WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Mark Scheifele scored on a 5-on-3 power play with 1.6 seconds left and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on Sunday after blowing a late three-goal lead.
Scheifele scored on a one-timer from the high slot off a feed from Cole Perfetti.
After Brayden Yager gave Winnipeg a 3-0 lead on a power play at 8:10 of the third with his first NHL goal, the Lightning tied it in a 4:07 burst. Brandon Hagel scored with 9:38 to go, and Pontus Holmberg struck twice — with 5:59 left and 5:33 remaining.
Perfetti, Morgan Barron and Brayden Yager also scored for Winnipeg (7-8-3), and Stuart Skinner made 18 saves. The Jets have won three in a row after dropping nine straight.
Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 21 shots for Tampa Bay (11-4-2) in the opener of a three-game trip The Lightning had won three in a row.
Winnipeg went 3 or 5 on the power play, and Tampa Bay was 0 for 4.
It’s been five years since the Vegas Golden Knights acquired Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres, but today’s game at KeyBank Center made one thing clear. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed; when he returns to Buffalo, the crowds that once chanted his name will remain committed to voicing their displeasure when he has the puck.
But on Eichel’s game-winning goal, the puck was on and off his stick and in the back of the net so fast that the crowd didn’t get the chance to boo.
“It’s always nice to win,” said Eichel following the 4-1 win. “It’s a place I spent a lot of time, so it’s always good to come in here and get a win.”
Tonight’s victory ends the Golden Knights’ four-game Eastern Conference road trip on a high note. They have won three in a row and picked up points in all four games.
“Our execution rose, I thought, as we went through the trip,“ said Golden Knights head coach Ryan Craig. “Our level is continuing to climb. We’re 19 games in. So I’d expect our game to continue to get better, and when it strays a little bit, it’s our job to get it back.”
“It was a really good road trip for us,” agreed Eichel. “There were some tight games, some timely goals, and some huge saves. A lot of credit to the guys; after a long road trip, they found a way to win here in the afternoon. We’ll head home with seven of eight [points].”
1. A Rough Start
The Golden Knights beat the Sabres and scored four goals for the first time in five games. However, the Sabres came out hot and outshot the Golden Knights 14-6 in the first period. The only reason that Buffalo didn’t take the lead was the stellar play of their goaltender, Adin Hill.
“They came out hard,” said Hill following the 4-1 win. “It’s their building. But we just kind of held on. We obviously weren’t our best that period, and our power play didn’t get it going. But we found a way to keep it 0-0 at the end of the period. And our guys blocked a lot of big shots. Yeah, we held on.”
Hill was incredible in net, stopping 28 of the 29 shots he faced and saving 2.54 goals above expected.
“The first wasn’t very pretty by us,” said Mitch Marner following the game. “I think a lot of people would probably agree with that. Our goalie’s been unreal for us here these last few weeks. Hiller made some big saves when we needed him to.”
2. A Spotless Record
When teams are chasing the game, anything can help swing momentum in their favor. Usually, taking three consecutive penalties doesn’t help; today, however, the Golden Knights gained momentum from three second-period penalty kills.
“Sometimes a kill can get you going,” said Mitch Marner following the 4-1 win. “I think it kind of gets you on your toes more; it gets you anticipating plays. I think we did a really good job with our first kill going into our second, and obviously capitalizing once on the kill, and then capitalizing once right after. So both were big moments of the game.”
Since only allowing one goal on a 5-minute major against the Boston Bruins, the Golden Knights have killed off eleven straight penalties.
“We’ve had some timely kills, some big kills, and it was important to do that,” said Jack Eichel. “I thought our penalty kill had been good even earlier in the year; they were just finding ways to score. I think we’ve done a good job keeping the puck out of our net. Special teams are a big part of our game, and we’ve done a good job the last little bit on our PK.”
3. The Fastest Knight
With a goal and an assist in today’s game against the Sabres, Mitch Marner became the fastest player to record 100 points as a Golden Knight. He reached 100 points in 98 games, narrowly beating Mark Stone’s record of 103 games.
Marner sprung William Karlsson on a shorthanded breakaway during the first kill of the game, and later scored a beauty on a shorthanded breakaway of his own.
“I didn’t really know what I was doing until I did it. So that keeps people guessing as well,” said Marner. “There was pretty good ice out there, so I trusted myself pretty confidently. It’s always fun to see one drop. It’s been a while. I don't want to grip the stick too much, but I do like to see one go.”
