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The Toronto Maple Leafs placed left winger Sammy Blais on NHL waivers on Wednesday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Friedman also reported that New York Rangers center Juuso Parssinen has cleared waivers after hitting the wire on Nov. 25.

The Maple Leafs claimed Blais off waivers at the beginning of the 2025-26 season from the Montreal Canadiens. If Montreal claims him back, and no other team submits a claim, the team can assign him to the AHL.

Blais appeared in eight games this season with the Maple Leafs, posting one goal, three points, 28 hits and a minus-2 rating. This is after he recorded 14 goals, 26 assists, 40 points, and 44 penalty minutes in 51 games with the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL last season. 

If the Canadiens don't claim Blais back, he could generate interest from clubs looking for more grit and forward depth. This is especially true given that he has a $775,000 cap hit for just this season. 

As for Parssinen, he can now be assigned to the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, after clearing waivers.

In 14 games this season with the Rangers, the 6-foot-3 forward has posted two goals, one assist, 20 hits, and a plus-3 rating. This is after he had six goals and 16 points split between the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche and Rangers last season. 

With Parssinen being only 24 years old, it seemed possible that a team could claim him. However, him being signed until the end of the 2026-27 season with a $1.25 million cap hit could have been what kept teams away. 

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It’s never too early to start predicting which teams will meet in the Stanley Cup final.

If you’re wondering, there are a bunch of prospective matchups that are about as likely to occur as being struck by lightning. 

A Buffalo Sabres vs. Calgary Flames Stanley Cup final is one such example, with a 0.01 percent probability. 

With that far-fetched notion taken under advisement, which are the more feasible possibilities at the quarter mark of the regular season?

Florida Panthers vs. Colorado Avalanche (+1400)

The Florida Panthers meeting the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup final is the most likely matchup. This prospective final has a 6.67 percent chance of happening. 

It shows the faith BetMGM oddsmakers have in the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions making it to a fourth consecutive Stanley Cup final despite being on the outside of the playoff picture. 

Colorado Avalanche vs. Carolina Hurricanes (+1450)

Oddsmakers give this prospect a 6.45 percent chance of coming to fruition. It would pit the league’s current best team and Stanley Cup odds favorites against the Eastern Conference finalists from two of the previous three seasons. 

Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers (+2500)

I doubt many people desire another Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers final. It would be the third time in three seasons that those teams battled for the Holy Grail. 

I cannot fathom the Oilers losing three Stanley Cup finals in a row to the same team. That unthinkable possibility, if it occurred, would mark the first time a team would lose three straight finals to the same foe, a remarkable prospect considering the NHL started with six teams.  

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars (+3500)

Two teams that seemingly can’t summit the final hurdle have a 2.78 percent chance of meeting in the dance. The Dallas Stars reached the Western Conference final in the previous three seasons, losing to the Vegas Golden Knights and the Oilers twice. 

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, fell to the Panthers in two of the previous three seasons, winning just one of nine games. 

Ottawa Senators vs. Edmonton Oilers (+10000)

How about a whimsical thought to cap things off? The last all-Canadian Stanley Cup final occurred in 1989, when the Calgary Flames beat the Montreal Canadiens in six games. 

The Senators represent a solid dark horse pick. If Linus Ullmark can start resembling the form that won him a Vezina Trophy, anything is possible. In this case, it amounts to a 0.99 percent chance. 

We’ve reached the American Thanksgiving mark and, historically, three-quarters of the NHL teams currently in playoff position will make it. 

There are currently six teams that made the playoffs last season currently on the outside looking in, including the two Cup finalists – an unfathomable thought at the beginning of the season. 

Not all hope is lost with the Oilers sitting two points out of a playoff spot – it feels like a lot more, honestly – and the Panthers just one point behind, but we also have to consider how much tighter the East is relative to the West. According to moneypuck.com’s playoff odds, the Panthers have a 71.3 percent chance of making the playoffs, while the Oilers sit at a distressing 26 percent.

In this week’s NHL power rankings, we take a quick look at those in Cup contention, playoff contention or who should be looking to give up on the season. All playoff probabilities courtesy moneypuck.com, and Cup odds are courtesy of BetMGM. 

