For their first road trip of the 2026-27 season, the Anaheim Ducks set out for a brief two-game-in-two-days trip to Canada to face the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, followed by the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

After winning their first two games of the season, the Ducks suffered their first loss at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.

Takeaways from the Ducks 5-2 Loss to the Oilers

What's the Plan for Ducks Rookie Nikita Klepov?

The opposing Jets entered the game undefeated in regulation, with a surprising 3-0-1 record on the season. They were without star defenseman Josh Morrissey in this game, who is listed as “day-to-day” with an upper body injury.

Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville shuffled several of his lines and pairs, as he’s want to do after losses, and especially losses where multiple lines need a jolt. The only forward line to remain intact from Wednesday was the fourth line and the only defense pair untouched was the middle pair.

Here’s how the Ducks lined up to start this game:

Sennecke-Carlsson-Colangelo

Gauthier-Granlund-Nesterenko

Killorn-Poehling-Greer

Malott-Washe-Caulfield

LaCombe-Warren

Mintyukov-Mitchell

Hinds-Luneau

Lukas Dostal got the start for the Ducks for the fourth time in four games to open the season and stopped 15 of 16 shots. He was opposed by Clay Stevenson in the Winnipeg crease, who saved 12 of 16.

This was far and away the Ducks’ tightest-checking, low-event game of the season and likely such in recent memory. However, it was less sloppy and more efficient an effort, as they were opportunistic on the rush, where all five of their goals were scored, and they allowed virtually no inside looks for Winnipeg and cleared any second-chance opportunities.

Game Notes

Fourth Line: Scoring two of the Ducks’ five goals was their consistent fourth line. They did everything expected of a modern NHL fourth line in this game: provided energy, displayed responsible defense, pressured heavily on the forecheck, etc.

However, when they won possession of the puck, they operated like an excellent top-nine line in this game. They were reading how plays were breaking, carried pucks smartly and skillfully through neutral ice with speed, and revealed a finishing quality that’s rare among players in their roles.

Washe was disruptive on the defensive end and drove cycles, Mallot showed surprising IQ, speed, and vision with the puck on his stick, and Caulfield made stickhandles and passes under opposing sticks all game.

The Ducks needed to find depth scoring from somewhere, and the fourth line, the last place one would expect to find it, delivered masterfully.

Noah Warren: Warren finished the Ducks’ game against the Oilers alongside star defenseman Jackson LaCombe, where he played the entirety of this game. He logged 24:12 TOI, including 5:16 on the penalty kill, where he was a significant contributor to the Ducks killing all four penalties they took.

Warren didn’t miss a beat with his promotion, and provided not only “stay at home” support for LaCombe, but he proved remarkably effective with his mobility, more akin to a modern-day shutdown defenseman. As mentioned, he covered a lot of ice on the defensive side of the puck with his stride and reach, greatly and rapidly minimizing time and space for his opponent.

Even on the occasional misread, he recovered remarkably well and was able to disrupt multiple attacks singlehandedly. His puck-moving was simple, but effective, as he was equal parts careful and decisive.

Breakouts: As a whole, the Ducks breakouts were much more simplified in this game. Defensemen weren’t quick to settle for rimming pucks to open half walls. Instead, if they were unable to make a tape-to-tape outlet, they resorted to high flips or glass-chips into neutral ice, so as to punt an ensuing battle to neutral instead of deep in the defensive zone.

Forwards, especially lower in the lineup, were similarly elementary with their second touches and more willing to chase down and pressure opponents who attained possession.

Beckett Sennecke: Sennecke’s 365-day evolution from turnover-prone rookie to bona fide play-driving sophomore will go a long way toward mitigating what the Ducks’ depth chart lost over the offseason. One of his biggest strengths coming out of junior was his ability to read how pucks bounce out of battles and how to manufacture puck touches for himself at full speed.

