The Buffalo Sabres secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory against the New Jersey Devils, marking their third consecutive win. However, the spotlight after the game was on a controversial hit by Stefan Noesen that sidelined Sabres’ star forward Tage Thompson, who recently earned NHL's Second Star of the Week honors. The hit occurred when Thompson lunged for the puck, leading to a five-minute match penalty for Noesen. Despite the severity of the incident, the NHL opted not to pursue any additional disciplinary actions, prompting criticism regarding the Sabres' lack of retaliatory actions following the injury of their leading scorer.

Coach Lindy Ruff highlighted a missed opportunity for the Sabres to respond to the hit on Thompson, especially in a game where their playoff hopes seemed dim, trailing 11 points from the last wild-card spot. It raised concerns about team dynamics and the need to protect their star players. While Thompson was medically cleared, his availability for the next game against Columbus remains uncertain, as the Sabres opted not to hold practice the following day.

In a heated match between the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres on February 2, 2025, Stefan Noesen was penalized with a match penalty for a head hit on Tage Thompson. The incident occurred while Thompson pursued the puck, resulting in a direct hit to his head at the 5:11 mark in the third period. Thompson was visibly shaken and did not return to the game. Despite playing shorthanded, the Devils managed to hold the Sabres scoreless during Noesen's penalty, with Jack Hughes scoring a short-handed goal to narrow the score to 4-3. However, the Devils failed to equalize before the final buzzer. This season, Noesen has already reached a personal best with 18 goals, contributing to his 30 points and 98 hits.

Dawson Mercer scored two goals as the New Jersey Devils dominated the Boston Bruins with a 5-1 victory, showcasing a four-goal second period. Nico Hischier contributed significantly with a goal and two assists, while Dougie Hamilton, Timo Meier, and Stefan Noesen also added to the scoreline, with two of the goals coming on power plays. Following this win, the Devils broke a four-game losing streak, and goalie Jake Allen made a notable impact, stopping all 16 shots in relief of Jacob Markstrom, who exited due to injury. Boston's Morgan Geekie opened the scoring, but the Bruins faced their eighth loss in eleven games, struggling to maintain momentum.

Jon Irvin provides an insightful guide for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) players focusing on NHL matchups for January 22, 2025, emphasizing the importance of identifying under-the-radar plays. The slate features a limited four-game schedule highlighted by high-scoring teams such as Toronto and Colorado.

In goal, Connor Hellebuyck is highlighted for his impressive track record against Colorado, suggesting he can deliver high save counts even if he concedes a few goals. Among centers, Pontus Holmberg is positioned to capitalize on potential assists while playing alongside skilled teammates. For forwards, Stefan Noesen is noted for the favorable matchup against Boston's defense, enhancing his chances for significant contributions.

On defense, Dylan Samberg is recognized as a value pick, expected to accumulate blocks and shots based on recent performances. Irvin also shares strategic insights on stacking players from teams with favorable matchups to enhance lineup potential. The article encourages DFS enthusiasts to explore unique player combinations while leveraging tools for optimal lineup construction.

Dallas Stars' forward Roope Hintz is sidelined for the second straight game due to an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild welcomed back defenseman Brock Faber after a four-game absence caused by an upper-body injury. Wild's forward Jakub Lauko has also returned from a lower-body injury.

In other injury news, New Jersey Devils forward Stefan Noesen resumed play after missing two games due to illness, while Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild missed a match because of illness as well.

On the injury front, Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov was transferred from IR to LTIR and isn't on the road trip, but he is eligible to return soon. Wild head coach John Hynes noted Kaprizov's recovery has taken longer than expected but is on track.