1. Colorado Avalanche (16-1-5, +38. PR: 1)

The Avs are the top contender, sitting five points ahead of the Stars with an outrageously good goal differential and on pace to be just the second team in the cap era to earn over 130 points. They are virtually guaranteed to make the playoffs (99.3 percent) and the best Cup odds (5.00/+400). They have arguably the best forward and the best goalie tandem, and they definitely have the best defenseman in the league.

2. Dallas Stars (14-5-4, +15. PR: 2)

The Stars are the most serious challenger to the Avs despite having the fourth-best Cup odds (15.00/+1400) in the West. Not to bemoan the current divisional playoff format again and again, but it’s a near certainty they will meet in the first two rounds rather than in the conference final, where they should be.

3. Anaheim Ducks (14-7-1, +11. PR: 5)

The Ducks are on track to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18, and given how outstanding Lukas Dostal and their young core have been this season, it’s hard to see them fall off. Joel Quenneville’s experience will be a huge asset in the playoffs, but their roster’s relative inexperience makes them shy of being a top contender. Hockey can be weird; you almost need to go through a massive heartbreak in the playoffs before busting through. 

4. Carolina Hurricanes (14-6-2, +13. PR: 4)

It’s been a tough stretch alternating wins and losses for the past two weeks, and I’m not sure trying to juggle a three-goalie rotation really helps. The Canes have been labelled as contenders for many seasons now – their Cup odds (9.00/+800) are always quite high – but their playoff runs always just fizzle out.  

5. Tampa Bay Lightning (13-7-2, +9. PR: 7)

The Lightning are the second-best team based on points percentage since their four-game losing streak ended, and it’s actually pretty amazing considering how many of their key players have missed time. From the start of 2024-25, Andrei Vasilevskiy’s numbers (.920 SP, 2.22 GAA) are actually quite comparable to Connor Hellebuyck’s (.923 SP, 2.10 GAA), and once again, I think the Lightning are an intimidating foe at full strength in the playoffs.  

6. Los Angeles Kings (11-6-6, -2. PR: 6)

Losing three straight is slightly concerning but a little less so when they’re one-goal games. The Kings can be a rock-solid team, but at times it does seem like they get in front of themselves. It’s taken them a while to put together what should be a bona fide scoring line with Quinton Byfield between Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe when it seemed like an obvious choice, and they’re still not playing Brandt Clarke on PP1. I wouldn’t have believed you if you said the Kings were more legit contenders than the Oilers before the season started, but here we are. 

7. Minnesota Wild (12-7-4, +4. PR: 13)

The biggest turnaround, of course, has been their goaltending. Obviously, Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson won’t keep this up, but as long as they aren’t as disastrous as they were in October, the Wild will be fine. Playoff contender? Yes. Absolutely terrible they might have to face the Stars or Avs in the first round? Also, yes. 

8. Winnipeg Jets (12-9-0, +8. PR: 3)

The Jets need to avoid going on an extended losing streak, otherwise it’s going to put some pressure on them to make the playoffs, especially with the Wild getting hot and this year’s race being particularly tight. The Jets are still likely to make the playoffs barring a delay in Connor Hellebuyck’s return, at a 74.4 percent probability.

NHL Vezina Trophy Rankings: Hellebuyck's Injury Changes The RaceConnor Hellebuyck's injury threatens his chance of winning three straight Vezina Trophies. But youngsters Spencer Knight and Yaroslav Askarov have been excellent early on.

9. New Jersey Devils (14-7-1, +2. PR: 9)

They nearly blew a two-goal lead against the Wings and hung on for just their second regulation win this month. The Devils will make the playoffs, but they’re clearly missing Jack Hughes’ offense and really need to shore up their play on the road to be a serious Cup contender. 

10. Detroit Red Wings (13-9-1, -5. PR: 11)

How much better would be the Wings’ record be had they just stuck with Cam Talbot? The Wings sit second in a tough Atlantic, but this season has all the makings of their playoff hopes coming down to Game 82 once again. Their playoff probability currently sits at 51 percent. 

11. Ottawa Senators (11-7-4, even. PR: 15)

The two one-goal losses to the Kings aside, this has been the Sens’ best stretch of play all season. Being able to grind out close games is a really good sign, and the Sens are in a good position to make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in a decade. 

