2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series IS FINALLY HERE

The countdown of days until the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series has reached zero, with Columbus (29-22-8, 66 points) and Detroit (30-23-6, 66 points) set to march into Ohio Stadium for the 43rd outdoor game in League history tonight (6 p.m. ET). The Detroit Red Wings and Blue Jackets occupy the Eastern Conference’s first and final Wild Card spot, respectively, as each team aims to end a lengthy postseason drought.

• NHL in ASL, presented by Scotiabank in Canada, an alternate telecast dedicated completely to the Deaf and hard of hearing community using American Sign Language, will be returning for the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series and available to stream exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. and on Sportsnet+ in Canada. The alt-cast will include player interviews from Ohio Stadium with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings as well as intermission guests Makenna Webster from the Ohio State University women’s hockey team, Jeremy Smith, Advocate for DeafPlus Community, and Chris Kuhns, ASL/Deaf Studies Teacher and Video Production Specialist at Ohio School for the Deaf.
• The 2025 Stadium Series is set to mark the third outdoor game in NHL history involving teams that are tied in points entering play. The 2014 Stadium Series at Soldier Field pitted the Metropolitan Division-leading Penguins (40-15-4, 84 points) against the Blackhawks (35-12-14, 84 points) who ranked second in the Central Division, while the 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium featured the Red Wings (18-14-9, 45 points) and Maple Leafs (20-16-5, 45 points) who occupied the Eastern Conference’s first and final Wild Card spot, respectively.

Werenski and Blue Jackets, Larkin and Red Wings practice outdoors FRIDAY

Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets practiced at Ohio Stadium before their outdoor game debut tomorrow, while Dylan Larkin and the Red Wings hit the ice as the sun was setting at “The Shoe.” Larkin is the only Detroit player who skated with the Red Wings in the 2017 Centennial Classic at Exhibition Stadium or 2016 Stadium Series at Coors Field.

• Werenski (2014-15 to 2015-16) and Larkin (2014-15) are two of the seven former Michigan Wolverines that could skate in the 2025 Stadium Series, with the others being Adam Fantilli (2022-23), Kent Johnson (2020-21 to 2021-22), J.T. Compher (2013-14 to 2015-16), Tyler Motte (2013-14 to 2015-16) and Jack Johnson (2005-06 to 2006-07). Andrew Copp (2012-13 to 2014-15), who will miss the remainder of the season, is also an alumnus.
• Werenski will be featured in the upcoming second season of the hit documentary series FACEOFF: Inside the NHL alongside teammate Sean Monahan, who has been sidelined since Jan. 7 but practiced with the Blue Jackets at Ohio Stadium on Friday.

MARCH OPENS WITH THE GR8 CHASE, ABC HOCKEY SATURDAY AND MORE
An action-packed day in the NHL features Alex Ovechkin closing in on the final 10 goals of The Gr8 Chase when the Capitals host the Lightning, an ABC Hockey Saturday matchup between the Bruins and Penguins and Connor McDavid looking to reach the 700-assist mark during Hockey Night in Canada.

• Ovechkin (30-17—47 in 43 GP) enters the weekend with 883 goals – 12 shy of passing Wayne Gretzky (894) for the most in NHL history – while the Capitals captain can also become the fourth different player to score more than 30 goals in a season at age 39 or older. He would join Gordie Howe (44 in 1968-69, 39 in 1967-68 & 31 in 1969-70), Johnny Bucyk (36 in 1975-76) and Teemu Selanne (31 in 2010-11).
• Just over a week after teaming up to lead Canada to a championship at the 4 Nations Face-Off, fellow Nova Scotians Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand will go head-to-head during ABC Hockey Saturday. Crosby enters play with 1,047 career assists and needs two more to tie Howe (1,049) for 10th place on the NHL’s all-time list.
• Oilers captain Connor McDavid is chasing down an assist milestone of his own as he enters Hockey Night in Canada one shy of 700. McDavid (698 GP) can become just the third player in NHL history to reach the milestone in fewer than 700 games, following Gretzky (478 GP) and Mario Lemieux (579 GP).

