NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 6, 2026

by | Jan 6, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 6, 2026

Recaps of Monday’s games, the three stars of the week are revealed, injury updates, contract signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING MONDAY’S ACTION

NHL.COM: The Utah Mammoth’s 3-2 win over the New York Rangers was overshadowed by a lower-body injury suffered by Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin with seven minutes remaining in the first period. Following the game, head coach Mike Sullivan said the former Vezina Trophy winner was undergoing tests to determine the severity of the injury.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi scored in overtime for the 20-20-3 Mammoth, who got regulation goals from Dylan Guenther and Michael Carcone. Alexis Lafreniere and Vincent Trocheck tallied for the 20-18-6 Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Losing Shesterkin for a significant period of time could be devastating for the Rangers’ efforts to secure a playoff berth. Following the game, the Mammoth traded defenseman Juuso Valimaki to the Carolina Hurricanes for future considerations.

The Los Angeles Kings doubled up the Minnesota Wild 4-2. Darcy Kuemper made 33 saves while Andrei Kuzmenko had a goal and an assist for the Kings, who improved to 18-14-9. Jared Spurgeon had a goal and an assist for the 25-11-8 Wild, as their six-game points streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a costly win for the Kings as captain Anze Kopitar left the game with a lower-body injury and winger Joel Armia departed with an upper-body injury. After the game, it was reported that Kopitar left the dressing room without any apparent limp. There was no update on Armia’s status.

Washington Capitals rookie winger Justin Sourdif tallied his first NHL hat trick in a 7-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Sourdif also collected two assists to finish the night with five points, while Alex Ovechkin scored twice and Connor McMichael picked up four assists for the 22-15-6 Capitals. Chris Kreider, Alex Killorn, Jacob Trouba, and Beckett Sennecke replied for the Ducks (21-18-3) as their winless skid reached six games (0-5-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals winger Tom Wilson missed this game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day. Meanwhile, the Ducks have two wins in their last dozen games. They’ve tumbled from first place to fifth in the Pacific Division, leaving them clinging to the final Western Conference wildcard berth.

The Seattle Kraken got a 41-save performance from goaltender Philipp Grubauer to defeat the Calgary Flames by a score of 5-1. Vince Dunn and Matty Beniers each had a goal and an assist for the 19-14-7 Kraken, who extended their points streak to eight games (7-0-1). Adam Klapka scored for the Flames (18-20-4).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken winger Jordan Eberle played in his 1,100th career NHL regular-season game. Speaking of the Flames, prospect defenseman Zayne Parekh set a record for most points by a Canadian blueliner in a World Junior Championship tournament, finishing with 13 as Canada took home the bronze medal in the 2026 WJC.

A three-goal first period powered the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. John Gibson made 35 saves while James van Riemsdyk had a goal and two assists for the 25-15-4 Red Wings, who regained first place in the Atlantic Division with 54 points. Tim Stutzle collected two assists to extend his point streak to 13 games for the Senators (20-16-5).

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews were the league’s three stars for the week ending Jan. 4, 2026.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars captain Jamie Benn will miss the start of the club’s six-game road trip due to facial injuries suffered during the third period of Sunday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

SPORTSNET/TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs winger William Nylander was placed on injured reserve. Defenseman Jake McCabe will be sidelined for a week with a lower-body injury.

TSN: Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The Panthers hope he’ll return to action before the Olympic break in February.

BOSTON.COM: Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm will miss some time due to an undisclosed injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: The San Jose Sharks placed defenseman John Klingberg on injured reserve.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers signed Christian Dvorak to a five-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $5.15 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dvorak has played a key role in the rebuilding Flyers improvement this season. The 29-year-old two-way center has nine goals and 25 points in 39 games, putting him on track for a career-best 18 goals and 50 points.

Dvorak might not be able to maintain that level of production throughout this new contract. Nevertheless, the Flyers see him as a key part of their future. He’s currently on a one-year, $5.4 million contract. With the salary cap rising significantly over the next two seasons, his new cap hit won’t take a significant chunk out of the Flyers’ cap payroll.

TSN: The St. Louis Blues signed forward Alexey Toropchenko to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $2.5 million.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators signed goaltender Justus Annunen to a two-year, $2.5 million contract extension.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins placed defenseman Egor Zamula on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zamula could sign with another NHL club once his contract is officially terminated on Tuesday.

TSN: Defenseman Jack Johnson officially retired as an NHL player, joining the Vancouver Canucks as a pro scout.

