Madina Okot had 23 points and 13 rebounds and No. South Carolina outlasted No. Louisville 79-77 on Thursday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge.
Johnson, Fulwiley help No. 5 LSU beat Duke 93-77 in ACC/SEC Challenge
Flau'jae Johnson had 18 points to lead six players in double figures as No. 5 LSU beat Duke 93-77 in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Thursday night. MiLaysia Fulwiley added 16 points for the Tigers (9-0), who failed to reach 100 points for the first time this season to end an NCAA-record streak at eight games. No matter, it was still a dominating offensive performance, with the Tigers shooting 59.7% and scoring 52 points in the paint while needing just five made 3-pointers to crack the 90-point mark.
Takeaways: Steven Stamkos Completes Nashville Predators' Comeback With Overtime Goal Over Panthers
Revenge is sweet, when it's on your side.
The Nashville Predators avoided a sweep by the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers with a 2-1 come-from-behind thriller in overtime on a goal that was allowed after the net had come off its moorings.
Sound familiar?
The Preds lost a controversial game in overtime earlier this season to the Minnesota Wild after the goal was allowed when goalie Justus Annunen knocked the net loose.
Thursday at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, the Preds tasted the benefit of a loose net and sent Panthers fans home disappointed.
Carter Verhaeghe scored for the Cats' lone goal, while Ryan O'Reilly and Steven Stamkos got the Preds' two hard-fought goals.
The win avenges an 8-3 loss to the Cats in late November, and Florida has now dropped four straight, languishing in last place in the Eastern Conference.
After Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky robbed Matthew Wood on a breakout, Carter Verhaeghe faked out Juuse Saros on the other end after a nice setup by Sam Bennett for a 1-0 lead at 16:26 of the opening frame.
Both teams had numerous chances to change the scoreboard, but it wasn't until the third period that the Preds finally knotted the game.
Ryan O'Reilly put in a rebound off a Michael Bunting shot at the 13:41 mark to make it a 1-1 game, spoiling Bobrovsky's shutout bid and requiring overtime.
Then, Steven Stamkos fired in the golden goal at 4:01 of the extra frame from O'Reilly, and the Preds come away with an unbelievable win.
COMEBACK WIN COURTESY OF STAMMER ‼️ pic.twitter.com/MgVjC21p5n
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 5, 2025
The net came off its moorings, but upon further review, the goal was allowed.
Earlier in the game, the Preds thought they had a power-play goal, but the officials determined the puck never crossed the goal line. Stamkos' goal made certain the no-goal wouldn't come back to haunt them.
The Predators have won four of their last five games, their best stretch of the season thus far. The Panthers haven't won since beating Nashville at Bridgestone Arena Nov. 24.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
Saros Outduels Bobrovsky.
After a rocky stretch, Preds goalie Juuse Saros appears to have found his form. He stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Preds' 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Tuesday, and passed almost every test against Florida.
Saros and Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky put on quite a show, but Saros outdueled the Stanley Cup Champion, stopping 30 of the 31 shots fired his way.
His biggest test came in the second period, as the Panthers held a 16-5 shot advantage in the frame. The only blemish came on Verhaeghe's goal to put the Cats ahead 1-0.
Verhaeghe deked Saros out of position after being fed by Sam Bennett. This came just moments after Bobrovsky robbed Matthew Wood on a breakaway at the other end.
For the game, Florida outshot the Preds 31-29, but Saros earned his money on this night.
The Preds’ penalty kill was heavily tested.
As good as the Predators’ penalty kill has been most of the season, it had allowed a goal in three of its last four games coming into Thursday.
In all fairness, the unit was without Cole Smith and Michael McCarron, two of their best penalty killers, both fighting injuries. McCarron was back in the lineup against Florida, and the kill was back in form.
There were some close calls. Nick Blankenburg went to the sin bin for a high-sticking double minor, sending Anton Lundell to the locker room briefly. The Cats had several great chances, including one sequence when Saros lost his stick. Disaster was averted, and the Preds killed off the double minor.
Florida was 17-for-89 (19.8%) on the power play, 18th in the league heading into Thursday. The Preds shut down the Cats' power play, killing all six penalties. The Preds' own power play failed to score on all five of its chances.
Ozzy Wiesblatt exited early.
