Oilers Favorable to Defeat Kraken in Western Conference Clash at Rogers Place (NHL)
The Edmonton Oilers will host the Seattle Kraken on Monday at Rogers Place, Edmonton, with the game starting at 9:30 PM ET. Edmonton enters this game sitting in third place in the Western Conference with 65 points, while the Kraken are in 12th with 47 points. This will be a thrilling match as the Oilers are coming off a 4-2 win in their last encounter with the Kraken.
Teams’ Current Standings and Form
Edmonton, with a solid performance this season, will be the favorites for this matchup. They’ve earned 31 wins, 15 losses, and 3 overtime losses so far. The Kraken, on the other hand, have a much lower standing with a 22-25-3 record. This puts Seattle at a significant disadvantage, though they will aim to turn things around and challenge the Oilers.
Oilers Favorable to Defeat Kraken in Western Conference Clash at Rogers Place (NHL)
The game will be broadcast on KONG and available for streaming on ESPN+ for fans who want to catch the action. The NHL’s live stream will be accessible to viewers, ensuring fans across the country can tune in for this exciting Western Conference battle. You can also watch the game live on Fubo, which is offering coverage for the match.
Betting Odds and Sportsbook Offers
Edmonton is heavily favored to win, with betting odds at -289. The Kraken, underdogs at +234, have a chance to cause an upset but will need an outstanding performance. The over/under line for this match is set at 6 goals. Bettors looking for odds and more information can check platforms like BetMGM Sportsbook for the latest updates.
Various sportsbooks offer betting promotions to fans interested in wagering on the game. New customers at Fanatics Sport can receive bonuses after placing qualifying bets. Additionally, Caesars Sports and FanDuel are offering sign-up bonuses for new users, with specific terms and conditions applying. Fans looking to place bets should consider these platforms for additional offers.
Blues Favored to Extend Streak Against Canucks in Crucial Road Game at Enterprise Center (NHL)
The Vancouver Canucks will face the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center, hoping to break a two-game road losing streak. Vancouver recently secured a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals, while St. Louis suffered a 2-0 defeat to Dallas. Despite Vancouver’s victory, St. Louis holds the upper hand in their recent matchups, winning 8 of the last 10 encounters. The Blues are favored to win, leading the season series 1-0, with the opening odds at -115.
Betting Overview: Blues Favored, Canucks Under Pressure
For this game, the moneyline favors St. Louis at -115, implying a 53% chance of victory. The Canucks are underdogs with a +100 line. The spread sees the Canucks at +1.5 (-265), while the Blues are at -1.5 (+220). The over/under total for the game is set at 5.5 goals. Vancouver’s recent struggles, especially on the road, make this an uphill battle for them as they try to recover from consecutive losses on their travels.
Blues Favored to Extend Streak Against Canucks in Crucial Road Game at Enterprise Center (NHL)
The Canucks are led offensively by Quinn Hughes, who has 14 points and 40 assists. J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser also play key roles in Vancouver’s attack. However, Vancouver’s defense has been a concern, allowing 3.17 goals per game. Goalie Kevin Lankinen has a 2.58 GAA and .905 save percentage. With a record of 21-17-10 and ranking 24th in offense and 25th in defense, Vancouver will need to shore up their defensive game to stand a chance against the Blues.
Blues’ Key Players: Kyrou Leads the Offense, Binnington in Goal
The Blues’ offense is led by Jordan Kyrou, who has 42 points, including 21 goals and 21 assists. Dylan Holloway and Robert Thomas also contribute significantly to the team’s offensive depth. Despite their scoring abilities, St. Louis has struggled to find consistency recently, dropping two consecutive games. Defensively, they give up 2.98 goals per game, ranking 18th in the league. Goalie Jordan Binnington has a 2.84 GAA and .845 save percentage. The Blues’ overall record of 23-23-4 shows room for improvement, but they remain the favorites for this game.