Marner also assisted on Tomáš Hertl’s first goal of the game, which came just a minute and 17 seconds after the Sabres got on the board and cut the Golden Knights’ lead to one. Before getting off the ice for a change, Marner picked off Rasmus Dahlin’s bank pass and sent Hertl flying into the zone with speed. Hertl cut around Owen Power, took it to the net, and stuffed it home.
“It was a great response by our guys,” said Adin Hill following the 4-1 win. “[Buffalo] got that one goal there to make it a 2-1 game, and then maybe 2 shifts later Herts finds a way to bury one. It’s huge when you get that insurance goal.”
After a critical win Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings to snap a four-game losing streak, the Pittsburgh Penguins head to Anaheim Sunday to take on the red-hot Ducks in the second leg of their three-game California road trip.
Although much remains the same regarding their lineup, Pittsburgh did make a few moves prior to Sunday's game. The team announced that forward Ville Koivunen is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, and in a corresponding move, forward Rutger McGroarty was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate.
McGroarty has played in only two NHL games this season and has six goals and 12 points in nine AHL games. He will not be in the lineup against the Ducks.
In Koivunen's place, forward Andrei Kuzmenko will slot in. Kuzmenko, 30, was signed to a one-year, $5 million contract this offseason but has been a healthy scratch for the last two games. He has just one point in 11 games this season but will have the chance to make a statement against a team he is familiar with as an ex-King.
Goaltender Arturs Silovs will get the start in net after a 26-save winning performance from rookie goaltender Sergei Murashov on Saturday. He is 5-5-1 with an .876 save percentage this season.
Forwards Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin Tommy Novak-Ben Kindel-Egor Chinakhov Andrei Kuzmenko-Hendrix Lapierre-Justin Brazeau Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Nick Robertson
Defense Spencer Stastney-Erik Karlsson Sam Girard-Kaedan Korczak Declan Carlile-Kris Letang
According to Penguins' historian Bob Grove, the Ducks have scored five or more goals in seven straight games. The Penguins lost both contests against Anaheim last season, one being on a late penalty kill, and the other in overtime after a literal last-second goal.
Leo Carlsson has six goals and 26 points in 17 games this season.
Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X."
Even after heading to the West Coast with a mostly healthy roster, the Pittsburgh Penguins still could not escape the injury bug.
A day after their 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings Saturday, the Penguins announced that forward Ville Koivunen is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will not play in the second leg of the Penguins' back-to-back. They will take on the Anaheim Ducks Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
In a corresponding move, forward Rutger McGroarty - who just played Saturday in Charlotte with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate - was recalled and joined the team in Anaheim.
Koivunen, 23, has two goals and six points in 15 games this season. He has been playing on the third line with Hendrix Lapierre and Justin Brazeau, the latter of whom has played in the last three games after returning from an injury sustained in the preseason.
McGroarty has appeared in only two NHL games this season, but he has put together a solid start to his AHL campaign, recording six goals and 12 points in nine games. He recorded the game-tying goal in WBS's 4-3 overtime win over the Charlotte Checkers Friday in a two-point night.
In 34 career NHL games, McGroarty has four goals and nine points. It is unclear whether or not he will suit up for the Penguins Sunday against Anaheim, as forward Andrei Kuzmenko has also been a healthy scratch for the past two games and is available.
The Vegas Golden Knights needed their goaltender to help them survive the first period Sunday.
By the time they left Buffalo, they had plenty more to feel good about.
Tomas Hertl scored twice in the third period, Mitch Marner had a shorthanded goal and an assist, and Adin Hill stopped 28 of 29 shots as Vegas defeated the Sabres 4-1 at KeyBank Center.
Jack Eichel also scored against his former team, and Ivan Barbashev collected two assists for the Golden Knights (12-5-2), who finished their four-game Eastern trip 3-0-1.
“Some tight games and some timely goals and some huge saves,” Eichel said. “A lot of credit to the guys here after a long road trip finding a way to win here in the afternoon.”
Vegas outscored its opponents 11-6 during the trip, winning three straight after opening with a shootout loss in Boston.
Coach Ryan Craig pointed to a clear change after the opening period.
“Our ability to check, our ability to win pucks back, our level raised,” Craig said. “And it was the difference in the game.”
Buffalo outshot Vegas 14-6 in the first period, but Hill kept the game scoreless before the Golden Knights found their footing.
