NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 21, 2026
The Lightning’s points streak reaches 14 games, Senators goalie Linus Ullmark talks about his leave of absence, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPPING TUESDAY’S ACTION
NHL.COM: The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their points streak to 14 games (13-0-1) with a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Brandon Hagel scored twice and collected an assist. Nikita Kucherov had three assists for the 31-13-4 Lightning, who hold first place in the Eastern Conference with 66 points, holding two games in hand over the Carolina Hurricanes (66 points). Tyler Toffoli replied for the Sharks (25-21-3).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning center Anthony Cirelli suffered an injury early in the third period. He will be reevaluated on Wednesday.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel (NHL Images).
Ottawa Senators forwards Tim Stutzle and Ridly Greig each had a goal and an assist as their club defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1. Jame Reimer stopped 21 shots as the Senators improved to 23-19-7. Sean Monahan scored for the Blue Jackets (22-20-7) as their four-game win streak ended.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, TSN published an interview with Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark, who is currently on a leave of absence. Ullmark explained that he stepped away for mental health reasons after suffering panic attacks before and after the Senators’ game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 27. There is no timetable for his return.
Ullmark also addressed the rumors circulating on social media regarding his absence, prompting the Senators to release a statement on January 8, condemning the unfounded speculation.
“And people wonder why hockey players – professional athletes – are not talking. Why we’re not showing any sort of emotions. Why mental health in men and in women are a stigma,” Ullmark said.
Referring to the trolls on social media, he said that it took them 24 hours from the announcement of his leave of absence to come up with reasons why he stepped away. “Saying I’m a homewrecker, a person no one likes on the team. And I can’t defend myself.”
Ullmark said the rumors prompted family and friends to contact him and his wife to find out if they were okay. “They send text messages asking, ‘Hey, are you guys good?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, why?’ And then they tell you about the rumors, and you’re like, ‘What the f**k is wrong with people?’”
Speaking of the Senators, defenseman Jake Sanderson said he apologized to now-demoted Leevi Merilainen for publicly criticizing the goaltender’s performance in a 6-5 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Sanderson said he still feels embarrassed about making those comments and feels bad about his teammate.
Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson scored twice to beat the Boston Bruins 6-2, ending the latter’s six-game win streak. Justin Hryckowian and Miro Heiskanen each had three points for the 28-13-9 Stars, ending a three-game losing skid. Morgan Geekie and Fraser Minten scored for the Bruins (28-20-2).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of Robertson, he recently changed agents amid contract extension talks with the Stars. He’s slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Meanwhile, Stars winger Mikko Rantanen missed the game due to illness.
Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield scored with 15 seconds remaining in regulation to nip the Minnesota Wild 4-3. Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov each had two points for the 28-15-7 Canadiens. Vladimir Tarasenko tallied twice for the Wild (28-14-9).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens winger Alexandre Texier missed this game as he’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin will miss the upcoming Winter Olympics with a lower-body injury. Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson could also miss that tournament as he recovers from a procedure on his left thigh. Both players were selected for Sweden’s Men’s Hockey Team.
The Los Angeles Kings got 27 saves from Anton Forsberg in a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers, ending a four-game winless skid. Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist for the Kings, who improved to 20-16-13. J.T. Miller scored two goals for the Rangers, who slipped to 21-24-6.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forsberg took over late in the first period as Darcy Kuemper left the game with an upper-body injury.
New Jersey Devils forwards Arseny Gritsyuk and Cody Glass scored to defeat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1. Jake Allen made 22 saves for the 26-22-2 Devils, who have won four of their last five games. Matt Savoie replied for the Oilers (25-18-8).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils defenseman Luke Hughes missed this game after suffering an apparent shoulder injury against the Calgary Flames on Monday.
Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Konsta Helenius had a goal and two assists for his first NHL points in a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators. Noah Ostlund scored twice to open the scoring for the Sabres (27-17-5). Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg each had three points for the Predators, who dropped to 23-22-4.
The Winnipeg Jets downed the St. Louis Blues 3-1. Mark Scheifele had two goals and an assist, and Josh Morrissey had a goal and two assists for the 20-23-6 Jets. Jordan Kyrou tallied for the Blues (19-23-8).
IN OTHER NEWS…
TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz was sent to the club’s AHL affiliate on a conditioning stint. It’s the next step in his return to the lineup after being sidelined with an upper-body nerve issue since Nov. 11.
CBS SPORTS: Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins acquired defenseman Ilya Solovyov from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for winger Valtteri Puustinen and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The only good thing about the Boston loss at Dallas was that Morgan Geekie needed his goal drought by scoring his 26th.Hoping that Linus Ullmark bounces back and gets healthy. He was a good guy his whole stay in Boston.
Yesterday I posted two tables showing average goals scored and against per game played for each team. I thought it might be interesting – to some anyway – as to how those tables look combined. Using today’s NHL.com Conference standings, and counting last night’s games – showing GP – Goals For – Goals Against – Average Goals Scored Per Game – Average Goals Allowed Per Game – Average Plus/Minus Differential Per Game:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Tampa 48gp 170 121 3.5 2.5 +1.0
2. Carolina 50gp 173 145 3.5 2.9 + 0.6
3. Detroit 50gp 157 153 3.1 3.1 E
4. Montreal 50gp 172 167 3.4 3.3 +0.1
5. Buffalo 49gp 163 153 3.3 3.1 +0.2
6. NY Islanders 49gp 145 137 3.0 2.8 +0.2
7. Boston 50gp 166 156 3.3 3.1 +0.2
8. Pittsburgh 48gp 156 147 3.3 3.1 +0.2
9. Toronto 49gp 165 164 3.4 3.4 E
10. Philadelphia 48gp 143 150 3.0 3.1 -0.1
11. Washington 50gp 159 148 3.3 3.0 +0.3
12. New Jersey 50gp 131 151 2.6 3.0 -0.4
13. Florida 48gp 146 169 3.0 3.3 -0.3
14. Ottawa 49gp 163 164 3.3 3.4 -0.1
15. Columbus 49gp 149 164 3.0 3.4 -0.4
16. NY Rangers 51gp 138 159 2.7 3.1 -0.4
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Colorado 47gp 190 112 4.0 2.4 +1.6
2. Dallas 50gp 169 141 3.4 2.8 +0.6
3. Minnesota 51gp 164 147 3.2 2.9 +0.3
4. Vegas 48gp 161 147 3.4 3.1 +0.3
5. Edmonton 51gp 171 169 3.4 3.1 +0.3
6. Utah 49gp 153 135 3.1 2.8 +0.3
7. Anaheim 49gp 163 175 3.4 3.6 -0.2
8. San Jose 49gp 153 173 3.1 3.5 -0.4
9. Los Angeles 49gp 129 139 2.6 2.8 -0.2
10. Seattle 48gp 133 147 2.8 3.1 -0.3
11. Nashville 49gp 141 166 2.9 3.4 -0.5
12. Calgary 49gp 127 145 2.6 3.0 -0.4
13. Chicago 49gp 135 154 2.8 3.1 -0.3
14. Winnipeg 49gp 147 151 2.9 3.1 -0.2
15. St. Louis 50gp 121 171 2.4 3.4 -1.0
16. Vancouver 49gp 129 189 2.6 3.7 -1.1
Thanks, George. With the exception of Tampa Bay, the Eastern Conference has a whole lot of sameness. More buyers?
The Western Conference is more spread out, it seems. More sellers?
Trade deadline might be pretty confusing. Lots of deals like the Sharks made the other day?
That’s certainly the way it’s shaping up, BCLeafFan.
In fact, that Eastern logjam certainly points to a higher frequency of trades, especially by those teams thinking they still have a shot at a playoff spot – which is projected to require at least 96 points – and who perhaps look at that goal as being a higher priority than getting into the McKenna lottery range.
Right now, I see 4 teams as shoo-ins for the top 4 spots in the Eastern Conference if they play their remaining games at anywhere near their current % pace (and, since those have been established over upwards of 50 games played, I see no reason they shouldn’t – barring complete disasters): Tampa .688, Carolina .660, Detroit .640, and Montreal .630. I doubt any of them will make major moves between now and the trade deadline.
The next 4 spots down to the 2nd WC slot belong to Pittsburgh, Boston, NYI and Buffalo who, if they too maintain their current % pace, will wind up with 97, 95, 99 and 99 respectively. Those 4 I can see making at least one trade to maintain/strengthen their positions, as there are 5 breathing down their necks who almost assuredly will be involved in the trade market: Toronto (projected to wind up with 94 pts at their current .571 pace), Philadelphia (projected to end with 92 points at their .563 pace), Washington & New Jersey (both projected to reach 89 points at their .540 pace), and the 2-time Cup champion Florida, looking at 91 points at their current .552 pace. Each needs a big boost to get into the final push.
The task for each of Ottawa (a projected 89 point finish at their current .541 pace and who need a strong contribution from Ullmark to the end to have any hope), Columbus (85 points tops at their current .520 pace), and NYR (77 points projected at their current .471 pace) is virtually out of reach. Over their remaining games they’d need to raise their % pace to .652, .682 and .774 respectively just to get to 96 points. No trades they might make – even if so inclined – can remedy that, so if they do get involved in deals, it will be for next season – or even further down the line type of improvements (e.g., picks, prospects).
For the record, those top 4 teams in the East – at their current pace over their possible points left, would wind up as follows:
Tampa & Carolina – 110 each
Detroit 105
Montreal 103
Lyle
I believe the Avalanche received a 7th round pick in addition to player not the penguins?
tommy boy, that’s the way it’s reported at TSN anyway
“Defenceman Ilya Solovyov is on his way to the Penguins after being acquired in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche for forward Valtteri Puustinen and a 2026 seventh-round pick, the team announced Tuesday.”
Thanks, tommy boy, I’ve doubled checked the NHL trade tracker and amended this accordingly. Cheers!
Your welcome Lyle, I was just reading Avalanche media right around when it went down
As much as I sympathize with the abuse Ullmark suffered, I cannot understand friends of players pushing stuff to them from social media. Were I a player I would make it very clear that I wanted to see or hear nothing from friends/family about such stuff. Social media is a cess pool. If Ullmark had something to tell his friends about his relationship with his wife, he’d tell them.
Social media is, unfortunately, in essence in so many cases, a cesspool frequented by perverts and incurable s*&t-disturbers.
All the more reason for players to set expectations about what friends and family forward, George.
As the old Looney Tunes characters Mac and Tosh – aka The Goofy Gophers – used to say, “indubitably.” Keep stuff private.