NHL Weekly Horoscopes: Week 1 a time of change, excitement

By Jan 12, 2021, 12:00 PM EST
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NBC Sports

Like a clock tells time, astrology tells our cosmic future. Often misunderstood or written off as pseudo-science, the stars have a way of charting our possible futures.

We’ll be making some horoscopes for the NHL teams each week and see how their chemistry on the ice and in the stars might project their future. Think Co-Star meets hockey.

EAST DIVISION

• Boston Bruins: Highest concentration in Taurus

Losing Zdeno Chara takes a Pisces out of the equation, where they’ve had a lot of leadership. Leo Patrice Bergeron was recently named the new captain.

Horoscope: After a sluggish six months, Mars moved into its home Taurus on Wednesday. Expect a power surge through March 3. 

Do: Line consistency Don’t: Overextend young defenders

• Buffalo Sabres: Highest concentration in Sagittarius

The Sabres have had a rough start to training camp with Jack Eichel and Zemgus Girgensons suffering injuries.

Horoscope: Use the upcoming Venus-Mars trine as an opportunity to feel united with a roster that already exudes chemistry.

Do: Experiment Don’t: Over-analyze short-term

• Washington Capitals: Highest concentration in Taurus

The Capitals made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason adding Pisces Zdeno Chara.

Horoscope: Mars returning to Taurus will have a stabilizing effect on what would be an otherwise restless period, making planning for the future an important strategy. The secondary placement in Virgo adds some more stability.

Do: Make plans Don’t: Rush to judgement

[Your 2020-21 NHL on NBC TV schedule]

• New York Rangers: Highest concentration in Aquarius

Capricorn Igor Shesterkin has looked sharp in net throughout camp.

Horoscope: As Venus prepares to move into Capricorn, don’t get too caught up in the fantasy of it all. Be realistic.

Do: Encourage practicality Don’t: Get cocky

• New York Islanders: Highest concentration in Aquarius

Gemini Mat Barzal is back with the Islanders after signing a three-year deal earlier in the week.

Horoscope: Keep your wits when making important decisions.

Do: Be decisive Don’t: Meander

• New Jersey Devils: Highest concentration in Scorpio

Gemini Sami Vatanen re-signed with the Devils late last week.

Horoscope: Venus leaves Sagittarius this week and into Capricorn, which could give Scorpio more time to play around. Focus on connections.

Do: Create defensive chemistry Don’t: Focus on the individual

• Philadelphia Flyers: Highest concentration in Taurus

Virgo Nolan Patrick has been practicing after dealing with migraines last season.

Horoscope: The Flyers represent chaos, Taurus represents stability. Lean into it.

Do: Priotize health Don’t: Let chaos stray

• Pittsburgh Penguins: Highest concentration in Leo/Taurus

The Penguins are seeking a solid start following a disappointing ending.

Horoscope: Mars entered the Leo tenth house of career ambition last week, which is the first time it’s had that placement in two years. This could be a good two months for pursuing goals.

Do: Hot starts Don’t: Flame out

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CENTRAL DIVISION

• Detroit Red Wings: Highest concentration in Aquarius

Leo Mathias Brome has been a standout in camp over the past week.

Horoscope: Mercury joined Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius on Friday until March 15, a period that creates attention towards Aquarius. It’s time to be selective of who is invited in.

Do: Reward those who shine Don’t: React quickly to short-term failure

• Tampa Bay Lightning: Highest concentration in Gemini

All eyes are on the defending champions as they enter their season with out their leading scorer, Gemini Nikita Kucherov.

Horoscope: A Leo-Aquarius secondary placement is constantly tense, yet explosive. Aquarius entering Mercury is a good time to create some conversation and partnerships (perhaps like the AHL agreement with the Panthers).

Do: Communicate Don’t: Hold back

[PHT’s 2020-21 predictions: NHL Awards, first coach fired, free agent busts]

• Florida Panthers:  Highest concentration in Virgo

Capricorn Scott Darling just signed a PTO with the Panthers.

Horoscope: Mars in Taurus and Mercury in Aquarius tells a story of a team with a need to plan long-term.

Do: Be cautious Don’t: Escalate

• Carolina Hurricanes: Highest concentration in Cancer

The Hurricanes enter the season as a favorite for a playoff position.

