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Canucks Losing Streak Hits Three Games As Vancouver Falls 5-2 To The Flames

The Vancouver Canucks pushed their losing streak to three games as they fell 5-2 to the Calgary Flames. Filip Hronek and Quinn Hughes scored for Vancouver while Kevin Lankinen stopped 16 of the 21 shots he faced. With the loss, the Canucks drop to 9-12-2 on the season and 3-7-1 at Rogers Arena. 

Sunday's game was yet another in a long list of frustrating performances by Vancouver. After playing a decent first period, Calgary was able to take over in the second before holding down the fort during the final 20 minutes. The Canucks energy level during the final 40 minutes was disappointing to say the least, as they were playing a Flames team that went to a shootout on Saturday night. 

A good way to gauge how this game went is to focus on the Rogers Arena crowd. At times, the crowd was silent, with only the players on the ice making noise. As many pointed out on social media, it feels as though apathy is starting to set in, as fans could not even be bothered to cheer or boo at the final whistle. 

"I know they were up to one after the first, but I thought our first period was pretty good, said Tyler Myers post-game. "Had a lot of Grade A's and we lost it. Kind of got away from getting pucks behind them, getting on our forecheck. Then we came out in the third and we're chasing the game. So it's tough to do that, being down three. Just got to regroup, find ways to be more consistent, to be harder on the puck and, you know, come out ready."

As for Head Coach Adam Foote, he also gave his thoughts on why Vancouver fell on Sunday. He said, "Well, we did have a good start. You guys saw it. We could have capitalized on a couple more chances. They capitalize on theirs at are net. They got some pucks to the net, and they beat us to some rebounds You know, that's their game. They're gonna throw pucks when they get down and try to beat you that area the blue paint. And they got a couple on us."

The question moving forward is how many more performances like this are fans going to tolerate? Fans are constantly voicing their frustrations on social media, and for good reason, as the Canucks now find themselves 30th in the NHL in point percentage. If something doesn't change soon, Rogers Arena may turn into a ghost town later on this season.  

Nov 23, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) and defenseman Marcus Pettersson (29) defend against Calgary Flames left wing Joel Farabee (86) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images

Stats and Facts:

- Kevin Lankinen becomes the 179th goaltender in NHL history to record at least six regular-season assists. 

- With his 95th point, Filip Hronek surpasses Christian Ehrhoff for the 28th most points by a defenceman in franchise history. 

- Quinn Hughes led all skaters with six shots on goal

- Aatu Räty finished the night nine for 11 in the faceoff dot

Scoring Summary:

1st Period:

1:05- VAN: Filip Hronek (2) from Jake DeBrusk
7:33- CGY: Morgan Frost (5) Rasmus Andersson from Matt Coronato
8:08- CGY: Connor Zary (2) from Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman

2nd Period:

10:37- CGY: Kevin Bahl (3) from Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson
16:31- CGY: Yegor Sharangovich (3) from Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri 

3rd Period:

7:59- CGY: Blake Coleman (8) from Mikael Backlund (SHG)
8:16- VAN: Quinn Hughes (2) from Kevin Lankinen (PPG)

Up Next:

The Canucks head to California, starting with a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. Last season, Vancouver won the season series in impressive fashion, taking three of the four games. Puck drop is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:00 pm PT. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Vancouver Canucks Podcast Rundown: Hockey, Actually, Episode 15

Canucks’ Aatu Räty, Other Vancouver Sports Figures Showing Full-Fledged Support For Newly-Established Vancouver Goldeneyes

“I’d Probably Say Wing Right Now”: Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote Speaks On What Position He Believes Best Fits Lukas Reichel

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

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Sunk-Cost Football: UMass’ Faltering Quest to Belong in the FBS

What’s there to lose? That was Nelson Lacey’s thinking in 2011, when the University of Massachusetts Amherst—a consistent force in the second tier of NCAA Division I—decided to make the leap to the premier Football Bowl Subdivision. A professor of finance, Lacey twice co-chaired the school’s faculty athletic council and also helped lead an ad …

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It's Time For Penguins To Pull Trigger On Youth Talent

With a 2-1 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins officially fell out of a playoff position for the first time in the 2025-26 season. 

And after a spectacular month of October - when they went 8-2-2 - November has not treated them kindly.

Pittsburgh is now 2-4-3 in November, and they have blown leads in five of those games. Maybe it's a bit extreme to say that the Penguins are in free fall, but it's safe to say that if they don't stop the bleeding soon, things could get ugly really quickly - especially with a gauntlet coming up in December.

