Canadiens Forward Is Showing Big Signs Of Breaking Out

The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres in overtime by a 5-4 final score in their most recent game on Saturday. 

Canadiens forward Zachary Bolduc contributed in Montreal's win, as he scored a power-play goal at the 11:45 mark of the first period to tie the game up at 1-1. 

With this goal, Bolduc now has four goals to go along with six points in eight games so far this season with the Canadiens. He is also on a hot streak right now, as he has recorded a point in each of his last three games.

With the way Bolduc is playing right now, he is showing clear signs of being ready to break out for the Canadiens. The young forward putting up strong offensive numbers like this at the start of the season is very encouraging. Now, he will be aiming to keep it from here for Montreal.

If Bolduc can continue to chip in offensively while making an impact with his physicality, it would be huge for the Canadiens. At just 23 years old, there is reason to believe that he has not hit his full ceiling yet. Due to this, he will be a very interesting player to keep watching as the season carries on. 

Golden Knights Rookie Emerging as Early Dark Horse for Calder Trophy

Throughout their history, the Vegas Golden Knights have earned a reputation as a team willing to do whatever it takes in pursuit of the Stanley Cup. The organization prioritizes winning above all, and they’re unafraid to sacrifice futures to accomplish their goals.

In nine years, the Golden Knights have won one Stanley Cup and reached two additional Stanley Cup Finals. However, that perpetual excellence came with a cost; they sacrificed almost all of their futures to remain in win-now mode.

Only one notable prospect remained in the organization as the Golden Knights mortgaged their future: Trevor Connelly, the 24th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Very few players in the league are truly untouchable, but the organization never hid how highly they valued Connelly, a California-born playmaking winger with talent for days. They saw something special in him, and their belief never wavered.

“Trevor is different from any player in our organization,” said Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon at the start of training camp. “Elite hockey sense, elite talent. What he did last year in the American Hockey League as a 19-year-old… his ceiling is tremendously high.”

Now, their belief is paying off. The 20-year-old rookie scored just 15:22 into his NHL debut— a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks— and never looked back.

After 10 games, Connelly is emerging as a potential dark horse for the Calder Trophy. He leads all rookies in goals (4) and points (7), all while averaging just 13 minutes and 45 seconds of ice time a night. Connelly is a regular on the third line with Tomáš Hertl and Raphael Lavoie, and was recently elevated to the top power play unit. 

It’s still early in the season, and Connelly could come back down to earth. He is a first-year player, and the NHL’s grueling schedule and constant physicality have worn rookies down in the past.

However, nothing about Connelly’s game suggests that his hot start is unsustainable. His defensive game improves every game, and he’s not cheating for offense. He has a great shot, and he’s shown he can drive play. He can even score against some of the greatest players in the game– on Saturday, he read and intercepted Sidney Crosby’s pass, went back the other way, and scored an unassisted goal.

Connelly is a rare talent, and everyone can see it. His teammates have nothing but great things to say about the talented young rookie.

“I have such confidence in him,” said Mitch Marner. “He’s such a good player. You see it daily, just the plays he makes, those little three-foot plays… You see his hockey sense out there. He just reads the plays so well. He makes so many great offensive plays, and he’s really building his defensive game as well.”

“I think he’s got incredible edge work and high-end skill,” said Golden Knights captain Mark Stone. “He’s done a really good job adapting to the game. He’s a competitive little guy. He’s only gonna get bigger as time moves on as well, so he’s just gonna be more and more effective.”

Canadiens’ St-Louis: It Should Be Over

While the Montreal Canadiens ultimately got the two points out of their tilt with the Buffalo Sabres, they still gave up a point, and that point means the Sabres are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference while the Canadiens are ninth. Yes, it’s early, but the Habs are falling in the same pattern that cost them home-ice advantage in the playoffs last season. They had 106 points, like the Tampa Bay Lightning, but regulation wins are the tiebreaker: Jon Cooper’s men had 40, while the Canadiens had 34.

The problem is the Canadiens can't stay focused for a full 60 minutes to close out a regulation game. Saturday night’s game against the Sabres was a good example. When Montreal led 3-1 and was on the power play, Jack Quinn cleared the puck deep into the Habs zone. Zach Benson beat Dobson to the puck and moved it before the Canadiens’ defenseman could do anything. The puck made its way to the front of the net, and it was the same Quinn who was first to the puck in front of Jacob Fowler, a step ahead of Lane Hutson, who could only watch. Those are the kind of small mental errors the coach talked about in his post-game media availability:

It has to be better than this from that angle: how we behave on the ice. We play good games, but small mental errors creep in at times and hurt us. I’m generally proud of how we play as a team and all that, but those small mental errors…you lead by two; it should be over.
-

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Laval Rocket Launched Impressive Comeback Midway Through Game With Belleville Senators

Then, on Buffalo’s third goal, three Habs were between Josh Doan and Tage Thompson, and none could cut the cross-zone pass Doan sent to Thompson on the doorstep. The puck even crossed the crease on that play. After the game, Fowler also explained:

I feel like we played pretty good, kind of like it was awesome, a lot of big blocks tonight. We’ve been playing a lot of these games where the other goalie makes some big saves, and it comes down to textual hockey there. I feel I could have got a couple of sticks on a couple of those passes there not to give up some of those goals, but you know, Cole doing what he does on Saturday.

Asked about his team’s power play and the fact that the Habs had once again surrendered the lead, the bench boss added:

It was okay, but we’re better than this. […] It would be fun to put the final nail in the coffin. Buffalo is not an easy team to play with a lead; they play a wide-open game, and you have to be calculated in your actions. Even in the offensive zone, you can’t make a risky incomplete play; they thrive on that. They’re just waiting for you to try a play and fail, and then they take it the other way. You have to be patient and manage the puck in the offensive zone. It’s not necessarily about manufacturing a scoring chance, but it’s about managing the puck and forcing them to defend. When you can extend your time in the offensive zone and force them to defend, even if you make a risky play that ends up incomplete, they’re too tired to take advantage of it. But if you do that early, they pounce on the attack, and it’s not three guys attacking; it’s all hands on deck.
- St-Louis on putting games away

The coach explained how hard it is to balance killer instinct with patience and calculation. Of course, padding your goal total is always the aim of a team that’s playing with the lead, but you need to pick your moment to attack without leaving yourself vulnerable. In a boxing match, if you try to land a big uppercut and take too much of a wind-up, you leave yourself open to a quick jab, which you must avoid. There’s no magic recipe for avoiding that; it comes from experience, and while the Canadiens’ core has been together for a few seasons, they remain one of the league's youngest and least experienced teams. St-Louis knows they shouldn’t be dropping points like that, especially not to division rivals, but that’s part of the team’s growing pains.


