Right before the start of the 2025-26 season, the Montreal Canadiens lost forward Sammy Blais on waivers to the Toronto Maple Leafs. This was after the Canadiens signed Blais to a one-year, $775,000 contract in free agency during the summer. 

However, the Canadiens now have the opportunity to bring Blais back to Montreal, as he has been placed on waivers by the Maple Leafs. With the Canadiens dealing with injury trouble and needing more depth, it would not be particularly surprising if they claimed Blais. He is also clearly a player whom the Canadiens like, as they signed him during the summer. 

If the Canadiens claimed Blais off waivers, he would provide them with another option for their bottom six to work with. This would not be a bad thing, especially when noting that Blais plays a heavy game and can play multiple forward positions. 

Blais would also give the Canadiens more experience if they brought him. In 265 career NHL games over eight seasons split between the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, and Maple Leafs, he has recorded 28 goals, 46 assists, 74 points, and 863 hits. He also won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019 and the Calder Cup with the Abbotsford Canucks this past season. 

In eight games this season with the Maple Leafs, Blais has recorded one goal, three points, and 28 hits. 

Ahead of their Thanksgiving Eve tilt against the Buffalo Sabres, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a few roster moves that signify they're surely but slowly getting healthier. 

Forward Ville Koivunen and goaltender Tristan Jarry were activated from injured reserve, while rookie goaltender Sergei Murashov was re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate.

The moves came a day after forward Sam Poulin was also re-assigned to WBS, which cleared the space for both moves to be made. 

Koivunen, 22, has just two points in 11 games this season and is still seeking his first NHL goal 19 games into his career. With the Penguins injury-depleted at forward - and scoring depth drying up - welcoming Koivunen back to the lineup should help provide an offensive boost, as he was starting to build some momentum before his brief IR stint.

Buffalo Sabres At Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To WatchThe Pittsburgh Penguins will try to get two big points over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.

In addition, center Tristan Broz is making his NHL debut Wednesday, which should also help bolster the team's scoring depth. Koivunen will play on the third line with Broz, as they skated together quite a bit during their time in WBS.

Jarry, 30, is enjoying a nice bounceback campaign after a rocky one last season. The 6-foot-4, 201-pound netminder is 5-2-0 with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage on the season, and his last game was a Nov. 3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in which he surrendered four goals on 20 shots against. 

'He's A Great Player': Tristan Broz Confirmed To Make NHL Debut Wednesday Against Buffalo SabresPittsburgh Penguins' forward prospect Tristan Broz will make his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres On Wednesday

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Aside from 2020 second-overall pick Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte was the Los Angeles Kings’ highest draft pick since Brayden Schenn in 2009, who only played nine games for the Kings.

Turcotte, selected fifth overall in the 2019 NHL draft, hasn’t turned out to be what he could have considering when he was picked. But, is it really his fault when you look at how he’s been used in the last couple of seasons?

In 22 games this season, Turcotte has put up three assists and has yet to score his first goal of the season for the Kings. In other words, his production hasn’t been great.

However, there’s a good reason why he hasn’t had much of an imprint on the season, and that’s because he rarely gets to see the ice as the team’s fourth-line center.

Before being a healthy scratch in Los Angeles’ last outing against the Ottawa Senators, he played just 5:33 of ice time against the Boston Bruins. That’s the lowest amount of ice time he’s received all season long.

There have been several cases around the NHL where players have requested trades or are publicly disgruntled with their usage. And a 24-year-old center of Turcotte’s potential could be at risk of joining that category.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that Turcotte was once an intriguing prospect before becoming a regular NHLer for the Kings.

He represented Team USA at the World Junior Championships, recognized as an alternate captain in the team’s gold-medal campaign in 2020-21. He scored three goals and eight points in seven games in the tournament. 

2026 World Juniors: Potential Kings We Could See With the 2026 World Juniors only a month away, let's take a look at some potential LA Kings prospects we could be seeing represent their country. 

Turcotte finished second on the team and tied for seventh in scoring in the tournament. He beat out Byfield, as well as Cole Perfetti, Lucas Raymond, Matt Boldy, Cole Caufield and others who turned out to be NHL stars.