And a large reason they're bleeding in the first place is because of their injury situation. The Penguins are without the likes of three top-nine players in Rickard Rakell, Justin Brazeau, and Ville Koivunen as well as a reliable fourth-line piece in Noel Acciari, which has dried up their scoring depth and their depth in general. 

Players like Connor Dewar and Kevin Hayes - ideally, bottom-six players - have been placed in top-six roles but haven't yet been able to account for the production lost from Rakell and Brazeau. Scoring is a legitimate problem for the Penguins right now, and they desperately need a jolt.

And that's exactly why it's time for the Penguins to pull the trigger and give some of their top young forward prospects a look. 

As a disclaimer, it's - of course - not guaranteed that these young players would come up and provide any more production than the players currently on the roster. It's hardly fair to expect young players - especially ones with little to no NHL experience - to make an immediate impact. 

Takeaways: Penguins Lose Heartbreaker To Seattle Kraken, Fall Out Of Playoff PositionTakeaways: Penguins Lose Heartbreaker To Seattle Kraken, Fall Out Of Playoff PositionAfter a <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/takeaways-penguins-no-show-in-5-0-loss-to-minnesota-wild">disappointing effort in a 5-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild</a> on Friday, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' young goaltender Sergei Murashov declared that the team would come out much better on Saturday.

However, in this case, it's not just about the production. It's also about the youthful legs and the energy that some of these guys can bring. The Penguins have been outskated during large stretches of these last nine games, and they look a touch slower. Having younger guys in the mix can only help to provide a spark. 

And the three most likely candidates - in this case - are center Tristan Broz, right wing Avery Hayes, and right/left wing Rutger McGroarty. 

It's possible that the Penguins could have two roster spots open up as early as this week. Forward Philip Tomasino was waived Wednesday and cleared, so he is eligible to be re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS). In addition, there is possibly a looming AHL conditioning stint ahead for 19-year-old rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke, which would open up an NHL roster spot for up to 14 days. 

Using those two roster spots on two of the above players may just be what the Penguins need right now. 

Penguins' Rookie Defenseman Eligible For AHL StintPenguins' Rookie Defenseman Eligible For AHL StintIt has been exactly two weeks since <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke dressed for a game day.&nbsp;

Broz, 23, is off to a good start with WBS, as he has eight goals and 13 points in 18 games. He has played most of the season as WBS's first-line center, and his versatility could really help the NHL club right now. He is defensively responsible, can play on both special teams units, and - most importantly - can put the puck in the back of the net. 

Avery Hayes - who shares a birthday with Broz - has three goals and six points in 12 AHL games this season, and he just returned from injury. He impressed in training camp and saw time alongside Sidney Crosby, and his north-south style, forechecking ability, and habit of crashing the net could provide the right kind of spark for the Penguins. 

And then, there's McGroarty. This one is a little tougher, as he missed all of training camp and the first month and a half of the season with an upper-body injury. However - in his two games back in WBS - he hasn't looked a step behind, as he has two impressive goals in two games and even looks a step faster than he was in a five-game sample at the end of last season. 

Penguins Prospect Rutger McGroarty Scores Game-Winning Goal For WBS On SaturdayPenguins Prospect Rutger McGroarty Scores Game-Winning Goal For WBS On SaturdayRutger McGroarty scored his second goal of the 2025-26 AHL season on Saturday.

GM/POHO Kyle Dubas has said that the Penguins are going to take their time with McGroarty and easing him back into the fold, as he is an important piece for their future. But, if McGroarty shows he is ready for NHL action now, would it be something for the Penguins to consider? He would likely be an immediate upgrade in the top-six, and - like Broz - his ability to play on both special teams units effectively is a big plus.  

At the end of the day, this team as is simply isn't getting it done right now. And the Penguins may not be able to tread water much longer without some of the top players in their lineup.

So they need to consider making some changes in short order to get back on track. They need some new life, and bringing some young blood into the fold could provide them the exact kind of spark they need to hold them over until they start to get healthy again. 

Penguins' Prospect Continues Scoring Dominance In NCAAPenguins' Prospect Continues Scoring Dominance In NCAAUp to this point, the 2025-26 season has been a good one for <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' prospects.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!     

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Emergency Podcast: Mets trade Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien | The Mets Pod

On an emergency episode of The Mets Pod presented by Tri-State Cadillac, Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo react to a shocking trade by the Mets, as David Stearnsstrikes a deal with the Texas Rangers, swapping Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien.