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Devils Notebook: Average Start, Who Is Heating Up, Interesting Data & More

It’s eight games into the 2026-27 NHL season. So, how do we feel about the New Jersey Devils? No, really, how does everyone feel about this team? Honestly, it’s hard to read much into this team one way or another. 

It’s where this week’s Devils Notebook starts. The Devils look like an average team. It’s not good or bad, but it’s hard to make sense of this team. They look different from a roster perspective, with new players in key roles, yet they look like a similar team to the ones from the past: not good enough to compete for the Stanley Cup and not bad enough to be in a lottery spot. 

Eight Games In & The Devils Are Average: What Does That Mean In The Big Picture?

No matter how you dice or slice it, the Devils are, as the kids say, “mid” (if the kids are still saying that). It’s only eight games in, which is a small sample size. However, it’s enough to get a sense of how this team looks and where they might stack up by the end of the season. 

The Devils are 4-4 overall. They are 2-2 against their division, split the two games against their Western Conference opponents (the Utah Mammoth and Vancouver Canucks), and are 3-3 against the Eastern Conference. It doesn’t get more average than that. 

And it’s hard to deny that the Devils fit right into the middle of the NHL. Are they a top team in the league, one that can beat the best in a playoff series? No. Are they a bottom feeder, a team fighting with the Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Philadelphia Flyers for lottery position? Also, no. 

Devils Defensive Woes Are Becoming A Red Flag: Should Mehta Address It?Devils Defensive Woes Are Becoming A Red Flag: Should Mehta Address It?The 4-2 loss on Saturday afternoon was another display of the shortcomings on the defensive end. The Devils must find fixes. The question is whether the fix comes from within or if a change is needed.

The Devils have an exciting forward group led by Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier that can take over games and carry them all season. Conversely, the defense has been a weakness, while the goaltending has disappointed. Add it all up, and the plusses cancel out the minuses, leaving the Devils in the middle of the pack. 

Based on how the season plays out, it will be fascinating to see where an average Devils team stacks up in the division, the conference, and the NHL. They aren’t better than the Carolina Hurricanes or the Washington Capitals (Saturday’s 4-2 drubbing was a case in point). That said, they’ll be in a fight with their New York rivals and the Pittsburgh Penguins for that third spot in the division, which someone might back their way into. 

The good news is that the Devils are only eight games into the season. It’s still early, and a lot will change. An average team is only a short-term issue for the Devils. If this trend continues, of course, then the big-picture questions must be asked about this roster, and the core specifically. 

Gritsyuk, Meier & A Handful Of Devils Are Heating Up At The Right Time

The line change at the start of the week changed everything for the Devils, specifically their offense. It’s not a coincidence that the Devils scored 19 goals in their last five games (3.80 per game) and have won games because of their forwards. 

Devils Offense Finally Sets The Tone: Can They Do So All Season? Devils Offense Finally Sets The Tone: Can They Do So All Season? A seven-goal game against the New York Rangers, which they controlled from the start, suggests they can set the tone and control the play in games. Is their scoring surge sustainable throughout the season?

Arseny Gritsyuk moved to the Hughes line and started to find his footing. It makes sense since he’s a fast-skating winger who keeps up with Hughes and Bratt while feeding into their rush game. Gritsyuk has three goals in the last four games and has made the most of the open looks that come from playing alongside two skilled forwards. 

At the end of the recent game against the Capitals, Timo Meier found the back of the net for his first goal of the season. It’s viewed as a garbage-time goal or meaningless in a 4-2 defeat, but goals like those go a long way for a player like Meier. Like Gritsyuk, he’s building up his confidence, and as a scorer, goals come in bunches. A few more might be around the corner, and it will make a difference for the Devils' top six. 

It’s also fascinating to see whether the depth scoring remains or drops off. Anthony Mantha, who started the season on the Hughes line, was moved to the Evan Rodrigues line, and it gave the Devils a viable third line. Luke Evangelista, who was a pivotal part of the top six before he was sidelined with an illness, hopes to pick up where he left off as he looks to return to action this week. 

The Devils Reconfigured Lines Work & Might Change The Season’s Outlook The Devils Reconfigured Lines Work & Might Change The Season’s Outlook The Devils saw their offense explode in recent games and it comes after some adjustments from head coach Sheldon Keefe. Not only do the lines work, but they might also change the outlook for the season.

Ideally, the Devils have scoring depth that can step up when the star players aren’t delivering. This season, it looks like they have it. 

Making Sense Of Some Devils Analytics 

One scout noted a few weeks into the season that the Devils are passing the puck and not shooting it on net. From a visual perspective, it looks that way more often than not, as the Devils will pass the puck through the offensive zone and into high-danger areas. 

According to NHL Edge, the Devils are tied with the Utah Mammoth for the second-most high-danger shots in the league with 88. That should result in more goals, right? After all, the Mammoth average 3.67 goals per game, the seventh-most in the NHL. 

The problem is that the Devils’ shooting percentage in high-danger areas is 13.6%, which is 26th in the NHL. The Devils' shooting percentage is also well below the league average in all areas, as they score on 8.9% of attempts, which is 28th in the NHL. It's why the Devils average 3.13 goals per game despite generating plenty of scoring chances on most nights (that's tied for 14th in the league for those wondering). 

In short, the Devils are creating their chances and not finishing them. It ties back to the same issues they’ve had in the past. They have the playmakers but not the finishers. They can pass the puck into high-danger areas, but they won’t shoot there. While Hischier sets the tone, as a center who gets to the net front and powers home goals (all four of his goals this season have come from high-danger areas), the rest of the team follow suit. So far, they haven’t, and it’s a big-picture issue with the Devils. 

Quick Hits

After playing half of their first eight games within the division, the Devils have a heavy Western Conference slate ahead. The next eight games are against Western Conference teams, including two meetings against the Colorado Avalanche. 

These are the teams that the Devils don’t see often and aren’t familiar with. It’s why this is the best time of the season to play them. They’ll wrap up their season series against the Avalanche while they are still figuring things out on their roster. It’s best for the Devils to face their divisional opponents later in the season, when the games are more consequential. 

