Panthers head to Detroit as modest favorites behind Bobrovsky’s red-hot start and Tarasov’s proven road readiness, with Detroit riding momentum from a two-game home addition and Talbot in net. In the nightcap, Blues host Blackhawks as STL’s recent head-to-head dominance and higher-scoring trend push betting angles toward the home side and bigger totals. The slate leans multi-leg with Panthers ML paired to Under 6, Blues -1.5 paired to Over 6, and several balanced four-leg parlay options.

Norfolk voters head to a special election to fill a seven-member school board seat, with Jason Inge facing Jodi Slaughter as the board weighs a nine-school closure plan and the continuation of the superintendent search after Susan Byrdsong’s surprise firing. The winner will serve through 2026 and join a board racing to implement a costly closure-and-repurpose strategy while the district negotiates how far to redraw attendance zones and how to engage a consultant and the public in real time.

The candidates diverge on process and leadership. Inge touts equity-driven, community-engaged planning and supports a draft closure framework he helped shape; Slaughter pushes broader consultant involvement, deeper data use, and clearer timeline and scope. The election also occurs against a $211 million Maury High rebuild, a hot debate over Ghent’s location, and Granby’s shared athletics facilities with Old Dominion University, all shaping the district’s near-term priorities and governance.

Dallas Stars relocation talks loom as lease talks run up to 2031, with Plano, Frisco, The Colony, Arlington or Fort Worth among possible homes. Downtown energy and a 1993-origin fan base are at stake, with transit access and season-ticket loyalty central to the debate.

Fans fear public-transport limits, traffic, and ticket accessibility could undermine attendance and the team’s culture. Some remain hopeful the Stars will stay downtown, while others acknowledge loyalty travels with the franchise if the arena moves. History, fans, and logistics collide as the decision nears.

Calgary’s third-period collapse dominates early-season chatter as the Flames drop to 1-3-0 after allowing two quick Vegas goals early in the third, erasing a pair of early leads. The team’s defensive gaps and a struggling finish raise questions about the rotation and goaltending, with Calgary’s stars pushing for answers as they prepare to face a back-to-back slate to start the year.

The Golden Knights capitalized on Calgary’s missteps, while Jack Eichel supplied scoring punch and the Vegas crease benefitted from relief netminder Akira Schmid. Calgary’s top line showed flashes, but the finish and transition game need tightening, or more games like this will pile up early in the season.

With injuries and roster shuffles shaping the early narrative, the Flames must regain footing quickly to avoid repeating last season’s late-period struggles. Vegas’ pace and finish stand out as the blueprint teams will study as Calgary searches for consistency and a solid defensive game in front of its evolving goaltending plan.