The guys break down the what and the why of the trade, examine what the Mets are getting in Semien both offensively and defensively, and look ahead to the possible moves that might come next if this deal truly is a “first domino” of the offseason. 

Connor and Joe also discuss what this trade means for prospect Jett Williams, and look back at the legacy of Nimmo in New York, including a story from Joe about his time in Brooklyn.

Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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David Stearns positioning Mets for big offseason of change with Brandon Nimmo trade

David Stearns could have tried to convince himself – and Mets’ fans – that upgrading the pitching staff this offseason would have guaranteed a return to contention in 2026, presuming he re-signed Pete Alonso. But it’s clear now that he knows better.

By trading Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for Marcus Semien on Sunday, Stearns essentially acknowledged that he needed to do something dramatic to shake up the core of a ballclub that has underachieved, or simply failed at critical moments in three of the last four seasons for reasons that weren’t always obvious. 

It’s not as if he traded Nimmo for a difference-maker. Semien is a good defensive second baseman whose offense has slipped significantly the last two years at age 33 and 34. No, this was about the opportunity to create change by trading a foundational piece and a major clubhouse presence, with the expectation of bigger moves to come. 

So kudos to Stearns for not taking the easy way out. That is, as long as he can execute whatever plan he has in mind as a follow-up to the Nimmo trade. 

The obvious need now is to add a big bat to the outfield. The only two free agents who fill that need are Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger, and if the Mets don’t get one of them, then trading Nimmo may not be such a great idea after all. 

Unless Stearns has another trade up his sleeve. It’s hard to imagine he’d take on Fernando Tatis’ contract, which has another nine years remaining, but Tatis is still only 26, turning 27 in January, and Stearns has made his preference for youth pretty well known. 

In any case, Alonso has to be part of this equation as well. Nimmo still had value as an offensive player, and without him, Alonso’s middle-of-the-lineup production is now more vital than ever. 

It seems Alonso is open to being a part-time DH, judging by Scott Boras’ comments at the GM meetings recently, and in that case, there really is no reason for the Mets not going the extra mile to bring him back. 

As an aside, because it has become such a talking point, I don’t think Alonso is terrible overall defensively. I just think his throwing has become such an issue, whether to other bases or to pitchers covering first, that it could and likely will prove costly at any moment in big games. 

That said, for as much as Stearns has talked about run prevention, the lack of offensive consistency has been a major problem for them for years, other than their late-season run in 2024.

Last year, in particular, the numbers from the likes of Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Alonso, and to some extent Nimmo were all very good individually, yet if you watched, you know that as a team the Mets only excelled as a team in August, when the pitching was at rock bottom.

So, barring a trade that maybe only Stearns is envisioning, it’s hard to see how the Mets can be better offensively in 2026 without re-signing Alonso and adding either Bellinger or Tucker. 

And with the need to spend on pitching, either via trade or free agency, even Steve Cohen may find Tucker too pricey if it’s going to take somewhere around $400 million to sign him. 

Bellinger won’t cost that much, but he’s also not in Tucker’s class as a hitter. Bellinger has made himself into a good two-strike hitter, and he can hit lefties too, yet much of his appeal is his all-around game, including his above-average defense, his positional versatility, and his baserunning. 

In short, he seems to be a glue guy of sorts, which may be exactly the intangible the Mets lacked last season, as exemplified by their inability to win a game all season in which they trailed after eight innings.

Of course, that may be a big reason Brian Cashmanhas said openly that he wants Bellinger back, while the player himself was vocal about how much he enjoyed his season in the Bronx. So the Mets likely would have to overpay significantly to convince him to follow the Soto path over to Queens, and for a president of baseball operations like Stearns, that could go against his value-seeking instincts.

Second baseman Marcus Semien (2), then playing for the Texas Rangers, throws to first base during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field.
Second baseman Marcus Semien (2), then playing for the Texas Rangers, throws to first base during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

But there isn’t another free-agent outfielder that could be viewed as impactful, which is what makes the Nimmo trade fascinating in itself. Stearns wouldn’t have done it if he weren’t relatively sure that he could upgrade that left field spot, right?

The only other benefit of the trade is that it saves the Mets some money – Semien is owed $72 million over three years, compared to Nimmo’s five years for $102.5 million. 

But that can’t be a primary factor for a franchise trying to win a championship right now. 

Semien’s defense at second base does play into Stearns’ run-prevention theme. And the Mets could be significantly better overall defensively if they add Bellinger to play left field and perhaps some first base as well, while Brett Baty becomes the everyday third baseman and Tyrone Taylor gets most of the time in center field until Carson Benge is ready. 