Horoscope: The Mars shift should have Cancers set in low-key. This could mean a calm start without much controversy.

Do: What works Don’t: Overthink it

• Nashville Predators: Highest concentration in Gemini

Last week they signed Sagittarius Luke Kunin.

Horoscope: Restless Mercury headed into Aquarius last Friday, which falls into the Gemini house for travel and adventure. Perhaps something big happens on the road.

Do: Explore Don’t: Be irresponsible

• Dallas Stars: Highest concentration in Gemini and Cancer

Sagittarius Jake Oettinger has shown positive signs at camp while Gemini Anton Khudobin dealt with visa issues.

Horoscope: Venus entering Capricorn is a time of commitment for Geminis. An extension could be on its way.

Do: Trust Don’t: Stray from what’s worked in the past

• Chicago Blackhawks: Heaviest concentration in Aries

The goalie battle bears watching heading into the season.

Horoscope: Mars sitting in Aries means change for Aries, which the Blackhawks roster has been through. Its departure means Aries will be placed in situations involving a lot of teamwork and collaboration.

Do: Work on chemistry Don’t: Be stubborn

• Columbus Blue Jackets: Heaviest concentration in Cancer

Aries Oliver Bjorkstrand signed a five-year extension with the Blue Jackets last week.

Horoscope: Mercury in Aquarius projects travel luck for Cancers, and the Blue Jackets will have a light-mileage start to their season. Division realignment gives restful opportunity.

Do: Use extra adrenaline to advantage Don’t: Get complacent

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WEST DIVISION

• Minnesota Wild: Highest concentration in Virgo and Cancer

Taurus rookie Kirill Kaprizov has dazzled in training camp.

Horoscope: An underlying of Taurus on the roster as well would give the impression of a grounded start to the season.

Do: Exude passion Don’t: Burn out

• St. Louis Blues: Highest concentration in Cancer and Aries

The late addition of Sagittarius Mike Hoffman should add an offensive spark.

Horoscope: The next eight weeks are a time of reunion for Aries as Mars enters Taurus. Watch for intense passion and enthusiasm.

Do: Fire away Don’t: Too much too soon

[Bold predictions for the 2020-21 NHL season]

• Arizona Coyotes: Highest concentration in Leo

Newcomer Derick Brassard, a Libra, is off to a hot start at camp.

Horoscope: Venus entering Capricorn is a transit that can generate intense energy for Leos. Look for a hot start to the season.

Do: Focus on chemistry Don’t: Be impatient

• San Jose Sharks: Highest concentration in Aries

Taurus Devan Dubnyk looks to be the Sharks answer in net.

Horoscope: The Mercury transit is longer than usual and all about long-term goals. Focus on the plan.

Do: Young guns Don’t: Overreact

• Vegas Golden Knights: Highest concentration in Leo

Capricorn Alex Pietrangelo is preparing for a big role in his first season with the Golden Knights.

Horoscope: Venus entering Capricorn is a good team for healing for Leos. Early success could put to rest any old negative feelings.

Do: Move forward Don’t: Repeat history

• Anaheim Ducks: Heaviest concentration in Aquarius

Watch for Aries prospect Trevor Zegras in the future following his big World Juniors showing.

Horoscope: Don’t fall in love with the unknown too much during this Venus shift. Trust your gut.

Do: Explore new possibilities Don’t: Be reactive

• Los Angeles Kings: Highest concentration in Libra

Leo newcomer Andreas Athanasiou should be an offensive sparkplug.

Horoscope: The longer Mercury transit leaves the Libra-extreme tendency to overindulge and into a more balanced perspective. The only caveat is to make sure intensity doesn’t swing into stress.

Do: Focus on the task at hand Don’t: Panic

• Colorado Avalanche: Highest concentration in Scorpio 

Gemini youngster Bo Byram hasn’t joined the Avs quite yet, but projects to earn a spot at age 19.

Horoscope: Scorpio’s attract Tauruses, and with Mars moving into Taurus it might be time to make a move for a grounding.

Do: Examine Don’t: Make excuses

• Detroit Red Wings: Highest concentration in Aquarius

Leo Mathias Brome has been a standout in camp over the past week.

Horoscope: Mercury joined Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius on Friday until March 15, a period that creates attention towards Aquarius. It’s time to be selective of who is invited in.

