Deen's Daily
Deen’s Daily: Nichushkin Getting Close; Xhekaj Drops Rempe

Valeri Nichushkin is getting close but he’s not quite ready to return. In Montreal, two of the top heavyweights in the league dropped the gloves but the winner of the fight might surprise you. Also, is it time for Kyle Dubas to pull the plug on the Pittsburgh Penguins season?
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — January 21.
Colorado Hockey Now
The Avalanche play their second straight matinee matchup this afternoon, hosting the Minnesota Wild in yet another big game against a Central Division team ahead of them in the standings. Beating the Wild in regulation means Colorado would sit a point ahead of Minnesota but the Wild would have a game in hand. The Avs were hoping to get Nichushkin back for this game but that doesn’t seem likely. Here are what the lines could look like when the big winger is ready to go.
Also, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a stretch like this before but the Stars game on Saturday began a stretch where five of the next eight games are matinee.
Around the NHL
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Out in Pittsburgh, Dan Kingerski has a column on where the Pens are after the heartbreaking loss to the best team in the East, the Washington Capitals. It’s time for Kyle Dubas to let it rip with this roster.
Montreal Hockey Now: When you think enforcers in 2025, two of the names that quickly come to mind are Matt Rempe and Arber Xhekaj. The two dropped the gloves Sunday in one of the more spirited bouts of the season. Luckily for Habs fans at the game, they got to watch their guy drop the towering Rempe.
Philadelphia Hockey Now: Morgan Frost has been rumored in trade discussions for quite some time. But, perhaps the Flyers may think twice about trading him after their recent stretch of games. It appears they may have found a spot for Frost in their lineup.
New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devil’s spiral continues, falling again in a low-scoring game to the Ottawa Senators.
Ottawa Hockey Now: Ottawa didn’t even have all that great a start. But it didn’t matter.
Detroit Hockey Now: One bad period is all it took for the Red Wings to fall apart against the Dallas Stars.