Thursday's slate of NHL action is chalk full of marquee matchups across the league with 12 games for fans to enjoy. One of the most intriguing games on the board is the league's most valuable franchise in the Toronto Maple Leafs, looking to bounce back after losses in five of their last eight games when facing off against a team that normally gives them trouble in the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

For anyone following our Pad Stack challenge, the mission has not changed. We began with a ten dollar bankroll and continue to grow it through calculated, research-driven plays. 

Our previous run ended on Monday at a season-high total of $411.47 before a last-minute empty-netter from the Florida Panthers spoiled our Vancouver spread. We are now rebuilding after resetting to $54.25, boosted by the Washington Capitals offensive outburst against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. Our aim is to keep climbing with a confident selection from Thursday's Leafs-Jackets clash. 

All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.

Islanders' Matthew Schaefer, Avalanche's Cale Makar Already Near-Locks in NHL Award RacesAn 18-year-old phenom and a Norris contender are dominating early NHL award races, setting impressive records and dazzling fans.

Picks: Leafs ML, Over 5.5 Goals, Kirill Marchenko Over 0.5 Points (+350)

The last time these teams met, the Blue Jackets overwhelmed a struggling Maple Leafs defense by scoring six times in a 6–3 victory. Toronto has shown some signs of improvement on the defensive side, highlighted by its 3–2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, but the issues are still very much present. The Leafs rank second-worst in the league in goals allowed per game at 3.70, a weakness that has been masked only by their strong offense, which averages 3.50 goals per game and sits among the NHL’s top four.

Toronto’s games have consistently turned into high-scoring matchups, and Thursday’s game is expected to follow the same pattern. Columbus has won six of its last nine meetings with Toronto, with many of those contests producing plenty of goals. The teams have combined for six or more goals in ten of their past thirteen games, and Toronto’s defensive troubles suggest that this trend will continue.

The Blue Jackets have also found some momentum, winning three of their last five games, which should give them confidence heading into this matchup. Even so, this is a spot where Toronto is positioned to rebound at home. A win here would help them reverse both their recent record against Columbus and their overall trend of losing five of their last six games.

Toronto will likely still concede a few goals, and one of the biggest threats is Columbus forward Kirill Marchenko. The 25-year-old winger leads the team with eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 20 games. He has also performed well against the Leafs recently, earning points in three of their last four meetings for a total of one goal and three assists.

Combining a Blue Jackets player to record a point with a Leafs win creates a strong same-game parlay opportunity. A wager of $54.25 on this parlay would return a profit of $189.88 for a total payout of $244.13, giving us a nice boost heading into the weekend.

Are The Detroit Red Wings For Real?Detroit's surprising start defies middling stats. Can a youth-fueled surge finally end the playoff drought?

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.

Follow Jake Tye On X For Hockey News Updates

The Detroit Red Wings head into Thursday’s matchup versus the New York Islanders with momentum after a milestone filled win over Seattle, highlighted by Dylan Larkin’s 600th point and Nate Danielson’s first NHL goal. Detroit has won three of its last four and will rely on Danielson’s growing confidence, subtle lineup shifts from coach Todd McLellan, and the red hot play of Lucas Raymond, who enters with four straight multi-point games and a five-game scoring streak.

Red Wings Ride Hot Streak Into Clash With Schaefer, Red-Hot IslandersLarkin milestone-bound, Danielson arrives. Can Detroit's hot streak survive a red-hot Islanders squad and rookie sensation Schaefer?

The Islanders arrive just as hot with five wins in their last six, powered by emerging rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who leads New York in minutes and contributes heavily in all situations. Detroit contained Schaefer in their first meeting, but the Islanders still broke through for seven goals with big contributions from Bo Horvat and Emil Heineman.

New York will likely turn to Matt Barzal as an offensive spark given his strong history against Detroit, while Horvat looks to rebound from inconsistent matchups with the Red Wings. Detroit’s top line of Raymond and Larkin has typically produced well against the Islanders and will be counted on again to drive the offense. With both teams trending upward and several young talents taking center stage, the matchup sets up as a competitive test for Detroit as they aim to avenge their earlier season loss.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Detroit Red Wings’ Expected Line Combinations vs. New York (Thursday):

DeBrincat – Larkin – Raymond

Kasper – Compher – Kane

Finnie – Danielson – Appleton

Rasmussen – Copp – van Riemsdyk

Edvinsson – Seider

Chiarot – Sandin-Pellikka

Johansson – Hamonic

Gibson

"Feeling More Comfortable": Nate Danielson Thrilled After First Career Goal Detroit Red Wings rookie forward Nate Danieson picked up the first goal of his NHL career during Tuesday evening's tilt against the Seattle Kraken.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

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 headlines don't look great.

Neither do the highlights. Or, rather, the low-lights.

After J.T. Miller looked like he gave up playing defense in a viral clip that led to a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, hockey fans from New York to Vancouver ripped into the Rangers captain, who is off to a horrendous start in the Big Apple.

"New York Rangers Regret Making Former Vancouver Canucks Star JT Miller Captain After What's Happened," wrote Canucks Daily.

"J.T. Miller Is Dragging The Rangers Down And Everyone Sees It," wrote Blue Line Station.

"9 Vancouver Canucks Players Are Outscoring J.T. Miller Right Now," wrote Daily Hive Vancouver.

Even Miller agrees he's been a mess so far this season.

