The Florida Panthers suffered a second consecutive loss on Monday afternoon, dropping a matinee in Buffalo 5-3 to the host Sabres.
Panthers starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom played a strong first period, stopping nine of 11 shots, including all four high danger shots sent his way by Buffalo.
Markstrom did not return for the second period, though, with backup netminder Akira Schmid finishing off the game for Florida.
Afterward, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice provided an update on Markstrom, indicating that the injury was nothing sinister.
“It just tightened up so we pulled him,” said Maurice. “We’ll see. There’s no injury there we don’t think that we can’t deal with, just standard stuff.”
Through five starts, Markstrom has been solid for the Panthers between the pipes.
He’s stopped 85 of the 94 shots he’s faced, good for a .904 save percentage to go with a tidy 2.03 goals against average.
When facing high danger chances, that’s where Markstrom has really shined for Florida.
According to Natural Stat Trick, Markstrom has saved 23 of the 25 high danger shots he’s faced, which would rank him third among goaltenders who have seen at least 20 high danger shots this season.
Hopefully for the Panthers, whatever kept Markstrom from finishing Monday’s game wont be anything that lingers.
There was also something else that happened Monday in Buffalo that is worth a mention.
New Panthers forward Brady Tkachuk picked up his first point with the team, picking up an assist on Sam Reinhart’s first power play goal of the game.
It was no ordinary assist, either, as Tkachuk sent a perfect pass that was also between-the-legs and backwards-facing to Reinhart, who then had a yawning cage to deposit the puck into.
BRADY TKACHUK BETWEEN-THE-LEGS FEED TO REINHART TO TIE IT 😮💨
We’ll see if this leads to the younger Tkachuk starting to pile up some points, as his brother Matthew now has a five-game point streak going in which he’s scored three goals.
So far through six games, Brady Tkachuk has the one point, 15 shots on 31 attempts, 26 hits, nine penalty minutes and a minus-5 on-ice rating while winning 61.3% of the 31 faceoffs he’s taken.
“I’ve been fine with his game,” said Maurice. “He’s netfront and battling all night, one went for him. I thought he was close to that happening five or six times since he’s been here, so I haven’t spent any time worrying about his points. He’s fine.”
Photo caption: Sep 29, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers goaltenderJacobMarkstrom(25) leaves the ice after warm ups before a game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)
Three games. Two goaltenders. Two victories and one defeat. And a developing storyline for the Vegas Golden Knights that could become a key factor in their success this season.
The Golden Knights have demonstrated they can win with either Carter Hart or Adin Hill between the pipes. They've also learned that neither is immune to difficult stretches, especially in the opening period, when mistakes can quickly change a game's complexion.
Monday's 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild provided the latest example.
Hart surrendered three goals during a five-minute stretch of the first period before settling down, finishing with 24 saves as Vegas saw its four-game winning streak snapped.
The performance was reminiscent of Hill's start against Toronto four nights earlier, when he allowed three goals on the Maple Leafs' first six shots before recovering to backstop a 4-3 shootout victory.
In between, Hart delivered perhaps the most complete goaltending performance of the Golden Knights' young season, stopping 26 shots in Saturday's 2-1 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings.
Three performances, each with its own challenges, have given first-year coach Ryan Craig an early glimpse of what his goaltending tandem can offer—and where improvements are still needed.
Another Early Deficit Raises Questions
Monday's setback in Minnesota unfolded in a familiar fashion.
Vegas played a competitive opening stretch before the Wild erupted for three goals in 5:07, beginning with Matt Boldy's rebound goal at 11:50 of the first period.
Maxim Shabanov scored a power-play goal at 14:32, and Danila Yurov extended Minnesota's lead to 3-0 at 16:57.
For the second time in three games, the Golden Knights found themselves facing a three-goal deficit before the first intermission.
Hart wasn't solely responsible for the breakdown. Defensive lapses, positioning and the inability to quickly regain composure contributed to Minnesota's surge.
But the goaltender was once again left confronting the challenge of keeping his team within striking distance.
To Hart's credit, he did not allow another goal on 15 shots over the final two periods.
Rasmus Andersson scored early in the second period, and William Karlsson brought Vegas within 3-2 midway through the third.
The Golden Knights pressed for the equalizer before Joel Eriksson Ek sealed Minnesota's victory with an empty-net goal.
Hart finished with a .889 save percentage, allowing three goals on 27 shots.
The loss dropped Hart to 3-2-0 in five starts.
And while Monday was a setback, it did little to diminish the confidence his teammates had expressed after his previous appearance.
Hill's Comeback Against Toronto Provides a Blueprint
If there was a positive lesson to be drawn from Monday's loss, it was that Vegas had already experienced a similar situation and demonstrated an ability to recover.
Thursday's matchup against Toronto began disastrously for Hill.
Jack Roslovic scored 34 seconds into the contest, Easton Cowan converted a breakaway, and Nick Paul made it 3-0 just 8:37 into the game.
Hill had allowed three goals on six shots.
But instead of allowing the situation to deteriorate, the veteran goaltender settled down and gave his teammates an opportunity to rally.
Vegas dominated the remainder of the contest, eventually tying the game before Trevor Connelly scored the deciding goal in the fifth round of the shootout.
Hill stopped 21 of 24 shots in regulation and overtime and made the decisive shootout save against John Tavares.
Craig praised his goaltender's ability to recover.
"I think the guys picked Hilly up and he responded," Craig said. "As our team got better, Hilly got better."
Mitch Marner was equally impressed with Hill's composure.
"I feel like Hilly's so calm and confident himself, regardless of what happens before, so you see that tonight," Marner said. "Just stayed with it. We have a lot of trust in either of those boys in net. So, when we needed him massively, he made some big saves."
That trust has become an important component of Vegas' early-season identity.
Hill, who helped lead the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2023, understands the demands of playing in high-pressure situations.
Through his first two appearances this season, Hill is 2-0-0 with a 2.41 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.
Those numbers aren't spectacular, but his ability to overcome Thursday's difficult start illustrated the mental resilience necessary to succeed at the position.
Hart Demonstrates His Value Against Los Angeles
Saturday's victory over the Kings offered perhaps the clearest example of why Craig has confidence in Hart.
The 28-year-old goaltender stopped 26 of 27 shots, finishing with a .963 save percentage in a tightly contested game that required patience and precision.
His biggest contribution came during a Los Angeles five-on-three power play, when a timely save helped preserve the tie and energized the crowd at T-Mobile Arena.
Craig recognized the significance of the moment.
"Well, it energized us. That's what it did for us," Craig said. "I thought the building got alive after that."
The coach credited his penalty killers for their work during the sequence but emphasized Hart's contribution.
"But Carter came up big when we needed him to make a save," Craig said.
Hart also denied Quinton Byfield early in overtime, setting the stage for Marner's winning power-play goal at 2:40.
Afterward, Hart downplayed his individual performance.
"I mean, just I think just compete and just trying to make saves," Hart said. "Really, that's about it."
His understated approach reflected the mentality Craig has been trying to establish throughout the lineup.
For Hart, the performance also represented another encouraging step after serving as Vegas' primary postseason goaltender during its run to the Stanley Cup Final last spring.
Hart started all 22 of the Golden Knights' playoff games, providing valuable experience in pressure situations that could prove important as the season progresses.
A Goaltending Competition Worth Watching
Through seven games, the Golden Knights have relied on both goaltenders, with Hart receiving five starts and Hill two.
Hart's totals include his 24-save performance on Monday. Combined, the tandem has made 154 saves on 171 shots for a .901 save percentage.
Hart's workload suggests Craig has been comfortable giving him the majority of the starts, although Hill's championship experience and undefeated record provide another viable option.
The challenge isn't necessarily deciding which goaltender deserves the No. 1 designation.
It's determining how to maximize both players over the course of an 82-game season.
Craig has already demonstrated a willingness to trust his goaltenders through difficult stretches rather than making immediate changes.
That approach was rewarded Thursday when Hill recovered against Toronto and again Saturday when Hart delivered against Los Angeles.
Monday's loss offered another reminder that consistency remains a work in progress.
The Golden Knights have allowed three first-period goals twice in their past three games, a concerning trend that extends beyond goaltending.
Defensive coverage, puck management and composure all contribute to a team's ability to protect its netminders.
And while both Hart and Hill have demonstrated the capacity to recover from difficult starts, repeatedly asking them to overcome early three-goal deficits isn't a sustainable formula.
Finding Consistency Between the Pipes
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Vegas' goaltending situation is the confidence that continues to exist throughout the dressing room.
Marner's comments following Thursday's victory were particularly revealing.
The Golden Knights aren't approaching their goaltending tandem with uncertainty. They believe either player can provide the saves necessary to win.
And while Monday's result exposed areas requiring improvement, it also reinforced the importance of maintaining perspective during the opening weeks of a long season.
Hart has already delivered several strong performances, including victories against Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles.
Hill has won both his starts, including Thursday's comeback against Toronto.
Neither has recorded a shutout, and both have experienced periods when the opposition has dictated play.
But their combined five victories have helped Vegas establish itself among the early contenders in the Western Conference.
The Golden Knights return to action Tuesday at Nashville, where the second game of a back-to-back presents Craig with another opportunity to evaluate his goaltending options.
Whether Hill gets the assignment or Hart returns to the crease, the expectation remains the same.
Give the Golden Knights an opportunity to win.
And if the first seven games have demonstrated anything, it's that Vegas has two goaltenders capable of doing exactly that — even if the path toward establishing consistency remains unfinished.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are back at home for a brief two game homestand and will face the Florida Panthers tonight at 6:15 PM.
Florida Panthers - 2-2-2 - 6 Points - Loss 2 - 6th in the Atlantic
Columbus Blue Jackets - 2-2-0 - 4 Points - Loss 1 - 6th in the Metro
Teams Notes Per CBJ PR
After being out for pre-season and the Jackets’ first two regular-season games, Damon Severson made his season debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 9, scoring a goal and an assist (1-1-2).
The Blue Jacket lead the league in faceoff % with a 58.6% win %.
Columbus is currently 5th in the Metro, 13th in the East, and 25th in the league.
Player Notes Per CBJ PR
Charlie Coyle has 10-7-17 in 33 career GP vs. Florida with 6-4-10 in 17 career home games against the Panthers.
Danton Heinen has 4-9-13 in 24 career GP vs. Florida, with points in four of his last six matchups (1-3-4).
Matthew Knies has 3-3-6 in 12 career GP, including three multi-point games that have all occurred on home ice (6 GP).
Sean Monahan has 8-7-15 with five multi-point efforts in 22 career matchups and has notched 5-5-10 in 11 career home contests vs. Florida.
Valeri Nichushkin has collected 2-4-6 in 13 career games vs. Florida, with all points in his last four meetings against the club.
Cole Sillinger has 3-2-5 in 11 career GP, and has goals in two of his past four against Florida (2-1-3).
Carson Soucy has picked up 1-1-2 in back-to-back games against Florida and has notched 4-2-6 in 13 career matchups.
Blue Jackets Stats
Power Play - 20.0% - 19th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 75.9% - 23rd in the NHL
Goals For - 12 - 24th in the NHL
Goals Against - 14 - 14th in the NHL
PanthersStats
Power Play - 9.4% - 28th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 74.1% - 24th in the NHL
Goals For - 12 - 24th in the NHL
Goals Against - 17 - 21st in the NHL
Series History vs. ThePanthers
The Blue Jackets are 27-21-8 Overall, and 17-7-4 at Nationwide Arena vs. Florida.
Columbus has picked up points in four straight games against Florida (1-0-3), with three of the past four games having gone past regulation.
Who To Watch For ThePanthers
Matthew Tkachuk leads Florida with 3 goals and 5 points.
Lars Eller leads the Panthers with 3 assists.
Jacob Markstrom is 2-1-1 with a SV% of .904%.
Akira Schmid is 0-1-1 with a SV% of .868%.
Injured Reserve & Other Injuries
Dante Fabbro - Broken Hand - IR - 4 Games Missed
Isac Lundestrom - Achilles Surgery - LTIR - 4 Games Missed
Ivan Provorov - Lower Body - IR - 4 Games Missed
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 16
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be simulcast on The Blue Jackets Hockey Network and 97.1 The Fan, with Steve Mears behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
TV: CBJHN (Spectrum HD Ch. 320/1320; IP Ch. 349; Prime Video, Fubo)
Next Up For Columbus: The CBJ take on the Florida Panthers tonight at 6:15 PM
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The Vancouver Canucks (2–5–0) begin the second-half of their six-game road trip when they face the New York Islanders (2–3–0) tonight. Both teams will enter today’s game after suffering losses on the weekend. Vancouver comes into today’s game after suffering a 6–2 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday, while the Islanders’ last matchup saw them lose 5–3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
One of the biggest storylines following the Canucks throughout their road trip thus far has been their goaltending. From back-to-back performances from Kevin Lankinen resulting in six goals-against, to wacky equipment issues for Leevi Meriläinen, Vancouver’s goaltenders have taken center stage since they made it out east.
Things have been especially difficult for Lankinen, who is currently sporting a 6.88 GAA and .786 SV% through the start of the season. While the goaltender has been given relatively difficult matchups in relation to Vancouver’s schedule (such as starts against the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes), Lankinen’s numbers have been worrisome so far through 2026–27. The fact that the Canucks have looked very much like a team still figuring things out defensively doesn’t help.
It’ll be interesting to see who Vancouver opts to start heading into Tuesday’s matchup, though considering the fact that Lankinen technically hasn’t gotten a full game off since October 3 (as he played in five minutes of Saturday’s 4–1 loss to the New Jersey Devils), it’d make sense for Meriläinen to step in against the Islanders.
Players To Watch:
Jonathan Lekkerimäki
One player who has quietly impressed in Vancouver’s first games of the 2026–27 season is Jonathan Lekkerimäki. The forward has spent the majority of the early season on a line with Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk, with the trio doing a consistently fair job of generating offence for their team. His two goals and three assists are currently tied for third on Vancouver in points.
Bo Horvat
Former Canucks always seem to do well against their ex-team, and Bo Horvat is no exception. Since being traded to the Islanders in January of 2023, Horvat has averaged a point-per-game pace against Vancouver through five matchups. He enters today’s game riding a five-game point streak to start the 2026–27 season, with four of these points being goals.
Dec 19, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) makes a pad save against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Vancouver Canucks (2–5–0):
Points:
Elias Pettersson: 2–6–8
Paul Cotter: 4–2–6
Jake DeBrusk: 3–2–5
Jonathan Lekkerimäki: 2–3–5
Linus Karlsson: 1–4–5
Goaltenders:
Kevin Lankinen: 1–5–0
Leevi Meriläinen: 1–0–0
New York Islanders (2–3–0):
Points:
Bo Horvat: 4–2–6
Brayden Schenn: 2–3–5
Logan Stanley: 0–4–4
Matthew Schaefer: 0–4–4
Jean-Gabriel Pageau: 1–2–3
Goaltenders:
Ilya Sorokin: 2–2–0
Semyon Varlamov: 0–1–0
Game Information:
Start time: 4:45 pm PT
Venue: UBS Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: KiSS West Coast
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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Rieger Lorenz isn’t wasting any time making his presence felt with the Minnesota Wild.
Just two games into his NHL career, the 22-year-old forward has already displayed the qualities that helped earn him his first opportunity at the highest level.
Speed, physicality, relentless forechecking and a willingness to stand up for himself have all been evident in Lorenz’s first two appearances.
During Monday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Grand Casino Arena, Lorenz continued to make an impression, contributing to Minnesota’s third goal and dropping the gloves for his first NHL fight.
For Wild head coach John Hynes, those contributions are exactly what the organization hoped to see from the young forward.
“A lot of speed and a high competitiveness factor on the forecheck,” Hynes said. “I think, I don’t know if you saw it or not, but even I think his first shift in Florida was a forecheck, and he got a point-blank slot shot right there.”
“He’s hard on the puck and very competitive. Seems like he’s responsible and understands how to play without the puck.”
Lorenz’s impact was particularly noticeable on Minnesota’s third goal against Vegas.
After the Golden Knights failed to secure a loose puck, Lorenz used his speed and aggressive forechecking instincts to pressure the play, helping create an opportunity that Bobby Brink capitalized on.
It was the type of sequence that illustrated why Lorenz has been able to make an immediate impression despite having limited NHL experience.
“I felt a little bit jittery in the first two shifts there,” Lorenz said. “So I think, you know, when that loose puck’s there, that’s my job as a forechecker, to go get it. And I was lucky that Bobby made an unbelievable play.”
That ability to create opportunities through pressure is something Hynes has already identified as one of Lorenz’s biggest strengths.
“When you see him, what he brings is, he’s a hard guy, very competitive and hard on the puck,” Hynes said. “But his speed has certainly been a factor as well.”
However, Lorenz’s offensive contributions weren’t the only thing that caught attention Monday.
The young forward also found himself involved in his first NHL fight, showing that he isn’t intimidated by the physical demands of the league.
Lorenz explained that the altercation began after he finished a check and was confronted by his opponent.
“I was trying to do my job. I kind of finished my check up there, and he kind of grabbed me,” Lorenz said. “And I’m always willing to go.”
When asked whether his opponent had initiated the fight, Lorenz made it clear that he wasn’t going to back down.
“I think also, watch the video. I think he kind of dropped his gloves, and then, like I said, I’m not going to shy away from it.”
That willingness to compete physically is something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates.
Michael McCarron, who knows a thing or two about the physical side of hockey, praised Lorenz for how he handled his first NHL fight.
“Yeah, it was good,” McCarron said. “Lauzon is no weak opponent for your first fight. That’s a big boy. He knows what he’s doing.”
“I thought Rieger did a great job. He stood in there and he’s willing to stand up for himself. He did a great job.”
Beyond the physicality, Lorenz is also making an impression with his maturity.
Following the victory, Lorenz had the opportunity to recognize one of his teammates by presenting McCarron with the team’s postgame helmet.
Rather than focusing on Hughes' two points or Wallstedt's night, Lorenz highlighted the work McCarron had done throughout the game.
“He had some huge blocks. He was a dog in the faceoff dot and also on the forecheck,” Lorenz said. “He had some awesome forechecks for our team.”
“And when we had the momentum against us, I think he went out there and did a solid job to turn it back in our favor.”
For Hynes, that decision offered another glimpse into Lorenz’s character.
“New guy in the organization, but just really good head on his shoulders, sharp kid,” Hynes said. “I think a little bit wise beyond his years. He seems like the kind of guy that just gets it. Whether it’s hockey or a little bit of life or a situation, he seems like he’s on top of things.”
Monday’s game also carried additional significance for Lorenz.
The former University of Denver forward is no stranger to Grand Casino Arena, having previously played in the building during his collegiate career.
Now, he’s experiencing those moments on an entirely different stage.
“It’s pretty cool,” Lorenz said. “It seems like all the biggest moments of my hockey career have happened in this arena. So it’s pretty nice to kind of keep on that train.”
“Obviously, we’re so well supported here in Minnesota, and it’s just a pleasure playing in front of these fans.”
For a player just beginning his NHL career, Lorenz has already provided plenty of reasons for the Wild coaching staff to take notice.
His speed has created pressure, his physicality has added another dimension to Minnesota’s bottom six, and his maturity has impressed both teammates and coaches.
Two games certainly aren’t enough to determine what Lorenz’s long-term role with the Wild will look like. But if his first two NHL appearances are any indication, the young forward understands exactly what he needs to do to stick around.
And he isn’t going to shy away from doing it.
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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 15: Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins face-off during the third period at the United Center on February 15, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Who:Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2-1, 7 points, 3rd place Metropolitan Division) @ Chicago Blackhawks (1-5-0, 2 points, 8th place Central Division)
When: 8:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Local broadcast on Chicago Sports Network and Sportsnet Pittsburgh, streaming on ESPN+
Pens’ Path Ahead: This is the start of a four-game road trip, which continues this weekend with a back-to-back in Denver (Friday) and Las Vegas (Saturday) before wrapping up Monday in Salt Lake City.
Opponent Track: The Blackhawks have been outscored 26-12 during their 1-5 start to the season. The Hawks are riding a two-game losing streak into Tuesday after most recently losing 5-2 to the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.
Season Series: The Penguins won both games of this season series last year, winning 7-3 against a team missing Connor Bedard in December before claiming a 6-2 victory in January.
Hidden Stat: The Blackhawks have had one of the worst power plays in the NHL so far this season after going 1-f0r-14 on the man advantage through six games. The home team will see if that changes tonight with the potential return of Connor Bedard.
Tyler Bertuzzi – Anton Frondell – Teuvo Teravainen
Cole Smith – Ryan Greene – Jordan Greenway
Oliver Moore – Dominic Toninato – Ryan Donato
DEFENSEMEN
Bowen Byram – Artyom Levshunov
Alex Vlasic – Ian Cole
Wyatt Kaiser – Sam Rinzel
Goalies: Spencer Knight, Arvid Soderblom
Potential scratches: Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, Nick Lardis
Injured Reserve: Andrew Mangiapane
Suspended: Frank Nazar
Connor Bedard could be making his season debut for the Blackhawks, and his first appearance alongside Patrick Kane on Chicago’s new top line, after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and missing the start of their campaign. He rejoined practice without a no-contact jersey Sunday, and multiple reporters indicated Monday he could be in the lineup against the Pens.
Based on Monday’s practice lineup, second-year forward Nick Lardis will be the odd man out if Bedard is able to play tonight.
Chicago head coach Jeff Blashill said Connor Bedard is trending towards being a “coach’s decision” on Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh.
He paused then laughed and said: “We’ll see how that goes.”
I think that means he’s probably playing, #Blackhawks
Bedard missed 12 games last season with a shoulder injury before returning to the lineup. He then suffered another injury in practice in early July and underwent surgery. Unlike his last return from a shoulder issue, Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said Bedard won’t have restrictions such as a ban on face-offs. Blashill also noted Bedard might need some additional time to adjust to game speed before producing, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Jeff Blashill on Connor Bedard:
“He came back last year and still had restrictions on him: no faceoffs and things like that. There’s mental hurdles involved with that. With this one being surgically repaired, it’s in a great spot.”
Rookie Roman Kantserov, who could be skating on Bedard’s wing opposite Kane tonight, scored the first goal of his NHL career on a breakaway in the Blackhawks’ Saturday loss to the Hurricanes.
Roman Kantserov has his first NHL goal, and it was a beauty! 👏
Spencer Knight is in line for another season as the Blackhawks’ top goaltender after starting 55 games last season. He’s started four of the Hawks’ six games, and he made 25 saves on 27 shots in their lone win of the season so far against the St. Louis Blues.
the dark Knight between the pipes ⚔️
on Tuesday’s game Spencer notched 25 saves for his 25th win with the Blackhawks!
IR: Ryan Graves, Justin Brazeau, Trevor van Riemsdyk
van Riemsdyk hit IR yesterday, backdated to 10/9. That means he could be eligible to return as soon as the following game on Friday night, if his health allows it. The Pens haven’t announced any call-ups from the AHL for the interim, but they do have an open roster spot and only six healthy defensemen. (A pre-emptive welcome back to the NHL roster, Ilya Solovyov?)
It looks like there’s a chance Andrei Kuzmenko draws into the lineup tonight after an extended absence from the non-roster list. Based on practice, that would mean Hendrix Lapierre and Elmer Soderblom are the odd men out, given that Koivunen also rotated back in.
Dan Muse, on Andrei Kuzmenko: "I still want to touch base with him and have conversations, but he was a full participant. He looked good. We’ll have some conversations and figure things out for tomorrow."
The Vancouver Canucks have struggled out of the gate, going 2-5-0 through their opening seven games of the Manny Malhotra era. They've been outscored 35-24 and are currently riding a four-game skid.
On the flip side, as they enter their Tuesday night matchup against the New York Islanders, they're looking to keep a different streak going.
Since UBS Arena opened its doors, the Canucks have gone 5-0-0. Not only that, but they are the only NHL franchise to not have lost in Elmont yet, with all of their wins coming in regulation:
Mar. 3, 2022: Van 4, NYI 3
Feb. 9, 2023: Van 6, NYI 5
Jan. 9, 2024: Van 5, NYI 2
Mar. 26, 2025: Van 5, NYI 2
Dec. 19, 2025: VAN 4, NYI 1
In that game on Feb. 9, Anthony Beauvillier scored the go-ahead goal, a low-slot tip in his first game back after being dealt to Vancouver as part of the package that brought the Islanders their current captain, Bo Horvat.
The Islanders have alternated losses and wins since opening night in Toronto, as they try to get back on track against the Canucks after falling 5-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.
The Canucks fell 6-2 to the Rangers on Sunday.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:45 PM ET with all 32 NHL teams in action. The NHL's Frozen Frenzy begins at 6 PM ET, with games starting every 15 minutes after that.
Before heading to Washington on Tuesday night, the Montreal Canadiens will host the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre. The two teams played a nail-biting second-round series last season. The Habs won on an Alex Newhook overtime goal in Game 7, but the Sabres had a 39-25 shot advantage that night and felt they should have won the series. On Tuesday night, they’ll have a chance to avenge their elimination.
In the regular season, the two teams met four times and split the series, each winning one at home and one on the road, and both scoring 13 goals. They could not have been more evenly matched. Unlike the Canadiens, though, the Sabres made many offseason changes, bidding farewell to Alex Tuch, Bowen Byram, Jordan Greenway, Logan Stanley, and Luke Schenn, to name a few. They’ve added Louis Crevier, Olen Zellweger and Dennis Gilbert. Over six games this season, they scored 16 goals and went 3-3-0, leaving them in sixth place in the Atlantic Division, they leapfrogged the Habs last night with a win over the Florida Panthers. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are 2-2-1 with five points for seventh place in the Atlantic Division and 23rd in the league, having scored 15 goals.
The Sabres are struggling in net. Alex Lyon has yet to make his season start and is day-to-day; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has one win, a 4.02 goals-against average, and a .782 save percentage; and Colten Ellis has one win, a 2.91 GAA, and an .880 SV. Meanwhile, in Montreal, Jakub Dobes also has one win with a 4.43 GAA and a .856 SV, while newly recalled Jacob Fowler is 1-1-0 with a 1.46 GAA and a .938 SV.
At Monday’s practice, the Canadiens spent a lot of time working on their anemic power play ( a single goal in 17 opportunities for a 5.9% success rate), which is currently 31st in the league, just like the Sabres’. Florian Xhekaj returned to practice but left after a few minutes, clearly still bothered by a minor ailment. St-Louis refused to confirm whether he’d run the same formation with 11 forwards and seven defensemen or to confirm which goaltender would get the first game of the back-to-back.
In the regular season, Dobes has a 3-0-0 record against the Sabres with a 2.00 GAA and .937 SV, while Fowler has lost his only start against Tuesday night’s visitors, posting a 4.13 GAA and a .846 SV. Will St-Louis give the youngster a third straight start, or will he let Dobes back between the posts? Hard to sit Fowler after he pitched a perfect game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Florida native was absolutely flawless through regulation, overtime and the shootout.
As for the Sabres, Ellis got the start on Monday against the Florida Panthers, so it makes sense for Luukkonen to start. The former has a 1-0-0 record against the Habs, surrendering three goals in a 5-3-win last season and a .870 SV, while the latter is 2-2-0 with a 3,95 GAA and a .871 SV.
Up front, captain Nick Suzuki has 26 points in 21 games against the Sabres, the same total as newcomer Chris Kreider, but the veteran has faced them 40 times to reach that total. Sniper Cole Caufield ranks third with 16 points in 18 games.
Tage Thompson leads the Sabres in points against the Habs with 23 points in 20 games; Rasmus Dahlin has 21 points in 24 games; and Jack Quinn comes in third place with six points in 12 games. Unfortunately for Buffalo, Dahlin was injured in Sunday's game and didn't make the trip to Montreal.
Beware, the game starts at 6:30 PM, and you can catch it in French on RDS 2 and in English on TSN 2. It will be the first of four duels between the two sides this season. The Canadiens have won six of their last 10 games against the visitors and will no doubt hope to improve that record. Jake Brenk and Pierre Lambert will be the officials on the night while Ryan Daisy and Tommy Hughes will be the linesmen.
Bruce Cassidy isn’t behind an NHL bench, where he hoped to be by now, but he’s certainly not sitting on his hands.
The veteran coach is currently at Canada’s women’s national team’s selection camp in Quebec City, helping out as Hockey Canada prepares for November’s World Championships in Denmark.
The 2023 Stanley Cup champion coach was named special adviser to Team Canada general manager Danièle Sauvageau last month, but most of his focus has naturally been on helping support head coach Kori Cheverie.
“It’s been great,” Cassidy told The Athletic on Monday. “I’ve been going to training camps for 45 years as a player and then as a coach. So we have one here. It’s what you’re used to. Just getting back involved, watching video, getting familiar with some of the players here, helping to prepare practice, going on the ice, teaching again.
“Just trying to stay in a routine, so to speak. Great people here. This opportunity came up, and it’s really helped fill that void. It’s been great. I can help out and I’m learning while I’m here.”
“She’s great, really organized,” said Cassidy, the 2020 Jack Adams Award winner as NHL coach of the year.
The Hockey Canada assignment will keep Cassidy busy this fall right through November, when he plans to attend the World Championship in his role. After that? Well, he’s going to see what the rest of the season brings as far as his NHL future.
But in the meantime, the extra free time has its benefits, too.
“I’ve seen a lot of my son playing hockey on weekends. He’s 16, so that’s been great,” said Cassidy, who along with his wife has stayed in Las Vegas, where their daughter is a senior in high school this year.
Cassidy will also do the odd TNT game in studio in Atlanta.
“Those are always fun to do. Those guys are fun,” Cassidy said of the TNT panel.
But an NHL bench is where he belongs. He’ll patiently wait for that phone to ring.
It’s a similar situation to the one Peter DeBoer was in a year ago, when DeBoer was biding his time before the New York Islanders came calling late in the season. Now Cassidy is at the top of the food chain as the most likely coach to get hired if and when there’s an NHL opening.
Of course, the awkward thing for any coach in between jobs is that he isn’t wishing for any pals to get fired.
“They’re all colleagues and some of them friends,” Cassidy said. “I can’t say I know every single NHL coach well, but most of them you interact with somewhere along the line, and some are really good buddies.”
Also, the Vegas Golden Knights will still have to give a team permission to speak to Cassidy, as he remains under contract with them until June 30, 2027.
“Nothing’s changed,” Cassidy said. “They have to give permission. That’s how they left it. So there’s nowhere to go with that until a potential opportunity comes up. We’ll see where it goes. We’ll see if something comes up. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, you know?”
It’s been well documented that the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings were denied permission to speak to Cassidy last spring during the Golden Knights’ playoff run. And the NHL confirmed Vegas was well within its rights to do so, as Cassidy doesn’t have the “out” language in his contract that some other coaches have.
Whatever the case, Cassidy missed out on that NHL hiring cycle. He’s turned the page. He’s ready for the next one.
One thing I always ask a coach in this position: What has he learned after time to decompress and self-analyze that he will bring with him to his next NHL gig?
“Well, I don’t want to change who I am,” Cassidy said. “I’ve always thought I’m a pretty direct coach. I hold people accountable, and my teams play a certain way. But I think it’s always about how you message. You’ve always got to reflect on that. That’s the biggest thing I’ll probably look at again.”
“Again,” because he did the same after being fired by the Boston Bruins.
How can he improve the messaging? He won a Cup in Vegas, then got fired nearly three years later. Lots to digest in there.
“You win the Cup, you want to stay at that standard. How do you get that message across without pushing the guys (too far) and trusting they know what it looks like to win?” Cassidy said. “The first year after the Cup, you do that, and you lose early in the playoffs — you’re like, ‘OK, we’re not the same team. We’ve got to move on. We’re not the defending champs anymore.’
“So how are you messaging that every day and yet the guys in the room know they’ve won and they know what it takes? I think that was the biggest challenge in Years 3 and 4, that I would self-reflect and maybe say I should have done it this way or that way.”
No question there’s been some soul-searching and self-diagnosis going on there. You have to evolve. You have to learn. Or you get left behind.
In the meantime, his current gig comes at a perfect time, just as DeBoer’s work for the men’s national team came at the perfect time a year ago.
“Pete did work with Hockey Canada last year, as well, ahead of the Olympics,” said Cassidy, who was part of that Olympic staff with DeBoer. “That’s why I thought this was a really good fit, because you’re coaching. And you’re coaching women (for the first time), so you’re going to learn something. But you’re still breaking down video. You’re coaching.
“This has been a lot of fun. They’re a good group.”
Tuesday, Oct. 13 will be a busy day and night in the NHL with all 32 teams in action.
ESPN is holding its fourth annual NHL Frozen Frenzy, with the 16-game slate starting at 6 p.m. ET and staggered every 15 minutes to allow for whip-around coverage on ESPN2.
The day starts at 5 p.m. ET with The Point on ESPN2 and ESPN+. The first game is the New Jersey Devils at the Detroit Red Wings at 6 on the main ESPN channel. The whip-around coverage starts at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 and runs through midnight.
ESPN will broadcast three games: New Jersey at Detroit, Colorado at Dallas and Boston at San Jose. ESPN2 will show whip-around coverage on all the games from 7 p.m. to midnight. John Buccigross and Kevin Weekes will host that.
How to stream NHL Frozen Frenzy
Fubo carries ESPN. The whip-around program can be streamed on Disney+ and the ESPN app. Individual games can be streamed on ESPN+.
5. Buffalo at Montreal, 6:30: These teams played a hard-fought seven-game playoff series last season, with the Canadiens advancing to the Eastern Conference finals in an overtime win. Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes led the way, but Jacob Fowler has started the Canadiens' last two games this season.
4 Washington at Carolina, 6:45: The defending champion Hurricanes take on the Capitals, with both teams expected to challenge for the Metropolitan Division title. Washington's Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season on Sunday and now trails Wayne Gretzky (1,016) by nine goals for most combined regular-season and playoff goals. This is his last season in the NHL.
2. Colorado at Dallas, 8:30: The Avalanche, Stars and Wild are the elite teams in the Central Division and it's best to finish first to avoid a tough No. 2 vs. No. 3 first round. This game will play a role in that.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 28: Oliver Moore #11 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Ville Koivunen #41 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scuffle during the second period at the United Center on December 28, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With a half dozen games under their belt in the new season, it’s time for the Pittsburgh Penguins to head out on their first extended road trip of the 2026-27 season. Beginning tonight in Chicago, the Penguins will head west to Denver, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City for a daunting stretch that sees them take on three playoff teams from last season along with a Chicago side that has given them plenty of issues over the years despite more recent struggles. [Pensburgh]
Puck drop tonight is set for 8:00 PM Eastern and will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh. Tonight is also the NHL’s annual ‘Frozen Frenzy’ which will see all 32 teams in action.
Pens Points…
A slow start for Sidney Crosby isn’t completely out of the ordinary, but given the early season results, you may expect Dan Muse to shake up the lines to give Crosby a different look. If practice is any indication, that does not appear to be the case as of yet. [Pensburgh]
Some trade news broke late Monday afternoon as the Penguins announced a deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Coming over from Buffalo is defenseman Ryan Johnson in exchange for defensemen Caleb Jones and Daniel Laatsch. Johnson is a former first round draft pick (2019). [Penguins]
All signs are pointing to Connor Bedard making his season debut for the Blackhawks later this evening against the Penguins. He was a full participant in practice on Monday and look to be ready to play his first game since being named captain of the team over the summer. [NHL]
Kaeden Korczak is still getting acclimated to Pittsburgh and a new style of play, but he’s been proving his worth thus far. After being acquired in the offseason, the Penguins plan for Korczak isn’t just be a body on the blue line, but a major factor in the long term plans. [PPG]
Still listed as a non-roster player, it appears Andrei Kuzmenko is nearing a full return to the Penguins lineup, possibly as soon as tonight. Kuzmenko was a full participant in practice on Monday but no final decision was given by Dan Muse. [Trib Live]
Some non-hockey Penguins adjacent news: Austin Lemieux, son of franchise legend Mario Lemeiux, qualified for his first PGA golf event. Lemieux qualified for the upcoming Bermuda Championship by scoring a fitting 66 at his qualifying event in Florida. [Sportsnet]
NHL News and Notes…
Auston Matthews posted nine points in three games last week and was named the First Star of the Week by the NHL on Monday. Jake Oettinger was nearly unbeatable in goal and was named Second Star with Alex Lafreniere taking home Third Star honors. [NHL]
Amidst turmoil after placing their current head coach on leave, the Arizona Sun Devils are expected to hire former Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken bench boss Dave Hakstol as the next head coach of the program. [ESPN]
It’s time for the NHL’s ‘Frozen Frenzy’ with all 32 teams in action. Coverage begins on ESPN2 at 5:00 PM with the first game beginning at 6:00 PM with remaining contests being on staggered start times throughout the evening all the way up until 11:00 PM. [ESPN]
The Vegas Golden Knights might be the most resilient team in hockey. Their style of play stays consistent despite no matter the circumstances— it doesn’t matter if they’re up by two or down by three. And when they are down by three, they put their heads down and chip away at their opponent’s lead.
That’s exactly what they did on Monday. After the Minnesota Wild took advantage of a stretch of bad play in the first period, the Golden Knights found themselves in a 3-0 hole for the second time in their last three games.
On Thursday, the Golden Knights snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. But tonight, they didn’t have another multi-goal comeback in them.
This team never throws in the towel, so they clawed their way back and made things interesting. The Golden Knights outshot the Wild 12-6 in the third period, but failed to find the equalizer and ultimately fell 4-2 after the Wild hit the empty net.
“They can be [a frustrating team to play against],” said defenseman Brayden McNabb following the loss. “They’re well structured. If we’re on our game, we can break them down. We saw that through stretches in this game. It’s just a matter of staying with it when things aren’t going your way, and not snowballing to three goals in 10 minutes.”
1. Clash of the Titans
Special teams often dictate the outcome of a hockey game, and this one was no different. Heading into tonight’s game, both the Wild’s power play and penalty kill ranked third in the league; the Golden Knights had the third-ranked power play and the 16th-ranked penalty kill.
To say that the Wild won the special teams battle would be an understatement. It wasn’t even close. They converted on their only power play opportunity of the game, and their penalty kill was perfect against five Golden Knights power play opportunities.
“We had some chances,” said William Karlsson following the loss. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t break it down and get the puck behind the goalie.”
It wasn’t just that the Golden Knights couldn’t score on the power play— they also gave the Wild shorthanded opportunities. When the Golden Knights were on the power play, high-danger scoring chances were 4-2 in favor of Minnesota.
“They won the special teams battle,” said Brayden McNabb postgame. “We like our PK, and we have faith in our PK and our power play. It just wasn’t our night.”
2. Stop the Bleeding
All things considered, the Golden Knights played a solid game on Monday. It’s hard to say that a goaltender played well while letting in three goals, but Carter Hart did. The Golden Knights were without Parker Wotherspoon tonight due to an upper-body injury, but Dylan Coghlan played very well in his season debut. And their first six games of the season suggest that tonight’s special teams struggles are almost certainly an outlier.
The problem was that the Golden Knights allowed the Wild to score three times in five minutes and seven seconds.
“We have to manage it better and stop the bleeding,” said William Karlsson. “At the end of the day, it’s just one goal. We’ve got to have the mindset of trying to take back momentum and get some o-zone time.”
“Those six minutes cost us,” agreed head coach Ryan Craig following the 4-3 loss. “I didn’t love our composure right at that point, but it doesn’t concern me. I think it’s just that we have to be fully aware of it a little bit quicker to get it back at that point.”
3. The Golden Lining
When you look up and down the lineup, the Golden Knights have no shortage of offensive talent. It’s rare for them to have any trouble generating chances. There are nights, however, where they just can’t convert on those chances.
Sometimes they run into a hot goaltender. Sometimes they get unlucky. Sometimes it just isn’t their night.
It doesn’t always matter if those chances result in goals, especially not this early in the season. What matters is that the Golden Knights are consistently creating high-danger scoring chances.
The Golden Knights’ second line, composed of Brett Howden, William Karlsson, and Mitch Marner, is usually responsible for generating much of their 5-on-5 offense. That was certainly the case tonight— that line outshot their opponents 9-5 and created four high-danger scoring chances while allowing only one. They’ve struggled to consistently convert on those chances, but as the season progresses, that becomes less and less of an issue.
Last Thursday, Brett Howden got off the schneid. Tonight, it was William Karlsson’s turn to score his first of the season.
“I saw their D was kind of low in our zone, so I figured maybe I could beat him up the ice,” said Karlsson following the 4-2 loss. “Mitch got it up to Howie, and then Howie with the nice little sauce. Then you just have to shoot it.”
Six minutes. That's all it took to undo an otherwise promising start for the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night.
The Minnesota Wild scored three goals in a 5:07 span late in the first period, and the Golden Knights couldn't overcome the deficit in a 4-2 loss to the Wild at Grand Casino Arena.