With an average of just 9:02 of ice time per game, Turcotte’s abilities have been missed or even forgotten at this stage of his career.

Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke is a great example of a young star who required a little more ice time to see out his potential and to display what he’s capable of in an elevated role.

Brandt Clarke On Kings' Top Power-Play Unit: Is It Finally Time?After winning the game for the Los Angeles Kings with a power-play marker on Monday, is it time to consider Brandt Clarke joining the team's top power-play unit?

With the injury to Drew Doughty, Clarke has been able to naturally be the next man up on the right side of Los Angeles’ defense. Clarke went from playing 13 to 17 minutes per game to now playing at least 20 minutes in the last six outings. Naturally, he scored the game-winning goal for the Kings on Monday.

Back to Turcotte, the most ice time he’s averaged in his short NHL career to this point was last season, playing 11:44 a night.

There’s a difference between underperforming and not being given a fair shot. Ultimately, since becoming a regular NHL player, he hasn’t been given the opportunity to underperform.

Therefore, the centerman deserves a little more of a leash to earn more ice time and show head coach Jim Hiller what he has in the middle of the ice.

It would be a shame for Turcotte not to be utilized a little more.

With that, there will be a chance for him to obtain an elevated role next season when veteran center and captain Anze Kopitar retires. At the very least, he can be bumped up into the top nine of Los Angeles’ forward group.

However, by then, he’ll be 25, going on to 26, leaving behind developmental years, and entering the age when organizations and front offices become a little more impatient with growth.

Nonetheless, Turcotte has not been getting the ice time he deserves over the last couple of weeks or so. But with still three quarters to go in this campaign, it’s too early to write off on anything.

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Out of the 29 players selected 219th overall in NHL history, only five have made it to the NHL and out of the 29 seventh-round picks the Carolina Hurricanes have made over the years, again, only five have made it to the league in some capacity.

Rookie defenseman Joel Nystrom, who was drafted 219th overall in the 2021 draft — Carolina's final of 13 picks that year — is one of those five in each category.

And on top of it being a rarity for a seventh-round pick to make it to the NHL, Nystrom's case is one that's even stranger, as the 23-year-old blueliner only had seven games of North American experience under his belt before he got the callup to the NHL.

Obviously a plethora of injuries opened up a spot, but what made Nystrom not only capable of such a jump, but more deserving than some of the other guys of getting a shot?

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Developing In Sweden

The first thing that jumps off the page for Nystrom is his hockey sense.

The rookie blueliner has a really good feel for the game and he's seemingly picked up the Hurricanes' system almost immediately.

His positioning, his reads and his ability to make "the right" play in all three zones is what the Hurricanes were betting on when they took the late flier on him and it's a big reason he's in the NHL today.

"We talk about trying to find and identify areas that are going to be the reason that a player can make it and with Joel, he slipped in the draft, but he was playing against men and you were able to see the hockey sense," said Hurricanes associate general manager Darren Yorke. "Maybe there were questions about the size or the skating, but at that point in the draft, there are always going to be areas that players need more development on. But we saw somebody that had really high-end hockey sense and that was something that we wanted to bet on. Fast forward almost four years now and we’re seeing that hockey sense shine in the NHL and he’s been a big part of the team’s success lately when other guys have been hurt. He’s been able to step up.”

Seeing that potential is one thing, but it's another to develop that alongside all of the other skills a player needs such as skating, puck handling, etc., and you could really see the progression from Nystrom in how he was playing in Sweden and how he was handling big minutes in key roles.

“Going back the last couple of years, he was used in priority minutes in high-stress situations playing in the SHL in a top-four role," Yorke said. "How he was defending in Sweden, we thought that it was best for him to get over to North America and get closer to the NHL. The way he was able to kill plays in all three zones is exactly how we want to play and it would only be enhanced playing in a system where everyone else is doing the exact same thing that he does and it comes natural to him.”

Both Yorke and Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour also really credited development coach Kevin McCarthy for his work with Nystrom.

“I didn’t see him play, but I heard a lot about him," Brind'Amour said. "Our scouts and particularly Kevin McCarthy really watched him and was raving about this kid."