That and the upgrades Stearns finds for the starting rotation could make the Mets a more well-rounded team. 

Meanwhile, you’d have to think Jeff McNeill will be traded as well, if indeed the need for change is at the root of Stearns’ thinking. And who knows what it means for top prospect, Jett Williams, who loomed as the next everyday second baseman.

Whatever the ramifications, at least for the moment, it’s hard not to like Stearns’ willingness to admit that something wasn’t quite right with his ballclub. But that’s only if he was thinking two or three moves ahead as he agreed to deal Nimmo.

And he has the wherewithal to execute them.

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&quot;If we repeat that performance, we win lots of games&quot;: Blackhawks Feel They Played Better Vs Avalanche

CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Colorado Avalanche at the United Center on Sunday night. Following a 9-3 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres, they were looking for a big bounce back against the top team in the league. 

Going from Buffalo to Colorado is never going to be easy based on their places in the standings, but the Blackhawks played much better. 

Although they were shut out 1-0, they played a much better hockey game. Despite having the better of the chances, including multiple grade-A's and outshooting them 11-2, the first intermission came tied scoreless. 

In the second period, the Avalanche had a push back. Colorado outshot Chicago 19-1 in the middle frame, which included a goal scored by Cale Makar. Spencer Knight was incredible in this game, but even he was unable to pick up the Makar rebound tally. 

The Blackhawks put together a ferocious effort to tie the game in the third, but Scott Wedgewood stood tall. He made 22 saves on 22 shots for the shutout as the Avalanche won 1-0. Knight made 25 saves on 26 shots, but the lack of finish by his teammates kept him from winning.

The feeling around the team is that, despite not scoring a goal, they felt much better following the debacle that took place in Buffalo a couple of nights ago.  

"Even with the second, I think if we repeat that performance, we win lots of games," said head coach Jeff Blashill. "The other team is going to push back. That's just the reality of life. I thought we did an excellent job in our structure [and] an excellent job with some of the things we talked about that we didn't do in Buffalo."

This is the first time that Chicago has lost three in a row in regulation this season. Based on where they were a year ago, it is an impressive stat, more than a deflating one. Every team has ebbs and flows throughout a season. This is a low point for the Blackhawks. Now, they will work towards coming out of the funk, and this game against the now 16-1-5 Avalanche was a step in the right direction. 

"We're going to have a couple of days of practice," Blashill continued. "Coming in and having greater urgency on Wednesday is going to be critical."

Up Next For Chicago

Next up for the Chicago Blackhawks is a home game against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night. The evening before Thanksgiving is sure to have a rowdy crowd at the United Center with the red-hot Wild in town. 

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Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Senators Prospect Watch: Seven Future Sens Who Are Getting Noticed

The Ottawa Senators haven’t drawn many rave reviews for their prospect pipeline of late.

With centre Stephen Halliday (4th round pick in 2022) registering his first NHL game and first NHL point last week, let’s see what kernels may be about to pop among Sens prospects 22 and under.

1) CARTER YAKEMCHUK (20 yrs) – RD BELLEVILLE SENATORS

There are already six players picked after Yakemchuk in the 2024 NHL draft who are playing regularly in the NHL, and three of them are defensemen. So, some fans may have already pushed their panic buttons, thinking that the Senators may have missed out.

However, Yakemchuk is playing top-pair minutes with the B-Sens alongside veteran Scott Harrington. He's playing all situations and is logging an average of 22:30 per game this season, and his ice time has been increasing. His 13 points in 18 games lead all defencemen on the team, though his -12 rating (a team low) isn’t aesthetically pleasing. However, it was -8 and improving until the 7-2 loss to the first-place Rocket in Laval.

Clearly, Yakemchuk is being groomed slowly to ensure he plays a meaningful role when he ascends to the NHL. The Senators didn’t miss on anything. Don’t be surprised if he plays his first game at some point this season.

2) JORIAN DONOVAN (21 yrs) – LD BELLEVILLE SENATORS

Even before Thomas Chabot went down with an injury for the first time in recent memory, people had started to wonder about the left shot depth at defence within the Senators organization. Obviously, a trade was made to bring back Dennis Gilbert from the Flyers organization.

This would indicate that Donovan, the Senators' 2022 fifth-round selection, isn’t ready to take on a job in the NHL just yet. However, his stat line would indicate that he is trending in the right direction. He isn’t a top-pair defenseman. However, he has almost eclipsed his point total from the 2024-25 season (12 in 64 games) with nine in the first 18.

