NHL Horoscopes Week 3: First full moon of the season

By Jan 26, 2021, 12:00 PM EST

The first full moon of the NHL season arrives on Thursday as the full moon of Aquarius season. There’s a few moon transits this week to keep an eye on, and of course, the always impactful Mars transit in Taurus.

On the ice it’s been a fun start to the year even if there’s still a lot to learn about these teams yet.

Stat Leaders

10 points: Mitch Marner (Taurus), Connor McDavid (Capricorn), Anze Kopitar (Leo)

Anze Kopitar: 9 assists (Leo)

5 goals: Travis Konecny (Pisces), Mikko Rantanen (Pisces), Bo Horvat (Gemini), Tyler Toffoli (Taurus)

Tyler Myers: 23 PIM (Aquarius)

Semyon Varlamov: .988 Save % (Taurus)

EAST DIVISION

• Boston Bruins: Highest concentration in Taurus

Sagittarius Nick Ritchie has broken out as one of the Bruins surprising top forwards.

Horoscope: This week’s full moon in Leo is on Thursday and will affect fixed signs like Tauruses the most significantly. Mars remaining in its home sign of Taurus asks for patience.

Do: Keep the lines together Don’t: Move away from what works

• Buffalo Sabres: Highest concentration in Sagittarius

The Sabres sent Aquarius Dylan Cozens to the taxi squad following his first goal.

Horoscope: Venus harmonizes with Mars and aligns with Pluto following its entry into its 8th transit of Sagittarius this month, which usually aligns for opportunities in abundance.

Do: Seize chances Don’t: Be frugal

• Washington Capitals: Highest concentration in Taurus

A rough week from the Capitals broken COVID protocols saw Alex Ovechkin (Virgo), Ilya Samsonov (Pisces), Evgeny Kuznetsov (Taurus) and Dmitry Orlov (Leo) sidelined.

Horoscope: The Taurus placement in Uranus is ongoing until 2025, which benefits Tauruses in the long haul in regards to expression and re-evaluating all values. Don’t lose the big picture.

Do: Safety Don’t: Take risks

[Your 2020-21 NHL on NBC TV schedule]

• New York Rangers: Highest concentration in Aquarius

Capricorn goalie Igor Shesterkin has had a rough start to the season.

Horoscope: Any good Aquarius season values the independence of those who make up a full team working in unity.

Do: Find cohesiveness Don’t: Play Tony DeAngelo

• New York Islanders: Highest concentration in Aquarius

Gemini Anthony Beauvillier is day to day.

Horoscope: This is a good time for contemplation. Really evaluate your framing and message.

Do: Keep it up Don’t: Overanalyze offense

• New Jersey Devils: Highest concentration in Scorpio

Aries rookie Ty Smith is off to a hot start with five points in six games.

Horoscope: This full moon affects fixed signs like Scorpios the most, watch for an increased intensity.

Do: Roll the rookies Don’t: Ignore issues

• Philadelphia Flyers: Highest concentration in Taurus

The Flyers defense has been banged up, and struggled to keep the puck out of the net against their Taurus-match Bruins.

Horoscope: This Taurus Mars cycle focuses a lot on defensiveness and resisting negativity so they should really work on their defense.

Do: Defense Don’t: Frustration

• Pittsburgh Penguins: Highest concentration in Leo/Taurus

Leo Evan Rodrigues is out indefinitely with injury.

Horoscope: For a team with fixed signs making up the majority of the roster, this week’s full moon will be intense.

Do: Control what you can control Don’t: Overdo it

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CENTRAL DIVISION

• Detroit Red Wings: Highest concentration in Aquarius

The Red Wings want to see more out of Virgo Anthony Mantha.

Horoscope: As a fixed sign as well, watch for some serious energy this week.

Do: Hype up your youth Don’t: Overextend

• Tampa Bay Lightning: Highest concentration in Gemini

Aquarius Mitchell Stephens is expected to miss some time.

Horoscope: The Moon just left Gemini, but that was a transit that focused on taking things in stride.

Do: Next man up Don’t: Stress

[NHL Power Rankings: Early surprises, disappointments, and mystery teams]

• Florida Panthers:  Highest concentration in Virgo

The Panthers schedule luck has just been horrible as the Central continues to be plagued.

Horoscope: The Moon enters Virgo on Saturday, which will have a focus on reorganizing. Perhaps schedule related.