"When Kevin stepped away from coaching, we were lucky enough to bring him back into the organization and get him to work with our players and he spent a lot of time watching Joel and meeting with him and sort of going through his game on the defensive side and enhancing his reads to how it could be in North America," Yorke said. 

Nystrom said he would talk with the the organization weekly, going over his games and working on both things to improve as well things he was doing well, and it's clear that that work paid off.

“The hockey sense was always there," Yorke said. "That was really the concurrent thing. But the skating has gotten better as it does with most players when you get a little bit stronger, the body control and body positioning on retrievals has improved to allow him to handle the bigger, faster players in the NHL and that's all really only enhanced his game now that he can go back for the puck, make those reads with his vision and transition the puck into the offensive zone.”

Nystrom's case is one where it's clear that no matter where you are drafted or what your path may be, if you can play, you can play.

“I just tried to keep working," Nystrom said. "Tried to do my best back in Sweden and I feel like my game has developed pretty good."

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The Big Leagues

Nystrom's NHL debut wasn't necessarily one for the memory book.

After K'Andre Miller was ruled out last minute with the team on the road, the Swedish blueliner had to scramble to make it to Denver.

He ended up arriving just 15 minutes before puck drop, missing the entirety of warmups, but Nystrom did manage to still get his rookie laps in right before team took the ice for the start of the game.

Things moved pretty quickly afterwards, as the rookie was thrown right into the fire, staring down a team with players like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

“It was stressful, but I was very happy to get the call," Nystrom said. "Just tried to do my best out there. It was a tough game to play, but it was real fun."

Nystrom finished that game having been outchanced 5-21 and seeing three goals against, but with the amount of injuries that the Hurricanes were dealing with at that time, he wasn't really put in a position to succeed.

"He hung in there," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour recalled on the debut. "Again, you're asking a lot. We had three rookies in there and against that team, any team in the NHL, but when you're playing against the top players in the league and the world, it makes it look the way it did the other night. But I thought he hung in there."

It might not have been a game to write home about, but his foot was now in the door.

However, not even he could escape the Hurricanes' cursed blueline as just two games later, he himself was seated right in the trainer's room getting stitched up after a shot from the blueline wound up catching him right in his face.

Joel Nystrom has a busted lip, but says he otherwise got lucky after taking a puck to the face last night. pic.twitter.com/J7S9dufoTl

— Ryan Henkel (@RyanHenkel_) October 29, 2025

But the defenseman wasted no time in getting back out onto the ice to help his shorthanded team, something that stuck with his teammates and coach.

“Especially with it being how bad it was — filleted the whole chin, lip — that would have been a east one to say, ‘I’m good,’ especially with the way things had been going," Brind'Amour said. "But he knew we were down all these guys and he was like, ‘No, I need to get out there.’ I think that says a lot about the kid. And you talk about endearing yourself to the group, that's one thing, for sure.”

“Tough kid, obviously," said captain Jordan Staal. "Those aren't pretty, but he was good. Playing great for us and battling through a lot. We appreciate what he's done."

Nystrom was lucky to escape that injury scare with only a scar to show for it, and after that torrid start, he hasn't missed a second of action and his performances have significantly improved game after game.

“It’s a bit different, of course, from Sweden," Nystrom said. "Here it’s a smaller rink, so you have to adjust your game a little, but I feel the guys have helped me very well and I’m thankful for that.”

Watching him every game, you could tell that he was rapidly picking up the system and that really led to the coaching staff rewarding him in kind.

The Swede currently has some of the best possession numbers on the team, controlling 57% of both 5v5 scoring chances and high-danger chances, and he's been on the ice for 11 goals for and just seven against in nearly 250 minutes of even-strength ice time.

“Nysy’s really been a cornerstone," said defenseman Sean Walker. "He’s playing tons of minutes against top guys every night and he’s doing a great job with it.”

It isn't like Nystrom has been getting sheltered deployments either. The state of the blueline, with all the injuries, meant the rookie was forced into a top-four and a significant penalty-killing role most nights throughout the early parts of the season and he was dominating those minutes.

"He's been one of our best players some nights," said Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky.

Nystrom has played north of 18 minutes a night seven times this year and north of 20 minutes twice. 

The rookie has been calm and cool in those deployments and he's even started to find a bit of offense too.