MAPLE LEAFS, AVALANCHE, STARS ALL EARN WINS FRIDAY
The final day of February saw the Maple Leafs (37-20-2, 76 points), Avalanche (35-24-2, 72 points) and Stars (38-19-2, 78 points) each pick up wins as all teams strengthened their postseason positions.

• William Nylander scored his 251st career goal to enter the top 10 on Toronto’s all-time goals list and Mitch Marner tied George Armstrong for the fifth-most points in franchise history with an assist on the winning goal to help the Maple Leafs retake first place in the Atlantic Division from the idle Panthers (36-21-3, 75 points). Toronto has won four consecutive games since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break and lead the League in wins as well as points over that span.
• Colorado dug themselves out of a 2-1 deficit with two goals in 52 seconds and never trailed again as they earned the comeback win against Minnesota (34-22-4, 72 points) and equaled them in standings points as both teams continue to battle for the third spot in the Central Division standings. Mackenzie Blackwood improved to 16-7-2 since making his debut with Colorado on December 14th and recorded the third-most wins through 25 games with the club, behind Dan Bouchard (18) and Darcy Kuemper (17).
• Dallas continued to roll since the calendar flipped to 2025 as they scored six goals against the Kings thanks in part to Roope Hintz’s first career four-assist game, Matt Duchene’s 60th point of the season and Wyatt Johnston’s 11th straight home game with a point. Since Jan. 1, The Stars (16-6-1, 33 points) lead the League in victories and points, while Jake Oettinger – who climbed into a tie for fifth on the franchise’s all-time wins list (141) – is tied for the third-most wins among all goaltenders through that span.

Flyers’ Michkov Named NHL ‘Rookie of the Month’ for February

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov, who topped all rookies with five goals and 10 points in seven games (5-5—10), has been named the NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for February.

Michkov edged Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque (3-3—6 in 7 GP), Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (2-4—6 in 9 GP), Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (1-5—6 in 8 GP) and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (2-3—5 in 6 GP) for the honor.

Michkov – who previously was named “Rookie of the Month” for October – also led or co-led February rookies in assists (5), shots on goals (27), even-strength goals (4), even-strength assists (5), even-strength points (9) and plus/minus (+5).

The No. 7 overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft registered four multi-point performances in his seven outings, collecting eight of his 10 total points during a three-game stretch after the League returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off break (Feb. 22-27: 3-5—8). He became the seventh different Flyers rookie to accumulate at least eight points within three contests and the first to do so since Eric Lindros from Nov. 12-15, 1992 (5-3—8 in 3 GP).

The 20-year-old Michkov paces NHL rookies with 19-25—44 through 58 total appearances this season. He also ranks among the 2024-25 rookie leaders in goals (1st; 19), power-play goals (1st; 7), overtime goals (1st; 3), even-strength points (1st; 29), even-strength goals (t-1st; 12), assists (2nd; 25), even-strength assists (2nd; 17), power-play points (2nd; 15), power-play assists (t-2nd; 8), shots on goal (3rd; 131), time on ice (3rd; 928:08) and game-winning goals (t-5th; 3).

MacKinnon, Hagel and Draisaitl Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ for February – Detroit Red Wings Fan Hank Stawasz Honored as NHL ‘Fourth Star’

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel and Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of February.

