News and Notes from Sunday, January 4th, 2026
News
- The NHL Department of Player Safety issued a pair of suspensions.
- DoPS suspended Calgary Flames forward John Beecher for one game for roughing Nashville Predators forward Michael McCarron on Saturday, Jan. 3rd in Calgary.
- Beecher will forfeit $4,687.50 per the terms of the CBA and based on his average annual salary.
- DoPS also suspended Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley for one game for roughing Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk on Saturday, Jan. 3rd in Ottawa.
- Stanley will forfeit $6,510.42 per the terms of the CBA and based on his average annual salary.
- DoPS suspended Calgary Flames forward John Beecher for one game for roughing Nashville Predators forward Michael McCarron on Saturday, Jan. 3rd in Calgary.
- At the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota, the Semi-Finals would take place.
- Sweden defeated Finland 4-3 in a shootout in the first Semi-Final game.
- Czechia defeated Canada 6-4 in the second Semi-Final game.
- Finland will face Canada in the Bronze Medal Game on Jan. 5th.
- Sweden/ will face Czechia in the Gold Medal game on Jan. 5th.
Jersey Tracking and Mini Recaps
Minnesota Frost v. Montreal Victoire – 2p ET (PWHL)
- In Montreal, the Victoire would take on the Minnesota Frost, and after a scoreless first period, Mae Batherson would score to give the Frost the 1-0 lead. In the third period, Marie-Philip Poulin would score to tie the game at one for the Victoire, but Kendall Coyne Schofield would score to retake the lead for the Frost. However, Abby Roque would score to tie the game at two for the Victoire to force overtime. Then in the extra frame, Poulin would net her second of the game and fifth of the season to give the Victoire the 3-2 overtime victory over the Frost.
Montreal Canadiens v. Dallas Stars – 2p ET
- In Dallas, the Montreal Canadiens would come to town to faceoff with the Stars, and in the first period, Brendan Gallagher would score to give the Canadiens the 1-0 lead, but Mavrik Bourque would score to tie the game at one for the Stars. In the second period, Wyatt Johnston would score to give the Stars the 2-1 lead, but goals from Oliver Kapanen and Juraj Slafkovsky (PPG) would give the Canadiens the 3-2 lead. Then in the third period, Johnston would score his second of the game to tie the game at three for the Stars to force overtime. In the extra frame, Lane Hutson would score to give the Canadiens the 4-3 overtime victory over the Stars.
Pittsburgh Penguins v. Columbus Blue Jackets – 3p ET
- In Columbus, the Blue Jackets would play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a Metro Division matchup, and in the first period, Ville Koivunen would score for the Penguins to take the 1-0 lead, but goals from Dmitri Voronkov, Mason Marchment, and Kirill Marchenko would give the Jackets the 3-1 lead. In the second period, Zach Werenski would score to grow the Jackets lead to three, but Noel Acciari would score to get the Penguins back within two. Then in the third period, Tommy Novak (PPG) and Rickard Rakell would score to tie the game at 4 for the Penguins to force overtime. In the extra frame, Sidney Crosby would score to complete the comeback and give the Penguins the 5-4 overtime victory over the Blue Jackets.
Colorado Avalanche v. Florida Panthers – 5p ET
- In Florida, the Panthers would rock their Winter Classic jerseys hoping for better luck in them as they host the Colorado Avalanche, and in the first period, Sam Bennett would score to give the Panthers the 1-0 lead, but Artturi Lehkonen would score to tie the game at one for the Avalanche. Then in the second period, Aaron Ekblad would score the game winner as the Panthers would go on to defeat the Avalanche 2-1.
Carolina Hurricanes v. New Jersey Devils – 7p ET
- In New Jersey, the Devils would face the Carolina Hurricanes, and in the first period, Nikolaj Ehlers would benefit from an own goal to give the Hurricanes the 1-0 lead, but Dawson Mercer would score to tie the game at one for the Devils. In the second period, Taylor Hall would score to give the Hurricanes the 2-1 lead. Then in the third period, Logan Stankoven would score to give the Hurricanes the 3-1 victory over the Devils.
Vegas Golden Knights v. Chicago Blackhawks – 7p ET
- In Chicago, the Blackhawks would play host to the Vegas Golden Knights, and in the first period, Brandon Saad would score to give the Knights the 1-0 lead, but Tyler Bertuzzi would score his 20th of the season to tie the game at one for the Blackhawks. In the second period, Mark Stone would score to give the Knights the 2-1 lead. Then in the third period, Bertuzzi would score his second of the game to tie the game at two for the Blackhawks to force overtime. In the extra frame, Bertuzzi would strike again to give the Blackhawks the 3-2 overtime victory over the Golden Knights.
Today’s Games
- UTH v. NYR – 7p ET
- ANA v. WAS – 7p ET
- DET v. OTT – 730p ET
- SEA v. CAL – 930p ET
- MIN v. LA – 1030p ET
Noteworthy in Hockey
- The Winnipeg Jets records debate: Gary Bettman says it’s complicated. It shouldn’t be (The Athletic – $)
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