NHL Horoscopes Week 14: A new moon trade deadline special

By Apr 13, 2021, 12:00 PM EDT
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I do not believe the NHL keeps track of these things, but someone there had to know what they were doing by scheduling the trade deadline on the new moon, a day used for renewal.

Some teams made some extremely on-brand trades and others shook up their entire astrological makeup. We’re in the stretch run now with only a week or so left until it’s Taurus season.

Stat Leaders

Connor McDavid: 69 points, 46 assists (Capricorn)
Auston Matthews: 32 goals (Virgo)
Mathieu Olivier: 68 PIM (Aquarius)
Andrei Vasilevskiy: .932 Save % (Cancer)

EAST DIVISION

• Boston Bruins: Highest concentration in Taurus

The Bruins added Scorpio Taylor Hall and their first Cancer, Mike Reilly.

Horoscope: Good week for a team who even 48 hours looked like they were going in the wrong direction.

Do: Taylor Hall mania Don’t: Young defensive issues

• Buffalo Sabres: Highest concentration in Sagittarius

The Sabres, uh, sure did something.

Horoscope: Perhaps their hands were tied, but the new moon didn’t renew anything good.

Do: Finish strong? Don’t: This

• Washington Capitals: Highest concentration in Taurus/Virgo

Washington added Virgo Anthony Mantha.

Horoscope: The addition of Mantha gives Washington a Virgo balance for perhaps the most chill NHL team makeup out there.

Do: Size Don’t: Neglect goaltending x2

[Your 2020-21 NHL on NBC TV schedule]

• New York Rangers: Highest concentration in Aquarius

A quiet deadline for the Rangers.

Horoscope: The most Aquarius thing you can do is not improve yourself I guess.

Do: Zac Jones time Don’t: Outside noise

• New York Islanders: Highest concentration in Aquarius

The Isles added another Aquarius in Kyle Palmieri.

Horoscope: Aquarius Kyle Palmieri adds to the heaviest Aquarius team in the league. What could go wrong?

Do: Palmieri Don’t: Fall off on offense

• New Jersey Devils: Highest concentration in Scorpio/Sagittarius

Aquarius Kyle Palmieri was sent to the Islanders.

Horoscope: The loss of Dmitry Kulikov means the Devils now have a Sagittarius – Scorpio balance, just for a little chaos.

Do: Regroup Don’t: Slow finish

• Philadelphia Flyers: Highest concentration in Taurus

The Flyers traded Sagittarius Michael Raffl to Washington.

Horoscope: They also extended Gemini Scott Laughton to a five-year deal, because other Geminis like Carter Hart are working out so well.

Do: Finish in a not horrible way Don’t: Trade your players’ friends

• Pittsburgh Penguins: Highest concentration in Leo/Taurus

The Penguins added Capricorn Jeff Carter.

Horoscope: A sensible move for a sensible player, the fixed sign Penguins might have a run in them.

Do: Go for it Don’t: Fall back

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CENTRAL DIVISION

• Detroit Red Wings: Highest concentration in Aquarius

Another Aquarius team that added another Aquarius in Richard Panik.

Horoscope: The Red Wings did what expected brokering deals, and they got a little more Aquarius in the process.

Do: Scoring Don’t: Forgot to plan

[NHL Power Rankings: Where things stand after NHL trade deadline]

• Tampa Bay Lightning: Highest concentration in Gemini

The addition of Scorpio David Savard puts the Lightning in even better position.

Horoscope: It’s very sneaky Gemini of the Lightning to broker a deal for the best defenseman on the market.

Do: Kucherov soon Don’t: Stress about other teams

• Florida Panthers: Highest concentration in Virgo

The Panthers did get defensive help with Aries Brandon Montour.

Horoscope: The Panthers made practical moves that helped their team, like a good Virgo.

Do: Sam Bennett redemption arc Don’t: Defensive issues

• Carolina Hurricanes: Highest concentration in Cancer/Aries

The Hurricanes traded Cancer Haydn Fleury to the Ducks.