FIRST STAR – NATHAN MacKINNON, C, COLORADO AVALANCHE

MacKinnon notched 4-8—12 in eight contests to lift the Avalanche (35-24-2, 72 points) into a tie – in terms of standings points – for third place in the Central Division via a 5-3-0 month. He also scored a tournament-best four goals in as many games to claim MVP honors and help Canada to its championship at the 4 Nations Face-Off. MacKinnon found the score sheet in five of his eight appearances for Colorado, highlighted by a trio of three-point performances: Feb. 6 at CGY (0-3—3), Feb. 7 at EDM (1-3—4) and Feb. 26 vs. NJD (2-1—3). He topped the League in power-play goals (4), power-play points (t-6) and shots on goal (38), and also ranked among February’s leaders in points (7th; 12) and assists (t-8th; 8). MacKinnon became the first NHL player to reach the 90-point milestone in 2024-25, doing so in his 60th appearance Feb. 26 vs. NJD. It marked the third straight campaign that MacKinnon has accumulated 90 points in 60 or fewer contests, after also achieving the feat in 2023-24 (56 GP) and 2022-23 (59 GP). The reigning Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner currently owns a League-high 23-68—91 through 61 total games this season. The 29-year-old MacKinnon also places among the top 2024-25 performers in assists (1st; 68), even-strength assists (1st; 46), even-strength points (2nd; 62), shots on goal (2nd; 247), power-play points (t-2nd; 29) and power-play assists (t-3rd; 22).

SECOND STAR – BRANDON HAGEL, LW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Hagel, who also played in all four games for Canada during its championship run at the 4 Nations Face-Off (0-1—1), led the NHL with 7-6—13 in eight outings to push the Lightning (34-20-4, 72 points) into third place in the Atlantic Division via a League-best 7-0-1 February. Hagel, who collected all of his points during a seven-game run to close the month, additionally finished among February’s standouts in even-strength points (1st; 12), plus/minus (2nd; +14), goals (t-2nd; 7), even-strength goals (t-2nd; 6) and shooting percentage (minimum: 10 SOG; t-3rd; 33.3%). He produced four multi-point performances, highlighted by a stretch of three straight from Feb. 8-23 (3-5—8) that included his third career four-point effort (Feb. 8 at DET: 2-2—4). The 26-year-old Hagel currently sits second on Tampa Bay with 29-38—67 through 58 total appearances this season, one goal and eight points shy of his career highs established in 2022-23 (81 GP) and 2023-24 (82 GP), respectively. He also ranks among the 2024-25 NHL leaders in shorthanded points (1st; 7), shorthanded assists (t-1st; 4), even-strength goals (t-2nd; 26), shorthanded goals (t-3rd; 3), even-strength points (4th; 53), plus/minus (t-4th; +29), goals (9th; 29), points (14th; 67) and even-strength assists (t-15th; 27).

THIRD STAR – LEON DRAISAITL, C, EDMONTON OILERS

Draisaitl topped the NHL with eight goals in as many games (8-4—12) as the Oilers (34-21-4, 72 points) went 2-6-0 in February. He scored in each of his last seven contests (Feb. 4-27: 8-3—11) to match the longest goal streak of his career, set Feb. 12-25, 2023 (7-3—10). Draisaitl also extended his point streak to 10 games dating to Jan. 27 (9-5—14), his 11th career double-digit run and second of the season (following Dec. 5 – Jan. 4: 12-15—27). Draisaitl’s February, which included four straight multi-point performances (Feb. 4-22: 5-3—8), saw him finish among the League leaders in power-play goals (t‑2nd; 3), points (4th; 12), even-strength goals (t-4th; 5), even-strength points (t-7th; 8), shots on goal (t‑11th; 31) and power-play points (t-13th; 4). The 29-year-old Draisaitl currently holds a 10-goal lead in the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy race through 59 total contests this season (44-44—88). He also places among the leading 2024-25 players in game-winning goals (t-1st; 9), even-strength goals (1st; 31), even-strength points (1st; 63), power-play goals (t-1st; 13), points (2nd; 88), even-strength assists (t-4th; 32), plus/minus (t-8th; +27), shots on goal (9th; 198) and power-play points (t-9th; 25).

FOURTH STAR – HANK STAWASZ, DETROIT RED WINGS FAN

GEICO and the NHL are bringing you the “NHL Fourth Star,” a fan appreciation program that recognizes one dedicated hockey fan alongside the NHL’s monthly “Three Stars” players. February’s “Fourth Star” is longtime Red Wings fan Hank Stawasz, known for bringing custom signs to games to distract opposing teams and create a “Fan Advantage” for Detroit. Click here to see the passion and energy Hank brings to every game.