The Utica Comets have only played four games so far and will only play seven in October. The American Hockey League affiliate for the Devils has a light start to the season, which is fascinating considering the heavy schedule most teams face early on. The contrast is the Hartford Wolf Pack, who already have eight games under their belt. 

One conversation at the arena was about how the rest of the NHL is getting better while the Devils have stayed in the same spot. While the offseason moves upgraded this team, there’s some truth to the rest of the league catching up with the Devils. Their strengths, notably their speed and skill, aren’t significant advantages anymore. The rest of the league has speed that can keep up with them. Likewise, teams are built to defend those burners like Bratt and Hughes. The game against the Capitals was another reminder of that. 

Hughes scored his second overtime winner of the season in the 5-4 win over the Red Wings. Interestingly, he has yet to score a five-on-five goal, or a goal in regulation, for that matter. Presumably, that will change soon. 

What’s on your mind from the past week? What will you keep an eye on in the upcoming matchups? Comment below!

Flyers Continue to Battle Injury Bug, More Key Forwards Ailing

Although they now have the first win of the season under their belts, it will be difficult for the Philadelphia Flyers to build or otherwise sustain momentum with the number of injuries they are dealing with.

Rasmus Ristolainen has been out since Oct. 3 with an upper-body injury, while Cam York and Travis Konecny have each been out of commission since the Oct. 8 game against the Ottawa Senators.

NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jordan Hall reported that Ristolainen and York skated separate from the rest of the team ahead of Sunday's Flyers practice, but the Flyers still don't have an update on Konecny.

Owen Tippett, who sat out Saturday night's 3-1 win against Ottawa with an upper-body injury, wasn't at practice on Sunday, and he wasn't the only one.

Although both players finished Saturday night's game, Sean Couturier and Tyson Foerster weren't on the ice for Sunday's practice, and Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet wouldn't commit to either player being available for Monday night's game against the visiting Colorado Avalanche.

Foerster blocked a shot off his hand in the first period against Ottawa and went down the tunnel immediately, but returned for the second period and toughed the night out.

"We evaluated him after, he couldn't have gone on the ice today. We'll see how he is tomorrow. Another game-time guy," Tocchet said.

The ailment Couturier is dealing with is less apparent, and the Flyers' captain conducted his postgame media availability on Saturday night as normal, something that is highly unusual for injured players or players who need treatment after a game.

"He got banged up, same thing. We're in that stretch right now. We're getting injuries. I don't know if they're playing tomorrow, so it's one of those things," Tocchet added. "We'll see how it goes tomorrow."

Flyers have nightmare matchup on tap

Flyers forward Owen Tippett will be a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Avalanche. (Photo: Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
Flyers forward Owen Tippett will be a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Avalanche. (Photo: Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)

The Flyers were already struggling with and without injuries, and now they've gotten further injuries to add to what is now a CVS receipt.

On Monday, they'll have to face the high-flying Avalanche, the team with the third-most goals in the NHL (36) behind Edmonton (37) and Vegas (42).

The Avalanche, of course, boast star talents like Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar, and the Flyers will have to defend against them without two top-four defensemen in Ristolainen and York.

And, in terms of keeping the game within reach, both Dan Vladar and Joseph Woll have been good for the Flyers this season in goal, but will whoever starts against Colorado be good enough to buoy a team that ranks last in the NHL with 1.4 goals scored per game?

Having just earned their first victory of the season, the Flyers are back in business for now, but much work is still left to be done, starting on Monday night. 

Sunday Standings: Penguins need to ‘dig in’ to get out of slump

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 16: Artturi Lehkonen #62 of the Colorado Avalanche watches as the puck crosses the goal line during the second period against Goaltender Arturs Silovs #37, Sidney Crosby #87 and Samuel Girard #49 the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ball Arena on October 16, 2026 in Denver, Colorado (Photo by Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

It’s been a tough road trip for the Penguins, three games have resulted in three losses. Suddenly the type of adversity the team saw last December has showed up earlier in the season this time around.

“It’s on us. It’s on us together,” coach Dan Muse said after last night’s 6-2 loss to Vegas. “We can’t be feeling bad for ourselves. It’s on all of us, myself included. So, together as a group, we got to dig in. We have to find consistency in our game. There’s a lot coming off of tonight that we have to clean up from a structural standpoint, across the board, a number of things.”

Sidney Crosby repeated much the same sentiment.

“Nobody likes to lose,” Crosby said. “We know there’s areas we got to improve on. We’ve got to fix it quick.”

A 1-5-1 slide over the last seven games has sent the Penguins down towards the bottom of the standings. They better get to cleaning up soon.

The good news for the Pens is that after Monday night’s game against Utah, five of their following next six games will be at home. The home/road record splits speak for themselves on why that should be beneficial. Going back home could help get their season on track, perhaps at the right time in that department after a season start that will have seven of the first 10 games going on the road.

Beyond that, there’s something to be said that inconsistent teams in the middle of the pack this year. Some, like the Rangers right now, get hot and lift up towards the top of the heap. Then over time will drift back down when the back of the pack teams end up winning a few games and bunching back up.

Consternation might be the name of the game around the division right now. Aside from Carolina, anyways, where everything is on cruise control all the time. Here’s something everyone has to gripe about:

  • Goaltending wasn’t the reason the Rangers lost a 1-0 game last night, but they’re 0-1-1 in the last two and the reality of losing Igor Shesterkin might be growing enough to cause concern about how they’re going to handle things in the long run.
  • Washington has an illness sweeping through the team, which has kept PL Dubois out for four games and put four regulars on the shelf for last night. Never happy times when the an invisible opponent is laying waste to the team and more players are turning up sick.
  • The Islanders don’t have too much to complain about right now, though injuries to forwards Cal Ritchie and Matias Macelli last night will bring some uncertainty and worry, especially since Macelli has been their second-highest scoring forward early in the season.
  • New Jersey has had a trend of often giving up the first goal of a game, and often losing the game since the start of 2025-26 when they do give up that first goal. Then again, the Devils scored first yesterday against the Capitals, but the problem was the Caps scored second. And the third goal. And fourth. And fifth.
  • The Penguins, well, we all know the issues they’re dealing with. Rickard Rakell hasn’t scored a goal this season. The team defense is poor at times and often forced to pay for it with goals flying into their net. As mentioned above, coach and captain have to find a way to get the team out of an early-season rut in a hurry.
  • Columbus earned a 1-0 shutout win last night, badly needed since it sounds like Rick Bowness is itching to have a meltdown over his team’s performance. Between bashing some players summer conditioning and now going on about the defensive effort, it doesn’t seem like Bowness is having a good time professionally these days. However, with just six games in the books so far, the Blue Jackets have barely had the chance to do much to get in a rhythm.
  • Any team is on a red alert when a winless streak to start the season goes into the 10th game. The Flyers finally got in the win column last night, the last team in the NHL to secure a victory. Philadelphia forwards, combined have 25 points on the season – that’s barely more than Connor McDavid having 23 all by his lonesome. Add in defensive issues and Rick Tocchet’s seat might be starting to get a little warm.