Do: Reward those who shine Don’t: React quickly to short-term failure

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NORTH DIVISION

• Vancouver Canucks: Heaviest concentration in Cancer and Libra

Sagittarius Nils Hoglander has surged throughout training camp.

Horoscope: The current Mercury placement screams for Taurus’ to invest in their own future. That could mean give young, homegrown talent early opportunities.

Do: Trust your own development Don’t: Waste time

• Calgary Flames: Heaviest concentration in Pisces

Calgary is a sleeper pick to have success in a North Division lacking predictability in the middle.

Horoscope: As Mars enters the third house with Jupiter and Uranus at the end of the month, the Aquarius-adjacent Pisces could face overwhelming communication, which could mean big news.

Do: Go for it Don’t: Fall into old habits

• Edmonton Oilers: Heaviest concentration in Cancer Libra

Leo Tyson Barrie is projected to be an impact defender following a disappointing campaign in Toronto.

Horoscope: The recent Mars placement indicates intensity for Libras, who only get this placement once every two years. Following a sleepy Aries period, it’s time to move.

Do: Hot starts Don’t: Rust

• Winnipeg Jets: Heaviest concentration in Aries

Taurus Connor Hellebyuck is coming off of a Vezina season.

Horoscope: The Jets do have some Capricorn undertones. Expect a workman-like start to the season with a touch of Venus-intensity.

Do: Invest Don’t: Hang out to dry

• Ottawa Senators: Heaviest concentration in Pisces

Capricorn rookie Tim Stützle could breakout following an impressive World Juniors.

Horoscope: Focus on building out long-term momentum without getting ahead of yourself. Mars creates plenty of motivation without burning out.

Do: Improve daily Don’t: Bite off more than you can chew

• Montreal Canadiens: Heaviest concentration in Leo and Taurus

Newcomer Taurus Tyler Toffoli looks to make an impact.

Horoscope: This is a big year for Leo and Taurus, both fixed signs in a Saturn Aquarius period. Look for big movement.

Do: Adjust Don’t: Be stagnant

• Toronto Maple Leafs: Heaviest concentration in Gemini

Cancer Joe Thornton has already seen ample minutes in training camp.

Horoscope: A heavier travel schedule than usual will be an adjustment. Geminis might have the opportunity to create their own luck.

Do: Look on the bright side Don’t: Heavy expectations

More NHL news

chytil rangers
Rangers sign Filip Chytil to 4-year extension
Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews returns to ice, hints at retirement
Budding Wild star Matt Boldy more willing to shoot, and it shows

______________________________

Marisa Ingemi is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop her a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Ingemi.

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    Rangers sign Filip Chytil to 4-year extension

    Associated PressMar 30, 2023, 7:53 PM EDT
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    Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports
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    NEW YORK — The New York Rangers have signed forward Filip Chytil to a four-year contract extension worth $17.75 million, locking up another member of their core long term.

    The team announced the deal Wednesday night. Chytil will count just under $4.44 million annually against the salary cap through the 2026-27 season.

    Chytil, 23, is in the midst of a career year. He has set career highs with 22 goals, 20 assists and 42 points in 66 games for the playoff-bound Rangers.

    The Czech native is the team’s sixth-leading scorer and ranks fourth on the roster in goals. The 2017 first-round pick has 144 points in 342 NHL regular-season and playoff games. He was set to be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer.

    New York already had top center Mika Zibanejad signed through 2030, No. 1 defenseman Adam Fox through 2029, veteran Chris Kreider through 2027, winger Artemi Panarin through 2026 and reigning Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Igor Shesterkin through 2025.

    General manager Chris Drury’s next order of business is an extension for 2020 top pick Alexis Lafrenière, who is only signed through the remainder of this season and can be a restricted free agent.

    Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews returns to ice, hints at retirement

    Associated PressMar 29, 2023, 9:51 AM EDT
    Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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    CHICAGO — Longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews returned to the ice but hinted his stellar NHL career could be winding down after 15 years.

    Toews, 34, skated with teammates prior to Chicago’s game with the Dallas Stars. It was his first time practicing with them since a game in Edmonton on Jan. 28.

    He made a statement through the team on Feb. 19 saying he would be stepping away because of the effects of Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and “long COVID.”