Do: Prioritize health Don’t: Get rusty

• Carolina Hurricanes: Highest concentration in Cancer

The Hurricanes are hoping to play on Thursday after missing three games.

Horoscope: There’s a Cancer moon transit this week coming out of a void of course, which will prioritize protection.

Do: Safety Don’t: Hastiness

• Nashville Predators: Highest concentration in Gemini

The Predators power play probably needs some cosmic intervention.

Horoscope: This Gemini moon cycle can be plagued by restlessness. Stay the course.

Do: Get creative Don’t: Be stagnant

• Dallas Stars: Highest concentration in Gemini and Cancer

The Stars finally started their season this past week after 17 players were in COVID protocol.

Horoscope: This Gemini moon calls for a need to find some peace. Starting the season and focusing on safety is good motivation.

Do: Safety Don’t: React

• Chicago Blackhawks: Heaviest concentration in Aries

Gemini Pius Suter netted a hat trick in his sixth career game.

Horoscope: Mars leaving its Aries cycle is calling for patience. The Blackhawks are in a rebuild, after all.

Do: Rookies Don’t: Olds

• Columbus Blue Jackets: Heaviest concentration in Cancer

Cancer Pierre-Luc Dubois finally got traded for Aries Patrik Laine.

Horoscope: The overemotional combination of Cancers John Tortorella and Pierre-Luc Dubois came to an end; so what’s next?

Do: Listen to players Don’t: Be a curmudgeon

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WEST DIVISION

• Minnesota Wild: Highest concentration in Virgo and Cancer

Minnesota’s stellar start has been led by Taurus Kirill Kaprizov — again.

Horoscope: Virgo remains in Saturn, a time to focus on the team around you. Don’t get reliant on one guy or two.

Do: Four lines Don’t: Overhype a rookie.

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

The Blues have been bad and uh, boring.

Horoscope: There’s a lot of potential for wild emotions with a high concentration in Cancer and Aries. Temper them.

Do: Calm down it’s ok Don’t: Overreact

[NWHL: Minnesota Whitecaps depth a hallmark in Isobel Cup run]

• Arizona Coyotes: Highest concentration in Leo

Former GM John Chayka was suspended for the rest of the season.

Horoscope: Another fixed sign, dealing with the Aquarius sun is already a lot for Leos. Take care of yourself.

Do: Self care Don’t: Get too emotional

• San Jose Sharks: Highest concentration in Aries

Pisces Brent Burns scored an absolutely ridiculous goal on Sunday.

Horoscope: This is a sun season for Aries to explore themselves, even coming out of a Mars cycle that preaches patience.

Do: Have fun Don’t: Play in San Jose

• Vegas Golden Knights: Highest concentration in Leo

Capricorn Alex Pietrangelo has a fun little revenge tour with the Blues this week.

Horoscope: Take this Aquarius sun season to find yourself and this full moon to build roots for the future.

Do: Position yourself Don’t: Get caught up

• Anaheim Ducks: Heaviest concentration in Aquarius

Cancer goalie John Gibson has had some good showings.

Horoscope: It’s easy to fall into bad habits when you rely on everything staying the same.

Do: Youths Don’t: Complacency

• Los Angeles Kings: Highest concentration in Libra

Leo Anze Kopitar is on a ridiculous tear to start the season.

Horoscope: It’s a week for movements for Leos in the full moon so keep going with Kopitar.

Do: Anze Kopitar Don’t: Not Anze Kopitar

• Colorado Avalanche: Highest concentration in Scorpio 

The Avs haven’t been red hot quite yet.

Horoscope: There’s a lot to be desired so far but it’s still early; for now.

Do: Top line Don’t: Lose to the Ducks

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NORTH DIVISION

• Vancouver Canucks: Heaviest concentration in Cancer and Libra

The Canucks have not had a fun Aquarius season.

Horoscope: Mars and Jupiter crossing has been a real issue for the Cancer and Libra heavy Canucks.

Do: Depth Don’t: Turnovers

• Calgary Flames: Heaviest concentration in Pisces

Sagittarius Matthew Tkachuk is in the middle of drama, the norm.

Horoscope: This is a season for Pisces to let go so all the Tkachuk grudge matches aren’t helping.