“We didn’t obviously have our best period,” Hill said. “But we found a way to keep it at 0-0 at the end of the period. Our guys blocked a lot of big shots.”
Marner and Eichel scored in the second period before Hertl put the Sabers away in the third. Beck Malenstyn scored Buffalo’s only goal as the Sabres fell to 8-6-3.
KEY MOMENT: 86 Seconds Marner, Eichel
The Golden Knights turned a Buffalo power play into the beginning of their breakthrough.
Marner scored an unassisted shorthanded goal at 12:17 of the second period, and Eichel followed just 86 seconds later to give Vegas a 2-0 advantage.
“I think sometimes the kill can get you going,” Marner said. “I think it kind of gets you on your toes more, gets you anticipating plays.”
Marner’s goal was Vegas’ fourth shorthanded tally of the season, tying the Golden Knights for the NHL lead.
His edge work helped produce the finish, though his later explanation suggested instinct played a significant role.
“I didn’t really know what I was doing until I did it,” Marner said. “So I think that obviously keeps people guessing as well.”
Eichel then scored his eighth goal of the season off an assist from Barbashev at 13:43.
The sequence rewarded a team that had stayed within reach during Buffalo’s stronger opening period. It also reflected the patience Marner believes has accompanied Vegas’ recent defensive improvement.
“The great thing is we’re not getting frustrated with not scoring goals,” Marner said. “We’re defending very, very well right now.”
Vegas killed 14 of 15 penalties during the four-game trip, a 93.3 percent success rate that helped protect narrow margins throughout the week.
The Golden Knights collected a point in Boston before winning one-goal games in Pittsburgh and Detroit. Their ability to keep opponents from converting with the extra skater repeatedly gave them an opportunity to secure points.
Craig traced the importance of those kills from the five-minute major in Boston through Sunday’s breakthrough.
“The Boston one keeps us in,” Craig said. “The Pittsburgh one late allows us for a chance to win the game. This one keeps us right at zeros, right, before Mitch scores. So very timely.”
For Eichel, the results represented a payoff for work that had been better than the early numbers suggested.
“I thought our penalty kill had been good even earlier in the year,” he said. “They were just finding ways to score, and I thought we’ve done a good job keeping the puck out of our net.”
That improvement fit the broader defensive picture. Vegas allowed two goals apiece in Boston and Pittsburgh, then one each in Detroit and Buffalo.
Hill and Carter Hart gave the Golden Knights a chance every night, while the penalty killers helped keep difficult stretches from becoming decisive ones.
“There’s a commitment to our team that is there,” Craig said.
WHAT A KNIGHT: Tomas Hertl
Hertl made sure Buffalo’s third-period breakthrough did not become the start of a comeback.
Malenstyn cut Vegas’ lead to 2-1 at 4:26, giving the Sabres more than 15 minutes to chase an equalizer.
“Two beautiful goals by Tommy,” Eichel said. “Gave us a little bit of comfort. And I thought we played well with the lead.”
The goals were Hertl’s eighth and ninth of the season. He also scored twice in Tuesday’s victory at Pittsburgh, giving him four goals over the final three games of the trip.
Both Pittsburgh goals came on the power play. Both Buffalo goals came at even strength.
Craig credited the defensive work that preceded Sunday’s finishes, including Marner’s checking and the backchecking before the transition on the second goal.
“Those goals in the third are a result of us checking,” Craig said.
UP NEXT
The Golden Knights return to T-Mobile Arena to face the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.
The game opens a five-game homestand that also includes Nashville, Vancouver and consecutive matchups against Dallas.
Vegas returns with 26 points through 19 games, although Eichel resisted declaring the successful trip a defining stretch of the season.
“I don’t know if you want to define your season on a trip in the early part of November,” he said. “But I think there’s a lot of things we can take from our game and what made us successful and what we did well.”
PHOTO CAPTION
Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) scores a goal on Buffalo Sabres goaltender Colten Ellis (92) during the third period at KeyBank Center.
There hasn't been much for Vancouver Canucks fans to celebrate this season. Though the losses have piled up, five young players are giving fans something worth watching.
For Head Coach Manny Malhotra, those faces are familiar.
Malhotra spent two seasons coaching the Abbotsford Canucks, including during their 2025 Calder Cup championship run. Now he's in Vancouver, where Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Linus Karlsson, Max Sasson, defenceman Elias Pettersson, and Tom Willander are trying to establish themselves.
