Fabian Zetterlund’s goal with less than three minutes to play lifted the Ottawa Senators to a 4–3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday afternoon, snapping the Sens' three-game losing streak and starting the New Year on a positive note.

The goal was Zetterlund’s 10th of the season, and perhaps the easiest he’ll score all year, as he buried a gorgeous backhand feed from Thomas Chabot. It was a strong response after Aliaksei Protas had tied the game at the three-minute mark, less than two minutes earlier.

Leevi Meriläinen earned the win for the Senators, who outshot the Capitals 32–29 on the afternoon. Shane Pinto paced Ottawa’s offense with two assists.

Just 13 hours after the ball dropped on 2026, the Senators got their New Year off to a sluggish start in this one. Tom Wilson, fresh off a Gordie Howe hat trick and a Canadian Olympic selection the day before, opened the scoring with his 22nd goal of the season, cashing in on a rebound.

Dylan Strome added to the lead on the power play. Strome dangled past a stick check from Claude Giroux at the blue line, then walked down main street and beat Meriläinen with a strong, low wrist shot with just over a minute remaining in the first period.

But for Auld Lang Syne, a former Capital then pushed back against his old team.

Nick Jensen scored his second goal of the season right after Jake Sanderson rang one off the crossbar. The rebound kicked out to Jensen, who beat Logan Thompson with a wrist shot. It was a timely goal for Jensen, who had lost his man on the opening goal and had been a rare healthy scratch in the previous game.

Then, with 29 seconds left in the second, Ridly Greig, battling in front, knocked in his fifth goal of the year to tie the game at two after 40 minutes.

Early in the third, less than three minutes in, veteran David Perron scored to give the Senators a 3–2 advantage. Nick Cousins did some strong work behind the Washington net to free up the puck for Stephen Halliday, who made a great pass out front to Perron. Perron one-timed it past Thompson.

A few minutes later, the Sens celebrated what they thought was a Shane Pinto goal. Either the whistle had gone first, or officials ruled Pinto pushed Thompson’s pad with his stick. There wasn’t much discussion, they announced 'no goal' and that was that.

The Capitals pushed hard in the final 90 seconds with the goalie pulled but the Senators weathered the storm. 

The Sens improve to 19-15-5 and will be back at it on Saturday night, hosting the Winnipeg Jets.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

It’s going to be a fun day in and around loanDepot park ahead of the 2026 Winter Classic on Friday.

In the hours leading up to the big game between the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers, there will be plenty for hockey fans to do to enjoy the event.

The NHL has already announced a special pregame festival taking place in the West Plaza and West Lot 3 of loanDepot park.

The 2026 Enterprise NHL Pregame will feature a wide variety of activations and interactive experiences, which will be open to all Winter Classic ticket holders.

Additionally, the NHL announced that fans will have the opportunity to welcome the players from each team to the ballpark when they arrive for the big game.

The Rangers are scheduled to get there around 4:45 p.m. and the Panthers at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Both teams are also expected to be wearing matching, themed attire for their arrivals to the ballpark, which is something that has become a tradition in recent years for outdoor games.

Fans interested in welcoming the players during their arrivals should gather on Sixth Street between 14th Avenue and 16th Avenue.

Former Panthers defenseman and NHL media personality Jason Demers will be on hand to welcome and interview players as they enter the ballpark.

The outdoor festival will run from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., when the puck drops on the big game inside.

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Another calendar year has passed, bringing the Vancouver Canucks to near the halfway point of the 2025–26 season. 2025 was filled with interesting plot points for the Canucks, who were consistently one of the most relevant teams in the NHL for a variety of reasons. As they prepare to start 2026 with a home match against the Seattle Kraken on Friday night, here are five resolutions Vancouver should make for the new year.  

Find A Direction And Commit To It

Vancouver has consistently been one of those teams who can only be described with a question mark. They claim they want to contend, but later admit to being deep in a “retool.” In fact, only a couple of weeks ago, the Canucks went from describing themselves as a rebuilding team to one going through a ‘hybrid retool.’ This description shifted within the span of a week. 