Joel Nystrom tallies his first NHL point 🍎 pic.twitter.com/3JSeK9WrzE

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) November 9, 2025

The defenseman has three points so far on the season and he hasn't been afraid to shoot the puck, with 65 shot attempts already.

"He's taken advantage of the opportunity," Brind'Amour said. "With all the injuries we've had on the backend, he's gotten an opportunity to play and he's done really well. He's a smart player. Picking up the system, being in the right places. He knows how to play. We always talk about defense and how it's hard when you first come to a new team with all the systems, but some guys pick it up right away and he's one of those guys. He always seems to be in the right place. Obviously he's not a big guy and he's still got a lot of room to grow as a player, both physically and mentally to better understand the game, but he's really done all we can ask."

Nystrom's game has perfectly fit the way the team wants to play, and that's also a testament to the team's draft strategy in finding players that can fit the team's style.

Carolina is a team that emphasizes killing plays at the blueline, holding strong gaps and being able to transition pucks through all three zones and Nystrom has shown a strong grasp of all the above.

It's been a perfect storm so far for the young blueliner and he's making the most of the golden opportunity.

“These young guys who’ve come up have really picked up the slack," said defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. "The transition for them has really been seamless. They’ve been playing like they’ve been around a while. It’s good to see. They’re playing in bigger roles than maybe they’d normally have, but it’s all about opportunity in this league."

“As he develops, we’re just going to get to see what he’s doing well more consistently," Yorke said. "We’re 16 games into his NHL career, 23 games into his North American professional career and obviously there’s been a lot of success in a very short period of time and Joel deserves all the credit in the world for playing as well as he is. We’re just looking forward to continuing to watch him grow and have more success as a Carolina Hurricane.”

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The online countdown of the top 100 hockey players aged 21-and-under continues.

The Hockey News' Prospects Unlimited issue's annual ranking of hockey's youngest talent is compiled by Ryan Kennedy, and while he uses our Future Watch rankings as a resource, this is a completely independent compilation.

Future Watch is based on a survey of NHL scouts, while the PU Top 100 is cobbled together by Kennedy based on his projections of what the players will be once they hit their primes.

Since different positions have different prime years, take that to mean we are projecting how good these forwards will be when they are 23 or 24 years old, the defensemen when they are 24 or 25 and the goalies when they are 25 or 26.

The birth year cutoff for this year’s list is 2004. Ages noted are as of Oct. 1.

As we share the top 100 list on TheHockeyNews.com, you can see the full list with player bios and draft information for each of them right now by being a subscriber to The Hockey News and accessing the Archive or by opening the magazine if you've already received it in your mailbox.

Catch up on the players ranked 61st to 80th and 81st to 100th. Here's the next batch.  

60. Jackson Smith, D, 18 years old, Columbus Blue Jackets
Penn State (Big Ten)

59. Trey Augustine, G, 20, Detroit Red Wings
Michigan State (Big Ten)

58. Dmitri Simashev, D, 20, Utah Mammoth
Utah (NHL)

57. Kevin Korchinski, D, 21, Chicago Blackhawks
Rockford (AHL)

56. Tynan Lawrence, C, 17, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
NHL Draft: 2026

55. Denton Mateychuk, D, 21, Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus (NHL)

In his second season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Denton Mateychuk has already made an impact on and off the ice. If he continues along that path, a hometown billboard will be next.  Go to the full feature on Mateychuk by clicking here. 

54. Mikhail Yegorov, G, 19, New Jersey Devils
Boston Univ. (HE)

53. Max Penkin, C, 16, Adler Mannheim (Ger.)
NHL Draft: 2027

52. Ivar Stenberg, LW, 18, Frolunda HC (Swe.)
NHL Draft: 2026

51. Mason West, C, 18, Chicago Blackhawks
Fargo (USHL)

50. Jiri Kulich, C, 21, Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo (NHL)

49. Gabe Perreault, RW, 20, New York Rangers
Hartford (AHL)

48. Isaac Howard, LW, 21, Edmonton Oilers
Bakersfield (AHL)

47. Alexis Joseph, C, 16, Saint John Sea Dogs
NHL Draft: 2027

Thanks to his size and skill, Sea Dogs center Alexis Joseph has pushed his way into the debate over who'll be the No. 1 pick in 2027. Go to the full feature on Joseph by clicking here.  

