Seven wins into the season, it's gotten pretty easy to see how light this team is, emotionally that is, compared to recent seasons.
The Edmonton Oilers improved to 7-1-1 with a 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild, while Evan Bouchard scored the winner on his 27th birthday. Devon Levi was among the first to praise his teammate afterward, having made several important saves himself to get the Oilers into overtime.
“He can sling that thing,” Levi said. “A super special player. I'm so happy for him that he got the overtime winner on his birthday.”
The Oilers have been playing solid defensive hockey under Mike Babcock, their goaltending has improved, and Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are producing at a ridiculous rate. They've also been getting contributions from the rest of the lineup, which has allowed them to win games even when their top players aren't having good nights at even strength.
Tuesday was one of those games. Minnesota's top line of Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and, Matt Boldy scored twice at even strength, while the team. itself was all over McDavid's line.
“Every once in a while, you need to get fed your lunch,” Babcock said. “And when that happens to you, you say, ‘What are we going to do to fix it?’”
Babcock has been clear about what he expects from his team, especially on defence, puck protection, and winning battles. The Oilers have responded well to those expectations, and there's some evidence that the accountability they've been talking about is producing results.
“When you play a good team that's organized, there's no room,” Babcock said. “And if you don't look after the puck, if you don't play right, you get frustrated. The great thing about the real good players that have done a lot of winning is, they don't get frustrated. They just keep coming and keep coming, and they know it's a patient game.”
Edmonton certainly had opportunities to get frustrated against Minnesota, however, the Oilers scored three times on the power play, and Draisaitl recording two goals before Bouchard ended the game in overtime. McDavid finished with three assists, becoming the fastest player in NHL history to reach 20 assists in a season.
He now has 26 points through nine games, which is an absurd amount of production even by McDavid's standards.
“Any type of shot that he gets off is extremely dangerous,” Draisaitl said of Bouchard. “Accurate, hard, whatever it is. You name it, he's got it. He's pretty elite.”
By other standards, Levi's has the best start of his NHL career here in Edmonton.
The 24-year-old was traded from Buffalo after getting buried so deep in the Sabres depth chart that everyone forgot he was there. Originally, he was expected to sit behind Frederik Andersen and Tristan Jarry in Edmonton, but now he's getting most of the starts, and he's clearly earned them.
“I'm super grateful to be here,” Levi said. “This city is unbelievable, a true hockey city. I care a lot about these fans, they have welcomed me with open arms and the team here as well. I feel at home. I'm just super grateful for the way that everything kind of unfolded and I'm having a lot of fun every day.”
It's a refreshing attitude from a young goaltender who's finally getting a real chance to compete for a spot in the NHL.
He seems excited to show up to the rink, appreciates the opportunity he's been given, and has been playing up to the expectations placed on him.
The Oilers have been winning games in different ways, and Babcock's defensive system has been a significant part of that. The Oilers know when their offence needs to carry them, when their goaltenders need to make important saves, and when the team can comfortably protect a lead.
There has to be some additional motivation to make sure the same problems that followed the team last season don't continue.
Babcock has brought a different approach to Edmonton, one that the players seem willing to hold themselves accountable for when their performances aren't good enough.
Everybody knows winning cures all, and with seven victories in nine games, it's understandable why the mood around the dressing room has been so positive.
Still, there's something nice about hearing Levi talk about how grateful he is to be here, or watching him get excited about Bouchard scoring an overtime winner on his birthday.
The Oilers have been playing good hockey, they're getting results from the changes Babcock has introduced, and the players are happy for one another.
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The New York Islanders (5-3-1) won again on Tuesday night inside UBS Arena, knocking off the Anaheim Ducks 3-2.
The win marked the Islanders' fourth in UBS Arena already, giving them a 4-1-0 record on home ice to start the year.
That's the best start at home for the franchise since moving to UBS Arena in the 2021-22 season.
In 2025-26, the Islanders went 22-17-2 on home ice. in 2024-25, they went 19-17-5.
If the Islanders can keep this winning momentum on home ice going, their win totals this year will blow those close-to-.500 records out of the water.
Stacking wins on home ice is extremely important for the Islanders, with an especially road-heavy schedule over the next month.
Between October 21 and November 21, the Islanders play 13 games, 8 of which are on the road, including 8 of the final 12.
Only one of those eight road games takes place in the Eastern Time Zone. That game is on November 21 against the Detroit Red Wings.
Over the course of five days from October 25 to 29, the Islanders take a funky road trip against three Central Division opponents, starting with the Dallas Stars, heading back northeast to see the Nashville Predators before shooting back northwest to take on the Minnesota Wild.
The Islanders get eight days at home, starting with the Islanders hosting the Edmonton Oilers on Halloween. Then, the Islanders get four straight off days from November 1 through 4.
Two divisional foes, the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils, then swing by UBS Arena before the Islanders hit the road again for a three-game swing through California, lasting one week.
New York gets home for one game against the Columbus Blue Jackets before a two-game trip to Winnipeg and Detroit ends the funky month of travel.
All eyes will be on Brady Tkachuk when the Florida Panthers visit Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday night. But while the return of the former captain will dominate all the headlines, the Panthers are also bringing another interesting storyline to town.
They're travelling with a goaltender who is about to become the tallest in NHL history.
Cooper Black stands an imposing 6-foot-8, and the 25-year-old is on the verge of making his NHL debut after being recalled from the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers.
Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss Brady Tkachuk's homecoming (Sens Nation Podcast).
Black got the call after Florida's starting goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, suffered an upper-body injury during Monday's practice. The veteran, who's often been Linus Ullmark's running mate on the Swedish national team, is expected to miss 10 to 14 days.
Akira Schmid is expected to get the start against the Sens on Wednesday, with Black serving as his backup. But Maurice has already indicated that the towering rookie will likely see game action during Florida's four-game road trip.
When Black finally steps onto NHL ice, whether that happens Wednesday night or not, he'll stand alone in the record books.
The current record of 6-foot-7 is shared by five goaltenders, including two with ties to the Senators: Mads Sogaard and Ben Bishop. The others are former Edmonton Oilers netminder Mikko Koskinen, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov and Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby.
Bishop, who only played 23 games for the Sens, went on to become one of the NHL's top goaltenders, earning three Vezina nominations. Sogaard, meanwhile, spent several seasons in the Sens organization after they selected him in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Black's road to the NHL has been a little different.