In 19 NHL seasons (2006-07 to 2024-25), Johnson had 342 points in 1,128 regular-season games with the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, and Chicago Blackhawks. He also had 21 points in 57 playoff games and won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.

NHL.COM: Former player, coach, and general manager Bob Pulford died on Monday at age 89.

Pulford spent 16 seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings from 1956-57 to 1971-72. He spent 14 of those seasons with the Leafs, winning four Stanley Cups. He had 281 goals and 643 points in 1,079 regular-season games, and 51 points in 89 playoff games. In 1991, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Following his playing career, Pulford went on to spend five seasons coaching the Kings, winning the Jack Adams Award in 1974-75. He went on to spend five years coaching the Chicago Blackhawks and served as their general manager during four different periods between 1977 and 2005.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Pulford’s family, friends, former teammates, and colleagues.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 26, 2025

by | Sep 26, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 26, 2025

Stars captain Jamie Benn undergoes surgery, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov injured at practice, Mitch Marner makes his preseason debut with the Golden Knights, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn will undergo surgery for a collapsed lung suffered during Tuesday’s preseason game against the Minnesota Wild.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn (NHL Images).

Stars general manager Jim Nill said Benn didn’t feel well after taking a hit late in the third period. The 36-year-old forward was x-rayed at the arena, where a hole was found in his lung. He went to Parkland Hospital for observation, where the decision was made that he should undergo surgery.

Benn is expected to make a full recovery and will be reevaluated in four weeks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn was initially listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury following that game against the Wild. The earliest he could return to action is in late October.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov had to be helped from the ice during the club’s first main preseason practice with their regular squad on Thursday.

Barkov appeared to be favoring his right leg. Head coach Paul Maurice didn’t provide much of an update on the 30-year-old center, saying he’ll give an update on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barkov won the Frank J. Selke Trophy last season as the league’s top defensive forward for the second straight year and the third time since 2020-21. It will be a big loss for the Panthers if he misses significant time, especially with winger Matthew Tkachuk out until January recovering from offseason surgeries and center Tomas Nosek sidelined by a knee injury.

RDS.CA: Mitch Marner made his preseason debut with the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. He collected an assist on one of Jack Eichel’s two goals in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Utah Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner was the biggest name to be moved during the offseason. He was shipped to the Golden Knights by the Toronto Maple Leafs in a sign-and-trade deal.

DAILY FACEOFF: Montreal Canadiens defensemen Noah Dobson, Kaiden Guhle, and David Reinbacher left Thursday’s 7-2 preseason loss to the Maple Leafs.

Dobson and Guhle are listed as day-to-day with groin injuries, while Reinbacher was still being evaluated following the game. Dobson and Reinbacher suffered their injuries during the game, while Guhle was withheld from the contest for maintenance reasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said he didn’t think that the injuries were serious and wasn’t too worried about it.

NEW YORK POST: An upper-body injury kept Islanders winger Anthony Duclair out of the lineup as his club defeated the New York Rangers 5-4 in preseason action on Thursday. He’s listed as day-to-day.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duclair rushed back too soon from a groin injury last season, which affected his performance. They’re taking a more cautious approach this season.

SPORTSNET: The Utah Mammoth placed goaltender Connor Ingram on waivers Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Followers of the Edmonton Oilers are stumping for their club to claim Ingram to bolster their goaltending depth. However, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal pointed out that one of the clubs ahead of the Oilers in the waiver claim order will likely get him first. Staples also pointed out that the Oilers lack the cap space to pick up Ingram’s $1.95 million cap hit.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins have brought back former captain Zdeno Chara in a front office role. They announced on Thursday that he will serve as their Hockey Operations Advisor and Mentor.

NEW YORK POST: The Islanders will induct former forward Pat LaFontaine into their Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony on Dec. 13. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report indicates that this will end a long-standing rift between LaFontaine and the organization, dating back to a contract dispute in 1991-92. In 2006, he was brought in as an advisor to then-owner Charles Wang, but resigned six weeks later after Neil Smith was fired as general manager.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus reports the return of Carter Hart and Michael McLeod to the NHL seems imminent. Both were among five former Hockey Canada members who were acquitted of sexual assault charges earlier this month.

Both players have been linked to the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights. Lazerus reports the two teams handled questions about them differently.

