News and Notes from Friday, January 2nd, 2026
News
- In Olympic news, the United States, Finland, and Sweden announced their rosters.
- The PWHL announced their Starting Six for the month of December.
- Kendall Coyne Schofield (MIN), Britta Curl-Salemme (MIN), and Daryl Watts (TOR) would be named as the Starting Forwards.
- Megan Keller (BOS) and Haley Winn (BOS) would be named the Starting Defenders.
- Aerin Frankel (BOS) would be named the Starting Goaltender.
- At the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, the Quarter-Finals would begin.
- Germany defeated Demark 7-4 in the lone Relegation Game.
- Sweden defeated Latvia 6-3 in the first Quarter-Final matchup.
- Czechia defeated Switzerland 6-2 in the second Quarter-Final matchup.
- Finland defeated the United States 4-3 in overtime in the third Quarter-Final matchup.
- Canada defeated Slovakia 7-1 in the final Quarter-Final matchup.
Jersey Tracking and Mini Recaps
Montreal Victoire v. New York Sirens – 1p ET (PWHL)
- In the first game of 2026 for the PWHL, the New York Sirens would play host to the Montreal Victoire in an early afternoon matinee, and in the first period, Laura Stacey would open the scoring for the Victoire, but late in the period, Anna Bargman would score first career PWHL goal to tie the game at one for the Sirens. In the second period, Kristin O’Neill would score to give the Sirens the 2-1 lead, but Marie-Philip Poulin would score on the powerplay to tie the game at two for the Victoire. However, Kristýna Kaltounková would score to retake the lead for the Sirens. Then in the third period, Paetyn Levis would score to grow the Sirens lead to two, and while Natálie Mlýnková would score late for Montreal, the Sirens would go on to defeat the Victoire 4-3.
Vegas Golden Knights v. St. Louis Blues – 3p ET
- In St. Louis for an afternoon matinee, the Blues would play host to the Vegas Golden Knights, and in the first period, Keegan Kolesar would score his first of the season to give the Knights the 1-0 lead, but Alexey Toropchenko would score to tie the game at one for the Blues. In the second period, Justin Faulk and Oskar Sundqvist would score to give the Blues the 3-1 lead, but a tally from Mark Stone would get the Knights back within one. Then in the third period, Pavel Dorofeyev would score to tie the game at three for the Knights, but ate in regulation, Brayden Schenn would score to give the Blues the 4-3 victory over the Golden Knights.
New York Rangers v. Florida Panthers – 8p ET – 2026 NHL Winter Classic
- At loanDepot park in Miami, FL for the 2026 NHL Winter Classic, the Florida Panthers would play host to the New York Rangers, and in the first period, Mika Zibanejad would score on the powerplay and 64 seconds later, Artemi Panarin would score to give the Rangers the 2-0 lead. In the second period, Zibanejad would strike for his second of the game to grow the Rangers lead to three. Then in the third period, Sam Reinhart would score on the powerplay to get the Panthers on the board, but a powerplay goal from Panarin for his second of the game and Zibanejad would complete the hat trick with an empty netter to give the Rangers the 5-1 victory over the Panthers.
Late Games
Seattle Kraken v. Vancouver Canucks – 1030p ET
Minnesota Wild v. Anaheim Ducks – 1030p ET
Today’s Games
- PIT v. DET – 12p ET
- MIN v. OTT – 1p ET (PWHL)
- SEA v. TOR – 2p ET (PWHL)
- UTH v. NJ – 3p ET
- BUF v. CLB – 3p ET
- PHI v. EDM – 330p ET
- MON v. STL – 4p ET
- TB v. SJ – 4p ET
- VAN v. BOS – 7p ET (PWHL)
- WIN v. OTT – 7p ET
- TOR v. NYI – 7p ET
- CHI v. WAS – 7p ET
- COL v. CAR – 7p ET
- NAS v. CAL – 7p ET
- MIN v. LA – 9p ET
- BOS v. VAN – 10p ET
Noteworthy in Hockey
- Hockey culture: Two events that inspired my resolve to fight for change (Toronto Star)
- The Sheet with Jeff Marek: Jets Drop 3 Straight, Will Ferrell, and NHL Updates ft. David Pagnotta & Carrlyn Bathe (Daily Faceoff)
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