The Alpena, Michigan native was never drafted into the NHL. Instead, he played two seasons at Dartmouth College, where he steadily improved his numbers and attracted the attention of the Panthers.
Florida signed him to an entry-level contract in April 2024, and he began his professional career with Charlotte, where he worked his way up over the past two years. The Panthers feel like he's ready for this.
"That's a big lad, and he moves like an athlete," Maurice told reporters on Tuesday. "He's been good. He's been good in practice. He looks like he fits. He looks comfortable. It's the right time for him to get in."
For Sens fans, Wednesday's game will understandably be all about Tkachuk, the former captain who requested a trade and will be returning to Canadian Tire Centre for the first time in a Panthers uniform.
But at the far end of the Panthers’ bench, there will be a 6-foot-8 rookie goaltender in a ball cap, waiting for his chance to make a little NHL history of his own.
The Boston Bruins wrapped a successful road trip Tuesday night with an overtime defeat to the Dallas Stars. They went 3-0-1 on the trip and entered Wednesday sitting atop the Atlantic Division and in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 7-2-1 record.
The B’s rank seventh in goals scored per game and fourth in goals allowed per game. The notable offseason additions (JJ Peterka, Will Borgen) and most of the young players have made a positive impact.
The schedule has been a little soft, but the Bruins, to their credit, have taken full advantage of it. They have scored four or more goals in six of their 10 games. They’ve led for almost 238 minutes — ninth-best in the league.
Let’s look at six key takeaways from the Bruins’ first 10 games of the 2026-27 NHL season.
The kids are alright
The Bruins have fully committed to giving their young players a chance to not only prove they belong in the NHL full time, but also be important contributors.
So far, the kids have played fantastic.
Six of the Bruins’ top 11 scorers are age 25 or younger. Nineteen of the team’s 35 goals have been scored by players 25 years old or younger.
Fraser Minten and Matthew Poitras are tied with David Pastrnak for the team lead in goals with four. Minten’s eight points are tied for second on the B’s. He’s on pace to shatter his career high of 35 points set last season. James Hagens has seven points (three goals, four assists) in 10 games. No rookie in the entire league has more points than him.
Hagens and Poitras both scored in Tuesday night’s overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.
James Hagens continues his hot start to the season with a goal 🚨
Frederic Brunet has been a steady, reliable presence on the blue line and ranks fourth among rookies in blocked shots. Mason Lohrei has made an impact offensively with five points to lead all Bruins defensemen.
The most encouraging part of the Bruins’ early-season success has been the performance of their young players. There will be ups and downs throughout the campaign, but the returns so far have been very impressive.
Elite goaltending
Jeremy Swayman was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season and he’s well on his way to repeating that feat. His .928 save percentage is the second-highest in the league, and his 7.7 goals saved above expected is tied for the third-best, per MoneyPuck. He also ranks fourth-best in wins above replacement (1.28) for goalies.
Michael DiPietro has played only two games in the backup goalie role, but he’s posted a solid .912 save percentage and a positive goals saved above expected. He made 26 saves against the Ducks last week for his first career NHL win.
Overall, the Bruins have allowed 7.13 fewer goals than expected — the best mark in the league and proof that Swayman and DiPietro are consistently erasing the mistakes in front of them.
Swayman is on pace to exceed the career-high 55 starts he made last season. That’s fine, especially if he continues to play at an elite level. But at some point, DiPietro needs to get in a few more games. The Bruins need Swayman to be fresh for the playoff race and any postseason matchups the team earns.
Elias Lindholm bounce back?
The Elias Lindholm signing — a seven-year, $54.25 million contract in 2024 free agency — has not delivered the desired results so far.
However, the veteran center has made much more of an impact this season.
Lindholm has seven points (three goals, four assists) in 10 games. He picked up the primary assist on David Pastrnak’s tying goal in the third period against the Ducks last weekend, and five minutes later he scored the game-winner.
Elite puck movement from the Bruins leads to an Elias Lindholm goal! 👀
Lindholm has taken the fourth-most faceoffs (190) in the league and has won an impressive 58.9 percent of them. He’s also played well defensively and has proven to be a good fit with Hagens on the third line.
It’s unlikely Lindholm will perform at the level of a typical top-six center. But could he be a very good No. 3 center who makes a positive impact in all situations? For sure.
Power play must improve
The Bruins have the 15th-ranked power play with a 21.1 percent success rate. On paper, that doesn’t seem too bad. But all six of their power-play goals have come in two games — three against the Utah Mammoth on Oct. 8 and three against the Ducks on Oct. 16.
In the other eight games, the B’s have not found the back of the net a single time with the man advantage.
The Bruins have generated only two shots in their last six minutes on the power play over the last two games.
Not only are the Bruins failing to score on the power play, they aren’t earning many chances, either. The B’s rank 23rd in total power-play opportunities and 30th in power-play ice time per game.
The Bruins had the ninth-best power play last season. This year’s roster is better. There’s no reason why the power play should be so inconsistent.
Balanced scoring
The Bruins have relied on David Pastrnak far too much in recent seasons. He’s delivered on his end with four straight 100-point seasons, but no one else on the Bruins has tallied more than 68 points during that span.
The scoring depth has been far better for Boston this season. Six players have scored three or more goals. Ten players have at least two goals. Eleven players have tallied five or more points.
Sturm wanted more offense from his defensemen this season. That group already has six goals.
The Bruins are getting meaningful scoring contributions up and down the lineup. That is perhaps the most important aspect of the team’s hot start and why it ranks seventh among 32 teams in goals scored per game.
Bruins need more goals from Pastrnak, Geekie
James Guillory-Imagn Images
Pastrnak and Geekie have combined for one even-strength goal so far.
David Pastrnak tallied 100 points last season, but his 29 goals were the fewest in any season in which he’s played 55-plus games. Three of his four goals this year have come on the power play. The B’s need much better offensive production from him at 5-on-5.
Morgan Geekie scored a career-high 39 goals last season. He has one goal this year, and it came on the power play. Geekie also has tallied just 10 shots on net in 10 games. He has one game with multiple shots.
For a player with such a great shot, one per game is nowhere near acceptable. Geekie has never been a huge shot quantity player, but he still needs to be much more aggressive in looking for his own offense.
The Bruins have not suffered much from Pastrnak and Geekie’s lack of 5-on-5 goals because the young players have exceeded expectations offensively. But for this team to reach its maximum potential, veterans like Pastrnak and Geekie must lead the attack.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — On the second night of a back-to-back, the Maple Leafs arrived in Ohio looking for simplicity and found it in volume. Toronto generated just 22 shots but converted six of them, including four in a dominant second period to beat the Blue Jackets 6-2 at Nationwide Arena.
The win improved the Leafs to 5-4-2 and marked the second straight victory for a group that has shown signs of settling into a more straightforward style.
Easton Cowan continued a rapid ascent with a career-best three-point night that included his first short-handed goal in the NHL. Marshall Rifai scored his first NHL goal in just his fifth game. And the team absorbed the early loss of Jake McCabe to a high-stick injury before finishing the night with five defencemen.
Marchenko’s power-play goal at 8:16 of the first period tied the game 1-1 after Jake Christiansen had opened the scoring for Columbus at 2:38. The former Blue Jacket deflected a puck off his foot and past Jet Greaves.
Marchenko described the whole night as being about staying focused in the moment rather than sentimental.
“I try to think about my game again, and I said before, try to focus on like things what I can control,” Marchenko said. “It’s like my game, my shifts, like work hard. Yeah. It’s obviously again special, fans, everything. But happy to play here. Happy to be back.”
He added that the reception did not alter his approach.
“It’s fine. I’m ready for that, but like again, I can’t control that. I appreciate it for all fans who’s been here when I played, and it doesn’t matter for me. Actually, I just do my work on the ice and try to be better.”
The second period turned the game.
William Nylander scored at 2:26 on a feed from Morgan Rielly, Auston Matthews added the winner at 3:12 in his 700th NHL game, Cowan scored short-handed at 6:48, and Jack Roslovic finished the stretch at 12:03.
The four goals in under 10 minutes of game time gave Toronto a 5-1 lead before Charlie Coyle scored early in the third and Rifai closed it out at 16:58.
Rielly, who finished with three assists, said the group tried to keep the game manageable after Monday’s win over San Jose.
“On a back-to-back, you want to try to play simple especially on the road,” Rielly said. “I thought everyone did a good job, obviously. I thought our goalie was outstanding and the penalty kill was good again.”
Anthony Stolarz stopped 35 of 37 shots. The shot disparity was significant — Columbus held a 65-43 edge in Corsi attempts and a narrow edge in expected goals (2.69 to 2.61) according to tracking data from NaturalStatTrick.com — but Toronto’s finishing and special-teams play offset the volume. The Leafs’ penalty kill continued its strong start, and Cowan’s short-handed marker extended a stretch in which the unit has been among the league’s most reliable.
Cowan, playing up beside Matthews and Roslovic at times, said the group trusted the system on the kill.
“Yeah, I think we’re just trusting the system. We’re having good sticks, good clears, and we’re not allowing much during us. Hopefully we keep that going.”
On the short-handed goal itself, he offered a direct description.
“Yeah. I had a decent shot there. I think the goalie was favoring Willy, which I probably would too. So, yeah, I just picked my spot.”
Rifai’s first NHL goal came late, a slap shot set up by Rielly and Roslovic. The call-up had already been elevated into more minutes after McCabe left in the first period following a high stick from Kent Johnson that caught him in the face area. Coach Jim Hiller said the decision to hold McCabe out was precautionary after the medical staff evaluated him.
“I bumped into him. Seems to be doing okay, but we just want to make sure. We want to go slow,” Hiller said.
“First and foremost, just getting the win. We came here to get two points and win back-to-back, and we were able to accomplish that. So all the individual stuff feels a lot better when the team gets the job done.”
He added that he understands the role required to stick around and that the goal was just a bonus.
“Maybe confidence (from the goal) but ultimately, you know, that’s not going to be my calling card to help this team. And I understand that. I’m going to have to block shots. I’m going to have to break pucks out, use my feet and close out. Those are the things that are going to keep me around.”
Hiller praised the overall effort on a night when several players moved into larger roles. On Cowan, the coach said the young forward has met elevated expectations.
“We’ve talked about him a lot. He’s really — I can’t say enough good things about him. Honestly, like he’s exceeded my expectations, and I had high expectations for him. And I’ve told you, he told me this is what he was going to do, and so he’s living up to his end of the bargain. Now he’s a regular penalty killer, and he’s a good player, and he’s gonna have a great career.”
Rielly described the better version of the Leafs as one that keeps it simple.
“I think as a group, we’ve had a tendency to overcomplicate things or try to make too many plays. And I think when we’re able to keep it simple and just kind of manage the puck, our big guys can kind of take over. I think that’s kind of what happened here.”
Matthews finished with a goal and an assist. Nylander and Roslovic each contributed multi-point nights. The Leafs face the Rangers at home on Thursday. McCabe’s availability will be monitored, but the early indication is that the facial injury did not force an immediate longer absence.
The Leafs have won consecutive games for the first time this season, something they probably needed for their confidence, having dropped three of the last four games before it. Now it’ll be up to them to see if they can build on it.
NOTES: The Maple Leafs acquired forward Kirill Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzļikins (with 18% salary retained), and forward Miles Wood from the Blue Jackets. In return, Columbus received forward Matthew Knies, forward Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a 2027 second-round draft pick. Knies and Andrae weren't much of a factor in this game.
Knies had one opportunity in close in the late stages of the first period but his shot went over top of the net.
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 24 : linesman Jonathan Deschamps #80 holds Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils and Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings apart after the end of the NHL regular season game at the Prudential Center on November 24, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 4-3. (Photo by Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
For much of the summer, former Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin had made it clear that he only wanted to be traded to a small handful of NHL contenders in the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights.
Florida had spent most of their remaining trade assets to unite the Tkachuk brothers in Florida. Vegas was already short on tradable assets thanks in part to previous moves they had made to bolster a roster than went to the Cup Final last season. And Minnesota, seemingly the last man standing on Larkin’s original list, couldn’t agree to terms with Detroit on a trade. As a result, Larkin has remained in Detroit to start the season despite his trade request.
Larkin is a player that I have long thought makes sense for the Devils as adding him down the middle would give the Devils as good a 1-2-3 punch at center as anyone in the league. And make no mistake, you NEED to have a legitimate 1-2-3 down the middle if you want to be considered a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. But I never really thought it was worth taking the time to discuss the idea as Larkin seemingly didn’t have any interest in waiving his no-trade clause to come to New Jersey.
Things have since changed.
Reputable Red Wings beat reporter Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported on Tuesday that Larkin has expanded his list of preferred destinations to ten teams. Along with the aforementioned three teams, joining his list now are the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Utah Mammoth, Washington Capitals…..and yes, the New Jersey Devils.
Larkin is reportedly willing to come to New Jersey. But should New Jersey even want him, and if they did, what would a trade even look like?
Why the Devils Should Want Larkin
Larkin, who turned 30 over the summer, is a two-way center who plays in all situations. He’s a perennial 30 goal scorer, having reached that mark in each of the last five seasons. I wouldn’t say he’s a 1:1 direct comparable player to Nico Hischier, but the two share many similarities in how they play the game. Similar frames, similar production. Both had been leaders on their respective clubs. Both play in all situations. Both win a lot of faceoffs.
Interestingly enough though, I do think Larkin brings some things to the table that this Devils team lacks. Larkin historically has not had issues finishing around the net, which can’t be said about most of the forwards on the Devils roster. He has what I would call a deceptively heavy shot where it doesn’t look like he’s getting a ton on it but he’s capable of beating opposing goaltenders clean from the high slot and/or top of the circle. His backhand shot is underrated, as is his ability to pick corners. I also think he is a good enough skater where he’d be a fit for the style and brand of hockey the Devils are looking to play attacking off the rush, although his boots will likely decline some as he continues to get older.
Signed through the end of the 2030-31 season, Larkin has four more seasons remaining on his deal after this one at $8.7M AAV. I think that last point is also key when talking about Larkin. This is a salary cap league where the cap is continually rising. While it’s true that Larkin is signed through his age 35 season, that $8.7M cap charge is a relatively low number for a Top Six caliber center. That number is only going to continue to look better and better as the cap increases further, and from a Devils perspective, you’d be talking about a team that is set down the middle with Hischier ($11.7M AAV through 2032), Jack Hughes ($8M AAV through 2030), and potentially Larkin through the end of the decade.
I do think there are two things worth mentioning with Larkin. First, the Devils did try to acquire a center this offseason with the Barrett Hayton offer sheet that Utah ultimately matched. The Devils ultimately pivoted and went in a different direction, but I wouldn’t discount Sunny Mehta recognizing the importance of the position and the need to address it. The other thing that is worth mentioning is that both of the Devils bottom six centers in Evan Rodrigues and Cody Glass are slated to hit UFA this summer.
I also think when it comes to discussing Dylan Larkin, its worth bringing up the elephant in the room.
Larkin was a key member of the US Olympic hockey team, as was Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes. Larkin also is close to the Hughes brothers in general, having spent a bunch of time with them over the summer. Larkin and Quinn are close enough to the point where when I wrote about it this summer, I thought if Larkin wound up in Minnesota that that might be enough to convince Quinn Hughes to stay there.
I wouldn’t suggest that the Devils trade for a specific player because it might make another player more likely to sign with them in the summer. That said, the Devils need to be cognizant of the fact that this is an arms race. It’s the player empowerment era. Either you adapt and load up on star players who want to come play for you, or you don’t and you get left behind. Either you be aggressive now when it comes to team building, or you wonder what the heck just happened if and when Jack Hughes is the next Team USA star to consider his options elsewhere.
Part of the reason why Larkin wanted to go to Minnesota in the first place was to play with Quinn Hughes. I would guess part of the reason why he’s open to the idea of coming to New Jersey is to play with Jack and Luke Hughes. The Devils should embrace that and beat Minnesota to the punch by exploring a Larkin trade. And if it just so happens that adding Larkin is the move that ultimately pushes Quinn Hughes to New Jersey next summer to join his brothers, I fail to see how that’s a bad thing. If good players want to play for you, you find a way to make it happen and then worry about making it all work from a cap perspective down the road.
Speaking of beating teams to the punch, the Devils would also be smart to be aggressive here and keep Larkin away from a Carolina team they’ve struggled to beat and a Washington team that had their way with them the other day. Especially when those are the two teams most likely to finish 1-2 in the Metropolitan Division this season.
What Could A Realistic Trade Look Like?
It’s not often you see Top Six centers traded in the NHL, let alone centers under contract for another half decade. But if there is a trade that could potentially be used as a comparable, maybe we look as far back as the Jack Eichel trade for one.
Eichel, who wanted out of Buffalo in part because of a disagreement over how to treat his neck injury but also because of Buffalo’s track record as a perennial loser, had been stripped of the captaincy. He also had four plus years remaining on his contract at the time and was five years younger than Larkin is now.
Vegas ultimately agreed to terms on a trade, sending Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a first round pick, and a future second round pick in exchange for Eichel and a third.
Tuch was the established NHL player Buffalo got back, having scored 139 points in 249 games over four seasons with the Golden Knights. Krebs, then a top prospect, didn’t really get a chance to establish himself in Vegas as he was the “young prospect with upside” piece of this deal, but has since become a fixture in the Sabres lineup. Add in a first round pick (that eventually became Noah Ostlund) and a future second rounder and Buffalo probably did as well as could reasonably be expected given the circumstances at the time. After all, Eichel didn’t want to be there anymore and they were working against the clock as he had a NMC slated to kick in the next offseason, which would’ve only further limited the market and return.
The market is what the market is though. Eichel was legitimately injured at the time and I’m sure Buffalo wasn’t the only team scared off by the surgery that Eichel preferred at the time, which probably limited the market to some extent. Centers are in high demand and short supply, particularly those on contracts that may be deemed team-friendly. Still, I think this is a reasonable deal that can be used as a framework for a potential Larkin deal.
Dawson Mercer would seem to be the obvious fit as the “Alex Tuch, established NHL player” piece of this deal. This isn’t me saying that Dawson Mercer is as good as or better than Alex Tuch, as I don’t believe that to be the case. But he is an NHL player, albeit a flawed one, and may or may not be a piece Detroit would want in return. The Devils wouldn’t be able to make a deal anyways without moving some money out so Mercer’s $4M salary would almost have to go the other way. Now, if I were Detroit, I’d probably prefer Arseny Gritsyuk over Mercer, but that would be one where if I were Sunny Mehta, I’d push back on and say no.