12. Chicago Blackhawks (10-8-4, +7. PR: 8)

With the way Connor Bedard and Spencer Knight are playing, the Blackhawks are definitely a playoff contender but still face an uphill battle at 28 percent. When you’re playing seven defensemen on a semi-regular basis, it tells me you’re not exactly deep up front. I thought it was really encouraging, however, that following a 9-3 shellacking against the Sabres, they put up a pretty good fight against the Avs. 

13. San Jose Sharks (11-9-3, -4. PR: 12)

The Sharks fell really far behind with an 0-4-2 start. In a tight season, that might be the difference-maker. Yarsolav Askarov has been brilliant, and what the Sharks now lack is an elite defenseman to make them a legit playoff contender. They’re still way on the outside looking in – 17.6 percent feels a little low – but it’s clear this team is on an upward trajectory, and even being in the playoff race at the end of the season is a huge win for a fan base that has a lot to be excited about. 

14. Vegas Golden Knights (10-5-7, +3. PR: 18)

Since Oct. 20, the Knights have won consecutive games just once (!). They really should be a lot better than their record, and it’s a little perplexing how unlucky and bad they’ve been in overtime. Those extra points lost to division opponents such as the Kings, Kraken and Ducks (twice) can be really penal, and you wonder if that will haunt them later. The Knights are still a formidable team, but they haven’t been dominant like everyone expected in a pretty weak division.

15. New York Islanders (13-8-2, +5. PR: 17)

It took three OT wins, but the Isles were an impressive 6-1-0 during their road trip with the lone loss coming against the league’s best team. There’s an energy surrounding the Isles this season that’s been lacking for eons, and if Ilya Sorokin and Matthew Schaefer keep playing like they are, they’ll be contending for the playoffs all season. 

16. Seattle Kraken (11-5-6, -2. PR: 23)

Based on points percentage, the Kraken are the seventh-best team in the league, but based on regulation wins, they’re firmly in the middle of the pack. In a season with such volatility in the standings, the Kraken have been consistently slightly above average, never winning or losing more than two games in a row. They haven’t looked this solid in three seasons, and their playoff probability currently sits at 62.6 percent, the lowest among West teams currently in playoff position.

17. Pittsburgh Penguins (10-6-5, +6. PR: 10)

It’s been a tough stretch with a 2-4-3 record in November, and they’ve fallen to third in the wild-card race. We should never count out Sidney Crosby, but it looks like the Pens are losing a lot of steam. They’re in danger of going from surprise playoff contender to Dennis Green’s “they are who we thought they were” territory.     

18. Florida Panthers (12-9-1, +2. PR: 19)

We’re all waiting to see what the Panthers do when Matthew Tkachuk returns. They’ve been better lately, winning consecutive games twice for the first time since the first week of the season. You simply cannot discount the two-time Cup champs, and their playoff probability at 71.3 percent is pretty high relative to their current position in the standings.

19. Washington Capitals (12-9-2, +13. PR: 20)

Signs of a turnaround? The Caps have now won four of their past five after losing eight of their previous 10, and they’re tied with the Canes for the best goal differential in the East. That’s really telling, and while the Caps clearly won’t win the conference this season, it’d be surprising if they missed the playoffs. Their playoff probability is actually slightly lower at 65.5 percent compared to the Panthers; they’re one point ahead, but the Panthers have one game in hand. 

20. Philadelphia Flyers (11-7-3, +1. PR: 22)

Not quite sure what to expect from the Flyers prior to the season, but they’ve been quietly impressive. They had some long losing streaks last season that they’ve avoided this season (so far), and as much criticism Rick Tocchet has received online, you can’t fault their current record. They’re a dark horse playoff contender, but the East is so tight, I’m not convinced their roster is good enough to make the cut.

21. Montreal Canadiens (11-7-3, -4. PR: 14)

It has not been a good month at all for the Habs, which have the fifth-worst points percentage in November. What’s most concerning is the fashion in which they’ve lost, allowing five goals against the Kings, seven against the Stars and eight against the Caps. The Habs should stay in playoff contention all season, but they need to stop their current slide in a hurry. Their playoff probability has dropped to 42.4 percent. 