St. Louis has been effective offensively at home, scoring seven goals in their last three games. Their power play has also been productive, converting over 18% of opportunities. Vancouver, on the other hand, has been inconsistent on the road, conceding 12 goals in their last three games. While Vancouver excels on the power play, their offensive struggles have limited their goal production. St. Louis’ strong defensive performance and efficient special teams should allow them to contain the Canucks’ offense and secure a win in this matchup.
Red Wings Thrive Under McLellan's Leadership as Kings Seek Offensive Breakthrough (NHL)
Former Kings coach Todd McLellan has revitalized the Detroit Red Wings, leading them to a 10-4-1 record since his arrival. The Wings’ roster includes familiar faces such as former Kings goalie Cam Talbot and longtime rival Patrick Kane. Despite Kane’s absence due to injury, McLellan’s structured coaching and immediate impact were evident, highlighted by a shutout victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His first practice sparked a turnaround, including a seven-game win streak that has reshaped the team’s season.
Improved Confidence and Defensive Play
Under McLellan and assistant Trent Yawney, the Red Wings have embraced a system emphasizing structure and puck support. Cam Talbot praised the team’s improved play in all zones, particularly in high-pressure moments like the penalty kill. The Wings have surged from a .441 points percentage to .700 and shown greater resilience, even with key players missing. Talbot’s stellar goaltending and the team’s collective confidence have been crucial to their recent success.
Red Wings Thrive Under McLellan’s Leadership as Kings Seek Offensive Breakthrough (NHL)
Forward Marco Kasper highlighted the intensity of practices under McLellan, translating into improved game starts and consistent 60-minute efforts. The Wings have transformed their previously erratic play into a disciplined and competitive style. Kasper, benefiting from the new system, has seen a resurgence in his performance, tallying eight points in nine games. This renewed focus has solidified the Red Wings as a formidable opponent, even without veterans like Jeff Petry and Patrick Kane.
Kings Seek Offensive Breakthrough
The Los Angeles Kings have struggled offensively, scoring two or fewer goals in 14 recent losses and eight of their last nine games. Adrian Kempe and Alex Turcotte have provided limited scoring, while the team searches for greater consistency. Despite setbacks, including disallowed goals and injury challenges, Quinton Byfield’s late-game heroics secured a point against Columbus. The Kings aim to build on their offensive zone pressure and capitalize on opportunities against the Red Wings.
The Kings face the rejuvenated Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. With McLellan’s system firing on all cylinders, Detroit enters the matchup as a confident and cohesive unit. For the Kings, the game represents an opportunity to find offensive rhythm and convert strong analytical performances into tangible results. The clash promises a test of resilience and strategy as both teams look to solidify their positions in the playoff race.
The New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers face off in a Metropolitan Division matchup on Monday at 7 p.m. EST. The Devils are coming off a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens, improving their overall record to 28-17-6. Meanwhile, the Flyers, with a 22-22-6 record, aim to build on their competitive divisional performance. This marks the second meeting between the teams this season, with Philadelphia taking the first game 3-1.
Scoring Consistency Key for Devils’ Success
New Jersey’s ability to score consistently has been a hallmark of their season. With an impressive 28 wins in games where they net at least three goals, their offensive potency could be a decisive factor in this game. In contrast, the Flyers have faced challenges on both ends of the ice, with a -21 scoring differential, having conceded 168 goals while scoring 147. Both teams’ ability to convert scoring opportunities will be critical in this contest.
New Jersey Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Standout Players to Watch on Both Sides
Key players will play pivotal roles in this matchup. For the Flyers, Owen Tippett leads with 14 goals and 16 assists, supported by Morgan Frost’s recent contributions of four goals and three assists over the last 10 games. On the Devils’ side, Nico Hischier has been a consistent performer with 24 goals and 19 assists, while Jack Hughes has added four goals and seven assists in his last 10 games. These stars will be essential in driving offensive momentum.
Over the last 10 games, the Flyers have a 5-4-1 record, averaging 2.7 goals per game while allowing 2.4. The Devils have gone 4-3-3 in the same span, scoring 2.5 goals and conceding 2.3. With disciplined play and minimal penalties from both sides, this matchup promises a competitive clash. The Flyers’ previous victory adds intrigue, as the Devils look to even the season series and strengthen their divisional standing.