Do: Release bad energy Don’t: Grudges

• Edmonton Oilers: Heaviest concentration in Cancer and Libra

Virgo Tyler Ennis was put on waivers this week.

Horoscope: The moon in Cancer focuses a lot on being defensive. The Oilers should try that on the ice.

Do: Urgency Don’t: Freak out

• Winnipeg Jets: Heaviest concentration in Aries

Aries Patrik Laine is out, Cancer Pierre-Luc Dubois is in.

Horoscope: This Mars cycle could be testy for Aries. The Jets have made things work so far.

Do: Work Dubois in Don’t: Get ahead of yourself

• Ottawa Senators: Heaviest concentration in Pisces

As the sun rises in the morning, the Senators are on a losing streak.

Horoscope: Neptune is the lone celestial body in Pisces. That means a lot of idealistic thoughts, and a lot of urgency. They should do that.

Do: Focus energy Don’t: Be apathetic

• Montreal Canadiens: Heaviest concentration in Leo and Taurus

Sagittarius Tomas Tatar has been on fire and so have the Habs.

Horoscope: This week’s full moon should indicate a strong week from the fixed sign Canadiens.

Do: Keep pushing Don’t: Tweak for the heck of it

• Toronto Maple Leafs: Heaviest concentration in Gemini

Cancer Joe Thornton is going to miss significant time, the lineup will have to adjust.

Horoscope: Coming out of a Gemini moon, there should be a lot of natural energy.

Do: High intensity Don’t: Too much high intensity

More NHL news

Crosby reaches 30-goal mark, Penguins knock off Avalanche 5-2
Report: Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed jerseys
Teravainen scores late, Hurricanes rally to beat Rangers 3-2

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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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    Crosby reaches 30-goal mark, Penguins knock off Avalanche 5-2

    Associated PressMar 23, 2023, 12:06 AM EDT
    Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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    DENVER – Sidney Crosby wasn’t even aware of reaching yet another milestone. He’s simply locked in on helping the Pittsburgh Penguins make a 17th straight postseason appearance.

    Jeff Carter had a pair of goals, Crosby scored on a nifty backhand shot in the second period to reach the 30-goal mark for an 11th season and the Penguins beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2.

    Crosby moved into a tie with Hall-of-Fame center Mario Lemieux for the most 30-goal seasons in Penguins history. Another milestone reached – it came as news to him.

    “I think the most important thing for me is just try to be consistent and if that reflects that great,” said Crosby, who turns 36 in August.

    Even more, Crosby’s the first player in league history to post a 30-goal campaign at 18 years old and again when he was 35-plus, according to NHL Stats.

    “It means I’ve been in the league for a while,” Crosby cracked. “That’s been the thing that’s driven me since since I got into the league – in your first year, you want to prove that you belong. Even at 35, I still think you want to prove you belong, because it is a younger league.”

    Jake Guentzel also scored and Bryan Rust added an empty-net goal for the Penguins, who snapped a four-game slide and moved back into a wild-card spot in the East.

    “It’s definitely a big one for us, for sure,” Guentzel said. “Defending champs, coming to their building, you know how good they are. Top to bottom, we defended hard and that’s what we have to do at this time of the year.”

    Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry stopped 28 shots in improving to 11-4 this season against teams from the Western Conference.

    J.T. Compher and Devon Toews had goals for the Avalanche, whose six-game winning streak was halted. Nathan MacKinnon had an assist to extend his home points streak to 18 games.

    It was a missed opportunity for Colorado, which could’ve pulled into a three-way tie with Dallas and Minnesota in the Central Division with a victory.

    “We knew they were going to play with urgency,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “But I didn’t feel like there was any reason why we couldn’t, either. … We didn’t get it done. Hopefully we get another one.”

    Alexandar Georgiev made 40 saves, including several critical ones in a second period controlled by the Penguins, who outshot the Avalanche by a 21-9 margin. It could’ve been more than a 3-1 deficit heading into the third period.

    Toews’ power-play goal made it 3-2 with 9:32 remaining. But Carter wrapped up the win with his first multigoal game in the regular season since Jan. 11, 2022.

    “I’m thrilled for him. We’re all thrilled,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said of Carter. “He cares about the Penguins. He wants to win, and he wants to contribute in helping us win so we couldn’t be happier for him.”