22. Boston Bruins (13-11-0, -2. PR: 16)

It does seem like the Bruins can make the playoffs if they can get hot at the right time. They’ve been incredibly streaky; either goaltending and defense is a problem, or scoring goals is a problem. Given how tight the Atlantic is right now, the Bruins are a playoff contender by default holding onto the last wild-card spot, but among the top eight, I think they’re the most likely to miss the cutoff come April. Their playoff probability is below 50 percent right now. 

23. Utah Mammoth (12-8-3, +3. PR: 21)

The two wins against the Rangers and Knights were an encouraging sign after they lost seven of their previous eight. I think fatigue was a factor with all the travel – they’re 5-6-2 on the road – but once again the Mammoth will go on a lengthy six-game road trip next week. They’re hanging onto a playoff spot by a thread at the moment and certainly have enough talent to make the cut. It’s just a question of consistency.

24. Columbus Blue Jackets (11-9-3, -7. PR: 26)

A rash of injuries has suddenly hit the Blue Jackets – no one is immune this season – and they most certainly will have trouble winning without Zach Werenski. Two bright spots going forward: Adam Fantilli is really coming into his own as a No. 1 center, and Jet Greaves looks like he could be a long-term starter. 

25. Buffalo Sabres (9-9-4, -4. PR: 29)

Some really strong showings by the Sabres recently, including a 4-1 win against the Canes in a matchup where they’ve been dominated over the past decade. There’s a very teeny chance they make the playoffs (7.7 percent), but a really poor stretch of play in late October and early November might’ve killed their chances. 

26. New York Rangers (11-11-2, -2. PR: 24)

First, the Rangers can’t win at home, now they can’t win on the road. The emotional high from Vincent Trocheck’s return has worn off, and the attention turned particularly negative against J.T. Miller, whose captaincy has not been particularly well-received. With a 36.9 percent chance of making the playoffs, however, they’re not doomed. 

27. Edmonton Oilers (10-10-5, -18. PR: 27)

This is definitely the lowest point in the Connor McDavid-led Oilers era. Against a team they dispatched in the conference finals two seasons in a row, the Oilers were embarrassed in an 8-3 loss in a game that was long finished before the final buzzer. The Oilers are still somehow two points out of a playoff spot, but without some drastic changes – can they afford to wait until December?! – the Oilers are in danger of missing the playoffs after reaching the Cup final, and I think they’d be the only franchise in league history to do so twice following 2006. They have the sixth-lowest playoff probability in the West. 

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (9-10-3, -8. PR: 25)

Not quite sure how the Leafs turn this season around. They’ll need Auston Matthews to return, first of all, but also improve a defense that keeps bleeding quality chances. The Leafs are last in the East, and their prospects are looking bleak with the lowest playoff odds in the East at seven percent. Maybe it’s because they’ve been so good the past few seasons, but it doesn’t feel quite that dire just yet… but should it?

Did The Maple Leafs Miss The Mark By Adding Joshua And Maccelli?The Toronto Maple Leafs' off-season gambles on veteran wingers Dakota Joshua and Mattias Maccelli have not paid dividends, instead costing millions without any notable impact on the struggling Buds squad.

29. Calgary Flames (8-13-3, -14. PR: 32)

The Flames are showing a little life with an offense that’s been ignited with strong play from Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato. They’re still not a good team and have fallen so far behind it’s highly unlikely they’re going to make the playoffs. The question now is if and when the Flames start dealing their veterans.

30. St. Louis Blues (7-10-6, -24. PR: 30)

If Jordan Binnington wasn’t so good at 4 Nations, he’s played himself off Team Canada by this point. His .895 SP at 5-on-5 ranks 25th out of 33 goalies (min. 500 TOI) per naturalstattrick.com, and despite having a very talented team on paper, Justin Faulk (!) is tied-first on the Blues in both goals and points.

31. Vancouver Canucks (9-12-2, -15. PR: 28)

When you send out a league-wide memo that you’re open to trading your veterans, that’s a white flag. The Canucks say they want to get younger – by the way, the Canucks had the seventh-youngest roster by average age on Oct. 19 – with players who can step in right away, but fixing the roster on the fly is something this fanbase has heard too many times and it’s never really worked out.