Horoscope: The Hurricanes have one less Cancer in their lineup so there’s some room for a fiery Aries finish to the season.

Do: Defense Don’t: Fall behind

• Nashville Predators: Highest concentration in Gemini

The Preds held on to Gemini Mattias Ekholm.

Horoscope: The Gemini Predators seem to have decided on something – they’re trying to contend for as long as they can.

Do: Go for it Don’t: Fall immediately

• Dallas Stars: Highest concentration in Gemini and Cancer

The Stars didn’t do much at the deadline.

Horoscope: It’s April and I still don’t know what direction the Stars are going in.

Do: Jake Oettinger Don’t: Too much

• Chicago Blackhawks: Heaviest concentration in Aries

Chicago added Libra Adam Gaudette.

Horoscope: Chicago has won two in a row and isn’t out of it yet. The end of Aries season might be good to them after all.

Do: Acclimate new players Don’t: Slump

• Columbus Blue Jackets: Heaviest concentration in Cancer

The Blue Jackets no longer have Scorpios David Savard or Nick Foligno.

Horoscope: The Blue Jackets have two less water signs than they did a week ago. They’re still not going anywhere.

Do: Feel good about getting two first rounders Don’t: Bench everyone

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WEST DIVISION

• Minnesota Wild: Highest concentration in Virgo and Cancer

It wasn’t exactly a Wild deadline.

Horoscope: Minnesota still has a firm grip of a playoff spot after deadline day.

Do: Keep rolling Don’t: Look back

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

Quiet deadline for a team that’s free falling.

Horoscope: St. Louis is still in a playoff spot for now and perhaps they’ll stay there, but it’s not a vote of confidence to do nothing.

Do: ???? Don’t: Keep losing a bunch of games in a row

• Arizona Coyotes: Highest concentration in Leo

The Coyotes stood relatively pat as well.

Horoscope: The Leo Coyotes have lost four games in a row and still aren’t out of the race.

Do: Goals, score some goals Don’t: Keep losing

• San Jose Sharks: Highest concentration in Aries

San Jose traded Taurus goalie Devan Dubnyk.

Horoscope: After getting warm for a stretch the Aries Sharks have been sent back down to earth.

Do: Get on a run Don’t: Older players wear down

• Vegas Golden Knights: Highest concentration in Leo

The Golden Knights added Sagittarius Mattias Janmark.

Horoscope: Vegas has won three in a row and is in striking distance of the Avalanche still. A solid fire season for them.

Do: Goaltending Don’t: Get complacenet

• Anaheim Ducks: Heaviest concentration in Aquarius

The Ducks took on Cancer Haydn Fleury

Horoscope: Anaheim isn’t going anywhere but still have some fun players to watch, how quirky and Aquarius of them.

Do: Get Zegras in the lineup soon Don’t: Weak power play

• Los Angeles Kings: Highest concentration in Libra

The Kings shipped Capricorn Jeff Carter to the Penguins.

Horoscope: The Kings are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games and season is essentially a non factor now.

Do: Move on Don’t: Make the end painful

• Colorado Avalanche: Highest concentration in Scorpio 

Colorado has added to its ever-growing goalie collection.

Horoscope: Taurus Devan Dubnyk is the latest to attempt to master the Avalanche net.

Do: One of the goalies be good Don’t: Fall from the top

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NORTH DIVISION

• Vancouver Canucks: Heaviest concentration in Cancer and Libra

Stay safe and healthy.

Horoscope: Thoughts are still with the recovering Canucks.

• Calgary Flames: Heaviest concentration in Pisces

The Flames shipped away Gemini Sam Bennett and Leo David Rittich.

Horoscope: It’s the clear white towel, now eight points behind Montreal. A lost season in Calgary.

Do: Find answers Don’t: Stick with this plan

• Edmonton Oilers: Heaviest concentration in Cancer and Libra

Edmonton acquired Scorpio Dmitry Kulikov.