His 6’2” 200 lb frame is an asset, and his penalty minutes would suggest he isn’t afraid to use it.

He comes with some pedigree, being the son of former Senator Shean Donovan, representing Canada at the WJHC and winning a Memorial Cup with the Saginaw Spirit in 2024.

Point being, don’t sleep on this guy.

3) OWEN BECKNER (20 yrs) – C COLORADO COLLEGE TIGERS

The Senators didn’t pick until the fourth round of the 2023 draft, and Beckner wasn’t chosen until the seventh round.

Beckner has progressed steadily at Colorado College with a respectable freshman campaign of 27 points in 37 games last season. He picked up where he left off and is now leading the Tigers with 15 points in just 14 games.

His performance has earned him a spot on the U.S. Collegiate Selects team that will be playing in the Spengler Cup over the holiday season.

Don’t look for him in an Ottawa uniform in the next couple of years, but don’t rule out seeing him signed early out of college either.

4) LUKE ELLINAS (19 yrs) – LW KITCHENER RANGERS

While a shoulder injury has limited Ellinas to only six games played thus far, his performance since being chosen by the Senators in fourth round in 2024 has been enough to earn himself an entry level contract.

Ellinas appears to do his best work in the post-season, where his points per game increased dramatically in both his draft year and last season. He was instrumental in the Rangers' 3-0 series comeback to defeat the Windsor Spitfires last season.

Again, don’t look for Ellinas in Ottawa next year, but don’t forget about him either.

5) BLAKE MONTGOMERY (20 yrs) – LW UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN BADGERS

Montgomery was passed over in his inaugural NHL Draft year in 2023 and still ended up being a later pick in 2024. The Senators took him in the fourth round of the 2024 Draft, and his ascension has been quick. He was enticed to leave Lincoln in the USHL and join the eventual Memorial Cup champion London Knights.

Even with the move to the OHL, Montgomery made it clear he was going to head to Wisconsin and take advantage of the rule change allowing CHL players to play Division I NCAA hockey. After a slow start, he seems to have found the range with nine pts in his last nine games.

This one could be worth waiting for.

6) JACKSON PARSONS (20 yrs) – G ALLEN AMERICANS/BELLEVILLE SENATORS

Normally, when a player is assigned to the ECHL, the team that holds his NHL rights isn't waiting for him with great anticipation. This is not always the case for goaltenders.

Parsons was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Senators, and this means that despite winning the Goaltender of the Year in the CHL in 2024-25 as a member of the Kitchener Rangers, he will have to go through all the rungs on the ladder to get to the NHL.

That said, in his limited time thus far, Parsons has let it be known that last season wasn’t a fluke but rather a sign of things to come. He is 3-1 in his brief AHL tenure in place of the injured Mads Sogaard and even recorded a shutout.

With Sogaard back, Parsons may return to the ECHL at some point. But if he continues to develop at this rate, we'll hear from him again before long.

7) LOGAN HENSLER (19 yrs) – RD UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN BADGERS

The 23rd overall pick in the 2025 draft isn’t hard to find on highlight reels on X. With seven points, Hensler should easily eclipse his 12 points in 32 games in his freshman season in 2024-25.

His combination of size at 6’2” and mobility makes him an intriguing prospect to follow as Wisconsin becomes what North Dakota was in the Jake Sanderson, Shane Pinto, Tyler Kleven and Jacob Bernard-Docker era.

Like all of those players, Hensler already has a WJHC appearance under his belt, winning gold in 2025. Like Kleven, he will be playing in his second tourney in his home state of Minnesota this holiday season, where he will be expected to play a more prominent role with the likes of Zeev Buium having graduated to the NHL.

Like Yakemchuk, Hensler represents the future of the right side of the defence in Ottawa. Yakemchuk is the closest thing to a blue-chip prospect in this list, and Hensler has that potential as well.

Does the Cup runneth over in the Senators' prospect pipeline? No. Their former blue-chip prospects – players like Tkachuk, Stutzle, Sanderson, Batherson, and Pinto – graduated to the NHL a long time ago, as have support players like Greig, Kleven, and Merilainen.

There probably aren’t too many more blue-chip seats at the Senators' table. They need players who can support the young core; foot soldiers, if you will. And that's not a bad scenario, because while they're a little shy on future superstars, there are plenty of players in the Senators' system who can fit the foot soldier mould.