32. Nashville Predators (6-12-4, -29. PR: 31)

Barry Trotz says “I need more” and for a second Preds ownership panicked because they thought he was talking about next summer’s free agency.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are set to play their 23rd game of the season. The red-hot Minnesota Wild are in town for a nationally streamed broadcast. 

For the first time this season, the Blackhawks are coming into a game following three straight regulation losses. This small skid has dropped them below the playoff line. 

5 Blackhawks Thoughts Following First 0-3-0 Stretch Of 2025-26The Chicago Blackhawks are coming off their first 0-3-0 stretch of the season.

The Wild are 8-1-1 in their last 10, have won five in a row, and are right back in the playoff mix after a bad start to the season. This stretch coincides with a players-only team meeting that captain Jared Spurgeon called in an effort to get things back on track. It worked. 

This is the first time the Wild and Blackhawks have met in the regular season. They had two dates in the preseason, but now they will see each other for real at the United Center. This is the first of four meetings between the two Central Division rivals. 

Scouting Minnesota 

The Wild are riding high right now, and their top players are leading the way. Everything on offense starts and ends with Kirill Kaprizov. With that said, his running mate Matt Boldy is right behind him in terms of overall impact. Both guys lead the team with 13 goals. 

Veterans like Marcus Johansson and Mats Zuccarello do a good job of supporting all of the talented forwards that Minnesota has stacked up over the years. 

On defense, there is a great mix of young and old. Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon have been there for a long time, but younger stars like Brock Faber and Zeev Buium help move the needle.

In goal, both Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt finding their game has played a key role in the run that the Wild have been on. 

Kaprizov-Yurov-Zuccarello

Johansson-EriksonEk-Boldy

Foligno-Sturm-Trenin

Ohgren-Jones-Pitlick

Brodin-Faber

Middleton-Spurgeon

Buium-Bogosian

Gustafsson

The Wild are no strangers to injuries, especially up front, just like the Blackhawks. Vladimir Tarasenko, Marco Rossi, Ryan Hartman, and Vinnie Hinostroza are all going to be out. 

Projected Blackhawks Lines, Defense Pairs, and Starting Goalie

Andre Burakovsky returned to practice on Tuesday. Jeff Blashill said he'd be a game-time decision for this game against the Wild. He skated on the top line with Connor Bedard and Ryan Greene during the line rushes. 

Andre Burakovsky Injury Update And More From Blackhawks PracticeAndre Burakovsky returned to Blackhawks practice on Tuesday.

Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky

Moore-Nazar-Bertuzzi

Teravainen-Dickinson-Mikheyev

Dach-Donato

Vlasic-Crevier

Kaiser-Levshunov

Grzelcyk-Murphy

Rinzel

Knight

Burakovsky's playing would force some lineup decisions. In the likely event that Blashill goes with his 11/7 lineup, two forwards have to be scratched. Sam Lafferty and Landon Slaggert are the likely players to be taking the game in from the press box. 

With Burakovsky and Moore both in the top six, that is the most skill that the Blackhawks have had on the top two lines in a long time. As the young players continue to learn how to play in the NHL, they will only become more lethal. 

Spencer Knight is going to start in goal for the Blackhawks. He will bring his sparkly NHL-leading save percentage (and third in goals against average) to the ice in front of Team USA General Manager Bill Guerin, who is also the GM of the Minnesota Wild. 

How To Watch

The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found on ESPN+ or Hulu. The puck will drop at 7:30 PM CT. 

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

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.

The Winnipeg Jets announced Tuesday that they have recalled defenceman Elias Salomonsson from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. The 21-year-old is set to make his NHL debut on Wednesday when the Jets begin their road trip against the Washington Capitals.

SALO TIME ✈️

Elias Salomonsson will make his @NHL debut tonight in Washington!@Wawanesa | #GoJetsGopic.twitter.com/1KND89gfNh

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 26, 2025

The move follows the recent injury to Neal Pionk, who is not expected to be available for the start of the trip. With Pionk sidelined, head coach Scott Arniel is turning to youth and plans to place Salomonsson on the second pairing with Dylan Samberg. Colin Miller will also enter the lineup, while veteran Luke Schenn is expected to serve as the extra defenceman.

