NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 5, 2026
A big game for the Blue Jackets, a hat-trick performance by the Wild’s Matt Boldy, the Blues and Devils make a trade, top prospect Gavin McKenna charged with assault, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: The Columbus Blue Jackets won their seventh straight game by blanking the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0. Jet Greaves stopped 21 shots as the Jackets won their second straight game via shutout. Zach Werenski scored his 20th goal of the season, and Charlie Coyle collected two assists for the 29-20-7 Blue Jackets. Spencer Knight stopped 16 of 19 shots for the Blackhawks, who slipped to 22-26-9.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski leads all NHL defensemen in goals this season and sits second to Edmonton Oilers blueliner Evan Bouchard with 62 points. Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko missed his second straight game due to illness. Meanwhile, Blackhawks forwards Wyatt Kaiser and Colton Dach left this game with injuries.
Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy cracked the 30-goal plateau with a hat trick, and Jared Spurgeon scored in overtime for a 6-5 victory over the Nashville Predators. Boldy also collected an assist for a four-point game, and Quinn Hughes had two assists for the 34-14-10 as they extended their win streak to five games. Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly each had three points for the Predators (26-24-3).
Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn scored his second goal of the game with 23 seconds remaining in the third period to defeat the St. Louis Blues 5-4. Benn also had an assist while Jason Robertson tallied his 200th career NHL regular-season goal for the 34-14-9 Stars as they picked up their sixth consecutive victory. Jimmy Snuggerud and Jordan Kyrou each had a goal and an assist for the 20-28-9 Blues, who’ve dropped eight of their last nine games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin returned to action after missing four games with a lower-body injury. Teammate Lian Bichsel is expected to return to the lineup following the Olympic break. He’s been out of action since Nov. 30 with a lower-body injury.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has two assists, including his 700th career NHL regular-season assist, as his club doubled up the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Artturi Lehkonen tallied twice, and Valeri Nichushkin picked up three assists for the 37-9-9 Avalanche, who lead the league with 83 points. Timothy Liljegren and Philipp Kurashev replied for the Sharks (27-24-4), who are 0-3-1 in their last four contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks are 4-6-1 in their last 11. Before that slide, they were sitting third in the Pacific Division. They’ve since slipped to sixth, sitting five points out of a wildcard berth in the Western Conference.
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-1. Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson each had a goal and two assists, and goaltender Sam Montembeault kicked out 36 shots for the 32-17-8 Canadiens, extending their points streak to five games (4-0-1). Kyle Connor replied for the Jets, who dropped to 22-26-8.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Big win for Montembeault, who bailed out his teammates during their sluggish first period. Following the game, he revealed that he had gone through an emotional time recently, with his grandmother passing away on Jan. 27 and the Canadiens firing goalie coach Eric Raymond, who had coached Montembeault since 2021.
Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell had a goal and two assists in a 5-4 shootout victory over the Boston Bruins. Matthew Tkachuk and Uvis Balinskis each had a goal and an assist, and Brad Marchand tallied the winning goal in the shootout for the 29-24-3 Panthers, snapping a four-game losing skid. Michael Eyssimont tallied twice for the Bruins (32-21-4).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy was fortunate to avoid a serious injury after receiving an illegal hit to the head by Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis midway through the first period. McAvoy left the game but returned in the second period. Vilamanis received a two-minute minor penalty but left the game with an upper-body injury.
Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley stopped 36 shots, and Ryan Lomberg snapped a 3-3 tie in a 4-3 upset of the Edmonton Oilers. Matvei Gridin had a goal and an assist for the 23-27-6 Flames. Leon Draisaitl scored twice, and Evan Bouchard had three assists for the Oilers (28-22-8), who have lost three straight contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl was not impressed with his club’s recent performance. Following the game, he blasted everyone (himself included), from the coaches to his teammates. His remarks fueled comments on social media suggesting head coach Kris Knoblauch is in danger of losing his job.
It was a sour end to what had been a good day for Draisaitl, as he learned he was named one of the flagbearers for his native Germany in the opening ceremony for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Utah Mammoth got a goal and an assist each from Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz to lead their club over the Detroit Red Wings 4-1. Karel Vejmelka stopped 29 shots for the 30-23-4 Mammoth. Dylan Larkin scored for the Wings (33-19-6).