He’s translating that element of his game seamlessly just 86 games into his career. He’s understanding his limitations at the NHL level, limiting his propensity for risky plays. Sennecke is attacking the game rather than letting it come to him and operating at breakneck speed. He’s singlehandedly dictating the flow of play and not only reading and manipulating single defenders one-on-one, but entire opposing defensive structures. He’s playing like a true superstar winger four games into this young season.

The Ducks will have a quick turnaround, as they’ll travel to Calgary to face the Flames on Saturday at 7 pm PST.

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

Takeaways from the Ducks 4-3 Win over the Golden Knights

Who is Tristan Luneau, and Why did the Anaheim Ducks Sign Him to a Huge Extension?

After two poor efforts against the Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals, it was reasonable to assume that the Pittsburgh Penguins might bring their A-game Friday against an opponent they've historically gotten the best of. 

But whatever is the exact opposite of an A-game is what ended up translating on the ice for the vast majority of the game. 

The Penguins fought their way back from a 2-0 deficit against the Columbus Blue Jackets to force overtime and a shootout, but the Jackets ultimately prevailed, 3-2, to cap off what was a dominant effort from them. Columbus outshot the Penguins by a wide margin, 45-22, and the Penguins compiled most of their shots in the third period. 

Sergei Murashov was outstanding for Pittsburgh, stopping 43 of 45 shots on goal. 

From the jump, the Penguins could not get much generated. Columbus was skating circles around them, and it culminated when Damon Severson scored to give the Jackets a 1-0 lead midway through the first period. 

For much of the second period, it was the same song and dance. Pittsburgh was disjointed, and Columbus kept taking advantage of that with sustained zone time. Mathieu Olivier made it 2-0 with eight and a half to go in the middle frame, and the Penguins got a late goal from Bryan Rust - his patented power move around a defender and across the net-front - to cut the deficit to one. 

Stepping in and stepping up 💪

Bryan Rust has his second goal in as many games after making his season debut. pic.twitter.com/qXJ9Ce4F8e

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 10, 2026

Then, considering how things went in the first 40 minutes, Pittsburgh was much better in the third.

A little more than three minutes into the final frame, the Penguins' first line was pressuring in the offensive zone. A fresh Evgeni Malkin crashed the net, and Erik Karlsson sent a shot in his vicinity that may or may not have hit Rickard Rakell on the way in. Malkin poke the puck through the five-hole of Jackets' netminder Cam Talbot, and the game was suddenly tied. 

‼️ GENO MACHINO ‼️ pic.twitter.com/KgkQ1nUsZr

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 10, 2026

Murashov worked hard to get the game to overtime, stopping 40 of 42 shots in regulation. However, a back-and-forth overtime was not enough, and a shootout was forced - which has, in recent years, not been good news for the Penguins.

None of Rakell, Egor Chinakhov, or Ben Kindel managed to score on Talbot, but Columbus's first by Kent Johnson beat Murashov to give Columbus the win. That gives the Penguins their 15th shootout loss in their last 18. 

The Penguins pick up a point in Columbus. pic.twitter.com/3Xanz6Olv6

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 10, 2026

Here are a few takeaways from this one:

- There is nothing good to say about the first two periods of this game for the Penguins. 

They had three shots in the first period. By the end of the second period, they had six. Even with the goal by Rust toward the end of the second, the Penguins were still sloppy for the rest of the period. 

Fast starts were a trademark for the Penguins last season and in the first two games of this season against the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens. In the last three, the Penguins were plain lethargic to start, and they've had a hard time coming back from that. 

It bears repeating, but this team just looks so disjointed for large stretches right now. Maybe that's due to a shortened camp and so many new faces, maybe not. 

But it's something they need to correct quickly.

- That said, the one guy on the ice - aside from Kindel, who has been excellent - actually looking pretty good through the two games he's played in is Rust. 

It was pointed out by many that Rust had an extra step in training camp this year. It was noticeable, and he was far and away one of the standout players in camp before yet another injury plagued him to start the season.

Rust looks like he's carried that momentum into the regular season. His speed has seen a resurgence, and he's a difference-maker in this lineup right now. 

The Penguins sorely missed him. He needs to stay healthy for a variety of reasons.

Takeaways: Mistakes Difference In Penguins' 5-3 Loss To CapitalsA turnover-heavy effort ultimately doomed the Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday as they fell to 2-2 on the season.

- Someone I'd like to see more from is Chinakhov. He did have two of the Penguins' three shots in the first period, but it feels as though Malkin and Tommy Novak have been able to generate offense more consistently than Chinakhov up to this point. 

He's very close. Once he breaks through and rips one, it feels like the floodgates will open. 

But, in general, the Penguins need more from their top-six as a whole, especially the first line. It was another rough night for Sidney Crosby and Rakell. 

- I haven't been overly impressed with Hendrix Lapierre in these last couple of games. 

Like everyone else, he was shot out of a cannon to start the season. Since the Montreal game, though, I think he's looked very much like a fourth-liner. 

I'd like to see Robertson elevated back up in the lineup, and perhaps, Elmer Soderblom get a game in place of Lapierre on the fourth line. The Penguins could use Soderblom's size and forechecking right now, and Blake Lizotte, Connor Dewar, and Soderblom were a tried and true combination in the stretch run last season. 

Penguins Waive Big Defenseman As New Blueliner Joins Team In ColumbusThe Penguins sent Ilya Solovyov to the waiver wire in anticipation of some roster moves Friday.

- It's hard to be overly critical of the defensive pairings - Sam Girard and Kaedan Korczak have, by far, been the best pairing for the Penguins so far - because there are three new guys on it, and it's going to take some time for things to gel.

But this is a third-straight less-than-pedestrian effort from the Trevor van Riemsdyk and Kris Letang pairing. 

I believe there's another level to both of these guys. They played well in the first two games of the season, along with most of the rest of the Penguins. But if they are unable to find another level in the next handful of games, I don't think load management, at the very least, should be out of the question. 

The Penguins have Spencer Stastney, and they have two very capable young defenders in Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke down at the AHL level. Of course, waivers and other roster moves would have to be made in order for the latter two to make the jump, but it will be interesting to monitor how those two are doing in comparison to the bottom pairing on the NHL club.

- The single-biggest story of this game was Murashov. And, boy, was he magnificent. 

Round of applause for Sergei Murashov 👏 pic.twitter.com/MWvSi47eBZ

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 10, 2026

His performance through the end of overtime gives him a .938 save percentage through two starts on the season - the eighth-best mark in the NHL. Many of those saves were ten-bell saves, too, including one nearing the end of regulation on a Zach Werenski chance. 

This guy is so far beyond his age when it comes to poise and confidence, and his quickness is effortless. The ease and speed at which he gets post-to-post, left-to-right, and up-and-down is insanely quick, and his anticipation and reads are phenomenal.  

Arturs Silovs has mostly been fine to start the season, and given that the Penguins play a back-to-back, he will get the net Saturday against the Dallas Stars. But, right now - unless Silovs puts forth an effort against Dallas akin to his playoff performance last season - Murashov is quickly separating himself as the team's No. 1.

There is something different about this guy. This was a statement game from the rookie who looks absolutely nothing like a rookie out there, and it's something for Murashov to continue building on as the Penguins navigate a tough Western road trip starting Tuesday.

'I Feel Pretty Good Right Now': Penguins' Koivunen Building Confidence In Season's EarlygoingPittsburgh Penguins' forward Ville Koivunen signed an unexpected eight-year, $32 million contract this summer and has looked good early this season.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

WASHINGTON (AP) — Boone Jenner’s goal in the second period proved to be the winner as the Washington Capitals beat the Rangers 3-1 on Friday night after New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin had to be helped from the ice after being injured.

Jenner scored on a wrist shot that made it a 2-1 game with 2:22 remaining in the second period. Tom Wilson and Timothy Liljegren also scored for the Capitals. Logan Thompson made 21 saves.

Alexis Lafreniere scored for the Rangers.

Dylan Garand made 11 saves for the Rangers after entering the game for the injured Shesterkin, who had 13 saves.

Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice after an awkward fall into his own net. He came well out of his crease to challenge a shooter and fell as he scrambled back to the net midway through the second period. The 30-year-old Russian caught his skate on the post as he slid back into the crease and collapsed into the net.

Shesterkin lay on the ice for several minutes holding his right knee as he received medical attention. He did not put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice by teammates.

KRAKEN 6, RED WINGS 3

DETROIT (AP) — Frederick Gaudreau scored twice, Ben Myers had a goal and two assists and Seattle had a four-goal second period in a victory over Detroit.

Philipp Grubauer made 38 saves in Seattle’s first regulation victory in Detroit.

The fans at Little Caesars Arena’s chant of “Sell The Team! Sell The Team!” got louder and louder as the game drifted to a finish.

Detroit dominated early, putting eight shots on goal in the first seven minutes, but Grubauer made several tough saves.

The Red Wings were more successful with the man advantage, taking the lead at 9:19 when Viktor Arvidsson tapped the puck across the line after Grubauer didn’t cleanly handle Lucas Raymond’s shot. Arvidsson has power-play goals in each of Detroit’s last three games.

Seattle was being outshot 16-3 before Berkly Catton took a pass from Kaapo Kakko, drove to the net and put a backhander over Gibson’s pad.

Detroit defenseman William Wallinder made it 2-1 at 4:00 of the second with his first NHL goal, but the Kraken answered with three goals on their next four shots to take a two-goal lead.

Gaudreau got the first and third goals, both off passes from Ryan Winterton. Mackie Samoskevich scored the middle goal at 6:59 after Wallinder’s turnover.

BLUE JACKETS 3, PENGUINS 2, SO

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Kent Johnson scored the only goal in a shootout to lift Columbus over Pittsburgh.

Damon Severson had a goal and an assist for Columbus. Mathieu Olivier also scored, and Cole Sillinger added two assists.

Cam Talbot made 20 saves and denied all three Pittsburgh attempts in the shootout.

Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins, who have dropped three straight games since winning their first two this season. Malkin tied it 2-all at 3:19 of the third period.

Johnson beat Sergei Murashov with a snap shot to begin the shootout.

Murashov stopped 43 shots in regulation.

The Blue Jackets outshot the Penguins 45-22 and won 66.7% of the faceoffs. Columbus outhit Pittsburgh 21-9.

The Penguins blocked 20 shots.

DUCKS 5, JETS 1

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Rookie Judd Caulfield scored his first NHL goal and added an assist to help Anaheim beat Winnipeg for its first regulation loss of the season.

Tim Washe and Mikael Granlund each had a goal and an assist, and Sam Colangelo and Nikita Nesterenko also scored to help the Ducks improve to 3-1-0.

Lukas Dostal stopped 15 shots or Anaheim, allowing only Kyle Conner’s goal.

After the Jets trimmed it to 3-1 midway through the third period, Granlund sunk Winnipeg’s hopes with a goal with 5:54 remaining.

Conner, who was playing in his 700th NHL game, pulled the Jets to 3-1 when Mark Scheifele sent him in alone on Dostal for his sixth goal of the season.

Clay Stevenson made 12 saves for Winnipeg. The Jets are 3-1-1.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Rookie Judd Caulfield scored his first NHL goal and added an assist to help the Anaheim Ducks beat Winnipeg 5-1 on Friday night for the Jets' first regulation loss of the season.

Tim Washe and Mikael Granlund each had a goal and an assist, and Sam Colangelo and Nikita Nesterenko also scored to help the Ducks improve to 3-1-0.

Dostal stopped 15 shots or Anaheim, allowing only Kyle Conner's goal.

After the Jets trimmed it to 3-1 midway through the third period, Granlund sunk Winnipeg’s hopes with a goal with 5:54 remaining.

Conner, who was playing in his 700th NHL game, pulled the Jets to 3-1 when Mark Scheifele sent him in alone on Lukas Dostal for his sixth goal of the season.

Clay Stevenson made 12 saves for Winnipeg. The Jets are 3-1-1.

Up next

Ducks: At Calgary on Saturday night.

Jets: Host Minnesota on Tuesday night.

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See AP’s full NHL coverage here

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Cam Talbot became the first NHL goalie to win a game with nine different teams by stopping 20 shots in the Columbus Blue Jackets' 3-2 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.

In his first season with Columbus, Talbot stopped all three of Chicago's shots in the shootout to surpass the previous record set by Curtis McElhinney, Sean Burke and Ron Tugnutt.

Talbot, in his 13th NHL season, has won games with the New York Rangers, Edmonton, Philadelphia, Calgary, Minnesota, Ottawa, Detroit and the Los Angeles Kings.

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

NEW YORK (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar was suspended for two games without pay by the NHL on Friday night for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat on Thursday night.

The hit came with 1:35 left in the Islanders' 4-1 home victory. Nazar was assessed a match penalty.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Nazar will forfeit $68,041.

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Kent Johnson scored the only goal in a shootout to lift the Columbus Blue Jackets over the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Friday night.

Damon Severson had a goal and an assist for Columbus. Mathieu Olivier also scored, and Cole Sillinger added two assists.

Cam Talbot made 20 saves and denied all three Pittsburgh attempts in the shootout.

Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins, who have dropped three straight games since winning their first two this season. Malkin tied it 2-all at 3:19 of the third period.

Johnson beat Sergei Murashov with a snap shot to begin the shootout.

Murashov stopped 43 shots in regulation.

The Blue Jackets outshot the Penguins 45-22 and won 66.7% of the faceoffs. Columbus outhit Pittsburgh 21-9.

The Penguins blocked 20 shots.

Up next

Penguins: Host the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

Blue Jackets: At the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

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The Detroit Red Wings held a clear advantage in shots Friday night against the Seattle Kraken, but unfortunately, they couldn't turn that edge into the stat that matters most - goals.

Seattle made the most of their scoring chances while the Red Wings failed to do the same, with the Kraken scoring three times in a 3:05 span during a disastrous second period en route to a 6-3 victory at Little Caesars Arena and chasing goaltender John Gibson in the process. 

Final.

On the road in Montreal tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/MeKu9DjCRC

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 10, 2026

With the loss, the Red Wings have now dropped three of their first four games of the 2026-27 season, all on home ice, and are 1-3 and in last place in the Atlantic Division. 

They were considerably shorthanded once again, as forwards J.T. Compher, Marco Kasper, and Mason Appleton were all unavailable due to injury; defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains in his native Sweden amidst his contract stalemate. 

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

The Red Wings had a strong start to the contest, taking a 12-3 shots advantage and a 1-0 lead thanks to Viktor Arvidsson; he buried a loose puck that got behind Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer of a Lucas Raymond shot midway through the period. 

However, the Kraken responded later in the frame thanks to a backhand shot from Berkly Catton, which beat Gibson glove side. 

Early in the second period, a shot from the point by rookie William Wallinder eluded Grubauer for the Swedish defenseman's first NHL goal. However, what followed was the stuff of nightmares for Detroit. 

The Kraken scored three goals in just over three minutes, with Frederick Gaudreau finding the net twice and Mackie Samoskevich scoring in between.

After Ben Meyers increased Seattle's lead to 5-2, Gibson was pulled after allowing five goals on 14 shots; Daniil Tarasov, signed during the offseason, made his first appearance since joining the Red Wings.

"It Was Fun": Red Wings Emmitt Finnie Looks Back On Unofficial 1st NHL Fight Detroit Red Wings forward Emmitt Finnie dropped the gloves on Tuesday evening, though it won't officially go into the NHL record books.

He would later be victimized on a 5-on-3 Kraken power play, as Vince Dunn ripped a shot past him. 