Winnipeg drafted Salomonsson in the second round, 55th overall, in 2022 and so far this season has six assists in 17 games with the Moose. The Skellefteå, Sweden native has totaled 33 points across 70 career AHL games. 

Major Lineup Shakeup, NHL Debut Highlight Jets’ Showdown in WashingtonJets shuffle lines, debut a defenseman, and face a potent Capitals squad fighting for playoff positioning.

He represented the Moose at the 2025 AHL All Star Classic, becoming only the second rookie defenceman in franchise history to do so, and was named both Best Defenceman and Rookie of the Year for the 2024–25 season.

The Jets and Capitals will meet for the 102nd time on Wednesday. Washington holds the advantage in the all time series with a record of 56-29-5-11. Winnipeg has won three of the past four meetings but will attempt to continue that momentum without league MVP Connor Hellebuyck, who has been a key factor in those recent victories.

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With 2025 slowly coming to a close, CNBC has released the valuations of all 32 NHL teams. Unsurprisingly, the Toronto Maple Leafs sit atop the list and are the only NHL team above $ 4 billion (4.3). As for the Vancouver Canucks, they rank 12th and have a year-over-year change in valuation of 13%.

According to CNBC's list, the Canucks are valued at $2.2 billion. CNBC also notes that Vancouver's revenue for 2025 is $234 million. Lastly, the Canucks have an EBITDA of $42 million, which stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization. 

CNBC 2025 Valuations List:

Note: All valuation figures are in U.S. dollars and are based on a one-year average exchange rate, from June 2024 to June 2025, of CA$1 = US$0.72.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs $4.3B 

2. New York Rangers $3.8B 

3. Montreal Canadiens $3.4B 

4. Los Angeles Kings $3.15B 

5. Edmonton Oilers $3.1B 

6. Boston Bruins $3.05B 

7. Chicago Blackhawks $2.75B 

8. Philadelphia Flyers $2.6B 

9. Washington Capitals $2.5B 

10. Detroit Red Wings $2.47B 

11. New Jersey Devils $2.45B 

12. Vancouver Canucks $2.2B 

13. Vegas Golden Knights $2.1B 

14. Dallas Stars $2.05B 

15. Carolina Hurricanes $2B 

16. Tampa Bay Lightning $1.95B 

17. Calgary Flames $1.93B 

18. Minnesota Wild $1.9B 

19. Colorado Avalanche $1.85B

20. New York Islanders $1.82B

21. Seattle Kraken $1.77B

22. Pittsburgh Penguins $1.76B

23. Florida Panthers $1.75B 

24. Nashville Predators $1.65B 

25. St. Louis Blues $1.62B 

26. Anaheim Ducks $1.61B 

27. Utah Mammoth $1.6B 

28. San Jose Sharks $1.55B 

29. Winnipeg Jets $1.46B 

30. Ottawa Senators $1.44B 

31. Buffalo Sabres $1.42B 

32. Columbus Blue Jackets $1.4B

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.

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The Philadelphia Flyers didn’t get much time to dwell on Monday’s frustrating shutout in Tampa—and maybe that’s for the best.

They’re staying in South Florida to face a Panthers team that punishes even the slightest hesitation, and the lineup adjustments heading into Wednesday’s game make Philadelphia’s priorities crystal clear: spark the offense, reinforce the back end, and give Dan Vladar another full opportunity to solidify the crease picture.

Vladar Back in Net 

The Flyers have been granting Vladar the heavier workload over the past couple of weeks, and his recent results—steady, composed, increasingly confident—have earned the trust.

Against Florida, he’ll need to be sharp early. The Panthers roll four lines that attack aggressively off the rush, and even without Sasha Barkov or Matthew Tkachuk, the speed and forechecking pressure remain disruptive. Vladar’s poise under traffic and ability to handle second-chance chaos will matter… a lot.

Grebenkin Returns to Reignite the Offense

After being held without a goal in Tampa, Philadelphia is clearly prioritizing creativity and puck touch in the bottom six, which has manifested in Nikita Grebenkin drawing back into the lineup, replacing Nic Deslauriers.