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Mark Stone picked up two assists for the Golden Knights (26-16-14), who hold first place in the Pacific Division with 66 points. Teddy Blueger collected two assists for the 18-33-6 Canucks.
Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright scored twice in a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Joey Daccord stopped 25 shots for the Kraken (27-20-9). Andrei Kuzmenko scored both goals for the Kings (23-18-14).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings will be looking forward to Artemi Panarin’s production. They acquired the playmaking superstar yesterday in a trade with the New York Rangers.
IN OTHER NEWS…
TSN: The St. Louis Blues traded center Nick Bjugstad on Wednesday to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The sell-off begins in St. Louis as this move could lead to more deals involving more notable Blues players before the March 6 trade deadline. Goaltender Jordan Binnington, defenseman Justin Faulk, and forwards Brayden Schenn, Robert Thomas, and Jordan Kyrou have been mentioned as trade candidates.
The Devils were seeking experienced depth at center. Bjugstad could skate on the third or fourth line.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Devils, there’s no certainty that sidelined center Jack Hughes will be in their lineup for Thursday’s game against the New York Islanders. He remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to play for Team USA in the upcoming Winter Olympics.
DAILY FACEOFF: Top NHL prospect and Penn State forward Gavin McKenna faces a felony assault charge stemming from an alleged altercation on Saturday. He was also charged with misdemeanor simple assault and two offenses for disorderly conduct and harassment.
A conviction of a first-degree felony carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred in a downtown bar in State College, Pennsylvania, following Penn State’s 5-4 loss to Michigan State in the outdoor game at Beaver Stadium. The unidentified victim suffered a broken jaw.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It is important to remember that McKenna is innocent until proven guilty. Nevertheless, this incident casts a cloud of uncertainty over his future.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended 20 games without pay for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA performance-enhancing substances program.
In a statement, Jones indicated he was receiving exosome therapy for a documented injury from an outside provider. He believes his positive test result was related to a contaminated substance associated with the treatment, adding that he didn’t intentionally use the prohibited substance. Nevertheless, he apologized for his actions.
That McKenna incident COULD … and I’m not suggesting it WILL … take a really long time to have settled in court, judging by this Googled response to a query as to how long this could drag on:
“Yes, assault charges stemming from a fight can take a long time to settle in court, often lasting
months to over two and a half years, depending on the complexity of the case, the jurisdiction, and whether the matter goes to trial. While minor, simple assault cases might resolve in 3 to 5 months via a peace bond, more serious cases—such as those involving bodily harm, weapons, or domestic situations—often face significant delays, commonly extending 12 to 18 months or more.”
That broken jaw he inflicted MAY wind up causing a lengthy process IF it goes to trial, and in that case he could very well drop like the proverbial rock at the draft.
Which raises the perpetual question: if lengthy (and costly) trials can ensue as the result of bodily injury in a common bar fight, why are pro athletes never – or rarely – charged following fights in a game where someone suffers injury as a result? So I Googled that question, too, and got this:
“Pro athletes are rarely charged with criminal assault following on-field fights due to a combination of legal principles, the implied consent athletes give to physical contact, and a general preference for leagues to handle discipline internally. While they are not above the law, the specific context of a sporting event makes prosecution difficult, though it is not impossible if the actions are clearly excessive.”
Last time there was any consideration to charging a player for on ice assault was in Vancouver with Todd Bertuzzi. Remember that? Vancouver policy investigated but there were no charges.
Actually, Everydayboots, criminal charges were laid against Bertuzzi for that March, 2004 on-ice ambush of Steve Moore. He was charged with assault causing bodily harm, later plead guilty to the charge and received a conditional discharge, a year of probation, and 80 hours of community work. So, he effectively has a record.
Actually, Everydayboots, criminal charges were laid against Bertuzzi for that March, 2004 on-ice ambush of Steve Moore.
After Moore suffered 3 fractured vertebrae (specifically C3 and C4) in his neck, a severe concussion, and facial lacerations. Bertuzzi was charged with assault causing bodily harm, later plead guilty to the charge and received a conditional discharge, a year of probation, and 80 hours of community work. So, he effectively has a record.
Sorry about the double-post.