The 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans is expected to be an exciting game, but the halftime show could be the most talked-about part of the day.
Here’s everything you need to know about the performance, including a look back at some of the biggest halftime shows in history.
Who is performing at the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show? In September, it was announced that Kendrick Lamar would headline the halftime show for the February 9 event on FOX.
The NFL shared a video from Lamar to make the announcement.
He’ll join a long list of famous Super Bowl performers, including Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, the Rolling Stones, and Prince.
New Orleans has also seen some legendary halftime performances. This will be the city’s 11th time hosting the Super Bowl, and past acts there have included Beyoncé, U2, The Blues Brothers, James Brown, and Ella Fitzgerald.
Kendrick’s first appearance at a Super Bowl, as he took part in the 2022 game at SoFi Stadium
What time does the Super Bowl halftime show start? The game’s kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET, and since the game typically lasts around 3-4 hours, the halftime show will likely start between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. ET. Of course, this depends on how the game goes.
Who else is performing? Other performances, national anthem, etc. Lamar won’t be the only artist performing. Here’s a list of others:
Grammy-winning singer SZA will join Lamar for the halftime performance.
Grammy-winning singer Jon Batiste will sing the national anthem.
Christian artist Lauren Daigle and jazz musician Trombone Shorty will perform “America the Beautiful.”
R&B artist Ledisi will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
There are often surprise appearances during the halftime show too. Last year, for example, Usher was the main performer but was joined by Alicia Keys, H.E.R., will.i.am, Ludacris, Lil Jon, and others.
One person who won’t be performing, though, is New Orleans-born rapper Lil Wayne. He has publicly expressed his disappointment at not being chosen as the headliner.
St. Louis Cardinals players congratulate eachother after a home run
The St. Louis Cardinals announced 26 non-roster invitees to their 2025 Spring Training camp today. Among those reporting to Jupiter in the second week of February are three of the club’s first-round draft picks and several top prospects.
The three most recent First Round draft picks will participate: SS JJ Wetherholt (2024), OF Chase Davis (2023), and LHP Cooper Hjerpe (2022). They will be joined by 2024 MiLB & Baseball America Minor League Pitcher of the Year Quinn Mathews, 2024 Texas League MVP and Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year Jimmy Crooks, and catching prospect Leonardo Bernal.
Five players who were added to the team this offseason or late last season will report with the big league squad: RHP Michael Gomez, LHP Oddanier Mosqueda, C Chance Sisco, INF Jose Barrero, and OF Ryan Vilade.
Nine non-roster invitees will be participating in their first Major League camp, including pitchers Ian Bedell, Alex Cornwell, Edwin Nuñez, and Mathews; infielders R.J. Yeager and Wetherholt; and outfielders Nathan Church, Bryan Torres, and Davis.
Cardinals 2023 Minor League Pitcher of the Year Max Rajcic returns to the spring roster, along with other players who were in camp last season, including pitchers Andre Granillo and Drew Rom; catchers Sammy Hernandez, Carlos Linárez, and Wade Stauss; and infielders César Prieto and Jeremy Rivas. Catcher Gavin Collins will also be in Major League camp for the first time with St. Louis.
St. Louis Cardinals players congratulate each other after winning the match
Here is a list of non-roster invitees by position:
PITCHERS (10): Ian Bedell (RHP), Alex Cornwell (LHP), Michael Gomez (RHP), Andre Granillo (RHP), Cooper Hjerpe (LHP), Quinn Mathews (LHP), Oddanier Mosqueda (LHP), Edwin Nuñez (RHP), Max Rajcic (RHP), Drew Rom (RHP)
CATCHERS (7): Leonardo Bernal, Gavin Collins, Jimmy Crooks, Sammy Hernandez, Carlos Linárez, Chance Sisco, Wade Stauss
INFIELDERS (5): Jose Barrero, César Prieto, Jeremy Rivas, JJ Wetherholt, R.J. Yeager
OUTFIELDERS (4): Nathan Church, Chase Davis, Bryan Torres, Ryan Vilade
The Cardinals pitchers and catchers will begin their first practice at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex on Wednesday, February 12, with the first full squad workout scheduled for Monday, February 17.