The defeat snapped Vegas' four-game winning streak despite a third-period push that brought the Golden Knights within one goal.
"I liked our start. I thought we were ready to play," Vegas coach Ryan Craig said. "Six minutes cost us."
Matt Boldy opened the scoring at 11:50, followed by Maxim Shabanov's power-play goal at 14:32 and Danila Yurov's tally at 16:57.
Rasmus Andersson put Vegas on the board at 2:37 of the second period with his first goal of the season.
William Karlsson cut the deficit to 3-2 at 9:25 of the third, finishing a two-on-one rush after Mitch Marner moved the puck to Brett Howden, who delivered a pass across to Karlsson.
"We have to manage it better, stop the bleeding," Karlsson said of Minnesota's first-period surge. "At the end of the day it's just one goal, and we got to have the mindset of trying to take back the momentum."
The Golden Knights generated several late opportunities, but Minnesota goaltender Jesper Wallstedt preserved the lead before Joel Eriksson Ek added an empty-net goal.
"We're a resilient group," defenseman Brayden McNabb said. "But we don't want to get in the habit of always trying to come back. We want to play with the lead."
KEY MOMENT: Wild Trifecta
Minnesota's three-goal explosion during a 5:07 stretch of the opening period changed the complexion of the game.
Craig pointed to a broken stick in front of the net, a power-play goal and a defensive breakdown as the sequence that ultimately decided the outcome.
"I didn't love our composure, I guess, right at that point," Craig said. "But it doesn't concern me. I think we just have to be fully aware of it."
KEY STAT: 0 For 3
Vegas failed to convert on three power-play opportunities, while Minnesota capitalized on one of its chances with the man advantage.
"We had some looks," Craig said. "Didn't go for us tonight. I thought the guys stayed with it, and we generated some looks."
WHAT A KNIGHT: William Karlsson
The veteran center scored his first goal of the season, using his speed to create a two-on-one opportunity before finishing Howden's pass.
"I saw their D was kind of low in our zone, so I figured maybe I can beat him up the ice," Karlsson said. "Mitch got it up to Howie and then Howie with a nice little sauce, and you just have to shoot it in."
UP NEXT
The Golden Knights complete their first back-to-back of the season Tuesday when they visit the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Craig welcomed the quick turnaround after Monday's defeat.
"I'm happy we're playing again tomorrow night," Craig said. "We'll get to work."
PHOTO CAPTION
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) shoots against Minnesota Wild forward Danila Yurov (22) in the first period at Grand Casino Arena.
The New Jersey Devils fell to the Ottawa Senators, 4-1, at Prudential Center on Monday night. Despite an effective penalty kill, the Devils struggled to generate offense, with their lone goal from Arseny Gritsyuk scored in the third period.
Brenden Dillon was assessed an interference penalty against former Devil Fabian Zetterlund with 12:24 remaining in the first period. Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, Cody Glass, and Dawson Mercer began the penalty kill before Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, Evan Rodrigues, and Nico Hischier took over. The Devils successfully limited the Senators to just one shot during their power play.
Later in the period, Anthony Mantha received a five-minute major for boarding Ottawa defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo. Matinpalo was evaluated by a trainer on the ice before eventually heading down the tunnel. New Jersey's penalty kill once again rose to the occasion, allowing only two shots during the extended advantage.
Through 20 minutes, Ottawa held a 7-4 edge in shots, but neither team found the back of the net.
The Senators broke the deadlock just nine seconds into the second period, scoring on their eighth shot of the game. Shane Pinto recorded his first goal of the season to give Ottawa a 1-0 lead. The goal marked the fifth consecutive game in which New Jersey surrendered the opening goal.
Five minutes into the period, Amadeus Lombardi was called for slashing Stephen Halliday. The Devils' penalty kill continued to keep the game within reach, but another infraction proved costly.
Luke Evangelista took New Jersey's fifth penalty of the game with 11 minutes remaining in the middle frame. With 1:37 left on the ensuing penalty kill, Halliday doubled Ottawa's advantage, making it 2-0.
The Devils struggled to turn their defensive effort into offensive production in the third period. Around the halfway mark of the frame, New Jersey outshot Ottawa 6-0, but Ullmark stood tall to preserve the Senators' lead.
Ottawa then extended its advantage to 3-0 on its first shot of the period, with Tim Stützle scoring his fifth goal of the season.
New Jersey appeared to get on the scoreboard when Jesper Boqvist found the net, but the goal was overturned following a review for goaltender interference.
The Devils finally broke through at 14:59 of the third period. Gritsyuk fired a wrist shot from between the circles for his first goal of the season, cutting Ottawa's lead to 3-1. Jack Hughes recorded the primary assist, extending his point streak to three games.
Any hopes of a late comeback were extinguished when Tyler Kleven scored an empty-net goal at 17:53, sealing the Senators' 4-1 victory.
The Devils will look to regroup and find a way to generate more consistent offense in their next outing on Tuesday night against the Detroit Red Wings.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without one of their defensemen for a little while.
The Penguins announced on Monday that Trevor van Riemsdyk has been placed on injured reserve. He got hurt during Friday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and missed Saturday's game against the Dallas Stars.
Penguins head coach Dan Muse confirmed on Monday that TVR won't travel with the team for the start of their upcoming four-game road trip, but he could meet them later on.
Pens HCDM: - Kuzmenko was a “full participant, looked good” - need to have conversations about whether or not he’s available tomorrow. - van Riemsdyk (lower-body) will not start the trip with the team, but not ruling out joining team during trip - No status change on Brazeau pic.twitter.com/6O7fClxy9c
TVR spent the first five games paired with Kris Letang and had a solid first three games before really struggling in Washington and Columbus. He has no points in five games.
The Penguins signed van Riemsdyk to a two-year contract when free agency opened on July 1 after he spent the last six seasons with the Capitals.
Spencer Stastney replaced TVR in the lineup on Saturday and is slated to fill in until TVR's ready to return.
The Penguins will start their trip on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Puck drop will be at 8 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