Early season blues and concerns almost all around. That’s NHL hockey for you, what looks in shambles today could show signs of improvement before too long. Many teams around the Metropolitan Division right now are hoping to settle things down and try to keep up with the Hurricanes who are already starting to pull away given their .833 points percentage putting them in smooth sailing territory to lead the pack.

'I've Got To Step My Game Up': Daemon Hunt Embracing Bigger Role With Injury-Riddled Wild

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Daemon Hunt's journey with the Minnesota Wild has been anything but ordinary.

The 24-year-old defenseman was originally drafted by Minnesota in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft before being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in November 2024 as part of the deal that brought David Jiricek to the Wild.

Less than a year later, Minnesota reclaimed Hunt off waivers from Columbus, bringing him back to the organization that drafted him.

Now, with the Wild dealing with several injuries on their blue line, Hunt is getting an opportunity to prove he belongs in the NHL. And fittingly enough, that opportunity continues Sunday when Minnesota hosts Columbus at Grand Casino Arena.

With Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon and Olli Maatta sidelined, Hunt has been asked to take on additional responsibilities, including penalty-killing duties and an increased role at even strength.

For Hunt, it's an opportunity he doesn't intend to waste.

"I mean, I've come so far in the past three or so years," Hunt told The Hockey News in a one-on-one interview. "I think it's just like being comfortable out there, being comfortable with having the puck on your stick."

Hunt has spent considerable time developing his game in the American Hockey League, where he's become accustomed to playing significant minutes. But translating that experience to the NHL presents an entirely different challenge.

"I log a lot of minutes in the AHL, so I'm familiar with it. But obviously, this is another level," Hunt said. "I think over the past couple years, my skating has gotten even stronger and better."

The biggest adjustment, however, has been finding the consistency required to earn the trust of an NHL coaching staff.

"I think just trying to find that consistency of bringing it every night and having the coaches being able to rely on you has been big for me," Hunt said. "So every day I'm just kind of working at it, trying to be more consistent with everything."

That development was on display Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.

Hunt logged 16:27 of ice time, including 1:42 on the penalty kill, during Minnesota's 5-4 victory. It was his highest ice-time total of the young season.

He also recorded two shots on goal while taking on a larger role with several regular defensemen unavailable.

"Yeah, it definitely feels good," Hunt said of the increased responsibility. "That's one of my strengths, penalty kill, but we're short-staffed on the back end, and I've got to step my game up. Everyone does. It doesn't really matter who's in the lineup."

For a young defenseman still trying to establish himself as an everyday NHL player, the opportunity to play more minutes has helped him settle into games.

"To be an NHL player, it is very challenging. So I'm still trying to learn how to bring it every day," Hunt said. "Last game was nice to be in a top-four role and be in the flow of the game, so that was really nice. And I thought last game was one of my better games this season so far."

While the increased playing time has been valuable, Hunt has also benefited from the experience surrounding him in Minnesota's locker room.

One player in particular has been veteran defenseman Zach Bogosian, who has served as Hunt's defensive partner.

Bogosian, a Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has provided Hunt with another resource as he continues learning the finer details of playing defense at the NHL level.

"I've learned a lot," Hunt said. "He's a guy that's been around forever. Obviously, he's won a Cup. Just the little things, you know, the little questions on the bench, or whether it's during practice, just little things."

And Bogosian isn't the only veteran Hunt has leaned on.

"We've got a lot of veteran guys, though. Obviously, Quinn and Spurge has been around forever, so, even Jimmy Brodin," Hunt said. "They're great at what they do, and so I think just continuing to ask questions around those guys goes a long way, and those little details add up in your game."

Those conversations aren't limited to practices or meetings. Hunt frequently seeks feedback during games, sometimes immediately after returning to the bench following a shift.

"I'd say it's a bit of both," Hunt said when asked whether those conversations happen during games or practices. "After a shift on the bench, you just ask them a little question, or we look at the iPad."

Hunt also mentioned working on specific details with assistant coach Patrick Dwyer during practice.

"I really appreciate when guys come up to me and tell me what I need to do better," Hunt said.

But while Hunt has become increasingly comfortable handling the puck and playing against NHL competition, there's one part of the NHL experience he's still trying to figure out.

The iPads on the bench.

Unlike in the NHL, where players can review video of their shifts during games, Hunt said he didn't have access to the same technology in the American Hockey League.

And apparently, there's a bit of a learning curve.

"No, no. That's not in the AHL," Hunt said. "It's kind of new for me. Growing up, I never really used the iPads, so I don't know. I'm trying to be dialed on the game, but then guys bring out the iPads, and I'm like, I don't know how to use this thing and work it."

Hunt joked about trying to locate a specific play while also preparing for his next shift.

"Like, what time was the play I was in at?" Hunt said. "So, I like it. I'm just trying to get used to it still."

Despite the technological challenges, Hunt understands how valuable instant video feedback can be, particularly when trying to correct mistakes.

"If I make a mistake, or I thought I seen something different, and the play unfolds differently than I would, then I want to look at it because I like to visualize things and see," Hunt said.

The challenge is finding the right time to review those plays without losing focus on what's happening on the ice.

"It's kind of hard to do in the middle of a game," Hunt said. "Like, if I'm next up, I'm on the iPad. I don't really know yet. But I'm trying to figure it out."

It's another small adjustment in Hunt's ongoing development as an NHL defenseman.

From learning how to handle increased minutes to picking the brains of Stanley Cup champions and figuring out the technology available on the bench, Hunt is continuing to absorb everything he can.

And as Minnesota prepares to face the team that traded for him less than two years ago, Hunt finds himself with an opportunity to establish a more permanent role with the organization that originally drafted him.

For now, his focus remains on making the most of every opportunity.