Napoli kept their Serie A title hopes alive on Saturday by coming from behind to beat rivals Juventus 2-1, moving six points ahead at the top of the table. Antonio Conte’s team recovered after Randal Kolo Muani scored for Juventus just before halftime in his debut.
Napoli won their seventh consecutive match with a header from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and a penalty from Romelu Lukaku in the 69th minute. Napoli is aiming for a second Scudetto in three seasons, and their strong second-half performance against Juventus shows that they are the team to watch, not Inter Milan.
Inter Milan is six points behind Napoli after their matches with Atalanta and Juventus in consecutive weeks. The current champions will face low-ranked Lecce on Sunday, hoping to cut the gap between them and Napoli.
The loud cheers from the crowd when Napoli scored and at the final whistle showed the fans’ renewed confidence in the team after Napoli’s disappointing title defense last season.
“We wanted to win, we did and we’re all very happy. There’s not much else to say,” said Anguissa to DAZN.
“We know that we’re a good team but all we can do is take it one game at a time, with the self-confidence of knowing that we’re a team with character that’s difficult to beat.”
Juventus is now 16 points behind Napoli in fifth place after their first league loss of the season, which was not expected after Thiago Motta replaced Massimiliano Allegri as coach in the summer.
“I’m disappointed with the defeat because we played well in the first half, against a team which isn’t top by chance,” said Motta, whose team has won only once since the start of the year.
Kolo Muani gave Juventus the lead just before halftime, after completing his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain. He scored his third club goal of the season in the 43rd minute, taking advantage of a loose ball from Anguissa.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte is looking to add another title to his collection
However, Napoli came out stronger in the second half. After Michele Di Gregorio managed to stop Lukaku’s close-range header, he couldn’t stop Anguissa’s powerful header from Matteo Politano’s cross that leveled the score.
There was no stopping Napoli after that. Lukaku scored his ninth goal for Napoli with a calm penalty after Scott McTominay was fouled by Manuel Locatelli.
Atalanta remained seven points behind in third place despite Mateo Retegui scoring twice to help them win 2-1 at Como earlier on Saturday.
Retegui scored in the 56th and 70th minutes, bringing his total to 16 goals in the league, and helped Atalanta get their first win of 2025. He has been in great form since recovering from a hamstring injury earlier this month, and his performance is good news for Atalanta as they prepare for a Champions League match in Barcelona.
Atalanta had to fight hard for the win against Como, who led at halftime after Nico Paz’s stunning strike. Como is still three points above the relegation zone in 13th place.
“It’s not easy to play so many matches so close together… we were slow in the first half but we were much better after halftime,” said Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini to DAZN.
Como’s next five matches are against Bologna, Juventus, Fiorentina, Napoli, and Roma, making it difficult for them to pick up points in the coming weeks.
The away team also had goals from Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere ruled out for offside and handball, which made for a tense final few minutes as Como tried but failed to score.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will test its newly upgraded stadiums in Karachi and Lahore during the upcoming Champions Trophy by hosting a tri-nation ODI series featuring South Africa and New Zealand from February 8.
The PCB released the official schedule for the tri-series on Saturday, with the final set to take place at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 14. The Champions Trophy will be held from February 19 to March 9.
The Board, which has spent approximately 1.2 billion rupees on upgrading and building new structures at its two Test venues, is under pressure to ensure the stadiums are ready in time for the eight-team Champions Trophy.
Pakistan will play New Zealand in the opening match of the Champions Trophy.
The PCB stated that the tri-nation series will follow a single-league format from February 8 to 14. The first two matches will be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, while the final league match and the tournament final will take place in Karachi.
Marco Jansen celebrates the wicket of Rachin Ravindra with his teammates
To prepare for the tri-series, Pakistan and New Zealand will train under the lights at Gaddafi Stadium on February 6. South Africa’s first practice session will occur on the morning of February 9.
At Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the seating capacity has been increased with new chairs, and 480 modern LED lights have been installed to improve broadcast quality. Two large digital replay screens have also been added for better fan engagement. A state-of-the-art hospitality area for players and officials is nearing completion.
Similarly, National Stadium in Karachi has been upgraded with 350 LED lights to improve broadcast visibility, two replay screens, and 5,000 new chairs. A new hospitality area for players and officials has also been built at the University End.
Canadiens face daunting schedule with key matchups ahead (Montreal Canadiens)
As the NHL regular season nears its end, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves entrenched in a highly competitive race for one of the Eastern Conference’s two wild card playoff spots.
With 90 points, the Canadiens trail the Carolina Hurricanes by a single point for the first wild card position and are tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Head coach Julien believes in team’s character as playoffs approach (Montreal Canadiens)
However, Montreal is at a disadvantage in the critical tiebreaker of regulation and overtime wins, adding to the challenges they face in the season’s closing stretch.
Daunting Schedule Adds Pressure
The Canadiens’ path to the playoffs is far from easy, with a demanding schedule that includes matchups against the Winnipeg Jets, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The team is also looking to bounce back from a crushing 6-2 loss to the Blue Jackets earlier in the week.
Despite these problems, head coach Claude Julien remains optimistic, praising the mix of veteran leadership and young talent in the locker room. “We’ve got character players in that dressing room,” Julien stated, expressing confidence in his team’s ability to regroup and compete.
Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets enter Saturday’s game in a similar state of frustration. After surrendering two late goals in a 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders, the Jets are looking to solidify their position atop the Central Division.
With both teams eager to end their respective slumps, Saturday’s matchup promises to be a pivotal clash in their pursuit of postseason success.
Coach Hynes challenges Wild to reignite their competitive fire (Minnesota Wild)
Following a disappointing stretch, the Minnesota Wild are eager to turn their fortunes around as they prepare for their upcoming match against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. Having lost five out of their last six games, the team is in need of a spark.
After a narrow 5-4 defeat to the Calgary Flames on Saturday, Wild coach John Hynes issued a strong challenge to his players.
Marco Rossi shines with three assists despite Wild’s struggles (Minnesota Wild)
“Now we’re choosing to lose,” Hynes stated. “That’s hard. Losing’s not easy. Winning’s not easy. We’ve got to get back to the commitment level that it takes to win. The mentality, the fire, the competitiveness, the depth in the lineup. Right now, it’s not enough. It’s not enough.”
In the third period, Marco Rossi contributed assists on all three of Minnesota’s goals, bringing his season total to 43 points, which exceeds the 40 he achieved during the 2023-24 season.
However, persistent issues plagued the Wild, allowing the Flames to take early control of the game. Minnesota conceded two power-play goals, marking a total of seven allowed while shorthanded in the last six games.
The Wild did showcase improvement with a season-high 11 takeaways against the Flames.
Chicago Blackhawks Face Overtime Struggles
On a positive note, the Chicago Blackhawks began their four-game homestand on January 18 by defeating the playoff-contending Vegas Golden Knights 5-3.
However, they followed that victory with two consecutive 4-3 overtime losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, both of which are in contention for playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.
During Friday’s game, Chicago jumped to a 3-1 lead against the Lightning early in the second period but was unable to maintain that lead. Tampa Bay outshot the Blackhawks 40-14 in all, including a staggering 18-1 in the third period and overtime.
“That’s the part of the season we’re struggling with: the ‘could’ves, should’ves,’ instead of just getting it done,” expressed Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno.
Roster Changes and Emerging Talent
As the game comes to play, Chicago made a major move by trading forward Taylor Hall to Carolina as part of a three-team deal. This decision led to considerable reflection among players in the locker room.
“We have no one else to blame but ourselves, really, in putting ourselves in the situation where they have to start thinking about the future and selling off,” Foligno remarked. “It’s not a fun feeling for anybody in here.”
Despite another challenging season, Chicago aims to continue nurturing its young talent. With only 35 points so far, they have the second-fewest in the NHL.
Connor Bedard, last season’s NHL Rookie of the Year, registered an assist on Friday and has accumulated at least one point in 13 of his last 15 games. He leads the team in both assists and points.
