Colorado visits Toronto and more NHL Games of the Week
Saturday, January 24th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Detroit Red Wings at Winnipeg Jets
Two teams headed in different directions this season. The Red Wings are poised to make the playoffs for the first time in a decade, while the Jets appear to be grounded, a mere year after leading the NHL during the regular season. Sure, there’s still time for Winnipeg to pull out of its spiral, but it doesn’t have any room for error. These are all pretty much must-win games for the Jets. One point for an overtime or shootout loss may not be enough, though nobody’s expecting them to go on a 30-game winning streak. But it would help.
Sunday, January 25th – 1:30 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Colorado Avalanche at Toronto Maple Leafs
Back on January 12th, the visiting Maple Leafs handed the Avalanche a rare home ice loss, taking the game 4-3 in overtime. Colorado dropped their next home game 7-3 to the Predators before rebounding with a 5-2 win over the visiting Washington Capitals. Then the Ducks came to town and won 2-1 in the shootout. No worries; the Avalanche don’t appear to be in any danger of falling out of first place in the Central Division, and they continue to lead the entire league in points. Their big question is who they might add, at or before the trade deadline, to an already impressive roster. Since that extra time win in Denver, the Leafs have cooled off a bit, but they’ve inserted themselves back into the Eastern Conference playoff race thanks to steady goaltending, good overall team play, and the return to form of sniper Auston Matthews.
Monday, January 26th – 8:30 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers
The Ducks were hot, then cold, then…well, maybe not hot again, but they’ve put the brakes on a lengthy losing streak. Anaheim are still firmly in the hunt for a Western playoff spot. The Oilers are in a neck-and-neck race with the Vegas Golden Knights for the Pacific Division crown, and maybe their goaltending situation has finally settled down. Edmonton forward Zach Hyman has been one of the hottest goal scorers in the NHL since December.
Tuesday, January 27th – 10:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks
While the young Sharks are poised to take a big bite out of the West, and hopefully qualify for a (surprising) playoff spot this April, the Canucks are languishing at the bottom of the NHL standings. They’re holding a garage sale, and no reasonable offer will be refused. A mere two seasons after finishing with 109 points, Vancouver is now poised to receive the most lottery balls in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Make no mistake about it, this is a full rebuild for the recently mighty Canucks.
Wednesday, January 28th – 7:30 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators
Two Eastern Conference teams that, it’s fair to say, have so far had disappointing seasons. After missing the playoff cut by a mere two points last April, much was expected of Columbus, but they haven’t made good on that promise. Yet. That cost head coach Dean Evason his job, and his replacement (the once-retired Rick Bowness) has enjoyed some early success behind the bench. They face a Senators team that it’s fair to say hasn’t received steady NHL-quality goaltending so far this season. Former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark left the team for a while due to personal health reasons, and there’s hope that his return will help steady the good ship Sens. Ottawa beat the Blue Jackets 4-1 in Columbus just eight days ago.
Thursday, January 29th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens
We all know how good this edition of the Colorado Avalanche has been so far this 2025-26 NHL regular season. We’re also watching the reemergence of an impressively talented Canadiens’ team (a recent 4-3 win over the Wild serves notice). While nobody is suggesting that the Habs are on the same level as the Avs, it will be a great test for the young team. And to add a nice level of nostalgic class to the evening affair, the Avalanche will don their snazzy Quebec Nordiques uniforms for this matchup, bringing forth a wave of The Battle of Quebec memories. 1982, 1985, 1985, 1987…
Friday, January 30th – 8:30 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Columbus Blue Jackets at Chicago Blackhawks
Both the Blue Jackets and the Blackhawks hold out hope that they’ll be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in three months’ time. Realistic hope? Sure. If only because the lower echelons of the standings reveal a real slow-moving traffic jam of like-minded teams, stuck in traffic in both Conferences. One nice winning streak (just ask the Buffalo Sabres) can make that goal a reality. So the two points on the line tonight are crucial, even in late January.
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