"At some point you look in the mirror," he told reporters after the Rangers lost 3-2 to the Golden Knights. "Speaking on behalf of myself, I certainly expect a hell of a lot more production than what I have."

Rangers' Penalty-Kill Struggles And J.T. Miller's Harsh Criticism Of Himself Headline Loss To Golden Knights The New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers">Rangers</a> started their three-game road trip on a sour note, losing 3-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.&nbsp;

It's been less than a year since Miller was traded to the Rangers. But the verdict is in: the Canucks appear to have made the right decision in pushing Miller — not Elias Pettersson — out the door in the midst of last year's drama-filled season.

Since the trade, which saw Miller traded to the Rangers on Jan. 31 in exchange for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a first-round pick, both teams have obviously struggled. Neither made the playoffs last year. And with the NHL at the quarter mark of this season, neither is currently in a playoff spot.

That being said, Miller has struggled far more than Pettersson has.

After 21 games, Miller has four goals and is sixth on the Rangers in scoring with 10 points. It is his worst per-game production since 2014-15. Pettersson, who had the second-worst season of his career last year, meanwhile has rebounded with six goals and 19 points in 21 games. Only Quinn Hughes has produced more.

"I’ve never really gauged my game on points," Miller told reporters. "Typically, when I bring my game, the points come. That being said, this year, it seems like nothing’s really going in the net… So it’s making me frustrated. It’s hard to control that."

It's not just Miller who is feeling frustrated.

The Rangers brought in the 35-year-old veteran last year to help turn around a season that went off the rails. This year, they went one step further and named him captain in hopes of changing their losing culture. Miller even created T-shirts that said "No BS."

But as many have pointed out, in the game against Vegas it was Miller who brought  "The Most BS Effort Ever Shown On A Hockey Rink."

For Canucks fans, this has to be a relief. After all, the debate last season was over whether the team should part ways with Miller or Pettersson. At the time, you could have made the argument that both needed to be gone. But in choosing Miller over Pettersson, the Canucks may have dodged a bullet.

As many have pointed out, it's not just Pettersson who looks like a different player now that Miller is not around.

Looking At How These 5 New Canucks Have Performed In The First Quarter Of 2025–26Here's how these 5 new Canucks have performed so far throughout 2025-26.

Kiefer Sherwood, who had 19 goals last season, has exploded out of the gates with 12 goals in 21 games.  Brock Boeser, who had 25 goals last season, already has 8 goals in 19 games. And Conor Garland is on pace for a career-best 62 points.

Sure, the Canucks (9-10-2) have slightly worse record than the Rangers (10-9-2). But except for the weekly — if not daily — trade speculation surrounding Hughes, it's been mostly drama-free in Vancouver.

That's a lot more than what the Rangers can say.

---

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.

DENVER — Tristen Nielsen has been recalled by the Colorado Avalanche ahead of Thursday night’s matchup against the New York Rangers, the team announced. 

Nielsen was previously called up ahead of the November 4 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which the Avalanche won 3-2, marking his NHL debut. He skated eight shifts and logged 5 minutes and 25 seconds of ice time.

The 25‑year‑old forward has appeared in 16 games this season with the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, recording nine goals and five assists for 14 points.

Why Nielsen Was Recalled

The recall comes as the Avalanche continue to manage a lower-body injury sustained by Valeri Nichushkin. He left the ice during the third period of Colorado’s 8-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on November 11 after blocking a shot. Head coach Jared Bednar later confirmed that Nichushkin would be sidelined on a week-to-week basis. While the injury is not considered severe, it is significant enough to keep him out of action. Nichushkin resumed skating on Wednesday in a non-contact sweater.

With Gavin Brindley moving up to the second line to fill Nichushkin’s role and Logan O’Connor not yet ready to return, the Avalanche are likely to continue cycling players from the AHL for the foreseeable future.

The most recent AHL call-up was Taylor Makar, younger brother of Cale Makar, who has appeared in three NHL games this season and has made a notably strong impression.

A native of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Nielsen played a key role in the Abbotsford Canucks’ 2025 Calder Cup championship. During the 2024-25 season, he recorded 28 points in 67 regular-season games and added nine points across 24 playoff contests, both career highs for postseason production. His five playoff goals ranked tied for fifth on the Abbotsford roster.

The 5-foot-10, 192-pound forward has steadily built his professional resume since turning pro prior to the 2021-22 season. He spent four seasons with Abbotsford before joining the Avalanche organization, compiling 122 points (55 goals, 67 assists) in 238 AHL regular-season games and contributing 17 points in 36 Calder Cup playoff appearances. Nielsen signed an entry-level contract with Vancouver in 2023 after posting a career-high 41 points in 64 AHL games the previous season and has reached double-digit goals in each of his last four campaigns.

Before turning professional, Nielsen spent six seasons in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen and Vancouver Giants, tallying 175 points in 241 games. He served as an alternate captain for Vancouver in 2020-21 and finished tied for eighth in league scoring during the COVID-shortened season. Nielsen also appeared in 26 WHL playoff games and skated alongside current Avalanche goaltender Trent Miner from 2018 to 2021.

The Game

The Avalanche (13-1-5) take on the New York Rangers (10-9-2) Thursday evening at Ball Arena to conclude a four-game homestand. Coverage kicks off at 7 p.m. local time. 

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.

Jake Neighbours is back.

The St. Louis Blues forward was activated off injured-reserve on Thursday and is expected to make his return to the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers (6 p.m.; FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM). To make room for the 23-year-old, the Blues non-rostered forward Alexandre Texier and placed the 24-year-old on waivers.

This could turn out to be another Brandon Saad situation, according to section 16.12 of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement found on page 124, where the team puts Texier on waivers at 1 p.m. (CT) Thursday, and the player could can -- if unclaimed -- go to Springfield of the American Hockey League or in Saad's case, ask for mutual termination of contract in order to become a free agent and sign wherever he chooses. That's what happened with Saad last season and be signed with the Vegas Golden Knights. Texier is in the final year of a two-year, $4.2 million ($2.1 million average annual value) contract he signed after the Blues acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 28, 2024 for a 2025 fourth-round pick. 

Of course, depending on what happens, Texier could report (he will still be paid his full remaining $2.1 million) but first step is being put on waivers, which would be expected.

Neighbours, who is tied for the team lead in goals (six) in just eight games, has missed 12 games with a right leg injury stemming from a blocked shot Oct. 18 against the Detroit Red Wings.

The Blues can use the boost in the top nine, for sure, perhaps as high as top six, from a player who was off to a rock solid start to his season with seven points in eight games.

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.

On Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings return to action after a thrilling win on Tuesday over the Seattle Kraken that saw several major milestones like captain Dylan Larkin recording his 600th point while rookie Nate Danielson potted his first career goal. Detroit looks to continue their recent hot streak with three wins in their last four games when hosting rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer and the New York Islanders. 

It'll be the 132nd all-time matchup between these two teams and should be a good one as the Islanders have also been red hot with five wins in their last six games with their only loss coming against the top seed in the league in the Colorado Avalanche. It should be an interesting test for Detroit to take on this new look team and how they'll handle a new face taking over the hockey world like Schaefer.

Hockey Fights Cancer Night 💜

🏒 7:00 P.M.
📺 @FanDuelSN_DET
📻 @971theticketxyt
🎟️ https://t.co/zBxXvMUnbO
🤝 @comericabankpic.twitter.com/uEVzfD59wV

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 20, 2025

Lineup Storylines

Red Wings top prospect Nate Danielson finally arrived on Tuesday with his first career goal, a second goal on a highlight reel play but was called off due to former Griffins linemate Emmitt Finnie being caught offside before the former Grand Rapids duo brought their talents to the NHL stage and combined on a game-winning goal for the Red Wings. It was fantastic for any Detroit fan to see Danielson finally look comfortable and confident as many who have seen him play know that once he gets confident and moving the way he'd like to, that's when he truly unlocks his high-end potential. 

Line Combinations: Red Wings vs. IslandersLarkin, Raymond, and Danielson look to ignite Detroit's offense against a surging Islanders squad featuring rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer.

From plays where he deked through entire teams or snipes with his lethal shot, Danielson is now a player to look out for and will be tested against a tough Islanders team that is red hot with their defense even hotter. New York has a 2.17 goals against average during their recent six-game hot streak with their last matchup versus Detroit going well with just two goals allowed.

The lines are expected to experience a subtle shift once again as Red Wings bench boss Todd McLellan is going to look for the Griffins connection once again. McLellan will look to move Finnie down to the third line to play with Danielson while veteran winger Mason Appleton takes the other wing. Marco Kasper will get to play with Patrick Kane once again on the second line with J.T. Compher centering. 

For New York, you can always count on Islanders bench boss Patrick Roy to smash the Schaefer button. If you have not seen a New York game this season and are curious to see what Schaefer can do, you will get ample oppurtunity on Thursday. The 18-year-old Hamilton, Ontario native has the most minutes on the Islanders by a significant margin, playing on the top defense pairing, power play and penalty kill. From the blue line, he’s generated more shot attempts than anyone on the roster and has shown impressive quickness, ranking second on the team in takeaways while also clogging lanes with the fifth-most blocks.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Islanders' Matthew Schaefer, Avalanche's Cale Makar Already Near-Locks in NHL Award RacesAn 18-year-old phenom and a Norris contender are dominating early NHL award races, setting impressive records and dazzling fans.

He’ll be a key player for the Red Wings to track on Thursday, especially since they’ve only faced him once this season and were able to hold him off the scoresheet. In that meeting, Detroit couldn't handle the rest of the Islanders offense, surrendering seven goals in a 7–2 loss. Early season breakout for New York in Emil Heineman scored twice and has carried that momentum forward, entering Thursday with 14 points in 20 games. The former Montreal forward has thrived alongside the red-hot Bo Horvat, who continues to pace the Islanders with a team-leading 24 points in 20 games.

Player & Betting Trends (Presented By BetMGM)

DET ML (-133) | NYI ML (+110)

DET -1.5 (+180) | NYI +1.5 (-222)

O/U 6.0 Goals

Detroit's Lucas Raymond has been white hot with four straight multi-point games and riding a five-game point streak. He's totaled two goals and eight assists for ten points over the five games and has made the Red Wings top line lethal once again.

New York's win over Detroit earlier this season snapped a four-game winning streak in the matchup and could mean we will likely see a bounce back game for the home team on Thursday. Raymond should lead the way although he doesn't have the greatest history in this matchup. 

The Swedish winger has points in just four of his last seven games versus the Islanders, tallying three goals and two assists for five points. He'll look to keep his hot streak alive and score for the third straight game as well as the third time in his last four matchups versus New York. Top line center Dylan Larkin should be able to help get Raymond on the board once again as this is a matchup he normally excels in. The Michigan native has points in five of his last six games versus the Islanders, recording four goals and two assists for six points. 

To combat the Red Wings top line, we would expect New York's answer to be Horvat as their top line center, however the 30-year-old London, Ontario native has struggled in this matchup. He did get a pair of assists in their last matchup earlier this season but prior to that, Horvat had gone five straight games versus Detroit without recording a point.

Thursday, they may need more secondary options and that very well could come from the second line in Matt Barzal. The high-flying center has produced decent numbers this season like 15 points in 19 games but when playing against the Motor City hockey club, he finds ways to get the puck in the net. Barzal has four goals and 21 assists over his last 25 games versus the Red Wings, including eight multi-point performances and one five-assist game back in 2018.

Goalie Matchup

Detroit: John Gibson (Season: 4-5-1 record, 3.32 GAA, .875 SV% | VS NYI: 4-4-1 record, 3.31 GAA, .899 SV% in 10 games)

New York: Ilya Sorokin (Season: 6-5-2 record, 2.92 GAA, .898 SV% | VS DET: 4-4-2 record, 2.47 GAA, .911 SV% in 11 games)

Two Former Michigan Teammates Hit Major NHL Milestones On The Same NightWolverines reunited: Larkin and Werenski hit monumental NHL point milestones on the same electrifying night, echoing their Michigan glory.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

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 Ottawa Senators (9-6-4) return to action Thursday night in Anaheim, kicking off one of the longest and most demanding stretches of their season. After four full days between games, the Senators will now begin a seven-game, 13-day road trip that spans California, Nevada, Missouri, Texas, and Quebec before they finally return home in early December.

Ottawa hasn’t played since Saturday, giving them a chance to rest up before their travelling road show opens at Honda Centre on Thursday. 

The Road Ahead: 7 Games in 13 Days

Nov. 20 – at Anaheim Ducks – 10:00 p.m.
Nov. 22 – at San Jose Sharks – 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 24 – at Los Angeles Kings – 9:00 p.m.
Nov. 26 – at Vegas Golden Knights – 10:00 p.m.
Nov. 28 – at St. Louis Blues – 4:00 p.m.
Nov. 30 – at Dallas Stars – 6:00 p.m.
Dec. 2 – at Montreal Canadiens – 7:00 p.m.

Through three time zones and faceoff times all over the map, they finally return home on Dec. 4 to face the New York Rangers. The Senators will be fine if they can pull at least 7 points out of this trip. Anything less could be damaging in the very tight Atlantic Division.

As reported by Senators' host Jackson Starr, here’s how Ottawa lined up at practice on Wednesday:

Forwards

Perron – Stützle – Batherson
Greig – Cozens – Zetterlund
Amadio – Pinto – Giroux
Cousins – Halliday – Hodgson

Defence

Sanderson – Zub
Kleven – Spence
Matinpalo – Jensen

Goalies

Ullmark
Meriläinen

Senators in the Halliday Spirit

When the Senators called up Stephen Halliday on Tuesday, it looked like he might just be along to be a spare in case of injury. But it turns out that Lars Eller isn't fully healthy and isn't expected to play on Thursday, so that might open the door for Halliday, Belleville's leading scorer, to make his NHL debut. He took Eller's usual spot on the fourth line on Wednesday.

Sens Give Thanks For Probable Tkachuk Return Next Week

On this week’s Wingmen podcast, captain Brady Tkachuk shed more light on his recovery from last month’s thumb surgery. The Senators' captain revealed he hopes to rejoin the lineup about a week into the road trip and says he's targeting "hopefully, around Thanksgiving." Either way, the Sens will be in St. Louis for Thanksgiving Day, so Tkachuk will get to enjoy some holiday family time in the city he grew up in.

That would fall between the Vegas and St. Louis stops, and the captain's return would be a significant boost to a lineup that's hung in nicely without him.

What's Up, Ducks?

While the Senators were resting this week, the Ducks were busy doing them a favour on Wednesday night. Lukas Dostal made 36 saves for the Ducks (13-6-1) in a 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins.

Anaheim has now won six straight at home, and enters Thursday’s matchup surging under new head coach Joel Quenneville, who guided the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups and has also stepped into an ideal situation with a Ducks team that was ready to take flight. They've spent years collecting elite young talent during their rebuild, and now they lead the Pacific Division.

The Ducks' top six is particularly ridiculous with a pair of budding young Swedish superstars in Leo Carlsson, 20, and Cutter Gauthier, 21, leading the way. The duo has combined for 23 goals and 50 points in the first 20 games. Then you have Carp's Mason MacTavish, rejuvenated bull-in-a-china-shop Chris Kreider, and Troy Terry, who's over a point per game. 

Anaheim’s Lineup at Wednesday morning skate (via Ducks reporter Zach Cavanagh)

Forwards

Kreider – Carlsson – Terry
Gauthier – McTavish – Sennecke
Vatrano – Strome – Killorn
Johnston – Harkins – Nesterenko

Defence

LaCombe – Helleson
Zellweger – Trouba
Moore – Gudas

Goalies

Dostál
Mrázek

With Dostal getting the win in Boston on Wednesday, it's a good bet that former Ottawa 67 Petr Mrazek will start for the Ducks. Face off is at 10 pm.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

Read more Ottawa Senators articles at The Hockey News Ottawa:

Former Senators Defenseman Returns To Ottawa In Monday Trade With Philadelphia
Arthur Kaliyev Heating Up, Now Third In AHL Goal Scoring
Forsberg Returns To Ottawa As A King, Pitches A Shutout 
Senators Have Big UFA Contract Decisions In Next Few Years (Who Stays And Who Goes?)
Four More Years: Shane Pinto Signs Four-Year Extension
Creator Of 'New Heights' Gives Brady And Matthew Tkachuk Their Own Podcast

The Los Angeles Kings' signing of Adrian Kempe to a long-term contract extension earlier this week further depleted the top talent in next summer's NHL UFA pool.

Kempe joins Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov, Winnipeg Jets left winger Kyle Connor, Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and Colorado Avalanche right winger Martin Necas among the stars who've opted to remain with their current teams.

That leaves Artemi Panarin sitting atop Sportsnet's Luke Fox's list of players eligible for UFA status on July 1. The 34-year-old New York Rangers left winger is finishing a seven-year contract with an annual cap hit of $11.64 million.

Fox indicated that Panarin has no interest in accepting a pay cut to stay in New York despite his age and declining stats. Meanwhile, the Rangers aren't keen to have a high-salaried player on their roster well into his late 30s.

The Rangers will likely hang onto Panarin if they're holding a playoff berth by the March 6 NHL trade deadline. If not, they will likely entertain trade offers. Fox's colleague Nick Kypreos suggested the Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild as potential destinations for Panarin.

The Hurricanes made a big move last season by acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Avalanche last January. However, they traded him to the Dallas Stars before the deadline when he wouldn't agree to a contract extension. They might be reluctant to pursue Panarin merely as a rental player, but they could prefer that he accept less money on a shorter deal.

As for the Wild, Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic aren't convinced they'll pursue Panarin at the trade deadline. Russo doesn't see the sense of giving up assets when they could sign him on July 1 as a free agent. Smith doesn't think the aging winger is the right fit for the Wild in their quest to become a Stanley Cup contender.

Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames sits second on Fox's list. The 29-year-old defenseman is in the final season of a five-year contract with an average annual value of $4.55 million. Fox indicated that Andersson hasn't closed the door on re-signing with the Flames, but their struggles this season suggest he'll be moving on.

Fox felt the Golden Knights seemed the prime landing spot for Andersson. They have the advantage of playing in a no-tax state, and could use a replacement for sidelined blueliner Alex Pietrangelo. However, Fox noted that they've got limited salary-cap space.

The Golden Knights could find a way to free up cap room to add Andersson's remaining cap hit within their payroll, perhaps by requesting the Flames retain half of it to make the dollars fit. However, the real sticking point is whether the Golden Knights have sufficient tradeable assets to win a bidding war for Andersson's services.

---

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.

After placing defenseman Alexander Romanov on injured reserve, the New York Islanders announced that Marshall Warren has been recalled from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. 

Islanders’ Alexander Romanov Injured After Mikko Rantanen Boarding Major vs. Stars; Patrick Roy's ResponseRomanov was injured on a late-game boarding major. A costly hit against the Stars leaves Islanders fans anxiously awaiting an update on their defenseman's status.

For Warren, Romanov's expected long-term absence creates a significant opportunity for the 24-year-old.  The Laurel Hollow native filled in for Romanov earlier this season, playing two games and recording two assists in his NHL debut.

There's two questions we must ask ourselves. 

The first being why Warren was recalled over other options, and the second being just how long Warren can last at the NHL level this year?

Warren, who has been one of, if not the best, defenseman in Bridgeport all season, has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 10 AHL games this season, with four assists in six games since returning from his NHL stint.

The team had almost no choice but to recall Warren.

Isaiah George, who played 33 games for the Islanders last season, has been excellent defensively, with four points (one goal, three assists) in 14 games. But George is out injured with an upper-body injury of his own and is not available. Had George been available, it wouldn't have been a shock to see him recalled over Warren, just based on experience. 

Elsewhere, Cole McWard excelled with three goals and 11 points through 14 games, but he shoots right, not left, making him a non-option at the moment.

So, with both factors of Warren excelling and no other clear options, it became very easy for the Islanders to recall the Long Island native. 

That brings us back to the second question. Can Warren sustain a high enough level to excel at the NHL level and be a perfect internal solution to the Romanov injury?

There's plenty of evidence that says yes. Throughout Warren's career, he's consistently elevated his game and exceeded expectations placed on him, and at every new level, he's improved.

It's been highly evident in Bridgeport, where he entered last season as almost an afterthought, then became essential by the end of the season. Then, he impressed in both development and training camp, showing off improved skating, confidence, and physicality.

He carried that momentum into his AHL season and through his first call-up, where in two games, he didn't look even a little bit out of place against the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers. 

Now will be his biggest challenge, as he will be asked to fill the shoes of Romanov. The runway's in front of Warren. All he has to do is take off and take advantage of the opportunity.

While the Montreal Canadiens surprised most people by making the playoffs last year, they didn’t surprise themselves. They thought they had what it took to make it, and they did. Once there, though, they saw that it was a whole different game, a tougher one, a more vicious one and one they weren’t necessarily ready for. Nearly seven months later, the young Habs will get a chance to avenge their elimination at the hands of the Washington Capitals and put an end to a four-game losing streak, all in one swift motion.

Tonight’s opponents roll into two, riding a two-game winning streak and having put seven goals on the board last night against the Edmonton Oilers. The Caps are currently outside of the playoff picture, looking in, but they’re right on the doorstep, two points behind the surprising Pittsburgh Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Canadiens: Hughes Won’t Jump The Gun
Canadiens: Injury Plague Gives Zach Bolduc A Big Opportunity
Canadiens: Slafkovsky Rose To The Challenge

After scoring at an alarming pace last season to break Wayne Gretzky’s record, Alexander Ovechkin is on pace for 29 goals this year, which would be his lowest total since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season in which he put up 24 goals in the 45 games he played. Still, he scored a goal last night in the Caps’ offensive picnic, and with 70 career points in 60 games against Montreal, the Russian idol will no doubt be pleased to take on the Habs.

Martin St-Louis has already announced that Samuel Montembeault would be in the net tonight, despite Jakub Dobes putting an end to the Canadiens’ pointless streak on Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Still, it wasn’t a win, so switching goalies is understandable. The Becancour native has started five regular-season games against the Caps and has a 2-3-0 record to show for it, with a 3.49 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage. As for Dobes, he’s only faced them once in the regular season, winning that game with a 1.96 GAA and a .882 SV. Both goalies played in Montreal’s sole win over Washington in last season’s playoffs since Dobes relieved Montembeault after he was injured.

GOTTA SEE IT: Tom Wilson And Josh Anderson Fight On Capitals Bench

The Capitals have yet to confirm who will be in the net, but since Logan Thomson was on duty Wednesday night, it would make sense for Charlie Lindgren to get the nod. The former member of the Habs’ organization has a 3-1-0 record against his former team with a 2.51 GAA and a .899 SV. As for Thompson, he has a 1-0-1 record against the Canadiens with a 3.04 GAA and a .889 SV. He’s established himself as the clear number one in the American capital, having started 14 games to Lindgren’s six.

Tonight’s game is the first of three duels between the two sides this season, the other two being scheduled in January (in Washington) and February (in Montreal). The Caps have won six of the last 10 duels between the two teams, but they’ve outscored the Canadiens 40-32 in that span.

On top of Ovechkin, many Caps have enjoyed playing the Canadiens over the years. John Carlson has 26 points in 44 duels, Tom Wilson has 19 points in 28 games, and Dylan Strome has 13 points in just 12 matches.

Meanwhile, both Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have more than a point per game against tonight’s visitors. The captain has 19 points in just 15 games, while the sniper has 13 points in 11 games. Alternate captains Brendan Gallagher and Mike Matheson also have 13 points each, but in 30 and 27 games, respectively.

Yesterday at practice, St-Louis stuck to the new lines he used against Columbus on Monday, meaning Zach Bolduc will skate on the first line and Juraj Slafkovsky on the second. Given the history between the two teams, we should be able to see St-Louis’ new power-play units at work as well.

While the Capitals were busy handing out a defeat to the Oilers last night, the Canadiens were busy donating their time at the organization’s 44th blood drive. Close to 850 people had booked appointments to donate blood, and the reward for their good deed was the opportunity to meet some of the players and members of the organization. It was all hands on deck as players relayed each other throughout the day to greet donors and sign autographs.

The initiative was launched in 1981 by the late, great Jean Beliveau, and according to an Hema Quebec representative, it has saved over 116,000 lives since its inception, meaning you could fill up the Bell Centre six times with the people whose lives it has changed. Fans in attendance tonight will hope the players won’t be as generous with their opponents as they were with their time with the donors yesterday. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM, and you can catch the game on RDS, TSN2, and MNMT.

---

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the road to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Scotiabank Arena. 

The Maple Leafs come into this game sitting at 9-9-2 with 20 points. They've gone 4-5-1 in their last 10 and are 1-4-1 in their last 6 games. Not exactly what you expect to see out of the Maple Leafs, but then again, this entire season has been wacky around the league. They also currently sit 7th in the Atlantic Division and 15th in the East. I know, mind blown right?

Everyone knew when Mitch Marner bolted for Vegas that they'd have a tough time replacing those 100 points, but I don't think anyone expected this. There are some mitigating circumstances though. Auston Matthews, Scott Laughton, Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo, and Anthony Stolarz are all on IR, with Matthew Knies and Nicolas Roy also out. This is not an ideal situation for a team always expected to compete for a Stanley Cup. 

With all that being said, the Blue Jackets won't feel sorry for them, as they're dealing with injuries of their own. The Blue Jackets have historically played well in Toronto and will be looking to get back to winning and earn some points in this wacky Eastern Conference. 

The CBJ currently sits 5th in the Metro, 10th in the East, and 20th in the league. 

Blue Jackets Stats

• Power Play - 17.4% - 22nd in NHL
• Penalty Kill - 72.0% - 28th in NHL
• Goals For - 59 - 18th in NHL
• Goals Against - 64 - 23rd in NHL

Maple Leafs Stats

• Power Play - 15.1% - 28th in NHL
• Penalty Kill - 78.3% - 20th in NHL
• Goals For - 70 - 2nd in NHL
• Goals Against - 74 - 30th in NHL

Series History vs. The Maple Leafs

• Columbus is 22-20-1 all-time, and 12-9-1 on the road vs. Toronto.
• The Jackets are 5-2 in the last 7 against the Maple Leafs, and have scored 5-plus goals in every win.
• The Blue Jackets are 12-6 inside Scotiabank Arena in the last 18 games.
• The CBJ went 2-1 vs. the Leafs last season.

Who To Watch For TheMaple Leafs

• John Tavares leads the Leafs with 11 goals.
• William Nylander leads the team with 18 assists and 27 points.
• Goalie Joseph Woll is 1-1 with a SV% of .934. He last played on November 18 and won.
• Dennis Hildeby is 2-0-2 with a SV% of .904.

CBJ Player Notes vs.Maple Leafs

• Zach Werenski has 17 points in 18 career games against Toronto.
• Charlie Coyle has 25 points in 31 games.
• Sean Monahan has 18 points in 29 games vs. the Maple Leafs.
• Mathieu Olivier has 8 points in 6 games.

Injuries 

• Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 12 games - IR
• Boone Jenner - Upper Body - Missed 4 Games - IR

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 28

How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 93.3 The Bus, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.  

Let us know what you think below.

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.

A tough test awaits the Florida Panthers as they continue their five-game homestand on Thursday.

Florida, fresh off a wild 8-5 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, will welcome Nico Hischier and the New Jersey Devils to Sunrise.

The Devils are off to a hot start this season, jumping out to a strong 13-5-1 record.

This will be the second of three meetings between the Panthers and Devils this season.

New Jersey defeated the Cats 3-1 back on Oct. 16.

Despite Florida jumping out to an early 1-0 lead, the Devils clawed their way back on goals by Jack Hughes, Timo Meier and Hischier.

While the Devils are one of the league’s best teams on home ice so far this season – New Jersey is the only team in the NHL without a regulation loss at home – they’ve been much more average on the road.

Following Monday’s 5-1 loss in Tampa, the Devils are 6-5-0 on the road, which is nothing to sneeze at but pales in comparison to their 7-0-1 mark at Prudential Center.

Florida, similarly, has been quite good on home ice.

Their three-goal win over Vancouver earlier this week improved the Cats’ record at Amerant Bank Arena to 7-2-1.

Fueling Florida’s offense for much of this season has been Brad Marchand, and of late Sam Reinhart has also stepped up his game.

Marchand is currently riding an 11-game point streak during which he’s racked up an impressive 10 goals and 17 points.

Reinhart has three goals and eight points over a modest four-game point streak, but he’s also accumulated eight goals and 13 points over his past 11 outings.

The potent pair will certainly be trying to keep the good times rolling against the Devils, knowing that Florida will be entering the game as shorthanded as they’ve been all season.

Joining the team’s already extensive injured list this week were Eetu Luostarinen and Cole Schwindt, which caused the Cats to call up promising young forward Jack Devine from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers.

Devine will make his NHL debut on Thursday.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Thursday’s battle with the Canucks:

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

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones

Uvis Balinskis – Jeff Petry

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Panthers injury updates on Eetu Luostarinen, Cole Schwindt, Matthew Tkachuk

Florida Panthers uniforms for 2026 Winter Classic revealed

South Florida's St. Thomas University launching hockey program that will debut in 2026

Three takeawys: Panthers embracing next man up mentality, Seth Jones starting to heat up offensively

Panthers' Cole Schwindt To Be Evaluated By Doctor; Expected To Be Out Long-Term

Photo caption: Nov 1, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Dallas Stars during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

For a second year in a row, the Montreal Canadiens top TSN’s core-four under-24 ranking. This year, the Habs’ core four used in the rankings is made up of Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, Jacob Fowler and Juraj Slafkovsky. Last year, Cole Caufield was part of that ranking, but now that he’s no longer eligible because of his age, they’ve slotted in Jacob Fowler instead.

To make up these standings, TSN rates players with grades going from AAA for superstars, AA for elite players, A for number one goaltender, first-line forward, or first pairing defenseman, B for tandem goalie, top-four defenseman or top-six forward and C for back-up goalies, depth defenseman or bottom-six forward.

Canadiens: Hughes Won’t Jump The Gun
Canadiens: Injury Plague Gives Zach Bolduc A Big Opportunity
Canadiens: Slafkovsky Rose To The Challenge

For TSN, both Hutson, the reigning Calder Trophy winner, and Demidov, a serious candidate for the Calder this year, deserve an AAA grade as superstars in the making. As for Fowler, who they believe will be the Canadiens’ starter sooner or later, they give him an A, just like Slafkovsky, who’s been a mainstay on the Canadiens’ first line over the last few years, and up until the previous game, really.

It's interesting to note that in these rankings, Hutson was labelled a B player in 2023 and an A player in 2024. It took time, but the young defenseman has finally earned the panel's respect.

Fowler’s inclusion was a logical move given the fact that he already has three shutouts in the AHL this season, and he’s sporting a .924 save percentage. TSN’s Chris Peters calls him “ as close as you get to a sure thing in goal”. Given the state of goaltending in Montreal this season, this will be music to the fans’ ears.

The Canadiens edged the Chicago Blackhawks in the rankings (the Hawks have only one AAA player, Conor Bedard),  and the San Jose Sharks  for the same reason. The complete rankings can be found here.

---

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. 

The Vancouver Canucks (9-10-2) return home for a two-game homestand, starting with a matchup against the Dallas Stars (12-5-3). This will be the second meeting between these two Pacific Division teams, with Vancouver picking up a 5-3 victory earlier in the season. Both the Canucks and the Stars are coming off losses and will be motivated to get back in the win column on Thursday night. 