Rookie Colton Dach made headlines by scoring his first career goal, while fellow newcomers Louis Crevier and Frank Nazar each contributed a goal and an assist.
Historically, Minnesota has had the upper hand in their previous three meetings this season against the Blackhawks, winning two of those games, all decided by just one goal.
The last encounter ended with a 4-3 victory for the Wild at home on December 23, featuring contributions from ten different players, including two assists from Yakov Trenin.
For the Blackhawks, Teuvo Teravainen has been a thorn in Minnesota’s side with 13 points in his last 12 games against them, though he has yet to score against the Wild this season.
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Julien’s pregame focus pays off as Bruins dominate Buffalo 4-0 (Boston Bruins)
The Bruins expressed disappointment regarding their power play during Saturday night’s matchup against the New York Rangers, where they suffered a 5-2 defeat, which included two shorthanded goals allowed.
Coupled with a disappointing 7.9 percent success rate on power plays—the second-lowest in the league—after the first 11 games, the Black & Gold left TD Garden feeling discontented.
Julien earns 400th win as Bruins excel in special teams against Sabres (Boston Bruins)
Following a day off to regroup, the Bruins returned to the ice on Monday morning for a pregame skate, where coach Claude Julien emphasized the importance of improving special teams.
This additional practice evidently paid off, as Boston dominated the Buffalo Sabres with a 4-0 victory on Monday night, scoring three power-play goals during the game.
“Just worked on it this morning and gave them the due responsibility as some of the best players on our team that they had to step up.
They did that tonight,” noted Julien, who achieved his 400th win with the Bruins. He emphasized the importance of taking pride in their performance and being difference-makers instead of suffering another loss.
Power-play goals came from Brad Marchand, David Krejci, and Jake DeBrusk in the second and third periods, with Krejci netting his first goal of the season.
Goaltender Tuukka Rask recorded 32 saves for his second shutout, leading the Bruins to their fourth victory in five games.
Krejci attributed the power play’s improvement to reviewing past successful plays. “We looked at some clips when we were doing fine, when we were moving the puck well and moving our feet.
I thought that’s what we did today. We didn’t really just stand in one spot. We were moving all over the ice and creating some good scoring chances and got three goals,” he remarked. He expressed hope for continued success in future games.
Doubling their season output on the power play, the Bruins improved from just 3 for 38 entering the game, alleviating some pressure that had built throughout the early part of the season.
“You know, it’s always about time, but it can’t work every night,” commented David Pastrnak, who led the team with eight goals. “Last game it didn’t go well and today it went well.
Just going to try to keep doing the same thing like we did today on the next power play and hopefully it’s going to be good for us.”
Beleskey Breaks Out
Returning to the lineup on Saturday after being scratched during the Bruins’ previous win over Tampa Bay, Matt Beleskey made a famous impact. Coach Julien praised the winger’s energy and effort despite the team’s loss.
On Monday night, he stepped up even further, assisting Marchand’s opening goal for his first point of the season and engaging in a fight with Derek Grant in the third period. Although he was initially credited with a goal, it was later awarded to Nash after a review.
“He was definitely in the right place tonight,” Julien stated. “He seemed like a more determined player, and sometimes, you know, you need to sit out and miss the game a little bit or whatever to really spark things.
And that’s why we do those things. I said it right from the get-go, I’m not punishing him; I’m trying to get him going. And whether it’s that or something else, at the end of the day, he’s a better player lately.”
Beleskey’s aggressive forecheck enabled Nash to retrieve the puck in the corner, leading to a shot that deflected off a Sabres defenseman. “Skey had an awesome game tonight.
He was one of our best players, so if he got it or I got it, it didn’t really matter,” Nash said. “I think he’s just been back to his old self.
He’s a hard-nosed player who shoots the puck, and when he’s in on the forecheck, he creates a lot of turnovers. He’s easy to play with, and I really enjoy playing in the middle with him; it makes my game a lot easier.”