"I'm happy about the last game," Hunt said. "Again, just trying to bring it every day and trying to enjoy the grind."

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10 Takeaways From The First 10 Games Of The Canucks’ 2026–27 Season

The Vancouver Canucks are officially 10 games into their 2026–27 season. Since starting the year with a 6–5 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers on September 29, Vancouver has posted a record of 2–7–1, most recently taking a 4–2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Here are 10 takeaways from their first 10 games of the 2026–27 season. 

After A Slow Start, The PK Has Started To Click 

Vancouver’s penalty-kill had a horrendous start to the season, clicking at a success rate of only 52% before going perfect against the New York Islanders for the first time in a single game this season. They’ve only surrendered one power-play goal-against since — on Saturday against Tampa Bay. The big change Vancouver made is in their personnel, with their current main unit featuring Drew O’Connor, Filip Hronek, and Elias Pettersson (both the forward and defenceman). Speaking of Pettersson . . . 

2026–27 Is Starting To Seem Like The Year Of Elias Pettersson 

Both Petterssons have had impressive starts to their respective 2026–27 seasons. The forward has looked noticeably more physically engaged through the first few games of the year, has helped drive play as a member of Vancouver’s top line alongside Jake DeBrusk and Jonathan Lekkerimäki, and currently leads his team in points with 10 in 10 games. 

Pettersson, the defenceman, has arguably been the Canucks’ most impressive player to start the 2026–27 season. Both his offensive and defensive game have looked much more solid compared to the slow stretches he experienced last year, to the point where he’s even received a promotion to Vancouver’s top pairing beside Hronek. He’s played over 20 minutes in three of his past four games.  

Meriläinen’s Making His Mark 

If Pettersson isn’t Vancouver’s most impressive player after the first 10 games, the honour has to go to Leevi Meriläinen. The goaltender, picked up off waivers by the Canucks ahead of the start of the regular season, has impressed in every game he’s played in. Three of his four starts on the season have seen him record a save-percentage of .920% or higher. Vancouver’s close scores in losses have often been due to his play. 

Early Struggles On Defence 

Vancouver’s defenders haven’t had the greatest start to the 2026–27 season, both individually and collectively. Hronek’s decision-making has raised questions early, Zeev Buium hasn’t quite demonstrated the level of flair that’s been expected of him, and rotations have seen veterans Jamie Oleksiak and Luke Schenn get subbed-out for Victor Mancini and Guillaume Brisebois. It’s early, so these struggles may not be read into too-much, but they’re definitely things to keep an eye on moving forward. 

Speed Is A Priority 

The deployment of Max Sasson and changes in Vancouver’s roster have shown that speed is a priority for the organization and Head Coach Manny Malhotra. What’s made this even more apparent is the Canucks’ deal sending Aatu Räty to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Jacob Quillan and Brandon Buhr. While Räty may have had the makings of a third-line centre at the NHL level, his developing footspeed ultimately didn’t appear to fit Vancouver’s trajectory moving forward. 

The Goals Came Early, But They’re Drying Up Quickly 

One of the positives about Vancouver early on was that they didn’t have much trouble finding the back of the net. They currently sit tied for eighth in the NHL in goals-for with 30. Five of their skaters have scored three or more goals, with Paul Cotter leading the team with four tallies after his four-goal campaign through the first four games of the season. That said, their goals-for stats are significantly inflated by their 6–5 overtime win and 9–7 loss to the Oilers at the beginning of the year — they haven’t scored more than two goals since. 

Lekkerimäki’s Hot Start  

Jonathan Lekkerimäki has taken strides since the 2025–26 season. The forward, who had question marks surrounding his trajectory during the off-season, has turned it on since the start of the year. He’s looked more confident with the puck, making good plays that have helped his team generate more offence. Lekkerimäki is currently tied with Hronek for the fifth-most points by a Canucks skater this season. 

Not Every Loss Has Been Negative

While it is true that eight of Vancouver’s 10 games have resulted in losses, not all of these efforts have been fully negative. For the most part, the Canucks’ losses have featured fair comeback efforts, such as their strong second period against the Islanders or three-goal stunner against the Oilers. As a whole, their effort level has been consistent.   

Leaders Don’t Need Letters

The Canucks named six assistant captains ahead of the 2026–27 season — Pettersson, Buium, and Brock Boeser on the road, and O’Connor, Hronek, and Linus Karlsson at home — though leadership in the room stems past these players. The on and off-ice actions of the rest of the team have proven that Vancouver’s leaders aren’t just the players with letters on their jerseys. Veterans like Schenn and Brendan Gallagher have led the way in aspects such as off-ice habits, while young players like defenceman Pettersson have shown an edge in defending their teammates. 

There’s No Question The Canucks Are In A Rebuild

As a whole, through their first 10 games of the season, Vancouver has demonstrated that they’re very much still a rebuilding team compared to the rest of the NHL. Despite strong-effort performances, such as their 3–2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, they’ve still looked vastly outmatched. Given how many expect this team to perform this year, that’s not a bad thing. As long as Vancouver shows that they’re learning and developing throughout the year, the results in the standings won’t matter as much. 

Oct 3, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Leevi Merilainen (31) and defenseman Zeev Buium (8) and defenseman Luke Schenn (2) and forward Marco Rossi (23) celebrate the victory against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Oct 3, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Leevi Merilainen (31) and defenseman Zeev Buium (8) and defenseman Luke Schenn (2) and forward Marco Rossi (23) celebrate the victory against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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Columbus Blue Jackets (6 pts) vs. Minnesota Wild (11 pts) Game Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are back on the road to face the Minnesota Wild tonight at 6:00 PM.   

Minnesota Wild - 5-2-1 - 11 Points - Won 1 - 3rd in the Central 

Columbus Blue Jackets - 3-3-0 - 6 Points - Won 1 - 7th in the Metro

Player Notes Per CBJ PR

  • Adam Fantilli has notched 2-1-3 in six career matchups against the Wild and posted 1-1-2 in his last trip to St. Paul.
  • Matthew Knies has 2-1-3 in five career games against Minnesota, with points in his last two outings (1-1-2) as well as goals in two of his three games at Grand Casino Arena.
  • Valeri Nichushkin has collected 6-8-14 in 34 career contests vs. Minnesota, including a two-assist effort in his last game in St. Paul, and has 2-4-6 in his last 5 on the road against the club.
  • Zach Werenski has tallied 7-4-11 in 15 career matchups with the Wild, who scored twice in the club’s last game and collected 3-2-5 during the 2025-26 season series. Also has points in six of his past nine overall (6-3-9).

