NHL Horoscopes Week 10: Welcome to Aries season

By Mar 16, 2021, 12:00 PM EDT

This week is the beginning of Aries season, a time for chaos but not in an organized way, more in a like, punch you in the face way. The caps lock of the zodiac signs, the REDBLACKS of this all, if you will.

That’s sure to shake things up in the NHL, especially with a trio of Aries teams that are all so radically different. Mercury leaves Aquarius too, so the weirdos will just have Saturn and Jupiter for a stretch.

Stat Leaders

Connor McDavid: 53 points, 36 assists (Capricorn)
Auston Matthews: 21 goals (Virgo)
Trent Frederic: 53 PIM (Aquarius)
Andrei Vasilevskiy: .934 Save % (Cancer)

EAST DIVISION

• Boston Bruins: Highest concentration in Taurus

Libra Jake DeBrusk hasn’t been able to find offensive consistency.

Horoscope: The waxing moon is viewed as a time for new opportunities. This week, it enters Taurus on Thursday. Perhaps there’s some good news ahead.

Do: Defensive depth Don’t: Too much pressure on the backup goalies

• Buffalo Sabres: Highest concentration in Sagittarius

Scorpio Jack Eichel being out for the “foreseeable future” is bad news!

Horoscope: Like honestly what is there to say.

Do: Win a game maybe Don’t: Any of this

• Washington Capitals: Highest concentration in Taurus

Capricorn T.J. Oshie is leading a strong Capitals power play.

Horoscope: The Taurus moon is for stability, something the Capitals are pretty good at already.

Do: Power play Don’t: Take hits to depth

[Your 2020-21 NHL on NBC TV schedule]

• New York Rangers: Highest concentration in Aquarius

Sagittarius defenseman Adam Fox has been the best Rangers blueliner.

Horoscope: Say goodbye to the Aquarius Mercury, an absolute unit of a cycle. The Rangers will have to force their own creativity.

Do: Rebounds Don’t: Over do it

• New York Islanders: Highest concentration in Aquarius

The age of Aquarius looks good on the Isles.

Horoscope: Let’s see how they do after this Mercury exit. There could be a change in the feel around them.

Do: What’s been working Don’t: Ignore slow offense

• New Jersey Devils: Highest concentration in Scorpio

Capricorn Nico Hischier‘s absence has been killer for the Devils.

Horoscope: Another week where the stars leave the Devils primarily on their own.

Do: Mackenzie Blackwood Don’t: Lose defensive edge

• Philadelphia Flyers: Highest concentration in Taurus

Gemini goalie Carter Hart continues to falter.

Horoscope: The Flyers might need some of that Taurus new beginnings energy in net.

Do: James van Riemsdyk Don’t: Overreact in net, honestly

• Pittsburgh Penguins: Highest concentration in Leo/Taurus

Sagittarius Cody Ceci that’s it that’s the tweet.

Horoscope: Things seem to be going real well for the Penguins. Perhaps just glad to be away from Aquarius season.

Do: Crosby and Malkin Don’t: Ignore defensive issues

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CENTRAL DIVISION

• Detroit Red Wings: Highest concentration in Aquarius

Scorpio Filip Hronek is the leading scorer. He’s a defenseman.

Horoscope: Well Mercury is out of Aquarius, but the Red Wings need more help than that.

Do: Offense Don’t: Ignore special teams

• Tampa Bay Lightning: Highest concentration in Gemini

It’s not shocking the Lightning are the best team in hockey.

Horoscope: Nikita Kucherov is a Cancer just mentioning that for no reason.

Do: Push the pace Don’t: Salary cap apparently

[NHL Power Rankings: Hurricanes, Isles climb rankings with winning streaks]

• Florida Panthers:  Highest concentration in Virgo

Capricorn Patric Hornqvist is playing some of his best hockey.

Horoscope: The Panthers just keep rolling. Basking in the Pisces new moon energy is going to feed into their strength even more.

Do: Barkov Selke szn Don’t: Suddenly remember you are the Florida Panthers

• Carolina Hurricanes: Highest concentration in Cancer

They sure are playing like Cup contenders.

Horoscope: Mars enters Cancer in April, right when the Hurricanes will be making a final push. Something to keep an eye on.

Do: Best players being best players Don’t: Overexert goalies

• Nashville Predators: Highest concentration in Gemini

Leo Filip Forsberg is like the only playing producing.

Horoscope: The Gemini Predators need to rebuild like yesterday.

Do: Rebuild! Don’t: Not rebuild!

• Dallas Stars: Highest concentration in Gemini and Cancer

Oddly enough, it’s been veteran Cancer Joe Pavelski pacing the Stars on offense.

Horoscope: Capricorn goalie Jake Oettinger has been fantastic, maybe he can help turn things around.

Do: Awesome reverse retro jerseys Don’t: Spiral

• Chicago Blackhawks: Heaviest concentration in Aries

Taurus Kevin Lankinen has continued to surprise in net.

Horoscope: Aries season begins late this week. It’s time to shine.

Do: Top line Don’t: Falter late

• Columbus Blue Jackets: Heaviest concentration in Cancer

Aries Patrik Laine has been a mixed bag thus far in Columbus.

Horoscope: Perhaps the Jackets will look to make some trades. They probably should.

Do: Ch ch ch ch changes Don’t: Decide to just keep everyone and not progress

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WEST DIVISION

• Minnesota Wild: Highest concentration in Virgo and Cancer

The Kirill Kaprizov show is still in town.