While Beleskey refrained from claiming that being scratched was beneficial, he acknowledged that it offered him an opportunity to reflect on his game. “I don’t want to say it helped me; I don’t want to get scratched again,” he chuckled.
“That’s not what you want, but like I said [in Tampa], it’s a reset—a time to think about the game, look at it, and come back with an open mind.
I think the coaches have been helping me work through it, and that’s all you can do: work hard and hopefully get some bounces like I did tonight.”
Krejci on the Board
Krejci found the back of the net with a powerful one-timer from the left point during a power play, giving the Bruins a 2-0 lead in the second period.
He felt relieved to finally score after a few games without finding the net. “After a few games when you don’t score, you start squeezing your stick, and every time you have a good scoring chance and you don’t put it in the net, you get a little frustrated,” Krejci explained.
“It was nice to get the first one, and hopefully I can build a little more confidence and help the team with offense.”
Rask Gets the Shutout
Achieving his 32nd career shutout, Rask moved into third place on the Bruins’ all-time list. With this victory, he improved his season record to 7-1-0.
“Obviously, it’s a very long history with this organization, so it’s good to have your name in the record books,” Rask stated.
Hurricanes' home streak tested by Rangers in season debut meeting (Carolina Hurricanes)
On November 17, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Carolina Hurricanes are solidifying their chances for home-ice advantage as they face the New York Rangers.
This matchup marks a difference to last season when the Rangers eliminated the Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs in six games.
Hurricanes and Rangers collide in a rematch of last year’s playoff battle (Hurricanes/Rangers)
Hurricanes Riding High at Home
Seeking to extend their home winning streak to nine games, the Hurricanes are set to host the Rangers, who are desperate to break a streak of three consecutive losses. This will be their first meeting of the season.
Last year, Carolina narrowly missed claiming the division title by three points, finishing with 111, while the Rangers topped the league with 114 points, securing both the division and the Presidents’ Trophy.
Entering this season, the Hurricanes boast the third-most points in the NHL with 31, having outscored opponents 41-16 at home since suffering a 4-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning in their opener on October 11.
During their current home winning streak, Carolina has scored at least four goals in each game, achieving this feat 16 times in 21 games throughout the season.
The streak continued with a thrilling 6-4 win against the Dallas Stars, where Carolina netted five goals in the third period. Martin Necas contributed a pivotal power-play goal with less than three minutes remaining, overcoming a 3-1 deficit.
Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed confidence in his team’s potential, saying, “I already know what we have. It’s just, can they grasp how we have to play every switch? Sometimes we get a little off and try to do things differently, but in a game like that, you’re hoping to get the result.”
Sebastian Aho ignited the scoring spree in the third period, contributing three assists, while Seth Jarvis, playing for the first time since November 9, tallied a goal and two assists, including the setup for Necas’s goal.
Despite challenges in net, including Frederik Andersen’s recovery from knee surgery and Pyotr Kochetkov’s concussion protocol following a collision with Sean Walker, the Hurricanes have managed to maintain their winning ways. Spencer Martin took the start in goal on Monday.
Rangers Struggling to Find Momentum
Meanwhile, the Rangers began the season strong with a record of 5-0-1 but have since faltered, posting a 7-7-0 record and enduring three straight losses.
Their recent four-game road trip concluded with a disappointing 6-2 defeat against the Edmonton Oilers, followed by a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues at home.
In the latest loss, Will Cuylle scored twice, but star players Vincent Trocheck, Artemi Panarin, and Mika Zibanejad combined for only six shots on goal and a collective minus-7 rating as the Rangers were outshot 44-29.
New York coach Peter Laviolette voiced his frustration, stating, “We need to be better. Everybody needs to be better. It’s not good enough what we’re doing.”
Adding to the tension, reports surfaced on Monday that general manager Chris Drury might be open to trading forward Chris Kreider and defenseman Jacob Trouba, the latter holding a no-move clause to 15 teams.
Kreider missed the game with an upper-body injury, marking his first absence since January 16, 2023.
He has scored nine goals in 19 games this season, while Trouba has been on the ice for two goals against and has managed just two points after starting the season with four assists in the first three games.