    BEDNAR’S DEAL

    Bednar was appreciative of the three-year extension he signed Tuesday that goes through the 2026-27 season. In his seventh season, he’s the third-longest tenured coach in the NHL behind Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper (March 2013) and Sullivan (December 2015).

    “It’s not a forgiving league or sport, for the most part, but obviously that’s part of the reason why I’m so grateful and thankful,” Bednar said. “Because there were times over my tenure that got a little hairy and management could have made another decision. But obviously they didn’t.”

    AROUND THE RINK

    Avalanche D Cale Makar missed a second straight game with a lower body injury. “I still have him as day-to-day,” Bednar said. … F Darren Helm returned after missing 64 of 69 games this season with a lower-body injury. … Penguins D Jeff Petry (upper body) skated in the morning but sat out his third straight game. … The Penguins are 11-1 against the Central Division this season. … Penguins standout Evgeni Malkin assisted on Guentzel’s goal to reach the 50-assist mark for a seventh time in his career.

    UP NEXT

    Penguins: At Dallas on Thursday night.

    Avalanche: Host Arizona on Friday night.

    Report: Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed jerseys

    Associated PressMar 23, 2023, 12:04 AM EDT
    Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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    CHICAGO – The Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed warmup jerseys before Sunday’s Pride Night game against Vancouver because of security concerns involving a Russian law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQ rights in the country.

    The decision was made by the NHL organization following discussions with security officials within and outside the franchise, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the move.

    The Blackhawks have worn Pride warmup jerseys previously and donned special warmup jerseys on some other themed nights this season. There had been ongoing conversations about a Pride jersey with the players, according to the person who talked to the AP, but the organization made the decision to hold Pride Night without the jerseys this year.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law in December that significantly expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQ rights in the country. Chicago defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is a Moscow native, and there are other players with family in Russia or other connections to the country.

    The decision by the Blackhawks comes after San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to take part in warmups with Pride-themed jerseys. The New York Rangers opted not to wear Pride jerseys or use Pride stick tape as part of their night in January despite previously advertising that plan.

    Russians Nikolai Knyzhov and Alexander Barabanov wore the Pride-themed jerseys for the Sharks on Saturday.

    While Chicago will go without Pride warmup jerseys this year, the team has planned a variety of activities in conjunction with Sunday’s game. DJs from the LGBTQ community will play before the game and during an intermission, and the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus also is slated to perform. There also are plans to highlight a couple of area businesses with ties to the LGBTQ community.

    Teravainen scores late, Hurricanes rally to beat Rangers 3-2

    Associated PressMar 21, 2023, 11:34 PM EDT
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    NEW YORK – Teuvo Teravainen scored the tiebreaking goal late in the third period, Frederik Andersen stopped 29 shots and the Carolina Hurricanes rallied to beat the New York Rangers 3-2.

    Jalen Chatfield and Stefan Noesen also scored for the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes, who won for the third time in four games.

    With the comeback win, the Hurricanes became the second team – following Boston – to reach the 100-point mark this season as Carolina increased its Metropolitan Division-lead over second-place New Jersey to two points and the third-place Rangers to eight.

    “That was a great effort. All 20 guys contributed and we got what we deserved,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “If we play like that, we’ll be in good shape. This time of year it gets tougher and tougher.”

    Tyler Motte and Kaapo Kakko scored for the Rangers, who had won four straight were 6-0-1 in their last seven. Igor Shesterkin finished with 36 saves as the Rangers played their third game in four nights – the previous two shutout wins at home.

    “Igor kept us in there as long as he could and we just didn’t have enough in the tank,” Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said. ”They won more battles and played a hard game.”

    Teravainen scored his 11th goal with 2:33 left on a pass from defenseman Brent Burns, redirecting the puck past Shesterkin. The Hurricanes, who trailed 1-0 and 2-1.

    “Somehow they left me open in the back side, great pass by him,” Teravainen said of the winning-goal pass to him in the slot. “We knew this would be a tough night. They have a good team. We knew we had to battle to win this game.”

    The Rangers led 1-0 entering the third and were vying for their third-straight shutout before Chatfield tied the score at 9:49 – the first goal the Rangers allowed in more than eight periods. New York was coming off a 6-0 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday night with Shesterkin in goal and a 7-0 triumph over Nashville behind Jaroslav Halak on Sunday.

    Kakko then put New York back ahead 31 seconds later with his 13th goal, only to have Noesen answer right back 18 seconds later to tie it 2-2.