    In meeting with reporters, Toews stopped short of saying he hoped to play in any of last-place Chicago’s nine remaining games. His eight-year, $84 million contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

    Toews said he’s feeling stronger, but isn’t sure if he’ll be able to play again for the Blackhawks or another team.

    “Both if I’m being fully honest,” Toews said. “I feel like I’ve said it already, that I’ve gotten to the point where my health is more important.

    “When you’re young and you’re playing for a Stanley Cup and everyone’s playing through something, that means something and it’s worthwhile. But I’m at that point where it feels like more damage is being done than is a good thing.”

    Toews, the Blackhawks’ first-round draft pick (third overall) in 2006, joined the team in 2007 and was a pillar of Stanley Cup championship clubs in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

    At the peak of his career, he was one of the NHL’s top two-way centers, winning the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward in 2013.

    In 1,060 regular-season games, Toews has 371 goals and 509 assists. In 139 playoff games, he’s posted 45 goals and 74 assists, and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2010.

    Toews missed the entire 2020-21 season with Chronic Immune Response System, which caused debilitating inflammation and fatigue.

    He appeared in 71 games in 2021-22, then started this season with renewed energy before slowing and eventually shutting himself down.

    Entering this season, it looked as if Chicago might deal him, as it did fellow star Patrick Kane, before the March trade deadline. But Kane went to the New York Rangers and Toews to injured reserve.

    Toews believed he was progressing before a relapse in January left him so sore and tired that he could barely “put on my skates or roll out of bed to come to the rink.”

    Toews said his progress over the past month has been “pretty encouraging” and he’s delighted to be back among his teammates. He has no timetable beyond that.

    “We’re just going to go day by day here,” Chicago coach Luke Richardson said. He deserves anything he wants to try to achieve here.”

    Richardson hoped Toews “can take that next step later in the week and hopefully (he) gives us the green light to go in a game.”

    But Toews emphasized his long-term health and ability to lead a “normal life” is most important. He wants to go out on a positive note and not hit the ice for a game playing through excessive pain and dysfunction.

    “It’s definitely on my mind that this could be my last few weeks here as a Blackhawk in Chicago,” Toews said. “It’s definitely very important for me to go out there and enjoy the game and just kind of soak it in and just really appreciate everything I’ve been able to be part of here in Chicago.”

    Budding Wild star Matt Boldy more willing to shoot, and it shows

    Associated PressMar 29, 2023, 9:48 AM EDT
    Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
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    ST. PAUL, Minn. — Matt Boldy was unable to resist a smile in the aftermath of his second hat trick in five games for the Minnesota Wild, a young right wing and reluctant star trying to make sense of a remarkable hot streak.

    Does the puck feel as if it’s automatically going in the net these days each time he shoots?

    “Yeah, it does,” Boldy said in the locker room after leading the first-place Wild to a 5-1 win over Seattle. “My linemates are playing great. Hopefully you guys are giving them a lot of credit. You look at some of those goals – just putting it on a tee for me.”

    This non-attention-seeker has found himself squarely in the NHL spotlight. Boldy has 11 goals in nine games since Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov was sidelined with a lower-body injury to raise his goal total to 28, in part because he’s been more willing to shoot. With vision and stickhandling as strengths and the humility of being a second-year player, it’s easy to be in a pass-first mindset.

    “Everybody kind of took turns talking to him. But it’s not that he didn’t want to. A lot of times a situation like that where a guy’s got that skillset, it’s a real unselfish quality, right?” coach Dean Evason said. “But I think he gets now that he helps the team a lot when he scores goals.”

    The Wild were confident enough in Boldy’s scoring ability to commit a seven-year, $49 million contract extension to him earlier this winter, after all.

    “I think I’ve always had that mentality, but sometimes you just get into spots and it comes off your stick good,” Boldy said. “When things are going well, the puck goes in the net.”’

    The Wild are 6-1-2 without Kaprizov. Boldy is a big reason why.

    “You go through the slumps, you learn what you need to do to score. I think he’s found a good way to be in the right spot and shoot the puck when he had a good opportunity,” center Joel Eriksson Ek said.

    The Wild have only won one division title in 22 years, the five-team Northwest Division in 2007-08. They’re leading the eight-team Central Division with eight games to go, with both Colorado and Dallas too close for comfort. They haven’t won a playoff series since 2015.

