The NHL schedule winds down for the week of February 2-9, 2026, as teams play their final games before a pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, starting February 6. Several clubs are dealing with injuries, returns to form, and tight playoff positioning, while players prepare for international duty. This period could shape momentum heading into the Olympic hiatus and the post-break stretch.
The Los Angeles Kings are set for two Pacific Division clashes against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday and the Vegas Golden Knights later in the week, both critical for their wild card push. With 60 points, they sit close to the Kraken and Anaheim Ducks while trailing Vegas and Edmonton. Captain Anze Kopitar has returned after missing 11 games due to a lower-body injury, aiding efforts to stabilize lineups including Adrian Kempe, Corey Perry, and Alex Laferriere. Defenseman Drew Doughty recently became the first in Kings history to reach 700 career points, and he along with goaltender Darcy Kuemper will represent Canada at the Olympics. The team has leaned on overtime games, with a recent win over the Philadelphia Flyers and loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
In Vegas, the Golden Knights hold first in the Pacific despite five straight losses, including 3-2 to Seattle and 4-3 to Anaheim. They acquired defenseman Rasmus Andersson from Calgary, reuniting him with Noah Hanifin; Andersson has 11 goals this season. Injuries plague the roster: William Karlsson is out until March with a lower-body issue, Brandon Saad and Colton Sissons miss the break due to undisclosed and upper-body ailments, Brett Howden is on injured reserve, and Jonas Rondbjerg is day-to-day. Nine players head to the Olympics.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, under interim coach Rick Bowness since mid-January, have won eight of nine games, closing to six points behind Buffalo for a playoff spot. They face the New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks in a back-to-back. Veteran center Charlie Coyle, a pending UFA, scored a hat trick against Chicago, creating a trade dilemma as the deadline nears post-Olympics.
Colorado enters after a 5-0 shutout of Detroit, powered by Nathan MacKinnon's two goals—his 40th of the season, with 91 points second to Connor McDavid in the Hart race. Brock Nelson notched a hat trick in late January for second-line depth. Injuries include Gabriel Landeskog's indefinite upper-body absence, doubting his Olympic participation, Devon Toews out with upper body, and Martin Necas day-to-day. Mackenzie Blackwood earned a 28-save shutout. Their lone game is Wednesday before the break until February 25.