Pat Maguire
The Hockey News Ottawa

This article was originally published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Read more:

Former Senators Prospect Finally Finds NHL Home With Rival Boston Bruins
Without His Wingman, Sens Top Gun Tim Stützle Continues Relentless Drive To Improve
Report: Ottawa Senators Place Swedish Winger On Waivers
NHL Insider Says Senators Are 'Looking To Hit A Home Run' On The Trade Market
Former Senator Returns To Ottawa In Monday Trade With Philadelphia
Senators Have Big UFA Contract Decisions In Next Few Years (Who Stays And Who Goes?)

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Avalanche Edge Blackhawks 1–0 Behind Wedgewood’s Shutout

Scott Wedgewood turned aside all 22 shots he faced, backstopping the Colorado Avalanche to a 1–0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Sunday and stretching Colorado’s winning streak to nine games. 

The shutout marked Wedgewood’s first of the season and the ninth of his NHL career. 

Cale Makar supplied the lone goal for the Avalanche (16-1-5), who have now collected points in 13 straight contests (11-0-2) and completed a polished back-to-back after blanking the Nashville Predators 3–0 the previous night. 

Spencer Knight made 25 saves for Chicago (10-8-4), but the Blackhawks dropped their third consecutive game. 

First Period 

Much like Saturday’s game against Nashville, the Avalanche were largely not in control of the puck. The only thing different was that there was not a goal within 15 seconds of the game. With under five minutes to go in the first, the Blackhawks held the Avalanche to just one shot on net. 

After killing an earlier penalty, Colorado received their second infraction of the period when Brock Nelson roughed up Frank Nazar, spinning him around and knocking his helmet off in the defensive zone. It would have been a clever move if Nelson didn’t get caught, but unfortunately, the officials were not fooled by the move and the Avs were shorthanded once again. 

Colorado killed the penalty, but the Hawks weren’t out of the fight just yet as Ryan Donato got his hands on a loose puck in front of the net and spun around and fired, but Wedgewood made the kick save. 

Avs Score and Win Again 

Burns drove the puck down the right wing in the early stages of the period, but he was turned away by Knight.  

Makar delivered the breakthrough at 18:21 of the second period. After Spencer Knight turned aside Tristen Nielsen’s initial attempt, the rebound caromed directly into Makar’s path, and he snapped it home from the left face-off circle. 

The entire sequence unfolded off a miscue by Knight, whose attempted outlet pass found Nielsen in the slot. Nielsen’s quick shot not only generated the rebound that led to the goal but also earned him his first NHL point. 

Wedgewood preserved the slender 1–0 advantage in the dying moments, stoning Frank Nazar from point-blank range with 43 seconds left. 

And after absorbing an 11–2 shot deficit in a sluggish first period, Colorado wrested back control of the game, outshooting Chicago 24–11 over the final 40 minutes to maintain their dominant ways. 

On Saturday, Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 35 saves en route to a 3-0 Avs win and now Wedgewood has followed up with another shutout. We've run all out of superlatives.

Next Game 

The Avalanche are back at Ball Arena on Wednesday to face the San Jose Sharks. Coverage starts at 7 p.m. local time.  

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For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

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Australia no guarantee to pick Usman Khawaja for second Ashes Test even if injury-free

  • Opener dealt with back spasms in Perth as Travis Head excelled

  • Josh Hazlewood’s injury not bad enough to sideline him for series

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has failed to guarantee Usman Khawaja will be selected for the second Ashes Test, even if the under-pressure veteran opener is fit, while Josh Hazlewood is expected to take “some part” in the series despite speculation hovering over the severity of the star quick’s hamstring injury.

Khawaja dealt with back spasms during the series opener in Perth, batting at No 4 in the first innings, then wasn’t required in the stunning day two run chase.

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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Vince Williams soars with Ja Morant sidelined

In the blink of an eye, we’re heading into Week 6 of the NBA season. Key injuries continue to mount, and fantasy managers should have a “next man up” mentality when scoping out the waiver wire.

Players featured in previous columns continue to thrive, and this week’s iteration features some familiar names as well as some new additions.

Here are the best waiver wire adds heading into the new week!

NBA: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers
Fantasy Basketball Week 6 Schedule Primer: How much will Kawhi Leonard play?
The Clippers star will reportedly return from injury on Sunday, which is great news for fantasy managers.