Blue Jackets Stats 

  • Power Play - 13.3% - 27th in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 66.7% - 29th in the NHL
  • Goals For - 16 - 29th in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 21 - 8th in the NHL   

Wild Stats 

  • Power Play - 33.3% - 2nd in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 88.5% - 5th in the NHL
  • Goals For - 26 - 16th in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 20 - 4th in the NHL

Series History vs. TheWild   

  • The Blue Jackets are 33-29-1-7 overall, and 14-17-0-5 on the road in Minnesota.
  • Columbus has earned points in four of its past five trips to Minnesota (2-1-2) and in 12 of the past 18 games played at Grand Casino Arena since the 2010-11 season (10-6-2).
  • The previous meeting between the clubs in St. Paul on Oct. 11, 2025, saw the most combined goals, as well as the most scored by Columbus, on the road in the all-time series after a 7-4 Blue Jackets win.
  • Columbus has scored on the power play in each of its last three appearances at Grand Casino Arena (3-for-9, 33.3 pct.).
  • The teams have combined for seven-plus goals in four of the last six overall.

Who To Watch For TheWild   

  • Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild with 9 goals and 14 points. 
  • Quinn Hughes leads the Wild with 10 assists. 
  • Goalie Jesper Wallstedt is 5-1-1 with a SV% of .921. 
  • Calvin Pickard is 0-1-0 with a SV% of .800. His last start was October 13th. 

Injured Reserve & Other Injuries

  • Dante Fabbro - Broken Hand - IR - 6 Games Missed
  • Isac Lundestrom - Achilles Surgery - LTIR - 6 Games Missed
  • Ivan Provorov - Lower Body - IR - 6 Games Missed

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 22

How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be simulcast on The Blue Jackets Hockey Network and 97.1 The Fan, with Steve Mears behind the mic doing the play-by-play.

TV: CBJHN (Spectrum HD Ch. 320/1320; IP Ch. 349; Prime Video, Fubo)   

Next Up For Columbus: The CBJ take on the Minnesota Wild tonight at 6:00 PM.

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The Kings Are a Disaster

The Los Angeles Kings are stinking up the show.

Usually, that means you're doing something right. Well, not in this case. They're stinking up the show in the worst way possible. And what's worse than being the only team left in the NHL that has yet to win a game? It can't get much worse than that.

It doesn't matter if this team outshoots its opponent by 20 or more shots. Somehow, someway, the Kings will find a way to lose.

Tuesday was a perfect example. The Edmonton Oilers defeated Los Angeles 4-1 despite putting just 16 shots on net. The Kings, meanwhile, fired 40 shots at the opposing goal and came away with — you guessed it — one goal.

Apparently, 40 shots still aren't enough when you can't figure out how to beat a goaltender.

At the other end of the ice, Darcy Kuemper — the supposed starting goaltender, although that title is becoming increasingly difficult to justify — was pulled in the first period after allowing three goals on seven shots. Three goals. Seven shots. Do the math.

Peter Laviolette turned to Anton Forsberg, the goaltender who helped make this team look at least halfway competent during last year's playoffs. Forsberg stopped all nine shots he faced in relief, but it didn't matter. The offense gave him virtually nothing to work with, and the Kings went on to lose 4-1.

Then came Saturday, with the Kings back in front of their home fans and desperately searching for something — anything — resembling a breakthrough.

At least Laviolette got one decision right. Forsberg got the start.

He stopped 24 of 26 shots, but Los Angeles still lost 4-1. Alex Laferriere scored the Kings' lone goal against Jeremy Swayman, and that was about as exciting as things got for the home side.

Another game. Another loss. Six straight now.

And before anyone wants to point out the two overtime losses, let me make something perfectly clear: if it's not a win, it's a loss. Collecting a point here and there doesn't change the fact that this team still hasn't figured out how to finish the job.

The Kings are an absolute mess right now. They can't score, they can't find consistency in net, and they keep giving their fans reasons to wonder what, exactly, is supposed to change.

Speaking of consistency, Kuemper has been about as reliable as Katie Zacharia's statements about her legal background.

So, who exactly is the starting goaltender in Los Angeles? The guy carrying a 4.53 goals-against average, or the one sitting at 2.63?

Because if the Kings actually want to give themselves a chance to win hockey games, Forsberg should be getting the call. If they want to keep rolling out Kuemper simply because he's the more expensive option, well, by all means, keep doing what you're doing. It's clearly working wonders.

Kuemper makes $5.25 million a year. Forsberg makes $2.25 million. That's a $3 million difference, and right now, the cheaper option looks like the better bet between the pipes.

Of course, a goaltending change isn't going to magically fix everything. That's the other problem here.

The Kings can't score to save their lives.

And Saturday's loss to Boston might have been the perfect summary of just how bad things have gotten in Los Angeles.

The Bruins won 4-1, with two of those goals coming into an empty net. That's right. Two empty-net goals. Laviolette was so desperate to get something going offensively that he was willing to pull his goaltender and give Boston a free shot at an empty cage just for the chance of getting another goal on the other end.

And what did the Kings get for that gamble?

Absolutely nothing.

Los Angeles was willing to risk giving up easy goals just to generate some offense, and it still couldn't make anything happen. That's how desperate things have become. When you're pulling your goalie because you need goals that badly, you'd better have an offense capable of making the gamble worthwhile. The Kings didn't. Instead, they gave Boston two empty-netters and went home with another loss.

At some point, you have to wonder what Laviolette is supposed to do with this group. He can change the goaltender, pull his goalie, shuffle the lineup, or cross his fingers and hope something finally clicks. But none of it matters if his team can't finish its chances.

You could give this team 40 shots every night, and it wouldn't mean a thing if they can't turn those chances into goals. Outshooting an opponent by 24 and still losing by three isn't just frustrating. It's a glaring warning sign.

The goaltending situation is a problem. The lack of offense is a problem. And the inability to turn promising performances into wins is an even bigger one.

The Kings aren't just losing games right now. They're running out of answers.

Six games into a winless start, there needs to be some accountability in Los Angeles. You can't keep pointing to shot totals as evidence that things are going well when the scoreboard keeps telling a completely different story.

At some point, the excuses have to stop.

Because right now, the Los Angeles Kings aren't just stinking up the show.

They're making a mess of it.