I put a question to relatives in the U.K. about game action incidents resulting in criminal charges, and was told about Duncan Ferguson who, when he played in the 1990s/early 2000s, was widely regarded as intensely aggressive and a “legit a lunatic” earning the nickname “Duncan Disorderly.” He once headbutted a player in 1994 for which he received a 3 month prison sentence.
Ah, you are right. Thanks, George!
Well. I would say his stock was already looking like draft day Shayne Wright stock. Especially after his performance at the world juniors. Whatever. There’s a rug, and this will probably get swept under it. Of course if I get mouthy at a bar with George and find myself on the receiving end of a broken jaw – the book is thrown and then some civil action flies in to get me my pound of flesh and coin.
Heh. Too damned old for that now, Dark G. I’d just play “the age card.”
As for Wright, he did drop from the projected # 1 – but only to # 4. I have a feeling if McKenna goes to court and that is still in process by the time of the draft, he could fall a lot further than that.
Regarding McKenna: a few internet stories out there suggest that an older (21) drunk kid was antagonizing him, called his mother a derogatory slang, and got kicked out of the establishment by security. However he then waited outside for McKenna to leave and started the altercation again.
If all true, I don’t think anything against McKenna will stick or impact his draft position.
Again, none of this is verified yet, so we’ll see what truly comes out in the news and charges.
The article does not identify the other person involved in the fight nor does it state whether he was charged with anything. Often in such a situation the police will arrest and charge everyone involved after a preliminary investigation and let the lawyers figure it out. And quite often after further investigation the prosecuting attorneys will drop charges if warranted. This is obviously just the start of the matter.
The NHL and hockey fans everywhere are finding out what Blue Jackets fans have known for awhile. Zach Werenski is an elite player. He just might pull the Jackets into the playoffs.
He has to be at the very top of the Norris Trophy list this year, Paul, even ahead of Makar … and maybe the MVP award as well.
Something overlooked in the accounts that I have seen is that McKenna was illegally in the bar to begin with.
The drinking age in Pennsylvania is 21 and he’s only 18.
That could be a factor in what lies ahead. Perhaps the bar will also be charged now for serving under-age?
If he was served alcohol that’s on the establishment. They may be looking at fines.
I believe he had a wrist band that permitted is access to the bar. It’s a thing down there. You are allowed in but cannot be served alcohol. I’m sure there are ways around it, though.
You might want to check that out George.
In Pa it’s a serious offense and the minor has some automatic penalties and some additional judgement calls.
Most importantly it’s a criminal charge,
The only way this is mitigated is if there was somebody over the age of 25 with him.
He stepped into a serious situation,
Thanks, Habfan30. Murkier and murkier, with plenty of blame to go around. I’m sure, too, that any lawyers hired by the McKenna side will be digging deep into the background of the guy who suffered the broken jaw to see if he has a history of being an a-hole.
In which case the whole thing could be dropped like a hot potato.
If he wasn’t drinking he was allowed in the bar. He doesn’t need a chaperone in pa over 25. Not sure where you got that habsfan.
Ya, best to wait on this one George, and ignore randos on SM.
But what does seem clear is there was a altercation that turned into a scrap, Mckenna appears to have landed at least one clean shot.
I think most guys of my age group or older has been in at least one bar fight, whether inside or out, or witnessed one first hand. All kind of crazy sh*t can and did happen. Especially when they got outside.
Safe to say, witness recollections can be a little “hazy” in that situation. Can’t remember much ever coming of any of these at least for the guys in my group.
Maybe because the guys involved didn’t press for or want charges placed. I dunno not a lawyer.
But I think Howard is!
So plenty of possible scenarios, so definitely best to wait and see. Even if one or both charges are dropped. There is usually blame to go around and these are rarely a one sided issue.
Also think there would be cameras inside and out these days.
Guys I think some parents of players were there. It was after the outdoor game and they all went out as plenty of guys on that team would be under the age of 21.
If I was A GM and I can grab a guy who has skills like McKenna….AND, he’s tough and isn’t afraid to drop the gloves to defend himself or a team mate…….hmmmmmm
Bruins are averaging 5 penalties a game and that’s climbing .. with the horrible PK how is this team 12 games over .500
Cable, am asking much the same question about Ottawa, averaging 4.11 penalties per game and still above .500 which, with L.A., is the absolute worst pk.