    With Kaprizov due back before the postseason and Boldy on this heater, a Wild team that ranks just 23rd in the league in goals per game (2.93) ought to have a better chance to advance. Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson have been ideal linemates for the Boston College product and Massachusetts native.

    Since the Wild entered the league in the 2000-01 season, only five NHL players have had more hat tricks at age 21 or younger than Boldy with three: Patrik Laine (eight), Marian Gaborik (five), Steven Stamkos (five), Alex DeBrincat (four) and Connor McDavid (four). Boldy turns 22 next week, so there’s still time for one or two more.

    “He’s big. He controls the puck a lot. He’s got a good shot, good release. He’s smart. He switches it up. He’s got good moves on breakaways. He’s a total player,” goalie Marc-Andre Fleury said. ”Fun to watch him grow this year.”

    Pezzetta scores shootout winner; Canadiens beat Sabres 4-3

    Associated PressMar 27, 2023, 11:57 PM EDT
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    Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports
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    BUFFALO, N.Y. ⁠— Brendan Gallagher and the Montreal Canadiens rallied back to avoid playoff elimination with less than three weeks left in their season. The Buffalo Sabres, meanwhile, are running out of chances to stay in the Eastern Conference wild-card hunt.

    Gallagher forced overtime by scoring his 200th career goal, and Michael Pezzetta scored the decisive shootout goal in a 4-3 win over the Sabres on Monday night.

    “It’s one of those things I think we earned that chance. We weren’t fantastic but we did enough on the road tonight to get a win,” Gallagher said. “Smiles all around.”

    The Canadiens could laugh, especially after Pezzetta celebrated his goal by putting his stick between his legs and riding it like a wooden horse — much like former NHL tough guy Dave “Tiger” Williams did during his 14-year NHL career spanning the 1970s and 80s.

    “I’m not sure we’ll see that again. One of a kind,” said Gallagher. “I’d be worried about falling over.”

    Pezzetta scored by driving in from the right circle to beat Eric Comrie inside the far post. Buffalo’s Jack Quinn scored in the fourth shootout round, but was matched by Montreal’s Jesse Ylonen, whose shot from in tight managed to trickle in through Comrie.

    Jordan Harris and Alex Belzile also scored for Montreal, and Jake Allen stopped 30 shots through overtime, while allowing one goal on six shootout attempts.

    Montreal would have been eliminated from playoff contention for a second straight season – and two years removed from reaching the Stanley Cup Final – with any type of loss.

    The Sabres squandered a 3-2 third-period lead to drop to 3-6-3 in their past 12. Buffalo also blew a chance to move to within four points of idle Pittsburgh, which holds the eighth and final playoff spot.

    “Just a little hesitation,” forward JJ Peterka said of the Sabres third-period lapse. “We didn’t play with much energy and we didn’t play that aggressive as we played the two periods before. I think that was the difference.”

    Buffalo’s Lukas Rousek scored a goal and added an assist while filling in for leading scorer Tage Thompson, who did not play due to an upper body injury. Peterka and defenseman Riley Stillman also scored, and Comrie stopped 38 shots through overtime, and allowed two goals on six shootout attempts.

    Montreal blew two one-goal leads to fall behind 3-2 on Stillman’s goal at the 8:31 mark of the second period.

    Gallagher scored on the fly by using Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin as a screen to snap in a shot inside the far left post. With the goal, Gallagher tied Bobby Rousseau for 24th on the Canadiens career scoring list.

    “I liked the way we corrected ourselves, it’s a sign of maturity, in the way we stayed on task,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said, in recalling how the Canadiens recently unraveled in an 8-4 loss two weeks ago to Colorado, which plays a similar up-tempo style as Buffalo.

    PRIDE NIGHT

    The Sabres hosted their third Pride Night, with Russian D Ilya Lyubushkin electing not to participate in warmups by citing an anti-gay Kremlin law and fears of retribution at home in Moscow, where he has family and visits in the offseason. The remainder of the team wore dark blue jerseys with the Sabres logo on the front encircled by a rainbow-colored outline.

    During the first intermission, the Sabres broadcast a video in which GM Kevyn Adams said: “This is about recognizing someone’s humanity and true identity. We know there are people out there struggling with who they are, and we want them to know that they have an ally in the Buffalo Sabres.”

    UP NEXT

    Canadiens: At the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.

    Sabres: Host the New York Rangers on Friday night.