Hockey

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin's fiancée, Carolina Matovac, announced on Monday she was pregnant amid her health battle that resulted in a heart transplant ... and heartbreakingly, today was the child's due date.

Carolina -- who got engaged to the defenseman in 2025 -- shared the tragic news on her Instagram ...  with a photo of the couple on a plane as she received medical care.

"Today was meant to be the day we finally met you," Carolina said. "You will always hold a special place in our hearts as our first baby, even though we never had the chance to meet. Our love for you is endless."

Toronto Maple Leafs fans got more than a hockey update today … and the puck had nothing to do with it.

Head coach Craig Berube gave fans a shock by showing up with a black eye for his Friday morning media availability. And as if the shiner wasn’t bad enough, he then revealed the full extent -- removing his hat to show a massive gash on his head.

Ouch!!!

"The other guy looks way worse ... there was three of them," Berube jokingly said with a smile.

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie of the hit show "Heated Rivalry" are slated to take their star power to a global stage ... as they have been announced as torchbearers for the Olympics!!

News of their involvement dropped Thursday morning ... but it was not revealed when exactly the two would be strapping up their running shoes for the Olympic tradition in Italy. The torch is currently on its way to Trieste, about 262 miles from Milan.

It's no surprise that the 2026 Winter Games tapped the two for the torch relay ... as their show has taken the world by storm ... which features two hockey players hiding their relationship.

The Philadelphia Flyers have suspended radio play-by-play broadcaster Thomas Saunders for making an inappropriate comment while on the airwaves ... when a hot mic picked up a joke about oral sex.

It all went down during the third period of the Flyers' 5-3 loss Thursday night. After an icing call, Saunders threw the broadcast to a commercial break ... the only problem was it didn't happen.

Seemingly, as someone in the booth went down to the floor, Saunders was heard saying, "While you're down there, would ya mind blowing me?"

Carter Hart -- who was acquitted of sexual assault in a Canadian court this summer -- made his return to the NHL ice with the Golden Knights on Tuesday, describing the moment as "amazing" after nearly two years away from the league.

Hart, a goalie, shined in Las Vegas' 4-3 win over the Blackhawks Tuesday night in Sin City, making 27 saves on 30 shots, including six in overtime. After the final horn sounded, the team mobbed Hart just beyond the net.

Speaking with the media postgame, it was clear Hart was dealing with a bunch of emotions following his first game back.

Washington Capitals star Dylan Strome had an emotional day on the ice Thursday ... 'cause after crushing the Montreal Canadiens 8-4 on the road, he revealed his wife went into labor during the game -- and he missed the birth of his third child.

Strome shared the news with reporters in front of his locker ... saying while he is proud of his wife, Taylor, he wished he could have been by her side in that moment.

"Definitely playing with a lot of emotions," Strome said. "I found out after the first period tonight. I heard before the game and kind of talked about what I should do. I mean there was nothing I could do to get back."

12:08 PM PT -- According to court documents TMZ Sports has obtained, Ryan Kesler is accused of engaging in "sexual contact with a 16-year-old child" on January 1.

The docs state the alleged victim was "physically helpless" during the incident.

Former NHL center Ryan Kesler has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of criminal sexual conduct ... but the former first-round draft pick is adamantly denying any wrongdoing.

Kesler entered a not guilty plea to the two counts on Monday ... after the charges were officially filed against him on October 23 in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Not much is known about the alleged wrongdoing ... other than it was reported to cops on January 2.

According to an Orchard Lake Police Department press release, bond for Kesler was set at $50,000 ... which he later posted.

Buffalo Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin just revealed his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, received a heart transplant this offseason ... detailing the traumatic experience that led up to the serious procedure in a letter to hockey fans.

The team shared Rasmus and Carolina's story on Friday morning ... with the defenseman stating his partner had felt sick for a few days before things took a dire turn.

"Fortunately, she received CPR on multiple occasions, and up to a couple of hours at a time to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life," Rasmus wrote. "Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario."