Overview
- IIHF launched a disciplinary proceeding over Canada’s behavior in the Dec. 26 Canada–Czech game, with the matter to be handled under federation rules and procedures.
- Reports detail Canadian players crossing into the Czech half during warm-ups, poking opponents with sticks, captain Porter Marton receiving a two‑minute penalty for slapping a rival, and the team leaving without handshakes; Hockey Canada issued a public apology.
- Alexander Ovechkin ended a nine‑game goal drought with his 912th regular‑season tally and added an assist in Washington’s 4–3 OT win at New Jersey, further extending the NHL’s all‑time goals record.
- Nikita Kucherov scored twice in Tampa Bay’s 4–2 win at Florida in a game that featured 136 combined penalty minutes, as Panthers coach Paul Maurice cited Andrei Vasilevskiy’s goaltending as decisive.
- Kirill Kaprizov posted a goal and two assists to reach 285 career points and move to second on Minnesota’s franchise list in a 4–3 OT win at Winnipeg, while San Jose’s Igor Chernyshov scored his first NHL goal in a 6–3 victory at Vancouver.