News and Notes from Thursday, January 1st, 2026
News
- The National Hockey League announced the Three Stars of the Month. Edmonton Oilers C Connor McDavid was announced the First Star of the Month for December. McDavid in 15 games played had 13 goals and 21 assists.
- The Second Star was awarded to Colorado Avalanche C Nathan MacKinnon, who had 14 goals and 12 assists in 14 games played.
- Rounding out the announcement us San Jose Sharks C Macklin Celebrini being named the Third Star of the Month. Celebrini in 14 games played had eight goals and 17 assists.
Jersey Tracking and Mini Recaps
Washington Capitals v. Ottawa Senators – 1p ET
- In Ottawa, the Senators hosted the Capitals and in the first Washington took the 1-0 lead when Tom Wilson netted his 22nd and then Dylan Strome scored a power play goal to put the Caps up 2-0. In the second, Ottawa got on the board when Nick Jensen scored his second of the year and then the Sens tied the game when Ridly Greig got his fifth of the year. In the third, Ottawa took 3-2 lead when David Perron scored his eighth of the year but then Aliaksei Protas got his 16th of the year to bring Washington even with Ottawa. Then, Fabian Zetterlund scored the game winner, his 10th goal of the year, to give the Senators the 4-3 win over the Capitals.
Utah Mammoth v. New York Islanders – 3p ET
- In Long Island, the Islanders welcomed the Mammoth back and following a scoreless first Utah took the 1-0 lead when Dylan Guenther scored his 18th but then New York got on the board when Calum Ritchie netted his sixth. Then, the Mammoth re-took the lead when Dylan Guenther netted his second of the day and then Nick Schmaltz scored his 13th as Utah took the two goal lead. In the third, Utah went up three when Mikhail Sergachev struck with a power play goal, his sixth, and the Clayton Keller scored a power play goal of his own, his 13th goal on the year, as the Mammoth went up four. Then, the Isles got within three when Matthew Schaefer scored his 10th on the year on the New York man advantage but Dylan Guenther completed the hat trick to put Utah back up four. Then, Nick Schmaltz scored his second of the game as the Mammoth breezed by the Islanders 7-2.
Winnipeg Jets v. Toronto Maple Leafs – 7p ET
- In Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcomed the Jets and in the first Winnipeg took the 1-0 lead when Gabriel Vilardi scored his 17th and then Dylan DeMelo’s second of the year gave the Jets the 2-0 lead. In the second, Toronto got on the board when Auston Matthews scored his 16th of the year but then Winnipeg re-took the two goal lead when Alex Iafallo scored his seventh of the year. Mark Scheifele then scored his 19th of the year to put Winnipeg up 4-1 but then Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored his seventh as the the Maple Leafs came within two. Auston Matthews then scored a power play goal, his second of the night, as Toronto came within a goal. In the third, Matias Maccelli scored her sixth as Toronto evened the score but then Winnipeg re-took the lead when Mark Scheifele scored her 20th of the year on the Jets power play. Troy Stecher then netter his second as Toronto tied the game once more and then Auston Matthews completed the hat trick as the Maple Leafs got the 6-5 win over the Jets.
Detroit Red Wings v. Pittsburgh Penguins – 7p ET
- In Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcomed the Red Wings back to the Steel City and in the first Sidney Crosby scored a pair of goals, the first being a power play goal, to put Pittsburgh up 2-0 but then James van Riemsdyk scored a power play goal of his own, his 10th goal of the year, to bring Detroit within a goal. In the second, Andrew Copp scored his fifth to tie the game for the Red Wings. In the third, Blake Lizotte netted his fourth to give the Pens the lead back but then Alex DeBrincat scored a power play goal, his 21st, as Detroit tied the game once more. In overtime, Kris Letang scored the game winner as the Penguins got the 4-3 win over the Red Wings.
Montreal Canadiens v. Carolina Hurricanes – 7p ET
- In Carolina, the Hurricanes hosted the Canadiens and in the first Nick Suzuki scored his 14th of the year to put Montréal 1-0 and then Oliver Kapanen scored his 12th to put the Habs up 2-0. Then Carolina got on the board when Nikolaj Ehlers scored a power play goal, his ninth goal of the year, and then Sebastian Aho’s 15th of the year made it even score. Andrei Svechnikov then went on to score his 11th. In the second, Alexander Nikishin scored a power play goal of his own to put Carolina up two but then Sammy Blais scored his third to bring Montréal back within a goal. Cole Caufield then went on to net his 20th as the Canadiens evened the score and then Josh Anderson netted his ninth as Montréal went re-took the lead. In the third, Juraj Slafkovský scored his 14th as the Habs took the two goal lead but then Sebastian Aho scored his second of the night as Carolina came within a goal. Lane Hutson then scored his sixth as the Canadiens held on to down the Hurricanes 7-5.
Tampa Bay Lightning v. Los Angeles Kings – 7p ET
- In Los Angeles, the Kings hosted the Lightning and in the first Tampa Bay took the 1-0 lead with a power play goal from Brayden Point, his eighth goal of the year, but then Los Angeles tied the game when Jeff Malott scored his third of the year. Then, Andrei Kuzmenko scored his eighth with a Los Angeles power play goal to give the Kings the 2-1 lead. In the second, Brayden Point scored his second of the night as Tampa Bay tied the game 2-2. In the third, Kevin Fiala netted his 14th of the year with a Kings power play goal but then Anthony Cirelli scored his 11th of the year to even the score 3-3. Gage Gonclaves then netted his fourth of the year as Tampa re-took the lead and then Nikita Kucherov scored an empty net goal, his 19th goal of the year, as the Lightning got the 5-3 win over the Kings.
Dallas Stars v. Chicago Blackhawks – 830p ET
- In Chicago, the Blackhawks welcomed the Strs back to the Windy City and in the first Chicago took the 1-0 lead when Artyom Levshunov scored his second on the Blackhawks power play but then Mikko Rantanen scored his 16th as Dallas tied the game. In the second, Teuvo Teravainen scored a power play goal, his eighth goal on the year, as Chicago re-took the lead, and then Ilya Mikheyev scored his seventh as the Blackhawks went up two. In the third, Ilya Mikheyev scored his second of the night as Chicago went up three but then Jason Robertson scored his 24th as Dallas came within two. Then, Dallas’ Matt Duchene netted his third but the comeback would not be in the cards on this night as the Blackhawks got the 4-3 win over the Stars.
Late Games
Nashville Predators v. Seattle Kraken – 10p ET
Today’s Games
- MON v. NYS – 1p ET (PWHL)
- VGK v. STL – 3p ET
- NYR v. FLA – 8p ET – NHL Winter Classic
- SEA v. VAN – 1030p ET
- MIN v. ANA – 1030p ET
Noteworthy in Hockey
- The Sheet with Jeff Marek: Winter Classic, Islanders, and World Jrs ft. Peter Baugh, Stefen Rosner, & Steven Ellis (Daily Faceoff)
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