This week in the NHL: Sidney Crosby is having a moment; Devon Toews is not happy; the Flyers, well, they're the Flyers

It hasn’t worked in Pittsburgh. While the Penguins made perhaps the offseason’s splashiest move by trading for Erik Karlsson, pairing another surefire Hall of Famer with the three they already had, they’re still only being propped up in the Metro Division by the pointless Blue Jackets. They’re only three points out of a wild-card spot, but have a host of teams they’d have to leap to get there. And making up ground in the NHL is, as Blade once told us, “ice skating uphill.” (that line confused me at the time, but I’m glad it finally came into use). - Sam Fels Read More

Last week, the Colorado Avalanche showed off that despite their warts and occasional hiccup, they still have a gear that few if any other teams can reach ( Look at this now!). It looked as if the Avs were kind of picking their way through the regular season and hitting their stride in the spring. After all, this is a team that is still only 18 months removed from a Stanley Cup and then went out in the first round last April, so they definitely should have a feel for what it takes and what is meaningful. They were pacing themselves while others might punch themselves out before the games that matter. - Sam Fels Read More

For the past 10 years or so, the Flyers have just muddled. There has never been any particular direction. Sometimes they’ve been kinda good, but nowhere near good enough to do anything that mattered. Sometimes they’ve been kinda bad, occasionally really bad, but never by design with their sights set on a top pick and finding a foundational piece to build around. They’ve just ping-ponged between both ends of the middle, unable to leave because they couldn’t find the door on either side that would suggest the team had a plan or destination. They were just that guy sitting at some random gate at the airport that looks like he’s been there since last week. They muddled along. - Sam Fels Read More

The Washington Capitals, coming off consecutive extra-time wins, will look for a third straight victory when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night. - Field Level Media Read More

Joey Daccord made 43 saves to help the visiting Seattle Kraken hold on for a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night.

Brandon Tanev and Jordan Eberle scored for the Kraken, who have earned at least a point in six of their past seven games (3-1-3).

Blake Lizotte scored short-handed and Cam Talbot made 28 saves for the Kings, who have dropped four of six (2-3-1).

The Kings beat the Kraken 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday in Seattle.

Tanev gave Seattle a 1-0 lead at 5:19 of the second period.

The Kings won a faceoff in their own zone, but Los Angeles defenseman Jordan Spence was unable to locate the puck at his feet. Tanev skated in and shot the puck at Talbot, who made the initial save, but Tanev followed up and knocked in the rebound for his third goal of the season. - Field Level Media Read More

Currently on pace to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2020, the Arizona Coyotes begin a two-game road trip on Thursday at San Jose. - Field Level Media Read More