Horoscope: The Oilers have done enough to be locked into a playoff spot, it’s what they make of it now.

Do: Strong end of season Don’t: Flame out

• Winnipeg Jets: Heaviest concentration in Aries

Winnipeg traded for Leo Jordie Benn.

Horoscope: They probably needed to do more at the deadline, but Aries season continues to treat them well for the most part.

Do: Get defense going Don’t: Defensive collapse

• Ottawa Senators: Heaviest concentration in Pisces

The Sens traded away a few pieces, including Cancer Mike Reilly.

Horoscope: The Senators keep the rebuild going with their new acquisitions, but this time it feels like there’s a little more hope going forward.

Do: Get the defense working Don’t: Blow it up with the young guys

• Montreal Canadiens: Heaviest concentration in Leo and Taurus

Adding Capricorn Jon Merrill was a strong move.

Horoscope: Montreal is clearly going for it, making moves in-season and in the offseason to address their needs. A practical Leo – Taurus combo would do that.

Do: Call up Cole Caufield! Don’t: Slump late

• Toronto Maple Leafs: Heaviest concentration in Gemini

Solid additions for Toronto with Leo David Rittich and Scorpio Nick Foligno.

Horoscope: The Leafs should have gone for it, as a team that almost gets an automatic into the final four. They did, so good on them.

Do: Go all the way Don’t: External pressure

More NHL news

Florida Panthers Power Play
Barkov sets Panthers’ points mark in 5-2 win over Red Wings
Ferguson stops 47 shots, Senators top reeling Penguins 2-1
Sharks goalie James Reimer declines to wear Pride jersey

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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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    Barkov sets Panthers’ points mark in 5-2 win over Red Wings

    Associated PressMar 20, 2023, 10:41 PM EDT
    Florida Panthers Power Play
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    DETROIT – Aleksander Barkov set the Florida franchise record for most career points, Carter Verhaeghe scored two goals, and the streaking Panthers beat the Detroit Red Wings for the ninth consecutive time, 5-2 on Monday night.

    Barkov recorded a second-period assist, giving him 614 points, breaking a tie with Jonathan Huberdeau for the team record.

    Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists, giving him 14 points over the last five games. Eric Staal and Gustav Forsling also scored for the Panthers, who are 6-0-1 over their last seven games, and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 20 shots.

    Pius Suter and Dylan Larkin scored for the Red Wings, who have lost 10 of their last 12 games. Ville Husso had 20 saves.

    The Panthers led 2-1 after the first period.

    The first Florida goal came after Lucas Raymond‘s turnover in his own zone. Sam Bennett made the steal and passed it to Tkachuk for his 33rd goal.

    Verhaeghe made it 2-0 with a slap shot that got past a screened Husso. The Red Wings challenged for goalie interference, but the goal was upheld after a video review.

    Just after killing off the subsequent penalty, Detroit got on the board when Suter jammed in a rebound of David Perron‘s shot.

    Forsling scored on shot from the point midway through the second period to restore Florida’s two-goal advantage. Barkov had the second assist, allowing him to break the franchise points record.

    Larkin scored on a delayed penalty off a pass from Raymond at 7:53 of the third to cut the Panthers’ lead to 3-2.

    Staal scored on a breakaway off a pass from Anthony Duclair with under four minutes left, and Verhaeghe added a power-play goal.

    GAME NOTES

    Panthers F Eetu Luostarinen had an assist in the 200th game of his career. … Florida is 29-2-3 when leading after two periods. … The last time the Red Wings beat the Panthers was Feb. 20, 2021. … Barkov has 42 points in 38 career games against Detroit. … Andrew Copp notched his 150th career assist on Larkin’s goal.

    UP NEXT

    Panthers: At Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

    Red Wings: At St. Louis on Tuesday night to open a home-and-home set.

    Ferguson stops 47 shots, Senators top reeling Penguins 2-1

    Associated PressMar 20, 2023, 10:39 PM EDT
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    PITTSBURGH – Drake Batherson‘s power-play goal from in front with 2:09 left in regulation lifted the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 win over the reeling Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night.

