NHL Notebook: Colorado keeps on rolling

Let’s recap some of the major NHL headlines from on and off the ice over the last week.

Avs take 10th straight

The Colorado Avalanche capped off an incredible month of January with their 10th consecutive victory on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres. They go for their NHL-best 11th straight triumph against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday.

The Avs won 15 games in the month, tied for the all-time record with the Penguins and Bruins. Colorado has also won 18 in a row on home ice – the all-time record is 23, held by the Red Wings.

The wins are piling up despite the face injury to Nathan MacKinnon; Nazem Kadri (59 points) and Mikko Rantanen (53 points) continue to produce in his absence.

Over the last 10 days, the Avalanche have fallen from +550 to +475 to win the 2022 Stanley Cup.

Huberdeau rises to top of points leaderboard

Jonathan Huberdeau has played a huge role in the Florida Panthers going 11-2-1 in January, notching six goals and 18 assists. He now finds himself atop the leaderboard in points, one ahead of Leon Draisaitl of the Oilers (albeit the latter has five games in hand).

Amazingly, Huberdeau was a +9000 longshot to win the Art Ross Trophy on Dec. 23, but now he’s the third choice in the wagering at +350. Connor McDavid has gone from a -167 favorite to -106, with Draisaitl available at +150.

Josi, Kuznetsov named as All-Star replacements

The NHL announced on Sunday that Predators defenseman Roman Josi and Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov have been added to the 2022 NHL All-Star Game rosters. The moves come following injuries to MacKinnon and Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, respectively.

Josi leads Nashville in points with 43, while Kuznetsov is second to Metropolitan Division captain Alex Ovechkin in points on Washington with 43.

Yandle stands alone as NHL ironman

The Flyers lost 13 in a row during the month of January, but there was a bright spot to be found.

Defenseman Keith Yandle broke the NHL’s “Ironman” streak for most consecutive games played, lacing up his skates for his 965th straight contest on Tuesday. The record had been held since 1987 by center Doug Jarvis of the Canadiens, Capitals, and Whalers.

“It’s an incredible accomplishment,” Flyers head coach Mike Yeo told reporters after a 4-3 loss to the Islanders. “No. 1, you have to love the game, you have to battle through sickness, injuries. A level of professionalism to come to the rink every day and be ready to go.”

Yandle began his record-setting streak with the Coyotes in 2009, and continued it with the Rangers and Panthers before signing on in Philadelphia.