According to Lazerus, the Hurricanes “acknowledged the gravity of the situation and were open to talking about it, even in somewhat awkward hypotheticals.” However, the Golden Knights declined to let head coach Bruce Cassidy speak to The Athletic one-on-one after learning of the topic. Before Cassidy’s press conference, a spokesperson pulled the reporter from the room, told them to leave the facility immediately, and revoked their press pass for that night’s game.

The spokesperson claimed the reporter “ambushed” Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin during routine locker-room media interviews that morning, and the team wasn’t comfortable allowing the reporter to cover the game. Lazerus claimed that Hanifin showed no irritation about the questions.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Golden Knights aren’t comfortable with a reporter asking questions about rumors linking them to a controversial player, how will they react if they sign that player?










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 25, 2025

by | Sep 25, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 25, 2025

The latest on Islanders captain Anders Lee, Stars captain Jamie Benn, Senators winger Drake Batherson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders captain Anders Lee will be sidelined for one to two weeks with an upper-body injury. The timeline is precautionary, and there’s little concern that he’ll miss their season opener on Oct. 9.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Islanders, goaltender Semyon Varlamov is not close to rejoining his teammates. His last game was in November 2024, and he underwent knee surgery in December. He’s been skating individually during training camp.

New York Islanders captain Anders Lee (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders signed goalie David Rittich this summer to a one-year contract as insurance in case Varlamov remained out of the lineup.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars captain Jamie Benn is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He was held out of practice on Wednesday as a precautionary measure, but there’s no indication that the injury is serious.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators winger Drake Batherson has been ruled out for two weeks after pulling an upper-body muscle. He could miss their season-opening game on Oct. 9.

TSN: Milan Lucic is day-to-day with a suspected groin injury. He’s attending the St. Louis Blues training camp on a professional tryout offer. Head coach Jim Montgomery suggested the 37-year-old winger could get into a couple of preseason games next week if he returns to the lineup by then.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators defenseman Nicolas Hague will miss the next four to six weeks with an upper-body injury. He left the second game of a doubleheader against the Florida Panthers on Sept. 21 and didn’t return. The Predators acquired the 26-year-old Hague in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and signed him to a four-year contract on July 1.

SPORTSNET: Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander left Wednesday’s game with the Calgary Flames after suffering a lower-body injury. He was wearing a walking boot after the game and will be evaluated on Thursday.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Edmonton Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin is taking a leave of absence after his father, Alexander, died suddenly on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Podkolzin signed a three-year contract extension with the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Podkolzin on the passing of his father.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 31, 2025

by | May 31, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 31, 2025

An update on JJ Peterka, the latest Canadiens speculation, what’s next for the Stars and Hurricanes, and an update on Morgan Rielly in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD PETERKA BECOME AN OFFER-SHEET TARGET?

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston included JJ Peterka among his list of offseason trade targets. The 23-year-old Buffalo Sabres winger is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He’d draw plenty of interest if the Sabres decide to peddle him.

Buffalo Sabres winger JJ Peterka (NHL Images).

In March, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams called Peterka one of his core players. However, Johnston considers it unclear whether the winger is willing to make that kind of commitment to the club. He thinks Peterka could be an offer sheet candidate if he’s not traded before July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the players on Johnston’s trade targets list have frequently appeared in media rumors in recent weeks, which have been duly noted on this site. However, his comments about Peterka potentially getting an offer sheet echoed Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

The Sabres have over $23 million in cap space with Peterka, Bowen Byram, Jack Quinn and Ryan McLeod becoming RFAs on July 1. They’re reportedly gauging Byram’s value in the trade market, which would provide them with enough cap room to match an offer sheet for Peterka and still have enough to re-sign Quinn and McLeod.

However, Peterka could be worth watching over the next four weeks if he doesn’t see his long-term future in Buffalo. That could force the Sabres to put him on the trade block by the NHL Draft weekend (June 27-28)

THE LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont cited Johnston suggesting it wouldn’t be surprising if the Canadiens peddled one of their two first-round picks (16th and 17th overall) in this year’s draft for more immediate roster help, like a center. Johnston also included defense prospect Logan Mailloux as a trade candidate, noting that the Canadiens’ prospect cupboard is overflowing with defensemen.

TVA SPORTS: noted the Canadiens reportedly had a chance to trade Mailloux to the Anaheim Ducks last year for Trevor Zegras. However, everything fell through when they selected Ivan Demidov fifth overall at the 2024 Draft.

Dumont doesn’t see the Canadiens being in a rush to move Mailloux, but they’re also not going to rush him or prospect blueliners David Reinbacher or Adam Engstrom into their lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens could be willing to part with one or both of their 2025 first-rounders, or a first and Mailloux, if it’ll fetch a reliable second-line center, preferably one in his mid-to-late twenties.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE STARS AND HURRICANES?