I do struggle to find the top prospect fit, but I would guess the first few players Detroit would ask for are Anton Silaev, Alexander Command, and Mikhail Yegorov. I don’t think the draft picks would be much of a concern, especially since the Devils still have the extra first rounder remaining from the Simon Nemec trade, but there are reasons why the Devils should want to hold on to each of those prospects. I wouldn’t go as far as to say they should be off-limits but I do think those are players Detroit would ask about. I don’t know if an injured Seamus Casey or a Lenni Hameenaho moves the needle much in this particular case.
One potential complicating factor though is cap space, as the Devils simply don’t have a whole lot of it at the moment. Attaching Stefan Noesen or Cody Glass to this deal wouldn’t create enough space for the Devils to fit Larkin in. Adding Anthony Mantha or Brenden Dillon would create enough space, but I don’t know why Detroit would want players in their 30s for Larkin. I also don’t think its realistic to ask Detroit to retain cap space on Larkin to drop the cap hit down, as they’re probably not going to want salary retention on their books for five years.
I don’t know if a deal centered around Mercer, Command, and future picks is quite enough to get it over the finish line, particularly when compared to other teams best offers, but I do think its at least a starting point where the Red Wings aren’t hanging up the phone when Sunny Mehta calls. Sunny would likely need to get creative though in terms of making the cap work, which would likely involve looping in a third team to take some salary off of the Devils books. He may also need to get creative in finding the right pieces Detroit would want back to get them to say yes.
Final Thoughts
Sunny Mehta has previously said that his job trying to improve the Devils is never done. So I do think that with the Devils on Larkin’s list, they should at least explore the idea of bringing him in.
I get that some might be put off by Larkin’s public trade request, but I do think it is ultimately coming from a desire to be on a winning team and/or him being sick of losing. The Devils still have work to do in that respect to show that they’re not that type of team, but they are coming off a very good win against Colorado and have a lot of runway this season to show they’re not Detroit.
The Larkin to the Devils fit isn’t necessarily seamless, but its tough to argue that the Devils wouldn’t be a better team with Larkin. Larkin would give the Devils another legitimate top six option and more flexibility to juggle the lineup as they see fit. Maybe on some nights, that’s having Jack on the wing with Nico or Larkin. Maybe it’s having an embarrassment of riches down the middle with Larkin centering Mantha and Brown on the third line. I don’t know how Sheldon Keefe will make the pieces work, but I’d rather have the problem of having too many good players than not having enough.
Larkin is a valuable enough piece though between his contract and versatility as a player where it might be worth overpaying to acquire him. I can’t stress enough how difficult it is to find quality centers, and while Larkin isn’t Connor McDavid, he’s far from being a scrub either. You can’t go out into free agency and buy a Dylan Larkin, and if you were trying to do so in 2026, it would cost far more than the $8.7M AAV he’s currently making.
Welcome to this edition of the Vancouver Canucks "3 Standouts From The Game." In this recurring series, The Hockey News' Canucks team will do a deep dive into three standouts from Vancouver's last game. This article will focus on the Canucks' most recent 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Leevi Meriläinen
Another night, another standout performance by Leevi Meriläinen. The Finnish goaltender kept Vancouver in this game as he stopped 37 of the 42 shots he faced. Meriläinen's best moment came in the second period as he stopped Sebastian Aho on a penalty shot to keep the score at 3-3.
Meriläinen was busy all night. Carolina recorded at least double-digit shots in each period, with their lowest total at 12, which came in the first. With the way Meriläinen has been playing, the Canucks are going to be put in a difficult position once Thatcher Demko returns from injury.
Defenceman Elias Pettersson
Tuesday was another stellar performance from defenceman Elias Pettersson. The 22-year-old was a shot-blocking machine as he led all players on either team with five. Pettersson was also physical throughout, as he led Vancouver with four hits.
Pettersson has been the Canucks' best defenceman so far this season. He is finding different ways to impact the game, which has led to increased minutes on a nightly basis. If Pettersson can keep performing at this level, he is going to be a top-four defenceman at the NHL level for a long time.
Max Sasson
Max Sasson continues to develop into a strong bottom-six forward. The 26-year-old scored his third of the campaign and was tied for the team lead with three shots. Sasson was also solid in the faceoff dot as he won eight of his 13 draws.
Tuesday was another example of Sasson using his speed to create chances. He created chances off the rush, which included his second-period goal. Sasson also played a crucial role on the penalty kill, which went a perfect five-for-five, as he logged 3:39 of shorthanded time in this game.
Oct 20, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Leevi Merilainen (31) defends against Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images
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PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 22: Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rutger McGroarty (2) skates in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings on September 22, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins split their two games in Cleveland last weekend, dropping a 4-2 contest and then winning a 6-3 game on the rematch. Overall the Pens are 3-2-1 on the season and among the AHL leaders in goals (25).
Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas had some insight from his radio show on Oct 14th about the slow start for WBS (0-1-1 in the first two)
“The team was really good last year and you have guys that they feel they’re too good for the level and they go down and it’s hard,” Dubas said. “So the two home games, I don’t think the team played overly well in either.”
Dubas didn’t name names, though it’s not difficult to fill in the gaps for the natural disappointment players will feel when getting re-assigned to the minor leagues instead of sticking in the NHL. Take Rutger McGroarty, who started out with no points in the first two losses and now has nine points in the last four games. Harrison Brunicke only has two assists in the first six games, Owen Pickering has one goal, though generating offense from the blueline at the AHL level can be variable. Joel Blomqvist didn’t have the greatest of openers. McGroarty talked to Inside AHL Hockey about focusing on improving at the AHL level.
"I think that we're here right now. We're in Wilkes-Barre. We're playing in the AHL."
"You can't sit there & pout. You just have to continue to progress forward & continue to work on the little details," – Rutger McGroarty to @InsideAHLHockey ⤵️https://t.co/oEZixhTM0m
Avery Hayes had two points in the first two games and has continued to go up from there with seven points in his last four games. Broz is at a point-per-game through the opening six games. Hayes and McGroarty with nine points a piece are among the league scoring leaders, currently tied for seventh.
That will be exactly what Dubas and the Pittsburgh front office wants to see from younger players like that to give reasons for why they shouldn’t be in the AHL. If and when those players make enough of a case, it will eventually result in them getting NHL opportunities.
Here’s the game recaps from WBSPenguins.com
Overall, the Pens have to be happy with some of their more developmental players who are AHL rookies. Mikhail Ilyin has seven points (2G+5A) in his first full AHL season. Bill Zonnon has five points in six games (3G+2A) and defenseman Jake Livanavage has five points (1G+4A) in five games.
Jakub Dobes was back in net on Tuesday as the Montreal Canadiens hosted the San Jose Sharks. The Habs, who had a 4-3-1 record going in, were hoping to finally be able to get a regulation win and climb up the standings. Only one of the Sainte-Flanelle’s wins since the start of the year had come in regulation, and even Martin St-Louis acknowledged after the last game that his team needed to put games away when they had a lead.
Montreal started strong and kept the Sharks from even exiting their zone early in the first frame. Still, they couldn’t manage to maintain that dominance for very long and ultimately, an all-too-familiar scenario would play out at the Bell Centre.
While St-Louis adjusted his power play by bringing Zachary Bolduc on the first wave in the last game, the strategy hasn’t changed. The players are standing their ground and passing the puck around, but their lack of mobility makes the penalty killers’ job easy. Keeping an active stick when you don’t need to move isn't that challenging.
Furthermore, they lack creativity, and the passing has become predictable. Granted, the unit misses Ivan Demiodov, but waiting for his return won’t cut it, especially since he is still wearing a walking boot. The forward was spotted chatting to Andrei Markov just outside the Canadiens’ room after the game. The two times the Canadiens had a man advantage in the first frame, it actually killed their momentum rather than building it.
First Line Takeover
While the power play didn’t generate much, the Canadiens’ first line was dominant at even strength. Juraj Slafkovsky put up multiple points for the second game in a row, and his individual effort gave the Habs a 2-1 lead less than two minutes into the second frame. From then on, San Jose looked like a team playing a second game in as many nights, which they were, but that goal was a gut punch.
Caufield doubled the Canadiens’ lead thanks to a heads-up play by Lane Hutson, which gave his teammates a four-on-two. They couldn’t convert on the initial chance, but Nick Suzuki deflected the puck on net, then picked up his own rebound and fed the sniper from behind the net, giving Nedeljkovic no chance to stop it. On that play, Slafkovsky was in the box after he and Kaiden Guhle got involved in some extracurricular activity by the Sharks’ bench.
It Should Be Over (Again)
The Habs seemed in full control at the start of the third frame, and for a while they pressed on, but then they gave the game away. It all started when Hutson was dispossessed in the offensive zone, which led to an odd-man rush that San Jose capitalized on.
Less than five minutes later, Arber Xhekaj and Michael Kesselring tussled, both hanging on to each other. Still, the Habs player was the only one to drop the gloves, then punch Kesselring in the stomach after the linesman stepped in, earning an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Without that, the Sharks wouldn’t have had a power play on which Tyler Toffoli tied the game.
Jakub Dobes gets called for interference in OT... the Sharks head to the power-play. pic.twitter.com/f9F5TkbUv6
Fast forward to overtime, and Dobes takes a bad penalty: interference, as his team regained possession in the defensive zone. Three unanswered goals by a team that looked like it had a knee down on the mat in the second frame. Alexandre Carrier said it best:
We knew they’re a team that can come back from behind if you give them opportunities, and we knew we had to play the right way, but once again we made mistakes that cost us dearly, and when you give them life, they pick up momentum, and that’s dangerous. They have the skills to do it.
- Carrier on the defeat
From the outside, it almost looks like the Canadiens panic when they feel the game slipping away from them, but Carrier didn’t agree:
No, it’s not panic; it’s more frustration because it’s happened many times already. We know we have to fix this, and yet we did it again tonight.
Speaking to the press after the game, the coach looked like he was trying hard not to name names:
We’re leaving points on the table, and it’s our fault. You have to understand the game's score. We have 80 attempted shots against 40, maybe 50…We’re finding ways to leave points on the table, and it’s our fault. […] We were dominant at the start of the third, but there were actions that helped them. You have to cut down on the actions that help the other team. That’s all they want.
- St-Louis on the defeat
It was initially thought Dobes would be available to the press after the game, but it was ultimately decided he wouldn’t come out. That’s hardly surprising, given how the game ended. The Czech netminder wears his heart on his sleeve, and this defeat after a strong game will be hard to swallow. The coach himself hadn’t spoken to him, and he wasn’t sure whether he'd do so before the next game, or leave it in the capable hands of Marco Marciano.
Even if that kind of penalty is not always called, St-Louis has been saying over and over that players cannot give the referee the opportunity to make a call, and that’s exactly what Dobes did in overtime. He enjoys competing and being aggressive in net, but it cost him and, by the same token, the team.
Turnovers and bad penalties never win you games, no matter how well you played up to that point. In three of four games, the Canadiens gave up a third-period lead, and this time, they couldn’t find a way to win. Macklin Celibrini finished with two goals and an assist, showcasing how good a player he is, and for the third time in a row, the Sharks got two points against the Habs, this time thanks to a 4-3 overtime win.
The 21-year-old left winger had a three-point night and a plus-three rating for the Leafs, all while playing just 13:38 of ice time. He scored his first career shorthanded goal, giving Toronto a 4-1 lead in the second period.
"Yeah, I had a decent shot there," Cowan said of his goal post-game. "I think the goalie was favoring (William Nylander), which I probably would too. So, yeah, I just picked my spot."
Cowan also added a pair of assists - one coming before and after his shorthanded goal - proving to be a fit on the top line next to Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic, who both scored off a helper from Cowan.
Following Tuesday's performance, Cowan now has four goals and 10 points in 11 games, putting him on pace for an impressive campaign in terms of his production.
But beyond his ability to score, he's been a two-way presence and an effective forechecker for the Maple Leafs. And with that, he's caught the eye of his teammates and coach.
"I can't say enough good things about him," head coach Jim Hiller said of Cowan. "Honestly, he's exceeded my expectations, and I had high expectations for him. And I've told you, he told me this is what he was going to do, and so he's living up to his end of the bargain. Now he's a regular penalty killer, and yeah, he's a good player, and he's going to have a great career.
"It's hard to fulfill those expectations this early, especially some of the stuff with his game that he had to change a little bit. But he's done it. He's done it so far."
Coming out of the OHL with the London Knights, the understanding was that Cowan was someone who could put up points (scoring 39 points in 17 games in his final OHL playoff campaign). But underneath that is his work ethic and ability to hunt down pucks and be a two-way player, which makes him even more effective at the NHL level.