    The Penguins finally beat Ottawa goaltender Dylan Ferguson on a Rickard Rakell goal with 5:21 to play, but a hooking penalty by Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel gave the Senators the man advantage and Batherson responded with his 21st goal of the season.

    Ferguson, making his first NHL start and first appearance in the league in more than five years, made 47 saves to send Pittsburgh to its fourth straight loss. Thomas Chabot scored his 10th goal of the season for Ottawa as the Senators snapped a five-game slide.

    The Penguins fell behind Florida in the race for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Tristan Jarry played well but couldn’t get in the way of Batherson’s jam shot from just outside the crease.

    Ferguson began the night having played nine minutes at the NHL level as a teenager for Vegas early in the Golden Knights’ debut season in 2017-18. He has bounced around various levels of the minors ever since and was in the process of being sent down to the ECHL by the AHL’s Toronto Marlies earlier this month when the Senators signed him to a two-way deal.

    Something clicked. He played well enough in six games for Ottawa’s AHL affiliate in Belleville to receive a call-up on Sunday. Just over 24 hours later, the Senators made the now 24-year-old Ferguson the sixth goaltender they’ve used this season when they gave him the nod against the struggling Penguins.

    Ferguson looked like he belonged from the opening faceoff. He made a series of sharp saves early, including a couple of stops from in close against Jake Guentzel and a flashy glove save on a slap shot by Malkin.

    Jarry, a two-time All-Star who has struggled to find any sort of consistency since returning from an extended stay on the injured list, took a step forward, turning aside multiple odd-man rushes and a breakaway by Brady Tkachuk in the second period.

    The lone goal Jarry allowed came 16:46 into the first when Chabot took a feed from Claude Giroux and rather than fire a shot from high in the slot skated down to the right circle and beat Jarry to the far post.

    Jarry was solid the rest of the way, though he spent most of the game watching Ferguson dazzle at the other end before Rakell broke through with just over 5 minutes to go.

    UP NEXT

    Senators: Travel to Boston on Tuesday to face the NHL-leading Bruins.

    Penguins: Start a difficult back-to-back on the road on Wednesday when they visit the Avalanche in Denver.

    Sharks goalie James Reimer declines to wear Pride jersey

    Associated PressMar 19, 2023, 3:44 PM EDT
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    San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer didn’t take part in pregame warmups, saying the team’s decision to wear Pride-themed jerseys in support of the LGBTQ community runs counter to his religious beliefs.

    Reimer said in a statement Saturday that he made the decision based on his Christian beliefs, adding that he “always strived to treat everyone with respect” and that members of the LGBTQ community should be welcome in hockey.

    “In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions, which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in life,” Reimer said.

    Reimer is the second NHL player this season to refuse to take part in warmups with Pride-themed jerseys, with Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov declining to in January. Reimer was not slated to start in Saturday night’s home game against the New York Islanders, which is Pride night.

    Additionally, 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.

    The Sharks said in a statement that they are proud to host Pride Night, saying the event reinforces the team’s commitment to inclusiveness.

    “As we promote these standards, we also acknowledge and accept the rights of individuals to express themselves, including how or whether they choose to express their beliefs, regardless of the cause or topic,” the team said in a statement. “As an organization, we will not waver in our support of the LGBTQIA+ community and continue to encourage others to engage in active allyship.”

    The You Can Play Project, which works to promote inclusiveness in sports, said the organization was disappointed in Reimer’s actions.

    “Religion and respect are not in conflict with each other, and we are certainly disappointed when religion is used as a reason to not support our community,” the organization said. “Wearing pride jerseys, like any celebration jersey worn, is not about the personal feelings of an athlete; rather the communication from the team that a community is welcome in the arena and the sport.”

    Panarin, Shesterkin lead Rangers to 6-0 rout of Penguins

    Associated PressMar 19, 2023, 1:18 AM EDT
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    NEW YORK — Mika Zibanejad had a goal and two assists, Artemi Panarin scored twice and Igor Shesterkin made 33 saves as the New York Rangers routed Pittsburgh 6-0 on Saturday night for their second win over the Penguins in three days.