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos looked at the notable offseason storylines for the Stars following their third straight elimination from the Western Conference Final.

Team captain Jamie Benn can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The front office has indicated there’s a place for the 35-year-old winger on their roster as long as he wants it, but his performance in this year’s playoffs (three points in 18 games) suggests he’s nearing the end of his playing career. If he does re-sign, it’ll be on a cheap one-year deal.

Other forwards to be re-signed or replaced include Matt Duchene, Evgenii Dadonov, Mikael Granlund, Colin Blackwell and Mavrik Bourque.

Stars GM Jim Nill must address the right side of his defense corps. Cody Ceci, Nils Lundkvist, Brendan Smith and Ilya Lyubushkin are free agents this summer. Matt Dumba is under contract for another year but could become a trade or buyout candidate.

DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk pointed out that the Stars only have $4.9 million in cap space for 2025-26. Frank Seravalli observed that their prospect pipeline has grown thinner because they’ve traded away a lot of draft picks for immediate roster help.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars GM Jim Nill has done a fine job building the Stars into a perennial playoff team, winning the Jim Gregory GM of the Year award in each of the last two seasons, and becoming a finalist this year. However, his management skills will be put to the test in addressing his club’s weaknesses, given his team’s limited cap space and few tradeable assets among their draft picks and prospects.

THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette looked at what could be in store for the Carolina Hurricanes after their elimination from the Eastern Conference Final.

The Hurricanes could move on from veteran defensemen Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov unless they’re willing to accept pay cuts and reduced roles to stay.

Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky will have over $28 million in cap space this summer and not many holes to fill on his roster. He could pursue a big-name player via free agency or trade. Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs could be a good fit. Tulsky could also pursue a defenseman to skate alongside Jaccob Slavin on their top blueline pairing.

Lavalette doesn’t rule out the unexpected, suggesting they could move out a goalie like Frederik Andersen or Pyotr Kochetkov if an upgrade emerges.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes attempted to acquire Marner from the Leafs at the trade deadline. While he declined to waive his no-movement clause, he might find the Hurricanes an acceptable destination as a free agent.

UPDATE ON MORGAN RIELLY

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has no intention of asking Morgan Rielly to waive his no-movement clause. LeBrun said the 31-year-old defenseman loves being a Leaf. “I don’t think that needs to be a talking point going forward here,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rielly surfaced in the rumor mill following the Leafs’ second-round elimination by the Florida Panthers. That sparked plenty of speculation about big changes, especially after the club parted ways with team president Brendan Shanahan.

The decline in Rielly’s performance as a puck-moving defenseman prompted some pundits to suggest trading him or buying out his contract. However, Treliving’s comments indicate neither option is on the table.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 17, 2025

by | May 17, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 17, 2025

The Maple Leafs avoided elimination and forced Game 7 with the Panthers, Stars captain Jamie Benn fined, the Oilers could get two sidelined players back for the Western Conference Final, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Toronto Maple Leafs staved off elimination with a 2-0 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of their second-round series.

Joseph Woll had a 22-save shutout, Auston Matthews scored the game-winner, and Max Pacioretty netted the insurance goal for the Leafs. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 15 shots for the Panthers.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (NHL Images).

The series returns to Toronto for the seventh and deciding game on Sunday, May 18, at 7:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given up for dead by their fans and pundits following their disastrous 6-1 loss in Game 5, this was a solid bounce-back performance by the Leafs.

Matthews (who appears to be hampered by an undisclosed injury) scored the biggest goal of his career, Woll shook off his horrible Game 5 outing, and Pacioretty continues to enjoy a strong comeback from an injury-hampered regular season.

The Leafs put up their best defensive effort of the postseason in this contest, effectively stifling the Panthers’ offensive attack.

Having avoided elimination in Florida, the Leafs return home facing their seventh Game 7, needing to snap a six-game losing skid in those situations to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.

The Leafs could go into that contest without power forward Matthew Knies. The 22-year-old winger suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 6.

This will be one of the most consequential games in franchise history. A loss will mean the end of the “Core Four Era” of the Maple Leafs, ensuring the departures of Mitch Marner and John Tavares via free agency on July 1. It could also start the clock ticking on Matthews’ departure when his four-year contract expires in 2028.