"He quietly has a work ethic that you don't really see," defenseman Marshall Rifai said. "I think he got to go home over the summer, and it was evident when he got back to camp. He's taking a step. He's more confident. He's quicker, more assertive. He's a really nice player we have. So I'm happy for him, and he scored a beautiful goal."
"I think it's just the physical maturity and understanding how the NHL works," Hiller explained, as the biggest change for Cowan over the past year. "It's one thing how Jr. works. It's one thing how college works. It's one thing how the American League works. How does the NHL work? And he kind of got to understand that. And I think he's gotten there."
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 17: Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings looks on against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Little Caesars Arena on October 17, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
Luke Evangelista had two points in his return to the lineup while Declan Chisholm, Arseny Gritsyuk and Jesper Boqvist also tallied. The Devils took a 4-3 win over the Avs on Tuesday. [Devils NHL]
The list of early NHL trade candidates features some easy-to-identify names: players who have asked for trades or been the subject of rumors for months. But what about would-be trade targets who might be less obvious? [The Athletic ($)]
“At least three teams remain in the mix to trade for Connor Hellebuyck, sources told ESPN, though there’s no guarantee the Winnipeg Jets goaltender will be moved before his team-issued suspension ends Friday. If a trade doesn’t materialize this week, the Jets are likely to resume paying Hellebuyck while keeping him away from the team, according to sources.” [ESPN]
More history for Connor McDavid:
Connor McDavid (6-20—26 in 9 GP) required the fewest games in NHL history to reach 20 assists in a single season. 🍎 #NHLStats
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 3: Ben Kindel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates in the third period during the game against the Montreal Canadiens at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 3, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here are your Pens Points for this Wednesday morning…
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel is in stable condition after experiencing a “medical episode” aboard the team’s flight from Salt Lake City to Pittsburgh, the team announced Tuesday afternoon. The plane returned to Salt Lake City International Airport shortly after takeoff. Kindel, 19, was taken by ambulance to the University of Utah Hospital for further evaluation; he was conscious and alert. The team has not disclosed further details about the incident. [PensBurgh]
Prospect Tristan Broz is eager to earn more NHL playing time after making his debut with Pittsburgh last season, appearing in just one game. The 24-year-old forward is coming off a productive season with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, recording 16 goals and 39 points in 47 games, and is determined to prove he deserves a more consistent opportunity with the NHL club. [Trib Live]
The Penguins named Ted Towne as the team’s new chief financial officer on Tuesday, bringing in an executive who spent nearly two decades with the Washington Nationals. Towne most recently served as the Nationals’ CFO and previously was assistant general manager and vice president of finance. [Penguins]
News and notes from around the NHL…
Florida Panthers goaltender Jacob Markstrom is expected to miss 10 to 14 days with an injury suffered in practice on Monday, head coach Paul Maurice announced Tuesday. [TSN]
Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin has expanded his list of acceptable trade destinations to 10 teams, according to a new report. [Sportsnet]
Former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is preparing for an emotional return to Ottawa on Wednesday when he faces his former team for the first time since being traded to the Florida Panthers over the summer. [NHL]
Las Vegas, N.V.– Time and time again, the Vegas Golden Knights have demonstrated a refusal to accept defeat or go quietly into the night. There are certainly games where they fall behind by multiple goals. Usually, they’re able to recover, and the final score is typically close. The thing about the Golden Knights is that they’re very rarely on the wrong side of a blowout.
Tonight was one of those rare occurrences.
So far this season, the Golden Knights have played very few teams who are currently in a playoff spot. The Tampa Bay Lightning were just the fourth playoff team the Golden Knights have faced through eleven games, and this matchup could have been a great test of how they stack up against one of the premier teams in the league.
Instead, the Golden Knights fell victim to self-inflicted injury after self-inflicted injury. They entered the second period tied at two apiece, but allowed three goals and never recovered. The third period was entirely noncompetitive, and the Golden Knights ultimately fell 6-2.
“We had our chances to get ourselves back in the game once it got to five,“ said Golden Knights captain Mark Stone. “They get that early one in the third, and it’s pretty tough to come back from that. We’ll stick with it and learn from it… We gotta be better in these games.”
“I thought we were a little bit out of our rhythm, a little bit out of our execution, that we had maybe been in for the last nine games. But give [Tampa] credit,” said head coach Ryan Craig following the 6-2 loss. “They did a lot to influence that as well.”
1. Unforced and Unassisted
The final score suggests an extremely lopsided game in which the Lightning thoroughly dominated the Golden Knights, but that wasn’t the case. The Golden Knights had no problem generating scoring chances, and they were extremely dangerous in transition.
The problem was that they repeatedly shot themselves in the foot.
“If you turn the puck over against those top guys, they make you pay,” said Golden Knights captain Mark Stone following the loss. I think it’s definitely unforced errors. When you play against a team like that, you’ve got to get [the puck] outside the blue line. We had chances on [goals three and four] to get it out, and we didn’t.”
The Lightning scored four unassisted goals tonight, which means that most of their offense came directly off of Golden Knights’ turnovers.
“We didn’t help ourselves. I think that would be the easiest way to put it,” said head coach Ryan Craig. “I mean, they scored four unassisted goals tonight. We probably didn’t put ourselves in good positions to get out of areas, and then gave them chances to attack.”
“It probably goes back to puck management a little bit, right? Both teams are good at checking as well, and I think some of the situations we put ourselves in didn’t help,” continued Craig. “We probably just got a little bit cute at times, which led to being up and down a little bit. But if you don’t manage the puck, that’s what it’s gonna feel like.”
2. The Golden Lining
Prior to tonight, Ivan Barbashev was in a rut. He didn’t have any problem generating offense; heading into tonight’s game, Barbashev had seven points and was tied for fourth on the team in scoring. The problem was that his offense wasn’t translating into goals. All seven of his points were assists, and for a scoring forward playing on a line with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, that statistic had to be weighing on him.
That’s no longer an issue. Barbashev scored the first goal tonight for the Golden Knights, which tied the game at one apiece.
Barbashev can be a bit of a streaky scorer, and in the past, it only takes one goal to open the floodgates. Look for him to get on the board again on this upcoming two-game road trip to St. Louis and Columbus.
3. Game Eleven
Even after a blowout loss, the Golden Knights aren’t too concerned with their level of play.
“It’s game eleven; I don’t think there are measuring stick games in game eleven,” said Golden Knights’ captain Mark Stone following the 6-2 loss. “We’re still trying to build our game going forward. We’re playing 84 games this year, and we’re trying to build our game to go on a long playoff run. It starts at game one; we’re in game eleven. We still like where we’re at, as far as our record, but we want to get better.”
