White-hot Lightning could be without key players vs. Flyers
The Tampa Bay Lightning are enjoying their best stretch of the season, but there is cause for concern as they prepare to host the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.
Coach Jon Cooper's team earned its 11th win in the past 14 outings (11-3-0) in a wild 5-3 affair at the Washington Capitals on Saturday night, which helped the squad climb in the standings even further.
Buoyed by the run, the Lightning have risen from mid-pack in the Atlantic Division to second place, trailing the Detroit Red Wings by one point with one game in hand.
However, Saturday's victory in the nation's capital may have come at a cost, as dynamic scorers Nikita Kucherov, who had a goal and two assists, and Brayden Point both suffered injuries.
Kucherov played just 5:18 and departed in the second period after a hard check from Washington's Tom Wilson knocked the Russian right winger into the referee along the boards.
Point skated for 11:29 and tried one shift in the third, but he left and never came back.
Brandon Hagel (two goals, two assists) said he and his teammates hunkered down as the Capitals cut it to 4-3 at 5:24 of the third period.
"On any team when you lose two of your best players, you can tighten up and get a little bit ... I don't know, it can deflate you," said Hagel, who has nine goals and 10 helpers. "Everyone seemed to pick that 5% up for those guys throughout the lineup. Battled, dug deep, kept it simple and we were able to do it. It shows the depth on our team."
Kucherov was ruled out late in the game, and Cooper had no update afterward.
The Flyers trounced the Metropolitan Division's second-place club, the New Jersey Devils, 6-3 at home on Saturday night.
In winning for the third time in the past four outings and doing it by more than one goal, Philadelphia avoided going to overtime -- a remarkable accomplishment considering its recent run.
Coach Rick Tocchet's group needed extra time to decide a winner in five of its last seven games entering the Devils matchup. The Flyers went 3-0-2 in those games and are 5-1-2 in the past eight outings overall.
Tocchet has placed an emphasis on improving the Flyers' special teams. The club ranked fifth (85.0%) on the penalty kill and 23rd (17.5%) on the power play as of Sunday.
"Most PKs are pressure," Tocchet said. "You need to make plays under pressure. Are we there yet? Getting better. But we're not there yet.
"We have to know when to attack (on the power play). These are the things when the power play doesn't go well -- you are not dealing with pressure properly or you're not working hard enough. We're close, but we have to keep working on it."
Tyson Foerster and Trevor Zegras have a team-high seven goals apiece, and Zegras leads with 14 assists and 21 points.
The matchup is the first between the teams, who will meet twice in three days from Jan. 10-12 in Philadelphia.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Gets Exposed For Massive Lie About Aaron Rodgers
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered their Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field with an uncertain quarterback situation. Starting signal-caller Aaron Rodgers injured his left wrist in Week 11 and was forced to miss the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Reports indicate Rodgers tried to return to the game, but Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin ultimately decided to keep him sidelined. Many assumed Rodgers would be ready to play in Week 12, but the fractured wrist kept him out, leaving the Steelers to rely on their backup. Rudolph completed 24 of 31 passes for 171 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. It wasn’t a terrible performance, but he needed to play better to secure the win.
After the loss to the Bears, Tomlin suggested Rodgers would likely be back in Week 13. However, it was the head coach’s inconsistency earlier in the week that drew the attention of Steelers insider Brooke Pryor.
Tomlin initially downplayed the need for Rodgers to practice much, only to adjust his comments after the game, creating confusion among fans and media alike. Pryor called out Tomlin on the conflicting statements, pressing for clarity on Rodgers’ status and keeping the head coach accountable.
The situation has left Steelers fans with lingering questions about Rodgers’ health and the team’s chances in the upcoming games. While Tomlin remains optimistic about Rodgers’ return, the uncertainty at quarterback has cast a shadow over Pittsburgh’s offensive outlook. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether Rodgers can return to full strength and whether the Steelers can regain their footing as the season heads toward its final stretch.
Just a few weeks ago, the Steelers were riding high and feeling confident about their standing in the AFC and within the division. Fans were optimistic, the offense was showing flashes of life, and there was a sense that Pittsburgh could make a serious push toward the playoffs.
Steelers Starting To Unravel In The AFC
Now, after Sunday’s loss to the Bears, the team has fallen to 6-5 on the 2025 season and has almost officially lost its grip on first place in the AFC North. The defeat exposed inconsistencies on both sides of the ball.
If the Steelers want to end their playoff drought in 2025 with Rodgers leading the way, they’ll need him at full health and a stronger, more consistent effort from all three phases of the game. The coaching staff will also need to make adjustments, particularly in the passing game, and ensure that the defense can hold up against high-powered offenses.
Every game from here on out carries weight, and Pittsburgh can’t afford to let the season slip away. The team’s resilience, execution, and ability to stay focused will determine whether they can turn the season around and give Rodgers the supporting cast he needs to succeed. Pittsburgh will now turn its attention to the Week 13 matchup against the formidable Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium.