Wiesblatt has been a bright spot in Nashville’s lineup this season. He scored his first NHL goal Tuesday against Calgary, and celebrated by pointing to the sky in honor of his late brother, Orca.
Early in Thursday’s contest, Wiesblatt lost a glove and appeared to injure his hand. He left for the tunnel and didn’t return. He's currently listed as having an upper-body injury.
Penguins Forward Ville Koivunen Notches First Career NHL Goal On Thursday
Thursday night was indeed the night for Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ville Koivunen.
Koivunen, who hadn't scored an NHL goal in his first 23 NHL games, ended that streak on Thursday with his first career NHL goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His power play goal opened the scoring in the game.
Koivunen took a feed from Kris Letang and ripped the puck past Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson. His celebration was also so sick.
"THERE IT IS VILLE!" 🤩
— NHL (@NHL) December 5, 2025
Ville Koivunen has his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/mkybiqpaO9
Koivunen had been getting so many chances to start the season before scoring this one. He had been a bit unlucky on some of his previous chances, but now that this first one went in the net, the floodgates should open. He can relax a bit, knowing that he now has his first NHL goal.
His goal helped the Penguins beat the Lightning 4-3 and jump up to third place in the Metropolitan Division.
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Special Teams Help, Hurt Red Wings In Wild 6-5 Shootout Loss To Blue Jackets
Thursday evening's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena was nothing short of a roller coaster for the Detroit Red Wings, who gained a point in the standings but missed out on the second as part of their 6-5 shootout loss.
The Blue Jackets, who twice had a lead evaporate, tied the game late in the third period with goaltender Elvis Merzlikins on the bench for an extra attacker, and then picked up the win thanks to goals in the shootout from Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko.
Final in the shootout. pic.twitter.com/Lh2MlvqjPW
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 5, 2025
Special teams were the name of the game for both clubs, who each scored multiple power-play goals.
With the setback, the Red Wings are now 14-11-3 in their centennial campaign, but are now tied for the second overall spot in the Atlantic Division with 32 points. They also won't like the fact that they've now allowed at least four goals against in five of their last six games.
The Blue Jackets struck first after a shot from defenseman Ivan Provorov beat Cam Talbot from distance, but the Red Wings knotted the score early in the second period thanks to a power-play tally from Dylan Larkin.
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Marchenko restored the Columbus lead with a power-play goal of his own, followed by an even-strength tally from Johnson. But after Dmitri Voronkov was whistled for a four-minute double minor after his high sticking infraction on Andrew Copp drew blood, Detroit twice converted courtesy of Lucas Raymond and James van Riemsdyk, tying the game.
A power-play goal from former Michigan Wolverines forward Adam Fantilli put Columbus ahead late in the second period, only to see the Red Wings roar back in the final frame thanks to goals in quick succession from Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. For Kane, it was the 496th goal of his career.
Fantilli scored his second of the night to tie the game late in the third period after his shot deflected off defenseman Albert Johansson, setting up overtime.
"Would Be Really Cool": Patrick Kane Would Love Mike Modano In Attendance For Milestone Achievement From one U.S.-born NHL legend to another, Patrick Kane says he’d welcome Mike Modano’s presence when he breaks the record for most points by an American-born player.While the Blue Jackets got shootout goals from both Johnson and Marchenko following a scoreless five-minute overtime session, Merzlikins stopped van Riemsdyk and Raymond, securing the extra point.
This was Detroit's first game of a six-game road trip which continues on Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken from Climate Pledge Arena.
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Nets allow 42 points in fourth-quarter collapse, fall to Jazz, 123-110
NEW YORK (AP) — Lauri Markkanen scored 30 points, Keyonte George had 29 and the Utah Jazz used a huge fourth quarter to beat the Brooklyn Nets 123-110 on Thursday night.
The Jazz outscored the Nets 42-20 in the final quarter after trailing by 15 points in the first half. Markkanen and George nearly outscored the Nets by themselves, combining for 18 points.
Kyle Filipowski had 15 points and Walter Clayton Jr. added 13 off the bench for Utah, which shot 14 for 22 (63.6%) in the fourth.
Noah Clowney scored 29 points and Ziaire Williams had 23 off the bench for Nets, who had their two-game winning streak snapped.