Karlsson helped Abbotsford win a championship while Pettersson earned Malhotra’s trust defensively and Willander only played five games in the AHL. Some spent years developing in the AHL, while others needed much less time. Each took something different from the experience that helped them reach the NHL. Now they have to prove they belong there for the long haul.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki: More Than Just a Shot
Lekkerimäki came to North America with a strong scoring résumé, having been selected in the first round by Vancouver in 2022, though he didn't end up playing in his first pro North American game until 2024.
Finding the space to unleash that shot against NHL defenders was a different story.
Malhotra worked with Lekkerimäki on puck battles, attacking the middle, and becoming more reliable defensively.
From 2024-25 to 2025-26, Lekkerimäki scored 35 goals in 73 AHL regular-season and playoff games under Malhotra. Through the quarter mark of this season, he is one of the team’s top scorers.
After struggling to establish himself in the NHL, Lekkerimäki underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in February 2026. He entered the off-season with something to prove.
According to reporting by Patrick Johnston of Postmedia, Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson told Lekkerimäki before training camp that he would be a full-time NHL player, giving him an opportunity to develop without constantly worrying about making mistakes.
Lekkerimäki has responded with resilience, improving other parts of his game while rewarding the team's confidence with goals and points.
Lekkerimäki said in an interview with Canucks reporter Chris Faber in October that knowing what Malhotra expected helped boost his confidence. Malhotra acknowledged improvements in his puck battles and willingness to attack the middle, although more work remained.
His scoring seems to have paid off as of late, having strung together six goals and eight assists in his first 19 games of the season. However, creating opportunities consistently against defenders who give him little time and space will be his greatest challenge.
Linus Karlsson: Knowing What Works
Linus Karlsson isn't going to be winning many fastest skater competitions, but he doesn't need to be.
Karlsson’s best-known attributes are his abilities to protect the puck, win board battles, and find openings around the net.
Karlsson played the full 2025-26 season in the NHL, registering 15 goals and 35 points in 79 games. He was tied on the team for the most five-on-five goals (13) and had the highest amount of points by a Vancouver Canuck at even strength (31). The majority of those points came from playing in a bottom-six role.
In a May interview with HockeySverige.se done in Swedish, Karlsson credited winning the Calder Cup with helping his confidence. Vancouver inked him to a two-year extension worth $2.25 million annually.
Through Vancouver's first 18 games of 2026–27, the alternate captain has four goals and 10 points.
There’s no doubt his skating can improve, but how much more should he adapt when his strengths already produce results?
Malhotra saw Karlsson succeed without elite speed. He doesn’t seem like a player who needs to completely revamp his game.
Max Sasson: More Than a Breakaway Threat
Max Sasson's speed creates breakaways, but becoming a dependable NHL centre requires more than offensive opportunities.
In a February 2024 Canucks feature, then-Abbotsford coach Jeremy Colliton discussed Sasson's improvements in puck management and defensive responsibility. Sasson was also noted to have stayed after practice to work on faceoffs with Henrik Sedin and Jeff Ulmer.
He continued that work under Malhotra, although faceoff consistency remains a challenge.
Sasson played 29 games in the NHL in 2024-25 but had a career-high 13 goals in 66 games in the 2025-26 season.
He played with Karlsson and Drew O'Connor in the opening game of the 2026-27 season against the Edmonton Oilers. Their line contributed defensively against Connor McDavid, who finished without a shot on goal. Sasson also scored and assisted on Paul Cotter's overtime winner.
In a February 2026 feature by Jeffrey Kennett, then-head coach Adam Foote praised Sasson's defensive improvement. Sasson also discussed his work with the Sedins and wanting younger teammates to feel comfortable approaching him for support.
His speed remains a weapon. His defensive reliability could become equally important.
Elias Pettersson: Responding to Adversity
Defenceman Elias Pettersson is known for his physicality and skating ability. However, he struggled through the 2025-26 season. Pettersson watched some games from the press box and was sent down to Abbotsford on January 11th. He later returned to Vancouver on January 18.
In the Canucks' Building Blue coverage, Malhotra discussed using Pettersson on the penalty kill, including five-on-three situations, and late in games protecting leads. He also praised his ability to disrupt attacks and move the puck out of danger.
He currently ranks fifth among NHL defencemen in hits with 44.
During Vancouver's October 3 victory over the Calgary Flames, Pettersson scored the go-ahead goal after joining the attack. He credited Tom Willander with encouraging him to become more involved offensively.
