The Avalanche finally have a day off. It’s also a good time to (again) slow down on the Crosby trade rumors. Also, Dallas’ top defenseman was injured on an ugly play and another defenseman in Montreal also suffered an injury.

All hell broke loose Tuesday. You know those silly NHL trade rumors involving Sidney Crosby? Forget it, but we did kick rocks to find young players who might be available to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the deadline.

Auston Matthews will serve as captain for the United States in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, and his team is the only one involved without a glaring injury question to answer.

Auston Matthews being named Team USA captain comes as no great surprise but it is a testament to his health as he’s looked better in January than any other month this season.

Determining just how deflating their 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes was for New York Rangers. Plus lates form NHL, including Kirill Kaprizov surgery and Sidney Crosby trade rumors nixed.

Read the recent NHL news and rumors about Mattias Ekholm for fantasy hockey. Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (illness) is on track to play

Crosby has plenty of international experience for Canada while Leafs star Matthews is the Americans’ biggest threat for the best-on-best tournament.

Evgenii Dadonov had a goal and an assist, Casey DeSmith stopped 33 shots in his second shutout of the season and Dallas beat St. Louis. Esa Lindell scored a power-play goal, Miro Heiskanen had an assist for the fourth straight game and Dallas won for the seventh time in its last nine road games.