With the game tied at 98 with 6:29 remaining, George hit consecutive 3-pointers. Williams answered with a three that made it 104-101.
On the ensuing possession, Tyrese Martin turned the ball over after stepping out of bounds and Bryce Sensabaugh was fouled on a three-point attempt and made two free throws to extend the lead 106-101.
Filipowski then connected on another three-pointer and Markkanen followed with one of his own after Clowney’s layup with 3:39 to play to make it 112-103.
The Nets rested leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. for injury management in the second game of a back-to-back. Porter, who is averaging 25.3 points, scored 33 and had 10 rebounds in Wednesday’s win at Chicago.
Up next
Jazz: Remain in New York to play the Knicks on Friday.
Nets: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.
Rangers keep up road success with 4-2 win over Senators
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Artemi Panarin reached 900 NHL points with a goal and an assist and the New York Rangers won for the league-leading 12th time on the road, beating the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Thursday night.
The Rangers have won five of their past six to improve to 15-12-2. They are 12-4-1 on the road.
Panarin has 311 goals and 589 assists in 781 regular-season games.
Mika Zibanejad, Will Borgen and Vladislav Gavrikov also scored, and Igor Shesterkin made 25 saves. J.T. Miller had three assists.
Drake Batherson had a goal and an assist, and Dylan Cozens also scored for Ottawa. Leevi Merilainen stopped 24 shots.
The Senators are 13-10-4. They have lost three of four.
Up next
Rangers: Host Colorado on Saturday.
Senators: Host St. Louis on Saturday night.
Islanders hand NHL-best Avalanche their second regulation loss after 6-3 win
NEW YORK (AP) — Mathew Barzal had a goal and two assists, and the New York Islanders defeated the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche 6-3 on Thursday night.
Kyle MacLean, Anders Lee, Bo Horvat and Adam Pelech also scored a goal for the Islanders, who won their second straight. Ilya Sorokin finished with 35 saves and Casey Cizikas added an empty-net goal.
Valeri Nichushkin, Martin Necas and Artturi Lehkonen scored for Colorado. Mackenzie Blackwood made 36 saves.
The Avalanche’s 17-game point streak was snapped and they lost in the first game of their four-game East Coast road trip.
Barzal scored with less than two minutes remaining in the second period to extend the Islanders’ lead to 5-2 when he converted a backhander on the power play.
The Avalanche scored two goals in 85 seconds to cut their deficit to 4-2 midway through the second period.
Nichushkin redirected a point shot, and Necas benefited from a fortuitous bounce off the skate of Islanders defenseman Travis Mitchell at 10:04 of the middle frame.
But Barzal’s highlight-reel goal helped New York regain control and hand Colorado just its second regulation loss in 27 games this season.
Lee buried a cross-ice pass from Barzal with 1:40 remaining in the opening period to make it 2-0 after MacLean opened the scoring at 5:56.
Horvat knocked in a Matthew Schaefer rebound for his team-leading 17th goal, pushing New York’s lead to 3-0 at 6:58 of the second.
Lee has 295 career goals for the Islanders, tied with Brock Nelson for fifth in franchise history.
Nelson, who returned to UBS Arena for his first game since being dealt last winter from the Islanders to the Avalanche, also received a video tribute during the first period.
Up next
Avalanche: Colorado remains in New York to play the Rangers on Saturday.
Islanders: New York visits the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
Spencer Jones 'trying to prove' to Yankees he should be in MLB as he prepares to fight for 2026 roster spot
The Yankees' outfield is currently in flux and top prospect Spencer Jones hopes to be in the mix when the team breaks camp next March.
Jones, 24, had his breakthrough season in 2025, demolishing Double-A pitching before being promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where the outfielder held his own.
Through both levels of the minor leagues in 2025, Jones slashed .274/.362/.571 with an OPS of .932. He also had 35 home runs and drove in 80 runs.
“Being able to be more consistent month-to-month, that was the biggest thing for me,” Jones told SNY’s Michelle Margaux at the Italian American Baseball Foundation Gala in the Bronx on Thursday night. “A lot of confidence and something I look forward to bringing in next year.”
It was a bounce-back season for Jones, who struggled in 2024 once he got to Double-A. He credits a change in his swing for his consistency and continues to work on it this offseason in preparation for spring training.