Pettersson should never abandon his physical game. He should, however, make better puck decisions and recognize when to jump into the play so he could make himself more dependable.
His demotion was a temporary roadblock. Now he has another opportunity to earn Malhotra's confidence in Vancouver. So far, so good.
Tom Willander: Development Beyond Five Games
Tom Willander only played five games with Abbotsford before making his NHL debut in October 2025.
The Canucks’ 2023 first-round pick arrived from Boston University, giving him considerably less time under Malhotra, compared to other Vancouver prospects.
While some of his teammates spent years developing in Abbotsford, Willander made the jump after just five games. In a January 2026 interview with The Hockey News, he credited the experience with giving him the freedom and confidence to work on his game before joining Vancouver.
During a December 2025 Canucks Insider Podcast appearance with Chris Faber, Willander discussed building confidence and learning what worked in different situations. He also credited former Canucks defenceman Marcus Pettersson with helping simplify the game.
By the beginning of 2026–27, Willander was averaging more than 20 minutes per game.
In a May podcast appearance with Faber, he discussed the NHL's physical demands and the importance of improving his conditioning.
Other prospects could spend years in the AHL preparing for similar responsibilities. Willander is making those adjustments while already playing significant NHL minutes.
Reaching the NHL quickly was an achievement. Now maintaining his effectiveness across an entire season, then seasons beyond that will be his next challenge.
Different Players, Different Paths
Malhotra knows these five players from different stages of their careers.
He coached Karlsson through a championship, worked with Lekkerimäki on his offensive game and trusted Pettersson defensively. He also saw Sasson's development continue, while his time with Willander was much shorter.
So far this season, all five have remained regulars in Vancouver's lineup when healthy.
But Malhotra isn't the only reason they reached Vancouver. Jeremy Colliton, Adam Foote, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, veteran teammates and development staff have also contributed.
Winning the Calder Cup provided valuable experience, but AHL success doesn't guarantee a permanent NHL role.
Malhotra's familiarity with their games could help, but each player must continue earning their place.
Reaching the NHL is one thing. Staying there is another.
Mar 24, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson (91) drives between Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tom Willander (5) and defenseman Elias Pettersson (25) in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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A former Buffalo Sabres forward has found himself right back in the rumor mill after being traded by the Atlantic Division club this off-season.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, former Sabres forward Jordan Greenway is "out there" in the trade market as the Chicago Blackhawks continue to struggle this season.
"The Blackhawks have a lot of things out there," Friedman said. "They've been asked about some of their prospects. They've been asked about some of their guys that can play center. The other thing is, they've got Jordan Greenway out there. They've got Teravainen who's struggled out there. The Blackhawks are definitely active in terms of trying to help their team."
With Greenway being a pending unrestricted free agent and the Blackhawks being one of the NHL's worst teams so far this season, it makes sense that he is already creating chatter in the rumor mill. The former Sabres forward would have the potential to be a decent pickup for a playoff team that is looking for more size and physicality in their bottom six.
Furthermore, the Blackhawks have young players in their system who could replace Greenway on their roster if traded. Thus, it would be understandable if Chicago moved the former Sabres forward if they are unable to get their season back on track.
In 16 games this season for Chicago, Greenway has posted one goal, 31 hits, and a minus-4 rating. This is after he had one goal, six points, and 57 hits in 40 games for the Buffalo Sabres last season.
In 158 games over four seasons with the Sabres from 2022-23 to 2025-26, Greenway posted 18 goals, 28 assists, 46 points, 138 penalty minutes, and 326 hits.
The Hockey Hall of Fame will welcome the class of 2026 on Monday night in Toronto, and just for fun, we thought it might be interesting to see how the four NHL player inductees fared against the Senators over the years.
Not surprisingly, they did very well. They’re Hall of Famers after all.
Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Keith Tkachuk and Pekka Rinne combined for more than 4,800 NHL games, generally making life miserable for all opponents.
The Hockey News' The Wrap Around show talks about Pekka Rinne's selection to the Hall of Fame.
Bergeron and Price spent their entire careers in the same division as the Senators, making them very familiar to Ottawa hockey fans, while Tkachuk touches a nerve in this town for a very different reason.
Here's a look at their accomplishments and how they did against the Sens.
Patrice Bergeron – Boston Bruins
Nov 2, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) and Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) battle for the puck along the boards during the first period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Few players were more consistently difficult for the Senators to play against than Patrice Bergeron.
