseman Ilya Solovyov has been traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Valtteri Puustinen and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick. Solovyov, a 6-foot-3, 208-pound left-handed defenseman, played 16 games for the Avalanche this season, recording his first career NHL goal and two assists for three points, averaging 11:13 of ice time. He had a recent three-game point streak and played last night for the Avs. The Penguins acquired him to address their blueline depth.

Sanderson Regrets Public Criticism of Teammate's Goaltending

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Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson expressed embarrassment and regret over his public criticism of rookie goaltender Leevi Meriläinen following a 6-5 overtime loss to Montreal. Sanderson, 23, had stated, "you need more than 10 saves to win a game." He apologized to Meriläinen, emphasizing that "good teammates" build each other up. Sanderson acknowledged frustration with goaltending at times but noted it applies to all positions. He praised James Reimer's recent debut performance.

Zachary Bolduc's Production Dips After Strong Start with Canadiens

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Winger Zachary Bolduc, acquired by the Montreal Canadiens from the St. Louis Blues for Logan Mailloux on July 1, 2025, started strong with goals in his first three games and top-line ice time. However, his production has since tailed off, and his role has decreased to the fourth line and second power play unit. He hasn't scored in his last 12 games, now posting 10 goals and 18 points in 49 games, putting him on pace for fewer goals and points than last season with the Blues.

Mailloux's Defensive Struggles Highlighted in Bolduc Trade Revisit

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Defenseman Logan Mailloux, acquired by the St. Louis Blues from the Montreal Canadiens for Zachary Bolduc on July 1, 2025, has shown defensive struggles this season. In 34 NHL games, he has recorded just one goal and one assist with a minus-22 rating, averaging 13:47 of ice time. After a brief AHL stint, his game has steadied alongside Cam Fowler, and he received a one-year contract extension. The trade, initially a shock, aimed to add youth and offense to the Blues' blueline.

Kris Letang Suffers Upper-Body Injury, Day-to-Day After Missing Practice

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Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang missed Tuesday's practice due to an upper-body injury and is currently considered day-to-day. Letang has been in strong offensive form since the start of 2026, recording one goal and five assists along with 13 shots in 10 games, averaging 23:35 of ice time. His potential absence for Wednesday's game against Calgary could open an opportunity for Ilya Solovyov or Jack St. Ivany to join the lineup.

Valtteri Puustinen Traded to Avalanche for Solovyov, Draft Pick

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Forward Valtteri Puustinen has been traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Colorado Avalanche, along with a 2026 seventh-round draft pick, in exchange for defenseman Ilya Solovyov. Puustinen, a 26-year-old who can play both left and right wing, spent the entire 2025-26 season with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, recording 7 goals and 19 assists in 35 games. He previously played 66 career NHL games with Pittsburgh, including 52 games in 2023-24 where he notched 20 points. This move adds needed wing depth for the Avalanche.

Nichushkin Set to Return Wednesday After Minor Car Accident

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Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) is expected to play Wednesday against the Ducks, despite sustaining minor injuries in a car accident on Monday. The Colorado Avalanche winger participated in Tuesday's optional skate and is not expected to miss any additional time. He should reclaim his spot on the second line alongside Ross Colton and Brock Nelson, provided there are no setbacks before puck drop.

Hofer to Start Against Jets in Winnipeg, Eyes Third Straight Win

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St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer is confirmed to start against the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Hofer enters the game having won his last two outings, stopping 67 of 69 shots. This season, he holds an 11-9-2 record with a 2.76 GAA and a .905 save percentage across 26 appearances. He previously recorded a 24-save shutout against the Jets on December 17. Winnipeg ranks 20th in the league with 2.98 goals per game this season.

Tristan Jarry to Start for Oilers After Shutout, Solidifying Goalie Role

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Tristan Jarry is slated to start for the Edmonton Oilers against the Devils on Tuesday, following his second shutout of the season (first with the Oilers) where he made 31 saves in a 6-0 win over Vancouver. His season record stands at 13-3-2 with a 2.64 GAA and .909 save percentage through 19 appearances across Edmonton and Pittsburgh. Jarry, with a $5.375 million contract, has solidified his role in the Oilers' goaltending tandem alongside Connor Ingram, contributing to the likely reassignment of veteran Calvin Pickard.

Panarin Not to Be Re-signed by Rangers, Becomes Top Trade Target

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New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin, a pending unrestricted free agent, will not be re-signed by the team, making him a primary trade target before the Olympic roster freeze on February 4 or the March 6 trade deadline. Insiders suggest the Detroit Red Wings are a potential destination, citing their cap space and assets. The Colorado Avalanche were also linked, but analysis suggests a trade would be difficult due to their cap situation and limited draft capital. Panarin carries an $11.6 million cap hit and a full no-move clause.

Connor Ingram Solidifies Role in Oilers' Goaltending Tandem

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Connor Ingram has solidified his position in the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending tandem, alongside Tristan Jarry, due to his solid starts and recent shutout performances. This development, combined with cap considerations, suggests that veteran Calvin Pickard will likely be reassigned to the AHL. Ingram, with a $1.95 million contract, is seen as a key part of the younger, higher-performing duo the Oilers are building for their crease.

Calvin Pickard Faces AHL Reassignment Despite Professionalism

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Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard is likely heading to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors despite his professional demeanor and reliable play. The Oilers are carrying three goalies (Pickard, Tristan Jarry, Connor Ingram), but cap space and the strong play of Jarry and Ingram necessitate a move. Pickard, on a team-friendly $1 million contract, is the expected odd man out due to Jarry and Ingram being younger and currently performing better, forming the desired tandem for the team.

Gibson Named Red Wings' Starter Wednesday, Aims for 7th Straight Win

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John Gibson has been named the Detroit Red Wings' starting goaltender for Wednesday's road game against the Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old netminder will look to extend his win streak to seven games, which would be his second-longest of the season. Gibson currently holds a 19-9-1 record with a 2.74 GAA and a .902 save percentage across 30 appearances this season. He has a chance to surpass his 2017-18 career-high of 31 wins. He will face the Maple Leafs, who rank sixth in the NHL with 3.37 goals per game.

Saros Starts Tuesday vs. Sabres, Riding Back-to-Back Wins

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Juuse Saros will start in goal for the Nashville Predators at home against the Sabres on Tuesday. The Finnish netminder is coming off back-to-back wins against high-scoring opponents (Oilers, Avalanche), making 68 saves on 74 shots in those victories. After a 7-9-3 start with a 3.08 GAA, Saros has improved to a 12-6-0 record with a .908 save percentage since December, helping the Predators re-enter the playoff conversation. He faces a Sabres team that has scored 18 goals in their last five games.

Roope Hintz Expected to Record a Point Against Bruins

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Roope Hintz is predicted to record at least one point in tonight's game against the Boston Bruins, aiming to get back on track after two scoreless games. Hintz is having another strong season, on pace for his fifth consecutive year of 65+ points, and has hit the scoresheet in 61% of his appearances. He has points in 18 of 25 games against teams ranking 15th or worse in points allowed to opposing centers and has recorded points in three consecutive games against Boston.

Swayman Tends Goal in Six-Game Bruins Win Streak

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Jeremy Swayman is set to start in net for the Boston Bruins against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. The 27-year-old goalie has been instrumental in the Bruins' current six-game winning streak, securing three wins himself with a 1.34 GAA and .951 save percentage. The Stars, despite averaging 3.27 goals per game, have struggled offensively, losing three straight games with only one goal scored in each. This matchup offers Swayman an opportunity to continue his strong performance.