For 2026, the Canucks should aim to find some clarity when it comes to their current situation. Currently operating like a rudderless ship, Vancouver should pinpoint the specific direction they want to go in first. From there, they need to commit to where they’re going, rather than starting the journey in one direction only to decide midway that they’re heading a different way. Whether they commit to rebuilding or commit to contending, Vancouver needs to pick a direction and make sure they don’t stray away from it.  

Improve The Home Numbers 

It’s no secret that the Canucks have not been a very strong team while playing at home. Their 4–12–1 record at Rogers Arena ranks last in the NHL when it comes to home records. Vancouver ranks 30th in the NHL in goals scored on home ice (44), with only the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers trailing them. Having said that, when playing away from Rogers Arena, the Canucks are tied for the eighth-highest goals-for in the NHL with 64. Their goals-against on home-ice (67) versus away (69) are much closer, though Vancouver has been getting the offensive run support to combat the goals surrendered while on the road. 

Interestingly enough, the Canucks have averaged more shots-for on home ice compared to their numbers on the road. On the road, they’ve only avearaged 23.23 shots per game, while at home, they’ve averaged a surprising 30.88. At home, the lowest shot total the Canucks have registered is 20 against the Minnesota Wild on December 6, with 10 of their home games resulting in shot totals above 30. Away from Rogers Arena, Vancouver has recorded 20 shots or less in eight different games, including three 15-shot games. In the new year, the Canucks should hope that their home anomaly doesn’t continue; it’ll give their fans a whole lot more to cheer for if it doesn’t. 

Be Strategic With Assets

To give them credit, Vancouver’s current management has acted quickly when they know they could be parting ways with a big asset; trading away Quinn Hughes, J.T. Miller, and Bo Horvat, for example. It’s something that the previous regime was somewhat infamous for not doing. Even so, it’s always good to remember to be strategic with the assets Vancouver has. A player that comes to mind in this scenario is someone like Kiefer Sherwood, who has performed excellently for the Canucks but could easily end up pricing himself out of Vancouver with how well he has played. If the opportunity comes up for Vancouver to receive something along the lines of a first-round pick for him, the Canucks need to take that opportunity — even if it comes at the cost of a potential playoff spot. 

Get Healthy 

Ironically enough, I suggested this resolution for the Canucks last year. The fact that it’s being suggested again isn’t a good thing. For the most part, Vancouver’s injury issues seem to have tapered off compared to October and November, but they’re still missing some pretty big players from their lineup. Filip Chytil and Teddy Blueger have yet to return since October 19, while Derek Forbort has been out since October 13. That’s a massive blow to a Canucks penalty kill that hasn’t found very much success this season. 

As much as Vancouver would love to get these players back, especially in the case of Chytil, these players need to make sure they’re healthy before coming back into the lineup. At the end of the day, rushing any recovery may only make the injuries worse. Not just that, but the intensity of a condensed schedule may result in different injuries arising as well. 

Let The Young Guys Cook 

At both the NHL, AHL, and even junior levels, Vancouver’s promising young players have been finding success this season. Tom Willander has surpassed expectations early this season, making his NHL debut and sticking in the lineup long before many believed he would. Linus Karlsson, while a little older, has gotten off to a great start in 2025–26 and is now tied for third on the Canucks in goals scored with nine to his name. 

Down in Abbotsford, the AHL Canucks have faced quite a few struggles this season, but this hasn’t come without a couple of positives. Kirill Kudryavtsev and Sawyer Mynio have been strong for Abbotsford this year, coming third (12) and fourth (11) respectively in points for the AHL Canucks. Jonathan Lekkerimäki has bounced back-and-forth from the NHL to AHL but has seemed to find his stride with Abbotsford as of late, scoring six goals and four assists in 10 games. Victor Mancini was also a player that many expected to make the Canucks full-time this year, though he ultimately ended up in Abbotsford and has worked to form his game there. 

Fans don’t need to look too far to see stories of success for their junior prospects either. Braeden Cootes has somehow elevated his game even more at the WHL level, scoring 10 goals and 13 assists in 17 games played for the Seattle Thunderbirds. Aleksei Medvedev, who is in his second season with the London Knights of the OHL, has also shown his skills by posting a 2.81 GAA and 13–8–1 record over 22 games. Other players like Riley Patterson, Gabriel Chiarot, and Anthony Romani have also played well with their respective teams throughout the OHL and NCAA. 