The longtime Bruins centre played 19 NHL seasons, collecting 427 goals and 1,040 points in 1,294 games. He won the Stanley Cup in 2011, two Olympic gold medals with Canada and a record six Selke Trophies as the NHL's best defensive forward.
Bergeron was also extremely productive against the Senators.
In 80 career regular-season games against the Sens, Bergeron recorded 29 goals and 40 assists for 69 points.
His combination of offensive production, defensive awareness and faceoff dominance made him one of the NHL's premier two-way forwards.
The Senators did get the better of Bergeron and the Bruins in their 2017 first-round playoff series, winning in six games on their way to the Eastern Conference Final. Clarke MacArthur’s OT goal to eliminate Boston that year won’t soon be forgotten in Ottawa.
Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens
Mar 2, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Like Bergeron, Carey Price spent his entire NHL career playing for one of the Senators' divisional rivals.
Price appeared in 712 regular-season games over 15 seasons with Montreal, recording 361 victories, 49 shutouts, a 2.51 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
His finest season came in 2014-15, when he captured the Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award and William M. Jennings Trophy.
Pretty, pretty, pretty good.
He also won Olympic gold with Canada in 2014 and led Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.
Against the Senators, Price had an excellent record of 28-13-7 with a .917 save percentage and a 2.39 goals against average.
The Senators faced Price and the Canadiens in two memorable playoff series.
In 2013, the Senators eliminated Montreal in five games in the opening round. Two years later, shortly after the Hamburglar run ended, Price and the Canadiens returned the favour, eliminating the Sens in six.
Price finished his career as Montreal's all-time leader in goaltending victories, and as every hockey fan knows, there have been more than a few greats who’ve come through that locker room.
Keith Tkachuk – Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Thrashers
Jan 29, 2009; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Keith Tkachuk (7) pressures Ottawa Senators left wing Dany Heatley (15) during the first period at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Keith Tkachuk's induction carries an obvious Senators connection.
The father of former Senators captain Brady Tkachuk enjoyed an outstanding 18-season NHL career, scoring 538 goals and adding 527 assists for 1,065 points in 1,201 games.
Known for his combination of physical play and scoring ability, Tkachuk surpassed the 50-goal mark twice and led the NHL with 52 goals in 1996-97, becoming the first American-born player to lead the league in goals.
He was also a member of the United States team that defeated Canada to win the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.
Tkachuk spent most of his career in the Western Conference, meaning his opportunities to face the Senators were considerably more limited than those of Bergeron and Price. He had 21 points in 24 games against the Sens and just 16 penalty minutes.
Although he never won a Cup, Tkachuk finished his career among the highest-scoring American-born players in NHL history.
Pekka Rinne – Nashville Predators
Mar 10, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Ames Hemsky (83) shoots on Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Predators defeated the Senators 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Pekka Rinne was one of the NHL's most dependable goaltenders during his long career with Nashville. His No. 35 became the first jersey retired by the Predators.
Originally selected in the eighth round of the 2004 NHL Draft, Rinne went on to play 683 regular-season games, posting 369 victories, 60 shutouts, a 2.43 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2018 and helped Nashville reach its first Stanley Cup Final in 2017.
Like Tkachuk, Rinne spent his career in the Western Conference, limiting his appearances against the Senators compared with the two Atlantic/Northeast lifers.
He did play 11 games against the Sens, going 8-3-0 in his career. His goals against average in those games was 2.73 and his save percentage checked in at .908.
He never faced the Senators in a playoff series, but if Chris Kunitz hadn't scored for Pittsburgh in double overtime in 2017, he would have been waiting for the Sens in the Stanley Cup Final.
The four NHL players will officially enter the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night, joining women's hockey pioneer Cindy Curley and longtime NHL executive Brian Burke who enters as a builder.
Burke's strongest link to the Senators is a painful one. He was GM of that Anaheim Ducks team that beat the Sens in the 2007 Stanley Cup Final.
Curley has an Ottawa tie as well, captaining Team USA in the first official Women's World Hockey Championship in 1990 at the Ottawa Civic Centre. The Americans lost to Canada in the final, but Curley put on a show with an outrageous 23 points in five games in the tournament.
A former Buffalo Sabres goalie is a free agent again.
This is because former Sabres netminder James Reimer has mutually terminated his contract with the New York Rangers.
Reimer was just placed on waivers by the Rangers earlier this week with Joonas Korpisalo returning from injury for New York. Now, instead of heading to the AHL, Reimer will be a free agent instead.