This game is shaping up to be a memorable one as Quinn Hughes hits the 450 mark for his NHL career. When the puck drops, he will become just the 13th defenceman to play 450 regular-season games for Vancouver. While he is only 26, Hughes is already considered the best defender in franchise history and is in the conversation for best defenceman currently playing in the NHL.

If the Canucks are going to win this game, they need to find a way to shut down Dallas' power play. The Stars come into this game ranked second in the NHL with a 31.9% power play rate. If Vancouver's penalty kill can't find a way to step up, they could be playing from behind late in the game. 

Players To Watch:

David Kämpf:

Thursday will be the first time fans at Rogers Arena get to see David Kämpf in action. The 30-year-old had a rough first game with the Canucks, as he was on the ice for five goals against in 14:08. Projected to play on a line with Conor Garland and Brock Boeser, Kämpf should get plenty of minutes Thursday against Dallas. 

Wyatt Johnston: 

Wyatt Johnston has been virtually unstoppable on the power play this year. Of his 11 goals, eight have come with the man advantage while his 13 power play points ranks second on the team. Johnston is developing into an elite young talent who could haunt Vancouver for years to come. 

 Vancouver Canucks (9–10–2): 

Points: 

Quinn Hughes: 1–19–20

Elias Pettersson: 6–13–19

Kiefer Sherwood: 12–3–15 

Brock Boeser: 8–6–14

Conor Garland: 5–8–13

Goaltenders: 

Thatcher Demko: 5–4–0  

Kevin Lankinen: 4–5–2 

Jiří Patera: 0-1-0

Dallas Stars (12-5-3):

Points: 

Mikko Rantanen: 9-18-27

Jason Robertson: 11-14-25

Wyatt Johnston: 11-10-21

Miro Heiskanen: 3-15-18

Roope Hintz: 4-12-16

Goaltenders: 

Jake Oettinger: 8-4-2

Casey DeSmith: 4-1-1

Game Information: 

Start time: 7:00 pm PT

Venue: Rogers Arena

Television: Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 650 

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

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Looking At How These 5 New Canucks Have Performed In The First Quarter Of 2025–26

Canucks Adam Foote Provides Injury Updates On Blueger, Forbort and Höglander

5 Storylines From The First Quarter Of The Vancouver Canucks' 2025-26 Season

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 Anaheim Ducks saw the return of their captain, Radko Gudas, in their 3-2 overtime win over the Utah Mammoth. With his return to the lineup, they had seven healthy NHL-caliber defensemen on their roster.

Pavel Mintyukov has served the last two games as the Ducks’ healthy scratch, all too familiar a situation to that which he faced a season ago, when the Ducks had a logjam on their blueline. In that instance, the logjam was caused by bringing on board a plethora of veteran defensemen, which caused Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger to alternate healthy scratch duties until it was finally relieved at the 2025 trade deadline.

Takeaways from the Ducks' 4-3 Win over the Bruins

Takeaways from the Ducks 3-2 OT Win over the Mammoth

This year, the logjam has been caused by the emergence of Ian Moore, another young defenseman, who is perhaps a bit less volatile, more responsible on the defensive side of the puck, and cleaner during breakouts.

Premier NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported in his latest “32 Thoughts” blog that Mintyukov would prefer to be traded rather than be forced to sit in the press box. “After back-to-back healthy scratches, word filtered that Ducks defenceman Pavel Mintyukov would like to be moved if he’s not going to play,” Friedman reported in his piece. “He has fallen behind Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger on the left side of Anaheim’s defence. Ian Moore, who had a strong camp, was elevated in Mintyukov’s place. This is the 10th overall pick in the 2022 draft, so Ducks GM Pat Verbeek will not be rushed into anything. Something to keep an eye on.”

Mintyukov is 149 games into his NHL career and has scored 50 points (9-41=50), including three points (0-3=3) in 18 games this season. He put together a quality rookie season in 2023-24, scoring 28 points (4-24=28) in 63 games and showing flashes of what he could be at the highest level of the sport.

His 2024-25 was a struggle, as he seemed to be negatively affected by the scratches or the possibility of scratches, limiting his willingness to take chances and involve himself offensively, where he thrives most.

Mintyukov is at his best when he can diagnose a rush, disrupt it, spark a counterattack, and remain involved on the offensive cycle with constant activations. He’s an instinctual player who has the potential to become a true two-way force and fill scoresheets nightly.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t seized the opportunity afforded by Gudas’ absence, and he seemed to be leapfrogged by Moore in the process. It’s simply a numbers game, and he’s been the Ducks’ seventh-best defenseman this season (opinion).

As Friedman mentioned, Verbeek won’t be rushed into a decision, but Mintyukov’s value will only go down from here. His value should still be relatively high, as he’s just four years removed from his draft (when he was Verbeek’s first-ever draft pick), had a decent rookie season, and is still only 21 years old (22 on Nov. 25).

If traded, Mintyukov would be the fourth top-ten pick of the 2022 draft traded after selection and the sixth top-15 pick. This could all be undone with another injury (it is still hockey after all) or if he finds his way into the lineup tomorrow (Thursday), as the Ducks will be on their second game of a back-to-back.

Ducks’ Young Core Learning to Be Leaders

Leo Carlsson Sees Point Streak End, How Avalanche and Red Wings Limited the Young Star