TSN: Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was fined $5,000.00 for roughing Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele in Game 5 of their second-round series on Thursday. Game 6 of their series is on Saturday in Dallas at 8 pm ET, with the Stars holding a 3-2 series lead.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm and backup goaltender Calvin Pickard will not play in Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Final. However, the two sidelined players are expected to return to action later in that series. The Oilers await the winner of the Jets-Stars series.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: As his contract with the Washington Capitals expires, Nicklas Backstrom will resume his playing career where it began. The 37-year-old center reportedly signed with Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League. Backstrom has been sidelined since October 2023 amid chronic hip issues.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Capitals, they signed prospect defenseman Ryan Chesley to a three-year entry-level contract. They chose him in the second round (37th) of the 2022 NHL Draft.

RG.ORG: Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov has praise for his former head coach John Tortorella. He considered Tortorella the best coach he could’ve had for his first NHL season. Michkov acknowledged they occasionally disagreed, but insisted they had a great relationship, adding he was grateful for what Tortorella taught him.

TSN: Montreal Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov is a finalist for KHL Rookie of the Year. The 19-year-old winger had 19 goals and 30 assists for 49 points in 65 games with SKA St. Petersburg. He joined the Canadiens late this season, collecting two points in two games, and two assists in five playoff contests.

THE SCORE: The Minnesota Wild signed prospect forward Danila Yurov to a three-year, entry-level contract. He was chosen 24th overall in the 2022 Draft.

TSN: The judge in the trial of five former members of Canada’s 2018 Junior team dismissed the jury after a juror complained that defense lawyers were acting unprofessionally. This came three weeks after a juror’s complaint about one of the defense lawyers led to a mistrial.

The trial will continue before a judge alone.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 5, 2025

by | Apr 5, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 5, 2025

Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky for the most regular-season goals in league history, Patrick Kane sets a scoring record for American-born players, injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored twice to tie Wayne Gretzky for the most regular-season goals in league history (894) in a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. John Carlson collected three assists and Dylan Strome had a goal and an assist for the Capitals (107 points), who moved within one point of the league-leading Winnipeg Jets in the overall standings. Blackhawks rookies Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore and Landon Slaggert each had two points.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a stellar game for Ovechkin, who tied the record with Gretzky in attendance. The Washington captain tallied his 894th goal in his 1,486th regular-season game, one game fewer than when Gretzky concluded his 20-season NHL career in 1999. His next opportunity to break the record is Sunday against the New York Islanders.

Ovechkin also set the record for the most 40-goal seasons (14) and the most career game-winning goals with 136, moving past Jaromir Jagr. The 39-year-old Capitals superstar is the second-oldest player to score 40 goals in a season. Gordie Howe holds that record, doing so at age 40 in 1968-69.

Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson missed this game with an upper-body injury and is expected to miss at least the next two games.

The Detroit Red Wings kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3. Patrick Kane scored his 20th goal of the season while Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin each had two points. Jaccob Slavin picked up two assists for the Hurricanes, whose three-game win streak ended. The Wings (77 points) are four points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth while the Hurricanes sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 96 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane reached the 20-goal plateau for the 17th time, passing Mike Modano for the most 20-goal seasons by an American-born NHL player. Meanwhile, Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov missed this game with an undisclosed injury.

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild, snapping a six-game winless skid (0-4-2). Ilya Sorokin stopped 27 shots for the Islanders (76 points), who moved within five points of the Canadiens in the wild-card race. Mats Zuccarello replied for the Wild, who’ve dropped four straight (0-2-2) but remain in the final Western Conference wild card with 89 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild are five points ahead of the Calgary Flames but they’ve been slumping for weeks, causing them to slide in the standings. They’re in danger of being overtaken by the Flames before the end of the regular season (April 17).

HEADLINES

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers star Leon Draisaitl will miss Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings with a lower-body injury. He’s expected to be sidelined short term but there’s no timetable for his return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are also without captain Connor McDavid, defenseman Mattias Ekholm, and starting goaltender Stuart Skinner.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: On Thursday, Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers suffered a lower-body injury against the Vegas Golden Knights. However, he could return to action on Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars head coach Pete DeBoer listed team captain Jamie Benn (undisclosed) as doubtful for Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

STLTODAY.COM: St. Louis Blues winger Dylan Holloway is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Holloway played a crucial role in the Blues’ recent surge in the standings. He should be ready to return before the playoffs start on April 19.

SPORTSNET: Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf and Jake McCabe will miss Saturday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with injuries.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky will be the bench boss for Team USA at the 2025 World Championships.