    Vladimir Tarasenko, Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba also scored for the surging Rangers, who have won nine of their last 11 home games and are 12-4-0 in their past 16 at Madison Square Garden.

    Shesterkin won his fifth straight and posted his second shutout this season. He nimbly denied Pittsburgh forward Mikael Granland with a sprawling save five minutes into the third period to preserve the shutout, the 10th of his career. His other one this season was a 1-0 home win over Philadelphia on Nov. 1.

    “When you put in hard and honest work, miracles happen,” Shesterkin said through a translator. ”We played wonderfully today – scored many, many goals. Honestly, I hope the fans loved it. We’re playing for them.”

    The Penguins lost their third straight and trail the Rangers by 12 points for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh, still in wild-card position, is trying to reach the playoffs for the 17th straight time.

    “Tonight was a humbling experience for all of us,” coach Mike Sullivan said. ”At this time of year, you have to have a short memory. We still have control of our destiny.”

    Patrick Kane and defenseman K’Andre Miller also had two assists apiece as New York improved to 7-1-1 in its last nine home games against Pittsburgh. The Rangers are five points behind the second-place New Jersey Devils, who lost at Florida on Saturday.

    “This was a big game for our goalie and our team,” Panarin said. “If you work at playing the right way, you have opportunities for goals.”

    Since Dec. 5, when they turned around their season with a 6-4 comeback win at home over St. Louis, the Rangers are 29-9-5.

    As he did on Thursday when the Rangers beat the Penguins 4-2, Zibanejad opened the scoring. He got his team-leading 36th goal at 5:10 of the first, beating Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry. Trouba and Miller assisted.

    Panarin made it 2-0 at 19:49 on the power play, whipping the puck past Jarry from the left circle off a pass from Adam Fox.

    Tarasenko increased the lead at 3:54 of the second with his fifth goal since joining the Rangers in a trade with St. Louis on Feb. 9. Tarasenko has points in 10 of his first 18 games with the Rangers.

    Kreider made it 4-0 at 6:43 with his 31st goal and third in two games against the Penguins. Kane and Vincent Trocheck assisted on Kreider’s 260th career goal, which moved the Rangers forward within two of Vic Hadfield for fifth place on the franchise list.

    New York won Thursday when Kreider scored the go-ahead goal in the third and added an empty-netter.

    After Casey DeSmith replaced Jarry in net following Kreider’s goal, Trouba beat the replacement with a sharp-angle shot at 8:39 for his eighth to increase the margin to 5-0. Trouba has points in six of his last eight games.

    Panarin scored again at 16:38 of the second – his 22nd goal of the season – to make it 6-0, with assists to Kane and Filip Chytil.

    “We’re building chemistry, building every day and every game,” Kane said.

    Panarin has points in eight of his last 10 games and leads the Rangers with 77 points overall, while Kane has seven points in his last six games.

    “It’s nice to see that many great players on your team,” added Panarin, whose first two NHL seasons were played alongside Kane with the Chicago Blackhawks. “We’re happy tonight.”

    Zibanejad assisted on goals by Tarasenko and Trouba and has 25 points – including 14 goals – over his last 20 games.

    “It was just one of those nights when the puck goes in for us,” Zibanejad said. “And obviously Igor gives us a boost making all those saves.”

    NOTES: The Penguins were missing defenseman Jeff Petry after he was hit with an unpenalized elbow from Rangers forward Tyler Motte on Thursday. … Pittsburgh also scratched defenseman Jan Rutta and forward Dalton Heinen and played defenseman Mark Friedman for the first time since Feb. 11. … The Rangers were without injured defenseman Ryan Lindgren for the 10th straight game.

    UP NEXT

    Penguins: Host the Ottawa Senators on Monday.

    Rangers: Host the Nashville Predators on Sunday night.