“I changed some stuff with my swing, learned a lot about it and going into this offseason is just cleaning up some of the things that went wrong and moving into this next season,” he said.
Outside of Aaron Judge in right field and Trent Grisham -- who accepted the qualifying offer -- in center, the Yankees have an opening in left field after the departure of Cody Bellinger. While the Yankees continue to try and bring Bellinger back, it’s not a guarantee, which gives Jones and other youngsters like Jasson Dominguez a chance to win the job this spring.
GM Brian Cashman said Jones "put himself in the conversation" to make the roster at the Yankees' end-of-season news conference in October, and the outfield prospect is getting ready to earn it.
When asked what he could do to prepare to compete for a roster spot, Jones described his mindset.
“Trying to prove to them, every reason why you should be there,” he said. “Being as competitive as possible and showing them how bad you want it is important and that’s going to be my job going into camp.”
LeBron James' record scoring streak ends, but Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura deliver win
Of course.
Stuck between trying to extend his record streak of 1,297 consecutive games with 10 or more points or passing to an open Rui Hachimura to take the potential winning shot, LeBron James made the right play.
Because that’s what he’s done for 23 years in the NBA.
James’ assist on Hachimura’s buzzer-beating three-pointer punctuated the Lakers’ dramatic 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.
After the Lakers (16-5) forced a miss by Brandon Ingram with 22.9 seconds left, Austin Reaves heard Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic calling for a double team. Scottie Barnes rushed to guard Reaves near the sideline and the Lakers guard sent a left-handed bounce pass to James near the top of the arc. James, with eight points on labored four-for-17 shooting, took one dribble and fired it to Hachimura in the corner.
“I just make the right play,” James said. “That's all that matters. Win, lose or draw, make the right play.”
James’ 11 assists and Reaves’ 44 points and 10 assists helped the Lakers overcome the absence of Luka Doncic, who missed the game because of personal reasons. The NBA’s leading scorer and his fiancee are expecting their second child. Coach JJ Redick said the team hopes to get Doncic “back soon, but don’t have a pinpointed day yet.”
Without the team’s primary offensive engine, center Deandre Ayton chipped in 17 points and Jake LaRavia scored 14 off the bench. Two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. delivered 12 points in 14 minutes off the bench as the Lakers dug deep into their roster ahead of another game in Boston on Friday.
James last scored in single digits on Jan. 5, 2007 when Milwaukee held him to eight points on three-for-13 shooting in 43 minutes. But Cleveland still won that game 95-86 as James dished nine assists.
Read more:'A lot of slices of pizza left': Where the Lakers stand after 20 games
At 40, James has continued to rely on his playmaking, averaging 7.8 assists in six games since missing the first 14 because of sciatica. James acknowledged he still is finding his rhythm offensively.
He faded into the background of the Lakers' blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday, when he barely extended the streak by scoring four of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. He came out aggressively against the Raptors with nine shots by halftime.
But he scored only four points. He missed his first six shots, some even missing the rim.
Behind 22 third-quarter points from Reaves, the Lakers were clinging to a two-point lead entering the fourth. James was “acutely aware” of how many points he had as the game progressed, Redick said. With only six points in the first three quarters, James opened the fourth with two quick three-point attempts. Neither was close to going in.
The first Lakers points in the fourth quarter came from Smith. Of course, he was assisted by James.
Throughout his celebrated career, James often has been criticized for his passing. In big moments, critics questioned whether he could be the true face of the NBA if he was passing on winning opportunities to create open looks for his teammates. If he passed, he was ridiculed for not stepping up. If he shot and missed, he was torn down for it.
James, the career scoring leader who ranks fourth in assists, still remembers “everything [that] has been negatively said” about his game. Any insinuation that he wouldn’t always choose the right play sticks with him the most.
“That aspect was always like the most, one of the most foolish things I've ever heard as far as making the right pass, making the right play,” James said. “We are in the business of winning basketball games. My whole life I've just played the game that way. I was taught the game that way and I've won at every single level I've played at by playing the game that way. So there was no reason for me to ever change once I got to this level.”
James’ unselfish play rubbed off on teammates who worked to earn his trust.
