U.S. Olympian Tage Thompson has goal and assist in Sabres' 2-1 win over Devils
U.S. Olympian Tage Thompson scored his 31st goal of the season and added an assist to help the Buffalo Sabres beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Wednesday night in the NHL's return to action. Thompson had three goals and an assist in six games in Milan for the champion United States. Peyton Krebs also had a goal and an assist, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 27 saves.
Read more: U.S. Olympian Tage Thompson has goal and assist in Sabres' 2-1 win over Devils
Golden Knights sit 5 from Olympic gold-medal game in NHL return against Kings
The Vegas Golden Knights were without five players from the Olympic gold medal-game Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL's return from a three-week break. Having already ruled out center Jack Eichel and defenseman Noah Hanifin from the champion United States, the Golden Knights traveled without Canadian forwards Mark Stone and Mitch Marner and defenseman Shea Theodore. “Well, it’s a challenge to the group, and it’s an opportunity for others, so we still got 20 NHL players in our lineup,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said.
Read more: Golden Knights sit 5 from Olympic gold-medal game in NHL return against Kings
Sandin and van Riemsdyk score rare goals and Capitals beat Flyers 3-1
Defensemen Trevor van Riemsdyk and Rasmus Sandin ended long goal droughts and the Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 on Wednesday night, their fifth win in their last six games. The Capitals now have 42 goals from defensemen this season, the second most in the NHL behind Columbus. Aliaksei Protas scored an empty-netter for Washington with 26 seconds to play when the Flyers had a six-on-four for his 20th goal of the season, and Logan Thompson made 23 saves.
Read more: Sandin and van Riemsdyk score rare goals and Capitals beat Flyers 3-1
Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche @ Utah Mammoth (7:00 P.M.)
Lightning coach Jon Cooper to miss 2 games after his father's death
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper will miss the next two games after the death of his father, Robert. Assistant Rob Zettler was the acting head coach for the Lightning's home game against Toronto on Wednesday night and will again do so at Carolina on Thursday night. Cooper, who coached the Lightning to Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021, was the head coach for Canada in the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Read more: Lightning coach Jon Cooper to miss 2 games after his father's death
Wild and Stars on playoff collision course in powerful Central Division as they chase NHL-best Avs
The Minnesota Wild won their last five games to finish 8-1-1 before the NHL 's three-week schedule pause. Both teams have maintained top-five records in the league for much of the season — and they've constantly been trying to catch the rival Colorado Avalanche. Such has been the predicament in the powerful Central Division, where the NHL's siloed playoff format would pit the Stars against the Wild in the first round if the standings were to stay this way.
Read more: Wild and Stars on playoff collision course in powerful Central Division as they chase NHL-best Avs