46. Marco Kasper, C, 21, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit (NHL)

A quick study after making his NHL debut last season, Marco Kasper has already established himself as a big part of the Detroit Red Wings' core. With the trust of his coaches and teammates already on his side, the future looks bright. Go to the full feature on Kasper by clicking here.  

45. JP Hurlbert, RW, 17, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
NHL Draft: 2026

44. Berkly Catton, C, 19, Seattle Kraken
Seattle (NHL)

43. Jacob Fowler, G, 20, Montreal Canadiens
Laval (AHL)

42. Logan Cooley, C, 21, Utah Mammoth
Utah (NHL)

41. James Hagens, C, 18, Boston Bruins
Boston College (HE)

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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.

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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

Nov 24, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Nashville Predators will have to enjoy their Thanksgiving turkey on the road as they make a two-game trip to Detroit on Wednesday and Chicago on Friday before heading back to Nashville for a Saturday home game against the Winnipeg Jets.

The Preds are in the midst of a three-game losing skid, the most recent loss an uninspiring 8-3 defeat at the hands of the Florida Panthers Monday at Bridgestone Arena. Filip Forsberg, Fedor Svechkov and Nick Blankenburg accounted for the three Nashville goals.

Goalie Juuse Saros allowed five goals on 16 shots before giving way to backup Justus Annunen, who saved seven of the 10 shots he faced.

Wednesday’s contest against the Red Wings is the first of two meetings between the two teams this season; they next face each other in March. Here is everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday’s game.

Game Day

Who: Nashville Predators (6-12-4) at Detroit Red Wings (13-9-1)

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Mich.

When: 6 Pm CST

TV: FanDuel Sports Network South

Radio: 102.5 The Game

Betting line (via BetMGM):

Predators

+1.5 (-175)

O 6 (-110)

+135

Red Wings

-1.5 (+145)

U 6 (-110)

-160

Preds Leaders

Filip Forsberg leads the team with nine goals and 16 points, followed by Ryan O’Reilly with six goals and 13 points. Michael Bunting (4g-7a), Erik Haula (3g-8a) and Luke Evangelista (2g-9a) each have 11 points.

Saros is 6-9-3 overall this season with a 3.08 goals-against average and .889 save percentage.

All-time against the Red Wings, Saros is 8-4-1 with a 1.88 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and two shutouts in 14 career starts. Detroit has had the upper hand in three of their last four meetings against Saros, putting up three or more goals in those outings.

Justus Annunen, who came on in relief for Saros on Monday, is still seeking his first win of 2025-26. He’s 0-3-1 with a 4.07 GAA and .836 SP.

Nashville is 6-3-1 in their last 10 vs. the Red Wings and 2-2-1 in their last five at Little Caesars Arena. The Predators are 9-5-1 in their last 15 games against the Red Wings, including six wins in a row from Feb. 23, 2021-Jan. 22, 2022, the Preds’ longest-ever win streak vs. Detroit. However, the Wings have taken four out of the last six meetings with the Preds.

On the power play, Nashville is currently 11-for-68 (16.2%), ranking them 24th in the NHL. They are 11-of-63 (82.5%) on the penalty kill, good for 12th in the League.

Scouting The Red Wings

Detroit fell 4-3 in New Jersey against the Devils in their last game. They have alternated wins and losses in their previous four outings while dropping five of their last 12. They are 6-2-1 in one-goal games this season and 10-1-1 when scoring three-or-more goals (excluding shootout-deciding goals).

Detroit is 9-4-1 when they score with the man advantage. They have the exact same record when they don’t give up a power-play goal.

The Wings are 16-for-75 with the man advantage (21.3%), which is 13th in the NHL. On the penalty kill, they are 15th at 81.3% (12-of-64).

Dylan Larkin leads the Wings with 13 goals and 25 points, while Alex DeBrincat has 11 goals and 25 points.

Cam Talbot is 9-3-0 with a 2.79 GAA and .893 SP. John Gibson is 4-6-1, 3.46, .870.