“When you got someone like that, everybody's gotta fall in line,” said Reaves, who is averaging 41 points in four games without Doncic this season. “If you don't fall in line with someone like that, then you look crazy.”
The Lakers made it look perfect. Hachimura, who scored 12 points, sprinted down the sideline after his first winning buzzer-beater. Reaves jumped on his back. James yelled toward the Lakers bench with outstretched arms. Redick relished the look of pure joy on James’ face.
The superstar took no time to mourn the streak that he never truly tried to build. When asked for his feelings about the end of a run that was set to turn 19 years old next month, James looked almost puzzled at the question.
“None,” James said. “We won.”
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Panthers surrender late led to Nashville, fall in overtime 2-1
The Florida Panthers looked to break out of a recent funk on home ice when they welcomed the Nashville Predators to Sunrise.
Despite playing a strong overall game, Florida once again fell just short, this time giving up a late tying goal and then falling in overtime by a 2-1 final score.
The Panthers got the scoring started late in the first period on a nice passing play by two of the hottest Cats.
Sam Bannett slid a sneaky pass to a cutting Carter Verhaeghe in the Predators zone, and a quick backhand-forehand move later, Florida had a 1-0 lead at the 16:26 mark.
For Verhaeghe, the goal was his third over his past four games, a streak in which he’s racked up seven total points.
It was a big night for the one they call Swaggy, as his wife Casey gave birth to their first son, Rory, earlier this week.
Bennett has also been cooking of late. The assist was his eighth point over his past eight games.
Florida’s 1-0 lead remained on the scoreboard for the majority of the evening.
With 6:19 left in the third period, Ryan O’Reilly scored on the rebound of a Michael Bunting shot from a sharp angle to knot the score at one.
The Predators completed the comeback during overtime on a rush play that saw Gus Forsling go tumbling into his own goal.
Despite Florida’s net being dislodged, Steven Stamkos was able to shoot the puck into the cage as it slid toward the back boards, and since it was Forsling that knocked the net off, the goal was deemed legal.
On to Columbus.
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Photo caption: Dec 4, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) shoots the puck but cannot score after a save by Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Avalanche Fall 6-3 to Islanders, Suffer Second Regulation Loss of Season
The Colorado Avalanche are facing off against the New York Islanders for the second time of the season. Last time it was a 4-1 win for the Avalanche on Nov. 16 but this time, the Islanders were out for revenge, and that they got. It was a tough night for the Avalanche but a great one for the Islanders. They outshot the Avalanche 42-38 and capitalized on multiple chances leading to the 6-3 loss.
Period 1:
Heading into the game, this will be Devon Toews' 500th career game played in the NHL. The Avalanche once again are off to a sluggish start, and the Islanders capitalize on it. Mackenzie Blackwood loses track of a saved puck, and a whole scrum breaks out as sticks come flying in trying to either jam the puck in or bat it out, and it's Kyle McLean who finds the loose puck and bats it in to make it 1-0.
The Avalanche challenge for goaltender inference, as it looks like Blackwood was knocked down and had a stick stuck in his pads while he was down, but the challenge is unsuccessful. Thankfully, the Avalanche continue their strong penalty kill and kill it off, while the Islanders' power play continues to struggle.
Martin Necas is called for holding, but again, the Islanders fail to capitalize on the power play. However, it's Anders Lee with a nice short-side snipe that beats Blackwood under his glove to make it 2-0 with under two minutes left to play. The period ends with the Avalanche outshooting the Islanders 18-16, but it hasn't looked great for the majority of the period.
Period 2:
Artturi Lehkonen is called for cross-checking, but 30 seconds into the power play, Mathew Barzel is called for tripping, and it's 4-on-4. Bo Horvat can find the rebound of Matthew Schaefer’s shot and buries it, beating Blackwood five-hole to make it 3-0 Islanders. Just over 20 seconds later, Adam Pelech sends a shot that bounces off Blackwood’s glove weirdly and bounces under him and goes through his five-hole again, making it 4-0.
