MacKinnon Nears 700 Assists as Avalanche Face Senators
The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to host the Philadelphia Flyers at Nationwide Arena as both teams look to improve their standings in the NHL. The matchup will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET, and fans can tune in via HBO MAX, truTV, and TNT.
Zach Werenski’s Impressive January
Defenseman Zach Werenski has been a standout performer for the Blue Jackets in January. He has recorded 15 points, comprising five goals and 10 assists, over 12 games. This performance comes after he missed four games in December due to a lower-body injury. Currently, Werenski is ranked second among NHL defensemen with 55 points, trailing Cale Makar and Evan Bouchard, who each have 56 points.
Upcoming Games and Trades
In another notable event, Carson Soucy will play for the New York Islanders as they host the New York Rangers at UBS Arena at 7 p.m. ET. Soucy was recently traded from the Rangers to the Islanders for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. This acquisition comes shortly after the Islanders lost key defensemen Ryan Pulock and Alexander Romanov to injuries.
Islanders’ Roster Changes
- Ryan Pulock: Missed two games due to an upper-body injury.
- Alexander Romanov: Out since November 18, underwent shoulder surgery, and expected recovery time is 5-6 months.
Following Soucy’s trade, the Islanders also acquired forward Ondrej Palat from the New Jersey Devils. Palat’s trade involved sending a third-round and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 and 2027 NHL Drafts, respectively. He is expected to debut for the Islanders on Wednesday.
Flyers Seeking Momentum
The Philadelphia Flyers are struggling, holding a record of 2-6-2 over their last 10 games, which has put them on the outside of the Stanley Cup Playoff picture. Their recent 4-0 loss to the Islanders raised concerns, and coach Rick Tocchet expressed disappointment with the team’s performance. However, the Flyers expect a boost from the return of goalie Dan Vladar, who will start after recovering from a lower-body injury that sidelined him for six games.
As the NHL season progresses, teams like the Blue Jackets and Flyers are looking for opportunities to gain momentum and enhance their playoff prospects.