In 2026, Vancouver should remain vigilant with letting their young players take the time needed to grow at the levels that suit them best. Cootes, for example, played his way to making his NHL debut on October 9, but was ultimately re-assigned and given a chance to continue to grow his game in the WHL. Rather than rush their players to different levels, Vancouver will want to continue allowing these players to develop their game where it suits them best. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are going to play the Dallas Stars for the second time in a week. Last Saturday night, they defeated them in a shootout. That is also Chicago’s only win since Connor Bedard went down with an injury early in December.

The Stars are one of the best teams in the NHL, which makes that win even more shocking. At 25-8-7, the Stars are second in the overall league standings. Anything but winning the Stanley Cup would be a bust for them.

Scouting Dallas

The Dallas Stars have a great mix of super young players, guys in their legitimate prime, and aging veterans who have been around the block. They also have one of the league’s best goaltenders.

Steel - Johnston - Rantanen

Robertson - Hintz - Bourque

Hryckowian - Duchene - Benn

Bäck - Faksa - Blackwell

Lindell - Heiskanen

Harley - Lundkvist

Lyubushkin - Petrovic

Oettinger

The Dallas Stars come to Chicago in the second half of a back-to-back. Casey DeSmith was in goal for that game, so Team USA goalie Jake Oettinger will get the nod against the Blackhawks.

Despite losing to the Buffalo Sabres (10 in a row for Buffalo), the Sabres will make no lineup changes from that game other than the goalie.

Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Mikko Rantanen are their top four forwards, but Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene, and others are also incredibly productive. This is not an easy group to defend.

Add in all-world defensemen like Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley, and it’s a group that moves the puck well, grinds you down, and has a ton of skill. After last week’s loss to the Hawks back in Dallas, along with losing last night to the Sabres, expect them to have their legs early.

Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks are coming off a tough home loss (in a shootout) to the New York Islanders on Tuesday. They are still missing Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, but Jason Dickinson appears good to go.

Bertuzzi-Greene-Burakovsky

Donato-Dickinson-Mikheyev

Teravainen-Moore-Lardis

Foligno-Dach-Slaggert

Vlasic-Crevier

Kaiser-Levshunov

Grzelcyk-Murphy

Knight

The line of Oliver Moore, centering Nick Lardis and Teuvo Teravainen, is the one to keep an eye on in this game. They produced a lot of offensive chances for Chicago last game, including their only two goals.

Spencer Knight will get the nod in goal to start for the third game in a row. His last game against the Islanders didn’t have the best start, but overall, it was a nice bounce back from the horrific game against the Pittsburgh Penguins last Sunday.

How To Watch

The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found locally on CHSN. Nationally, it can be streamed on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 7:30 PM CT.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to start 2026 on a high note on Thursday.

They will welcome the red-hot Detroit Red Wings, who defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Wednesday night and have won seven of their last nine games. They're in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 24-14-3 record and are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

Lucas Raymond is leading the way for the Red Wings this season, compiling 11 goals and 43 points in 39 games. He's a playmaking machine and can make anyone pay in an instant. 

Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin have also been tremendous this season, compiling 20 and 21 goals respectively. Larkin is set to be on the U.S. Olympic Team when it gets announced on Friday after playing well at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. 

DeBrincat has been in the running for a spot on Team USA's roster, but will likely fall a little bit short. Despite that, he has an outstanding release and can score from anywhere. 

Defenseman Moritz Seider has been tremendous on the Red Wings' top defensive pair, compiling seven goals and 31 points in 41 games. He's been driving a lot of the offense from the blue line and has also been great in transition. 

Goaltender Cam Talbot is the expected starter after John Gibson started on Wednesday. 

The Penguins will start Arturs Silovs in net as head coach Dan Muse continues his goalie rotation. Stuart Skinner started against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday and will likely start against the Red Wings on Saturday. 

Forward Yegor Chinakhov is set to make his Penguins' debut after they acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. He's going to play on the third line with Ben Kindel and Rutger McGroarty, replacing Ville Koivunen.

Here are the expected lines:

Forwards

Rakell-Crosby-Rust

Mantha-Novak-Brazeau

Chinakhov-Kindel-McGroarty

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Defensive pairs

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Kulak-Letang

Shea-St. Ivany

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

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