Priority Adds

1. Vince Williams Jr.
2. Derik Queen
3. Kon Knueppel
4. Reed Sheppard
5. Collin Gillespie
6. Moussa Diabate
7. Peyton Watson
8. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
9. Anthony Black
10. Harrison Barnes
11. Bobby Portis
12. Jaylon Tyson

Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (47 percent rostered)

This will surely be the last week I’m able to feature Knueppel in this article, as his roster percentage will rise above the 50% cutoff. I’m shocked that he’s still available in more than half of all Yahoo! leagues, but there’s still time to snag him before it’s too late. The rookie’s numbers speak for themselves, as he’s proven to be more than just a specialist in the points and three-pointers categories.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks (42 percent rostered)

NAW is averaging a career-best 19.7 points per game this season, and he’s stepped it up on offense even more over the last week. He posted 26 points against the Suns on Sunday before going for 24 against the Pistons on Tuesday and erupting for 38 points against the Spurs on Thursday. Alexander-Walker cooled off on Saturday, but with Trae Young sidelined, NAW is going to see a ton of run for the foreseeable future, making him a strong add.

Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (40 percent rostered)

Sheppard is another holdover from last week’s column, and like Knueppel, I’ll keep including him until he’s over 50% rostered. Sheppard continues to shine off the bench, and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon. Over his last seven, he’s averaged 17.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 3.6 triples. His marvelous run culminated with a career-best 27 points in Friday’s narrow win over Denver.

Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (36 percent rostered)

Queen was the No. 1 pickup in last week’s Waiver Wire article, and fantasy managers who picked him up were handsomely rewarded. Queen’s production over his first two starts was solid, yet relatively modest, but he erupted in his next two starts, averaging 25 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocked shots. Make no mistake about it, Queen is a MUST-ROSTER option with a sky-high ceiling who should be picked up now before he is snatched off the waiver wire.

Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks (27 percent rostered)

Big Bobby P has consistently stepped up in a big way when Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed time, and fantasy managers should pick him up while the Greek Freak is sidelined. Portis started Thursday’s loss to the 76ers, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, a steal and a triple across 28 minutes. He delivered an 18/7/2 line with four triples on Saturday, logging just 25 minutes. He'll be a strong source of points and boards until Antetokounmpo returns.

Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets (26 percent rostered)

Diabate was trending up heading into Saturday's matchup with the Clippers, contributing meaningful production off the bench behind starting center RyanKalkbrenner. Kalkbrenner suffered an ankle injury after just 11 minutes on Saturday, and Diabate's fantasy value is far higher, as he has the potential to join Charlotte's starting lineup. He's averaged 10.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks across 22.9 minutes per game, so he has the potential to average a double-double with two blocks if given starter's minutes.

Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs (22 percent rostered)

Barnes can burn you - there’s no denying that. We’ve seen him heat up in a hurry only to cool down just as quickly. His recent hot streak feels more sustainable, however, with Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper and Steph Castle sidelined. Barnes has been a starter all season, but his production has seen a noticeable spike since Wemby hit the sideline. Across his last three games, Barnes has averaged 19.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.0 triples. Luke Kornet was a popular pickup when Wemby’s injury was announced, but Kornet just hasn’t been great in his three starts. He’s worth a look in deeper leagues, but don’t get too excited if you play in a standard league.

Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (20 percent rostered)

Ja Morant logged just six total minutes across Memphis’ last four games heading into Saturday’s matchup with Dallas, and the VW Bus was rolling all week. Williams Jr. averaged 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 triples in that span, dishing 15 assists in Thursday’s win over Sacramento. Williams Jr. stayed productive on Saturday, producing a double-double with a 10/10/5/2 line. He didn't pop off as a scorer, but he provided solid fantasy value thanks to elite rebounds, assists and steals. Williams Jr. doesn't need to score at a high level to be relevant in standard leagues, but he has flashed upside in that department, too.

Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns (20 percent rostered)

Phoenix has dealt with multiple backcourt injuries this season, and Gillespie has stepped up to answer the call. Over his last three games (all off the bench), Gillespie has contributed 18 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 3.0 triples. Despite coming off the bench, he’s been trusted in late-game situations, highlighted by his go-ahead jumper with 6.4 seconds to play in Friday’s one-point victory over the Timberwolves.

Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets (18 percent rostered)

Christian Braun is out for multiple weeks, and Aaron Gordon re-aggravated his hamstring injury in Friday’s loss to Houston. That means Watson should see plenty of run moving forward. He’s seeing big minutes, and he’s been the most consistent of the replacement options for Braun and Gordon, offering a bit more in the box score than Cameron Johnson or Tim Hardaway Jr. THJ is worth a look if you need points and triples, but Watson’s stat lines are more well-rounded and better suited for category leagues.