    Motte opened the scoring at the 17-minute mark of the first, knocking the puck past Andersen for his third goal in four games and sixth of the season overall.

    The Rangers hadn’t lost in regulation since a 4-2 defeat on March 4 at Boston.

    “Tonight we didn’t play near well enough to beat that team,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. ”Honestly, the whole game they outplayed us. They were a lot quicker. They managed the puck real well … We didn’t play our game.”

    MILESTONE

    Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal played his 729th game with Carolina on Tuesday, tying defenseman Glen Wesley for the second-most games played in franchise history since relocation from Hartford in 1997. Staal, 34, trails only his brother Eric, who played 909 games for the Hurricanes from 2003-16.

    UP NEXT

    Hurricanes: Host the Rangers on Thursday night to finish the home-and-home set in the opener of a four-game homestand.

    Rangers: At Carolina on Thursday night to open a two-game trip.

    Ullmark’s 40 saves carries Bruins past Senators, 2-1

    Associated PressMar 21, 2023, 11:31 PM EDT
    ullmark game 2
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    BOSTON – Linus Ullmark made 40 saves, Jake DeBrusk had the go-ahead goal and the NHL-best Boston Bruins continued their pursuit of the league’s record for regular-season victories with a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.

    “I thought he was outstanding and he needed to be,” Boston coach Jim Montgomery said of Ullmark. “Unfortunately we gave up a lot of good looks, a lot of odd-man rushes because of our puck management and he bailed us out like he has all year.”

    David Krejci added a power-play goal for Boston, which won its fourth straight.

    Dylan Gambrell scored for the Senators and Mads Sogaard made 33 stops.

    “We had a shooters’ mentality for two periods,” Ottawa coach D.J. Smith said. “The third period, they’ve won 54 games now, they’re not going to give you an odd-man rush, they’re not going to give you anything. You’re going to have to earn it.”

    The Bruins posted their 54th win and with 12 games left are on pace to break the mark of 62, set by the Detroit Red Wings in 1995-96 and matched by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018-19.

    Chasing the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot, Ottawa has lost six of seven following a season-high, five-game winning streak.

    Coming off a 3-2 road trip where they won the last three games by a combined score of 15-2 that included two shutouts by backup Jeremy Swayman, the Bruins converted on a two-man, power-play advantage to tie the game at 1 midway into the opening period when Krejci poked in a rebound from the edge of the crease.

    DeBrusk completed a nifty play with Brad Marchand when he collected a pass cutting down the slot at full speed, shifted and tucked a rebound past Sogaard at 15:52 of the first period for his 23rd goal.

    “It was ‘all world.’ I saw him and he fed it through a lot of guys for a breakaway,” DeBrusk said of the pass. “It was one of those passes where I didn’t know what to do. I was going to point at him (after) but I was going too fast.”

    Gambrell’s wraparound score gave Ottawa a 1-0 edge.

    “I thought I played a good game today,” Sogaard said. “I just battled and stayed with it the entire way. … These ones are tough because we were so close.”

    HEAVY WORKLOAD

    Ullmark stopped 22 shots in the second period with at least a dozen of them high-quality chances. During an Ottawa PP, he jumped from a crouch to make a right-shoulder stop on Alex DeBrincat’s bid from in close.

    “We talked about it,” defenseman Hampus Lindholm said of the second period. “We know we’re a good team in the third and wanted to tighten it up for him. … They got a lot of chances that were our own fault in the second.”

    WOMEN IN SPORTS NIGHT

    The Bruins highlighted women who work and compete in the sports community, having Olympic gold medalist and Boston Pride defender Kali Flanagan accompany Bruins players during pregame walk-ins along with local high school scholastic award winners. In addition, in-arena host Michaela Johnson handled the PA for the night and they also left yellow roses at the seats of female reporters.

    NOTES: The Senators entered the game as the only team holding an advantage in their series against the Bruins this season, winning twice in three games. … Montgomery said after the morning skate that defenseman Derek Forbort would likely be sidelined with a lower-body injury at least through the rest of the regular season. … DeBrusk, playing on the top line most of the season, is four off his career-high goal total, set in 2018-19.

    UP NEXT

    Senators: Host Tampa Bay on Thursday.

    Bruins: Host longtime rival Montreal in an Original Six matchup Thursday.