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Former Avalanche Forward Wastes No Time Scoring His First Goal With Nashville

Former Colorado Avalanche forward Jack Drury scored his first goal with the Nashville Predators on Saturday, helping his new team pick up a 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues.

Drury found the net 8:14 into the third period after Predators captain Roman Josi sent a pass across the ice to him in front of the net. Drury got the shot past Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington to add to Nashville's lead.

Drury spent the last season and a half with Colorado after coming over from the Carolina Hurricanes in January 2025. He was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to Carolina, with Martin Necas and Drury heading to the Avalanche in return.

He played 33 regular-season games with Colorado after the trade, scoring five goals and adding four assists. Drury also appeared in all seven of the Avalanche's playoff games that spring before they were eliminated by the Dallas Stars.

Drury remained with Colorado for the entire 2025-26 season, playing in all 82 regular-season games. He scored 10 goals and recorded 17 assists, setting a career high in goals. His 27 points also matched his previous career best. Despite being a regular part of the lineup, his time with the Avalanche came to an end in the offseason.

Colorado reportedly wanted to bring Drury back, but the two sides couldn't agree on a contract. Drury was looking for a higher salary than the Avalanche were willing to pay for a fourth-line center, and the team ultimately moved on. Nashville acquired him in exchange for Zachary L'Heureux and Fedor Svechkov before signing him to a five-year, $22.5 million contract on June 28.

Drury had also shown he could contribute in the postseason during his time with Colorado. Across 13 playoff games in his final two seasons with the Avalanche, he recorded three goals and two assists for five points. One of those goals came shorthanded in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas swept Colorado in the series, ending the Avalanche's playoff run.

Drury's departure also wasn't the only connection between Colorado and Nashville this offseason. The Predators acquired Ross Colton in a separate trade, and the former Avalanche forward scored his first goal with Nashville on Oct. 10 against the Ottawa Senators in a 3-2 shootout loss.

With Drury now on the scoresheet for Nashville, both former Avalanche forwards have found the net with their new team. For Colorado, the trade marked the end of Drury's time with the organization after 115 regular-season games, 15 goals, 21 assists and 36 points.

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Golden Knights Ride Early Goals to Dominant Win over Penguins

If there were an end-of-year award for Most Improved Starts, the Vegas Golden Knights would win in a landslide. Last year, they scored first in only 34 of the 82 regular-season games; this season, they’ve scored first in five of ten games.

On Saturday, the Golden Knights didn’t score 25 seconds into the first period like they did on Thursday. No, tonight, they waited until a full minute and six seconds had elapsed before they scored their first of five goals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Jack Eichel entered the zone, protected the puck from Declan Carlile, drifted below the goal line, and snuck a pass through Ville Koivunen to Mark Stone. Stone circled out from behind the goal line and waited until two Penguins converged on him, then dropped a return pass to Eichel. Eichel dusted the puck off and threaded a pass for Rasmus Anderson, who drove down into the right circle and beat Sergei Murashov.

The Golden Knights doubled their lead less than three minutes later. Jack Eichel rushed up ice with a head of steam and threaded a centering pass for Noah Hanifin, who beat Sergei Murashov with a wrister from the left dot.

The Golden Knights extended their lead on their second power play of the night at 17:46 in the first. Mitch Marner fed Trevor Connelly for a one-timer from the right dot, and Mark Stone lifted his skate off the ice to redirect the puck behind Sergei Murashov. 

The Penguins got on the board on the power play at 5:54 in the second period. Sidney Crosby got a piece of Tommy Novak’s shot from the right circle. 

The Golden Knights restored their three-goal lead a minute and 11 seconds later. Trevor Connelly intercepted Sidney Crosby’s pass intended for Kaedan Korczak and got a step on Pittsburgh’s defensemen. Connelly raced into the zone and beat Sergei Murashov top-shelf with Kaedan Korczak draped all over him. 

The Golden Knights made it a four-goal game at 11:17 in the second. Brayden McNabb faked a shot, faked another, and slid a pass to Shea Theodore. Theodore ripped a one-timer past Sergei Murashov for his second goal of the year.

The Penguins got on the board again at 4:43 in the third period. Tommy Novak dangled through the zone and got his own rebound after Adin Hill made the save. Novak flipped the puck into the crease; the Penguins crashed the net and banged it in. 

Down three, the Penguins pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker with 2:29 in regulation. Mere moments later, the Golden Knights forced a turnover, and William Karlsson chipped a pass out of the zone to spring Brett Howden on a rush up ice. Kris Letang hauled Howden down, and the officials awarded Howden the goal.

Stats of the Knight

Tonight, Jack Eichel skated in his 700th NHL game. He recorded two primary assists.

The Golden Knights scored six goals for the second consecutive game, and for the third time this season.

With a goal and an assist, Trevor Connelly moves into sole possession of the lead in goals (4) and points (7) among all rookies.

Adin Hill made 22 of 24 saves and improved to a 4-0-0 record in the Golden Knights’ 6-2 victory.

Three stars: Mark Stone, Rasmus Andersson, Noah Hanifin

Kings Free Fall Continues With Another Anemic Showing

Another Saturday night loss leaves the Los Angeles Kings as the NHL's only winless team. (0-4-2) Los Angeles held a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes and played a solid first period, but missed chances and defensive breakdowns led to a 4-1 home win. 

The Kings are now the only winless team remaining after losing to the Boston Bruins. For some perspective, LA didn't lose their sixth game last season until Oct. 25, when they were 3-3-3.

All things considered, the Kings were on the verge of their first win of the season, but the Bruins capitalized on several missed chances in the clutch by LA. 

Mikey Anderson spoke postgame after losing another disappointing game. 

"We came out good, like we want to at home, and then lost it along the way. It’s on the team. It’s on us.”

If the Kings keep playing this poorly, especially early in the season, where every loss reduces their chances of making the postseason, they should at least decide which direction they're going. 

The home team's anemic offense continued, as they scored one goal again in their fourth straight game. After scoring eight goals in their first two games, the Kings now have just four total goals in their last four games. 

Playing the NHL's slowest, least effective hockey raises the question of whether it's time for the Silver and Black to blow it up and rebuild around young talent. For the last 5-10 seasons, the pattern has been the same: the Kings make or miss the playoffs and go home early in the postseason, with no real success since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014. 

The bigger concern for Los Angeles isn't necessarily its six-game winless streak, but the possibility that the organization has reached its ceiling with the current core. Five consecutive first-round playoff exits, multiple coaching changes, and continued offensive struggles have left the Kings searching for answers.

General manager Ken Holland now faces a difficult question: Does he remain patient with a roster built to compete immediately, or begin looking toward the future with younger players such as Quinton Byfield, Brandt Clarke, and Alex Laferriere?

Now, just over two weeks into the season, it couldn't have been a uglier start for a team with high hopes after hiring a new coach and switching to a new system. The Kings entered the season with expectations of improving on last year's terrible run, reaching the playoffs despite being 12 games below .500 and getting swept out. But six games without a victory have already raised serious doubts about whether this roster is capable of competing

If the Kings are going to be this bad for the rest of the season, they should at least have the courtesy to plan ahead for an increasingly impatient, loyal, and passionate fanbase.

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The Kings' Hot Start Doesn't Stop the Losing Streak

LOS ANGELES — The Kings scored an early goal, 31 seconds into the game, but that didn't change the result. The Bruins were still able to clobber the Kings 4-1.

Alex Laferriere was plugged into the first line to pair with Adrian Kempe and Artemi Panarin. That move paid dividends for the Kings as they saw quick results early in the game.

“Every time I play with [Kempe and Panarin] we have good energy and good chemistry,” said Laferriere. “Just trying to make it easy for those guys to play the game and just trying to find open ice.”

Within the first minute of the game, Laferriere scored a goal to give the Kings an early lead. This goal allowed Los Angeles to control the tempo and keep the puck in the throughout the first period.

Despite a strong start by the Kings in the first period, it all came crashing down. The Bruins were able to flip the script and take control in the last two periods.

In the second period, David Pastrnak had a breakaway goal for Boston that shifted the momentum. The Bruins pushed the tempo, which allowed them to keep the puck in the Kings' defensive zone.

Los Angeles couldn’t keep up with the tempo, which translated to more penalties for the team. The Kings racked up 21 penalty minutes while the Bruins only had 11minutes in the box.

Heading into the night, the Bruins had 108 penalty minutes, which lead the league.

However, the Kings were so sloppy that they spent more time in the box than the most penalized team.

The Kings gave up a 1-0 lead to a Bruins team that was coming off back-to-back games played. This was a golden opportunity for Los Angeles that only resulted in a disappointing loss.

“We got to take [the loss] with us and stew on it a little bit. It's certainly not where we want to be,” said Coach Laviolette. “I thought the start was really good and on point and then as the second period rolled over it just seemed to tilt the other way. So we've got to be better.”

Six games into the season and the Kings have lost all six of those games. Los Angeles is the only team in the NHL that has yet to secure a victory.

Now the Kings head on a five-game road trip without much momentum on their side. However, this loss to the Bruins could be a turning point for the Kings to pull away some victories.

Even though the Kings lost, the first line change gave the team an energy boost that they desperately needed. The hot start was a sign of how fluently the Kings could play, but they didn’t finish the job. This loss showed the Kings that they needed to execute for 60 minutes, not just the first minute.

Penguins/Golden Knights Recap: Pens trampled, lose in Vegas 6-2

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 17: Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with teammates Brayden McNabb #3, William Karlsson #71 and Brett Howden #21 after Theodore scored a goal during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period at T-Mobile Arena on October 17, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame

The Penguins use the same skaters and groupings as last night while swapping in Sergei Murashov in net.

First period

Vegas activates defensemen and scores two goals in the first 4:02 of the game to set the tone.

First up it’s Rasmus Andersson jumping in the play and scoring 1:06 into the game.

Not long after that Jack Eichel draws all the attention and no one notices Noah Hanifin sneaking into the vacant space. No one except Eichel. 2-0.

The Golden Knights get a power play and try a lot of backdoor plays. It finally pays off, Mark Stone gets his third point of the night redirecting a puck from right in front of Murashov. 3-0.

Tough period on what’s becoming a tough road trip (and even tough season). Vegas flexes their muscles and get in full control.

Second period

The Pens get their first power play, and brace yourself, they score on it. Tommy Novak shoots, it hits Sidney Crosby in front and is good for goal No. 657 in his career. 3-1 game.

Faint hope doesn’t last long, a Crosby pass goes awry and the Golden Knights go off on the rush. Trevor Connelly snipes Murashov. 4-1.

Pittsburgh has a penalty coming and Sam Girard gets tripped and goes heavy into the boards on his arm. The 4v4 trickles away, Vegas wins the puck out of a scrum and feeds Shea Theodore for a big shot. 5-1.

It’s spooky season and this game has been a house of horrors so far.

Third period

Some mild signs of life with 15 minutes to go, Novak shoots the puck and then pokes it around Adin Hill. Both Evgeni Malkin and Ville Koivunen are crashing the net, one of them gets the stick on it to score, apparently Koivunen. 5-2.

Not long after, Novak sets up Koivunen for a really nice chance, his shot goes just wide of the net and that’s a back-breaker for trying to make a comeback effort.

Penguins pull the goalie, Golden Knights get awarded a goal.

Some thoughts

  • Bad game, sad game. Much like last night, the Penguins faced a really good team and it showed. They didn’t come close to measuring it up.
  • Not to go all Doc Internet, but the read on Girard didn’t look good at all. He favored his left arm, was on the bench briefly and left for the lockerroom. We’ll see what comes of it but given the velocity he went into the end boards at a tough angle, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’ll be dealing with a serious injury.
  • Well, at least the power play scored for the first time in seven games. That’s the most minor of silver linings but could be a bright spot on the confidence meter for those guys moving forward. Didn’t matter much tonight, could be something positive for the future considering how fastly those groups can go from ice cold into a heater.
  • After last night, Crosby and Bryan Rust said it wasn’t time to panic. That makes sense from their perspective and I’m not sure that veterans like that ever really would admit to it. And this weekend was tough, playing two legit championship contenders on the road. There’s no shame in dropping it, though it’s a look in the mirror to realize the difference in quality between yourself and a big-time team. The Pens are also 1-5-1 in their last seven. It’s a long year but the results are pretty clear that this team needs to find some answers really quickly.
  • Do such answers exist? That might be the trickier question. The Pens aren’t very good defensively, and that’s not reserved to just their goalies or defensemen. Give up three goals tonight to defensemen and that says a lot about the forward positioning and tracking. On the other side, the offense has been tough to come by.

Pittsburgh will look to salvage something out of this ugly road trip on Monday against Utah.