Anthony Black, Orlando Magic (16 percent rostered)

Black is enjoying the most productive campaign of his brief NBA career with averages of 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks and a triple across 27 minutes. He’s stepped it up on both ends of the court as of late, offering microwave offense and hounding defense, both of which have been beneficial for fantasy managers, particularly in category leagues.

Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers (10 percent rostered)

Tyson has started seven of his 12 appearances this season, and the second-yar man out of Cal has put up strong numbers for Cleveland. He returned from a five-game absence on Friday and provided a 14/8/3 line with two triples, no turnovers and a 6-of-7 shooting mark. Tyson should continue to see meaningful minutes, and he’s worth rostering in standard leagues whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.

Others to consider:Jaden McDaniels (46%), Santi Aldama (44%), Dillon Brooks (42%), Neemias Queta (36%), Daniss Jenkins (28%), Moussa Diabate (25%), Jeremiah Fears (25%), Noah Clowney (20%), Tristan da Silva (18%), Luke Kornet (12%), Jay Huff (7%), Tim Hardaway Jr. (6%)

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Sabres Place Goalie On Waivers For Contract Termination

Alexandar Georgiev (© Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images)

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Buffalo Sabres have placed goaltender Alexandar Georgiev on waivers for the purpose of contract termination. Georgiev is also expected to join Spartak of the KHL. 

Seeing the Sabres and Georgiev move on from one another is understandable. With the Sabres having Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis on the NHL roster, there was simply no room for Georgiev. This is especially so when noting that Georgiev was also behind Devon Levi on the depth chart. 

Georgiev played in just two games this season with the Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, where he posted a 0-2-0 record, a .874 save percentage, and a .896 save percentage. This is after he had a 15-26-4 record, a .875 save percentage, and a 3.71 goals-against average in 49 games this past season split between the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks. 

Now, after a brief stay with the Sabres organization, Georgiev will be taking his talents to the KHL. 

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Nets get season-high 26 from Tyrese Martin, but fall 119-109 to Raptors

TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes scored 17 points, Ja’Kobe Walter added a season-high 16 and the Toronto Raptors won for the 11th time in 12 games, beating the Brooklyn Nets 119-109 on Sunday night.

Brandon Ingram had 14 points and Immanuel Quickley scored eight of his 13 in the fourth quarter to help Toronto extend its winning streak to seven.

Toronto’s RJ Barrett scored 16 points before leaving midway through the third because of a sprained right knee. Barrett landed awkwardly after his steal led to a fast break dunk.

Brooklyn’s Tyrese Martin scored a season-high 26 points. Michael Porter Jr. had 25 and Noah Clowney added 22.

Nic Claxton had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets. Claxton had his first career triple-double in Friday night in a win at Boston.

Toronto’s Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 12 points in his first start of the season, Gradey Dick also scored 12 points and Jamal Shead had 11.

Porter’s layup with 4:24 left in the fourth tied it at 104, but Quickley made two 3-pointers as Toronto replied with a 10-0 run over the next 2 1/2 minutes.

Ingram reached 10,000 career points with a 3 in the second, his only basket of the period. Toronto led 65-58 at the intermission.

Mamukelashvili started for center Jakob Poeltl, who sat because of a sore lower back. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles returned after missing two games because of a sore right knee.

Up next

Nets: Host New York on Monday night.

Raptors: Host Cleveland on Monday night.

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NHL Insider Speculates On Connor Bedard’s Next Contract

The Chicago Blackhawks are seeing Connor Bedard go from a great teenager to an NHL superstar quickly. He has been amongst the league leaders in points for most of this season now, and shows no sign of slowing down. 

During the summer, there was a lot of speculation about what Bedard's first non-entry-level contract would look like. The conversations surrounding that softened once the puck dropped for the regular season.  

Now, thanks to speculation by NHL Insider Frank Seravalli on CHSN's Blackhawks pregame show, the talk about it is back. According to Seravalli, if the contract is eight years, it will be a deal that pays him somewhere in the range of $12.5 to $15 million against the cap. 

Bedard was eligible for an extension on July 1st, but everyone involved opted to wait. Now, it is going to be a bit more expensive than it would have been back then due to his success on the ice. This will now be a tremendously lucrative contract for a premier player.

On July 1st of 2026, Bedard will become a restricted free agent. Kyle Davidson would almost certainly rather have it done before they reach that point. 

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