Horoscope: Feels like the Wild are straight up vibing regardless of what the cosmic signs say.

Do: Continue to be a genuine joy Don’t: Suddenly drop off

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

Sagittarius Vladimir Tarasenko has been a welcome return.

Horoscope: The Sun turning to its fire sign Aries right as the Blues offense starts to click feels like a good sign.

Do: Scorers Don’t: Let teams sneak up

• Arizona Coyotes: Highest concentration in Leo

Taurus goalie Darcy Kuemper missing time makes things rough.

Horoscope: Last week’s win over the Avs was a great example of creating your own energy, something Leos face right now.

Do: Consistent scoring Don’t: Goalie woes

• San Jose Sharks: Highest concentration in Aries

Leo Evander Kane leads the Sharks in points.

Horoscope: Can Aries season save the Sharks?

Do: Focus on the future Don’t: Have any hesitation to move on

• Vegas Golden Knights: Highest concentration in Leo

Taurus Mark Stone is continuing to be a dominant factor on the ice.

Horoscope: The Golden Knights continue to role, and probably will for a long time yet.

Do: Mark Stone Don’t: Assume the goalie situation is over

• Anaheim Ducks: Heaviest concentration in Aquarius

Well it’s not working.

Horoscope: Maybe the new Mercury cycle will save them? Probably not.

Do: Young players Don’t: Hesitate to rebuild

• Los Angeles Kings: Highest concentration in Libra

Perhaps the dream is over.

Horoscope: There’s a Libra full moon at the end of the month. Perhaps that will revitalize some energy.

Do: Anze Kopitar Don’t: Forget progress

• Colorado Avalanche: Highest concentration in Scorpio 

Scorpio Mikko Rantanen has been a needed consistent presence.

Horoscope: There’s a lot of hype around the Avs making some deadline moves, perhaps in net. Scorpios, much like Leos, need to create their own energy right now.

Do: Stay healthy Don’t: Make a move just for the sake of it

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NORTH DIVISION

• Vancouver Canucks: Heaviest concentration in Cancer and Libra

Sagittarius goalie Thatcher Demko is starting to play more consistent.

Horoscope: It’s too late, yeah, it’s too late.

Do: Keep developing Demko Don’t: Ignore defensive issues

• Calgary Flames: Heaviest concentration in Pisces

Leo Darryl Sutter is still just getting started, back with his old team again.

Horoscope: Brutal Pisces season for the Flames. Really feels like there’s not too much there.

Do: Try any momentum Don’t: Lay all the issues on coaching

• Edmonton Oilers: Heaviest concentration in Cancer and Libra

Capricorn Connor McDavid is also the most obvious Capricorn NHL guy though, right?

Horoscope: The upcoming full moon should be fun for the Oilers, who are up and down much like everyone in the North.

Do: Offensive progress Don’t: Forget the little things

• Winnipeg Jets: Heaviest concentration in Aries

Cancer Pierre-Luc Dubois is doing well with the transition.

Horoscope: Sure feels like the Jets could have a really enjoyable Aries season.

Do: Offensive surge Don’t: Lose important points

• Ottawa Senators: Heaviest concentration in Pisces

Capricorn Tim Stützle is having an elite rookie season.

Horoscope: Yes, haha, yes, haha.

Do: Sickos Don’t: Ignore the vibes

• Montreal Canadiens: Heaviest concentration in Leo and Taurus

Taurus Tyler Toffoli has been one of the only consistent players in the lineup.

Horoscope: Ben Chiarot‘s injury is a huge bummer. Feels like the Habs can just go downhill really fast if they don’t create some of their own momentum.

Do: Any energy Don’t: Panic

• Toronto Maple Leafs: Heaviest concentration in Gemini

If you don’t believe in astrology explain how the Leafs are peak indescisive Gemini.

Horoscope: Much like all Geminis, the Leafs have no idea who they want to be.

Do: Consistency, perhaps Don’t: Let worse teams bring you down

More NHL news

Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews returns to ice, hints at retirement
Budding Wild star Matt Boldy more willing to shoot, and it shows
canadiens sabres
Pezzetta scores shootout winner; Canadiens beat Sabres 4-3

—

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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    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
    canadiens sabres
    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.

    Flyers chairman Scott to retire; Hilferty becomes successor

    Associated PressMar 27, 2023, 12:08 PM EDT
    Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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    PHILADELPHIA — Dave Scott will retire as chairman of the Philadelphia Flyers’ parent company Comcast Spectacor and be replaced by Dan Hilferty.

    Hilferty, who was recently named CEO of Comcast Spectacor, will succeed Scott as chairman of the company on April 17 and as the team’s governor on July 1.

    Scott joined Comcast Spectacor in December 2013 and the Flyers have struggled under his reign. They will miss the playoffs for a third straight season and haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1975.

    “Our number one goal for the Flyers will be to consistently compete for the Stanley Cup,” Hilferty said. “It is going to be a process that will take time to get on that path, but I’m confident we are headed in the right direction with Danny Briere as interim GM, Coach Tortorella, and our hiring of a President of Hockey Operations soon. Our leadership team will be fully focused to deliver on this for our fans while also continuing to make the sports complex the best location for sports and entertainment in the nation.”

    As Chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor, Hilferty will lead the company’s entire portfolio, including the Philadelphia Flyers. Spectacor Sports and Entertainment CEO Valerie Camillo will continue to work directly with Hilferty, overseeing the Wells Fargo Center, including its continued transformation, and lead the Flyers’ business operations.