ADAM PELECH NETS ONE! #LGI | @FORDpic.twitter.com/u43IwvVFSZ
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 5, 2025
Though the Avalanche weren’t going just to lie down, Sam Malinski sends a wrister to the net, and Valeri Nichushkin, with good net front presence, can tip Malinski’s shot in, making it 4-1 and giving the Avalanche a little bit of life. That goal is just what they needed as the Avalanche get a little bit of puck luck as Martin Necas' shot bounces off Travis Mitchell and in, making it 4-2. Cale Makar is called for tripping, and Mathew Barzal on the power play burns them as he skates through Jack Drury and Brent Burns and finishes the play with a nifty back-hand shot to make it 5-2.
BARZZZZZZYYYYY #LGI | @FORDpic.twitter.com/WkCSadCn2i
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 5, 2025
Period 3:
Just over a minute into the period, Makar is able to walk down the slot and find Lehkonen on the goal line, who rifles one past Sorokin to make it 5-3. Schaefer is called for delay of game, but the Avalanche can’t score on their second power play of the night. Blackwood stops Anthony Duclair, who had a great breakaway attempt. Blackwood is pulled with just over three minutes left in the period, down two goals.
Fight for the next. pic.twitter.com/YElXWWg9IX
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 5, 2025
Scott Mayfield is called for tripping, and the Avalanche gets a 6-on-4 opportunity with Blackwood pulled. Casey Cizikas picks off a cross-ice pass and sends it into the empty net to make it 6-3 and force the Avalanche to their second regulation loss on the season.
The Avalanche are back in action on Saturday, December 6, against the New York Rangers in New York.
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MacKinnon Outshines Sickness, Evokes Boxing Legend’s Relentless DriveNathan MacKinnon is far from the first elite competitor to confront illness and nevertheless prevail. Source Confirms Winnipeg Jets Hosting Heritage Classic vs. Montreal Canadiens
Talk continues to build around Winnipeg as the likely host for the NHL’s next Heritage Classic, and new rumors suggest the Winnipeg Jets may face the Montreal Canadiens if the event is officially approved. Nothing has been confirmed by the league, but speculation has intensified in recent days as the NHL considers bringing back its outdoor game series.
The rumors around the event began on the October 22 edition of Hockey Night in Canada. During the weekly headlines segment, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman told host Ron MacLean that the league was looking at reviving the Heritage Classic and that Winnipeg had emerged as a strong candidate. Friedman did not expand further but said, “looks like there’s going to be one next year and the whispers from out west is that Winnipeg is going to be a serious contender to host it.”
Since then, Winnipeg has consistently appeared as the expected host city, though no official announcement has been made, and the opposing team remains unconfirmed. Recent unverified reports point to the Montreal Canadiens as the likely opponent for the Jets, but neither the NHL nor either club has commented on the speculation.
NEWS: The 2026 NHL Heritage Classic will be October 25th between the Canadiens and Jets at the 32,000-seat Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, home of the CFL’s Blue Bombers. #GoHabsGo#GoJetsGo
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) December 4, 2025
If selected, Princess Auto Field, the home stadium of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, would be the venue. The stadium previously hosted the 2016 Heritage Classic when the Jets met the Edmonton Oilers. Winnipeg lost that game 3-0, with Edmonton led by a young Connor McDavid who recorded an assist.
The Jets last appeared in a Heritage Classic in 2019 in Regina, where they defeated the Calgary Flames in overtime at Mosaic Stadium. That win evened Winnipeg’s outdoor game record at one victory and one loss.
Winnipeg’s history of hosting large events and its strong fan base have kept the city in regular consideration for NHL outdoor games. The league typically confirms Heritage Classic details several months in advance, and for now the possibility of a Jets–Canadiens matchup remains only a rumor but a potential exciting matchup for a standalone event.
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Penn State coaching search rumors: Attention turns to Matt Campbell
A new name has emerged as the focus of Penn State's coaching search, according to multiple reports.
Islanders Matthew Schaefer Reaches 20-Point Mark vs. Colorado
ELMONT, NY --New York Islanders No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer reached the 20-point mark on Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche.
He recorded the primary assist on Bo Horvat's goal at 6:58 of the second period and now has eight goals and 12 assists on the season:
Schaefer 🍎 helps Horvat 🚨to his 17th goal.
— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) December 5, 2025
Schaefer has 20 points. #islespic.twitter.com/Nh24SpzpWZ
With the assist, he tied Montreal Canadiens' Ivan Demidov and Anaheim Ducks' Beckett Sennecke for the rookie point lead (20).