Reimer's time with the Rangers certainly did not go the way that he had hoped it would. He made just one appearance for the Rangers on Oct. 26 against the Los Angeles Kings, where he allowed three goals on just eight shots. He was also pulled during the first period of the matchup.
Now, Reimer is a free agent again less than two weeks after signing with the Rangers. It will be interesting to see if the 38-year-old netminder can find another opportunity or if this could be the end of his NHL career.
Reimer spent one season with the Sabres in 2024-25. In 22 games with Buffalo during that campaign, he posted a 10-8-2 record, a .901 save percentage, and a 2.90 goals-against average.
The Chicago Blackhawks were blown out by the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night in Raleigh. It wasn’t a typical blowout, either. They were down early, had no chance of coming back at any point, and eventually fell 9-2.
The defending Stanley Cup champions are a well-oiled machine, but they don’t drop 9 on just anyone. The Blackhawks were truly lousy, and the Hurricanes took advantage.
Now, the Blackhawks have a handful of days off before their next game, which will come on Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres at the United Center. Before the puck drops for that one, some sort of change must be made.
The Blackhawks already made one moderately big move by placing Arvid Soderblom on waivers. He is likely going to be replaced as the backup goalie in the coming days. That can't be it for Chicago. There have to be more changes made if they want to stop being blown out in every game.
The first option, which is the easiest and the path of least resistance, is to fire someone. Whether that’s head coach Jeff Blashill or GM Kyle Davidson is a decision in its own right, but these things happen when NHL teams underachieve.
The second option is to make a roster move. Is there a trade out there that makes the team better? Teuvo Teravainen and Jordan Greenway are on the block, but could more players be sent packing? You can’t fire players, but you can move them for a different look in the locker room. There aren’t many players out there who could fix this, but a change could help get the room back in a better place.
The third option, and perhaps the most difficult, is to try making a change to their defensive systems. Right now, the Hawks defend with a 2-1-2 strategy, and opposing teams expose it on a nightly basis. The Blackhawks clearly don’t have the personnel to play this style.
It is incredibly hard to change styles in the same season, but anything is better than what they are doing. You can’t give up 2-on-1s the way the Blackhawks do and keep running out there with the same system night after night, loss after loss.
All a new coach would do is implement his systems anyway, so Jeff Blashill may as well try it before he gets let go. That’s his most logical move forward if he isn’t let go sometime during the week. Is there a clear system that would make the most sense for this group? No. That would be for the powers that be to figure out before this season really goes off the rails more than it already has, and it impacts the development of young players.
Whether it's the systems or personnel, some form of a wake-up call is needed. The organization must make one of these moves to try to stop the bleeding. At 4-13-1, all options are being considered.
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New York Islanders defenseman Logan Stanley has been fined $3,586.98 for his slash against New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier in the second period of Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss:
Here’s the sequence by Logan Stanley that should have been a major penalty.
After the scrum, the #NJDevils netted one (1) penalty — a minor. Stanley was assessed a two-minute minor for the slash and two for roughing in the scrum itself. pic.twitter.com/1mIzHv7YdD
This is the second time in Stanley's career where he's received supplementary discipline from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
He was suspended for one game for roughing Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk on Jan. 3.
Stanley signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with the Islanders on Sept. 27 and has played primarily alongside 2025-26 Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer on the top pair while playing key minutes on the penalty kill.
This weekend, six new individuals will be inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame for 2026. This year’s class includes former Vancouver Canucks General Manager Brian Burke, as well as former pro hockey players Patrice Bergeron, Cindy Curley, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, and Keith Tkachuk.
Four of these six individuals played against the Canucks at various times throughout their NHL careers — this is how they fared.
A 20-year NHL veteran, Bergeron skated in a grand total of 1294 NHL games throughout his career, all with the Boston Bruins. During this span, he amassed 427 goals and 613 assists, good for a points per game pace of around 0.8. This falls in line with his career averages against the Canucks, as the skilled centre posted seven goals and 13 assists in 25 games against Vancouver. Most notably, Bergeron was part of the 2011 Bruins team that won the Stanley Cup against the Canucks.
Tkachuk, father of current NHLers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers, spent his 1201-game NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Atlanta Thrashers, and the St. Louis Blues. His 538 goals ranks 36th in NHL history, while his 2219 penalty minutes sits at 41st throughout the league’s history. Tkachuk found decent offensive success against the Canucks throughout his career, scoring 27 goals and adding 36 assists in 65 games.