Because they’re only eleven games into the season, the Golden Knights can use tonight’s loss as a learning opportunity. They won’t hang onto the loss any longer than necessary. They’ll sit with it, and then move on and learn from their mistakes.
“When you play good teams, you’re not gonna come back from [being down] four in the third,” said Stone. “We have to correct your mistakes and build off some of the good stuff we did, because there was some good stuff. We had lots of chances. How did we create those chances… And what bad plays did we make to give them chances? That’s what we try to learn from.”
LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights didn't have to look far for an explanation after Tuesday night's 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning at T-Mobile Arena.
They had their chances. They didn't capitalize. And when they made mistakes against one of the NHL's most dangerous offensive teams, the Lightning made them pay.
Anthony Cirelli scored twice during a decisive second period, and Tampa Bay scored four unanswered goals to hand Vegas its third loss of the season.
The Golden Knights (8-3-0) entered the matchup having won three straight, but their inability to manage the puck against Tampa Bay's skilled forwards proved costly.
"We didn't help ourselves," Golden Knights coach Ryan Craig said. "I think that would be the easiest way to put it."
Vegas outshot Tampa Bay 34-21 but couldn't overcome a three-goal second period that transformed a competitive game into a one-sided affair.
Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev scored first-period goals for the Golden Knights, who twice erased one-goal deficits before Tampa Bay seized control.
The Lightning's ability to capitalize on Vegas' mistakes became the defining difference.
"They scored four unassisted goals tonight," Craig said. "We probably didn't put ourselves in good position to get out of areas, and then gave them chances."
After the teams entered the first intermission tied 2-2, Vegas appeared positioned to continue trading opportunities with Tampa Bay.
Instead, Cirelli scored twice in a span of 3:25, breaking the tie at 6:44 before extending the Lightning's advantage at 10:09.
Victor Hedman added another goal at 17:56, giving Tampa Bay a commanding 5-2 lead after two periods.
The Golden Knights generated scoring opportunities of their own, including several odd-man rushes, but failed to convert.
Stone pointed directly to the defensive-zone mistakes that allowed Tampa Bay's most dangerous players to operate.
"You turn the puck over against those top guys, and they make you pay," Stone said. "We don't get a puck out on the third goal. Jack and myself don't get it out on the fourth. They burn you."
Craig agreed that the breakdowns extended beyond Tampa Bay's pressure.
"I think it's definitely unforced errors," Craig said. "You play against a team like that, you just gotta get it outside the blue line."
KEY STAT: Six Goals on 21 Shots
The Golden Knights finished with a 34-21 advantage in shots, but Tampa Bay's efficiency told the story.
The Lightning scored six times on 21 shots, while Vegas went scoreless over the final 40 minutes despite generating numerous quality opportunities.
Stone said the Golden Knights had several chances to change the momentum, including four or five two-on-one opportunities.
"We had our chances to get ourselves back in the game," Stone said. "Once it got to five, and they get that early one in the third, it's pretty tough to come back from that."
Craig acknowledged that his team struggled with execution and puck management, particularly as the game became increasingly open.
"I thought we were a little bit out of our rhythm, a little bit out of our execution that we maybe had been in for the last nine games," Craig said.
"But give them credit. They did a lot of that probably to influence that as well."
WHAT A KNIGHT: Mark Stone
Stone provided one of Vegas' few highlights when he scored shorthanded late in the first period to tie the game 2-2.
The captain recognized an opportunity to pressure Tampa Bay's puck carrier and capitalized after teammate Brett Howden made a strong read.
"I kind of took a look and I didn't have anybody coming back, so I tried to forecheck, and Howden made a great read as well," Stone said.
The goal was Stone's eighth of the season and briefly restored momentum for Vegas.
But his most revealing contribution came afterward, when he rejected the notion that Tuesday's matchup represented an early-season measuring stick.
"It's Game 11," Stone said. "I don't think there's a measuring-stick game in Game 11."
Stone emphasized that the Golden Knights are still building toward their ultimate objective rather than allowing one October result to define their season.
"We're still trying to build our game going forward," he said. "We're trying to build our game to go on a long playoff run."
Craig echoed the need for improvement without overreacting to one result.
"If you don't manage the puck, that's what it's gonna feel like," Craig said.
UP NEXT
The Golden Knights begin a two-game road trip Thursday against the St. Louis Blues before visiting the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
For Stone, the response begins with correcting the mistakes while maintaining confidence in what the Golden Knights have accomplished through their first 11 games.
"You're gonna have these types of nights," Stone said. "You have to correct them. You have to correct your mistakes and build off some of the good stuff we did."
The Golden Knights will have an opportunity to do exactly that when they return to the road.
PHOTO CAPTION
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79), defenseman Shea Theodore (27) and Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) react to a shot into the second period at T-Mobile Arena.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Logan Stankoven and Nikolaj Ehlers each scored twice and had an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes beat Vancouver 6-3 on Tuesday night to take the NHL points lead and hand the Canucks their eighth straight loss.
Nicolas Deslauriers also had two goals for the defending Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes (8-2-1). Jackson Blake added three assists, and Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 14 shots, They rebounded from a 3-2 loss at Calgary on Sunday night.
Linus Karlsson, Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Max Sasson scored for the Canucks (2-8-1).
Leevi Merilainen provided a bright spot for Vancouver with 38 saves. He stopped Sebastian Aho on a penalty shot in the second period after Canucks center Elias Pettersson was caught throwing his stick.
Bouchard Scores OT Winner on 27th Birthday as Oilers Edge Wild 4-3Evan Bouchard celebrated his 27th birthday with a power-play OT winner, and Connor McDavid made NHL history, as Edmonton overcame a late Minnesota surge to secure a gritty special teams victory.
3 Things the Oilers Need to Guard Against Despite a Strong Start to 2026-27Early wins and returning stars raise expectations, but any complacency and looming lineup dilemmas could derail Edmonton’s momentum if they aren't careful on home ice.
Oilers Face Another Important Test Against Wild With Both Teams Tied In StandingsThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers#google_vignette">Edmonton Oilers</a> have had one of their best starts in recent years, and tonight's game against the Minnesota Wild will help determine where they rank among the Western Conference's best.
James Guillory-Imagn Images