This shouldn't be a surprise. Deslauriers brings physicality, but the Flyers simply couldn’t generate enough sustained offense on Monday to justify sticking with a more grind-heavy fourth line. Grebenkin gives them hands, forechecking finesse, and an ability to extend shifts with skill rather than collisions. Not to mention, it will give Grebenkin valuable ice time to continue proving himself with the big club—something he's been missing out on in recent weeks.

GRAB THAT PUCK 😄

Nikita Grebenkin has his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/R6kjrXjPKC

— NHL (@NHL) November 5, 2025

That Grebenkin is back while Deslauriers sits hints at the broader mandate: the Flyers need playmaking tonight, not energy for energy’s sake.

And on a road trip where scoring has been inconsistent, Grebenkin’s reintroduction carries some urgency—especially since the Panthers’ structure doesn’t give up much unless you force open the seams.

Juulsen Reinforces the Blue Line as Zamula Comes Out

The other lineup change is on defense: Egor Zamula out, Noah Juulsen in.

This one has a little more nuance.

The Panthers forecheck aggressively and hit hard. They aren’t Tampa’s brand of structured suffocation; they’re confrontational and physical, especially deep in the zone. Juulsen’s game—sturdy, simple, and punishing—fits this matchup better than Zamula’s approach.

'Everyone’s Bringing the Intensity': Tocchet, Flyers Committed to Avoiding ComplacencyThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> were battling hard in practice on Monday.

Juulsen gives the Flyers a counterpunch physically, but more importantly, a stabilizing presence for Nick Seeler. Their pairing is straightforward, defensive-minded, and built to handle the kind of grind-it-out shifts Florida forces.

In short: Juulsen replaces Deslauriers’ physical edge, but does so in a place where it actually helps neutralize Florida’s strengths.

Offense Must Be Sharper—and Faster—Than in Tampa

The Flyers didn’t just get shut out by Tampa Bay; they got stuck. Slow to second pucks, disconnected between forwards and defense, and too often pushed to the perimeter.

The Panthers are not a team that lets you play your way into the game. You have to set your rhythm early.

Philadelphia’s projected forward groups—particularly the top nine—appear designed to combat that:

Michkov – Couturier – Brink

An intelligence-first line, heavy on puck retrieval and east–west vision. Michkov has looked more confident and more assertive with each passing game, and his playmaking could be crucial to loosening Florida’s defensive posture.

Foerster – Cates – Konecny

A line with balance: forechecking, scoring touch, and a high motor on every shift. Foerster’s return has fundamentally changed Philadelphia’s transition game; he stabilizes possessions and gives them a reliable zone-entry threat.

Zegras – Dvorak – Tippett

The team’s current most explosive trio returns intact. Even in the Tampa loss, this line created forward momentum.  Zegras is distributing well, Dvorak remains unbelievably effective, and Tippett continues generating high-danger chances, even when he doesn’t bury them.

If the Flyers score early—and they will need to in order to give them a spark they can sustain throughout this game—it’s likely coming from somewhere in this group.

Florida’s Lineup Still Hits Hard Despite Injuries

Even with a thinner lineup due to injuries, Florida is a handful.

Brad Marchand is still Brad Marchand. Sam Reinhart is still one of the smartest offensive players in the NHL. Carter Verhaeghe’s release is lethal from anywhere inside the blue line.

The Flyers don’t need perfection, but they need pace—and a commitment to winning small battles that they lost in Tampa.

Projected Lineups

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards:

Matvei Michkov – Sean Couturier – Bobby Brink

Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Travis Konecny

Trevor Zegras – Christian Dvorak – Owen Tippett

Nikita Grebenkin – Rodrigo Abols – Garnet Hathaway

Defense:

Cam York – Travis Sanheim

Emil Andrae – Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seeler – Noah Juulsen

Goalies:

Dan Vladar

Sam Ersson

Florida Panthers

Forwards:

Mackie Samoskevich – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand

Jesper Boqvist – Evan Rodrigues – Sam Reinhart

Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – A.J. Greer

Noah Gregor – Luke Kunin – Jack Devine

Defense:

Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones

Uvis Balinskis – Jeff Petry

Goalies:

Sergei Bobrovsky

Daniil Tarasov