BC local and career Montréal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price played some of his best hockey against the Canucks. The 15-year NHL veteran played in a total of 712 games for the Canadiens, winning 361 and registering 49 shutouts. His career numbers also include a 2.51 GAA and .917 SV%. Compared to the rest of the NHL, Price has one of his biggest win-to-loss differentials against Vancouver, having won 17 of 24 matches against the Canucks and lost only two in regulation. He also had a .929 SV% and 2.26 GAA against Vancouver, as well as three shutouts.
Like Price, Pekka Rinne spent the entirety of his NHL career with only one team. For him, that was the Nashville Predators. He played in 683 total games for Nashville from 2005 to 2021, posting 369 wins and 60 shutouts. 14 of these 369 wins came against Vancouver, while one of his 60 shutouts were against the Canucks. Rinne’s record against the Canucks is split very evenly, as he also recorded 14 regulation losses and two in overtime. Statistcially, he logged a .905 SV% and 2.81 GAA against Vancouver — both higher than his career-averages of .917 SV% and 2.43 GAA.
Mar 10, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Rogers Arena. Montreal won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
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The Montreal Canadiens have a clear trade candidate with goaltender Samuel Montembeault.
With the Canadiens having Jacob Fowler and Jakob Dobes, it would make sense if Montreal moved on from a pending UFA netminder like Montembeault.
When looking at potential trade destinations for Montembeault, the New York Rangers are only continuing to stand out more.
On Saturday, the Rangers placed goalie James Reimer on unconditional waivers for the purposes of contract termination. While New York recently got back Joonas Korpisalo from injury, it would not hurt for them to add another experienced goalie with Reimer's contract being terminated. Thus, Montembeault could make a lot of sense for New York as they aim to make the playoffs.
If the Rangers acquired Montembeault, he would give them another proven NHL goalie to work with. This would especially be the case if he bounced back in New York after his tough 2025-26 season with the Canadiens.
Montembeault is also continuing to make progress with his injury recovery, as he skated on Saturday.
Ultimately, Montembeault could be a solid pickup for a team like the Rangers. The Canadiens could also benefit by trading the 30-year-old, as they would move on from his $3.15 million cap hit.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Canadiens and Rangers link up to make a Montembeault trade from here.
The Detroit Red Wings are a team that isn't going to be known for a high-powered offense. That, combined with a subpar penalty killing percentage, made for an unfortunate result against a club that boasts multiple dangerous offensive threats.
The Colorado Avalanche got two goals and an assist from Martin Necas, while Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar also scored as part of their 4-0 win over the Red Wings at Ball Arena on Saturday evening.
Three of Colorado's goals were with the man advantage.
The setback was Detroit's fourth in their last five regulation games, and knocked them back below the .500 mark.
It was an especially disappointing result considering how well they played in the first period, getting multiple high-danger scoring chances and outshooting Colorado by a comfortable margin.
But once they started getting into penalty trouble in the second period, they were made to regret it.
As forward Andrew Copp would say afterward, he and his teammates have to show more tenacity around the net while also spending less time in their own zone, which would lead to less penalties against.
"Those second-chance opportunities feel like we’re a little one-and-done around the net right now," Copp said afterward. "And whether that’s the forwards not getting there or pucks not getting through to the net, whatever the combination is, we just got to get a little hungrier around that net."
The Red Wings have now dropped regulation contests against the Blues, Lightning, Golden Knights, and Avalanche. In two of those contests, they had a third period lead, but couldn't finish things out.
Right now, they have no choice but to find more offense.
"We’re playing some really good teams right now, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. We've got to find a way to just concentrate on the positives of the good things we’ve done, a lot of good 5-on-5 defense today and in the Vegas game, and then we just got to find a way to get some offense going," Copp said. "But the quicker we end plays in our D zone, the more time we'll spend in the offensive zone."
For head coach Todd McLellan, he felt that the club losing control of their emotions, which led to multiple penalties against, ultimately did them in.
"We were called for five penalties in 10 minutes, and that really changed the game, obviously," said McLellan. "We had to overuse guys. Other guys sat there cold. Their star players got a lot of touches, and they moved the puck around well. Obviously, scored.
So, it was it was frustrating that way, and we didn't deal real well with our emotions, I didn't think. So, we're going to get nights where the other team is better, sometimes the officials won't go in our favor, but we're gonna have to deal with it."
The Red Wings are back in action on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues, looking to avenge their loss on Halloween in Detroit.
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