Late in the third, forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård would bury a loose puck during a goal-mouth scramble for his own first NHL goal. 

As time wound down in the third period, frustrated fans who hadn't already left early to beat traffic voiced their displeasure with loud boos.

Grubauer was solid in net for Seattle, stopping 38 of the 41 shots he faced. Gibson, meanwhile, was pulled after allowing five goals on 14 shots, while Tarasov surrendered one goal on 10 shots in relief. Tarasov is slated to start Saturday's contest in Montreal.

The Red Wings will look to bounce back Saturday against the Canadiens at Bell Centre, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

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WASHINGTON — It’s impossible to overstate the challenge that lies ahead for the Rangers should the apparent right leg injury Igor Shesterkin sustained during the second period of Friday night’s 3-1 loss to the Capitals sideline him for the foreseeable future. 

The Blueshirts would lose more than just the best goaltender in the NHL, who was off to an electric start to the season. Removing Shesterkin from the equation would be the equivalent of taking the spark plug out of a car engine: no ignition; nothing can run smoothly. 

He is, hands down, the most important part. 

What makes the potential loss so devastating is how much of a turbocharged, well-oiled machine the Rangers looked to be in the previous four games. 

“It’s awful,” captain J.T. Miller said. “He’s a pillar of this team.” 

The injury occurred during a second-period Capitals power play, when Shesterkin ventured far out of the crease to challenge an unmarked Pierre-Luc Dubois. 

The Capitals forward lost the puck while attempting to make a move around him, but Shesterkin scrambled to get back into the net and slid his right leg into the post hard. His leg appeared to awkwardly bend back during the sequence, prompting Shesterkin to immediately fall onto his back. 

The 30-year-old slammed his glove on the ice in apparent pain as a Rangers trainer made his way onto the ice. 

Without putting any weight on his right leg, Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice slowly. 

“It’s concerning,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s a big part of this team, without a doubt. I’ve said it on so many different occasions: He is amongst the best goalies in the world, if not the best. He’s that good.” 

Backstopping the Rangers in three of the first four games, Shesterkin looked automatic in net with 88 saves on 95 shots for a .926 save percentage. He’s made an impact on the scoresheet with the Rangers’ historic first goalie goal and added an assist, while also acting as an extra facilitator on the back end in all situations — a skill of his he’s used more than usual this season. 

Shesterkin helped provide the kind of start to the season that makes a team believe. 

In one swift motion, the 2026-27 campaign was clouded with uncertainty. 

The Rangers already have one goalie on injured reserve: Joonas Korpisalo, who has yet to play a game after suffering a lower-body injury sometime during the start of the season. Slated to serve as backup to Shesterkin before the injury, Korpisalo was labeled as week to week and has yet to resume skating. 

As a result, rookie Dylan Garand was summoned back to New York less than a week after he was among the last round of cuts in training camp. 

Garand stopped 11 of the 12 shots he faced Friday night in relief. With just five games of NHL experience, the 24-year-old Garand would assume starting responsibilities after beginning the season as the Rangers’ third-stringer. 

The Rangers also will need to make a call to Hartford should Shesterkin be out for any period of time. Spencer Martin is not an option due to a lower-body injury that has him classified as day to day. 

Callum Tung, who at 22 has just 20 AHL games to his name, could be the Rangers’ backup goalie Sunday at Madison Square Garden. 

“We’re not going to let [Igor’s injury] take the wind out of our sails,” Miller said. “We still competed our asses off today.” 

The Rangers did not crater in the face of a potentially devastating injury to their star goalie. 

With the game tied 1-1 and Garand in goal, the visitors bent but didn’t break for much of Washington’s push in the middle frame. It wasn’t until rookie Cole Beaudoin surrendered the puck up the middle of the Rangers zone that the Capitals broke through on a goal from Boone Jenner. 

It was a particularly tough game for the 20-year-old Beaudoin, who was recalled and made his NHL debut Wednesday in the wake of Joe Veleno’s IR designation. In addition to his two giveaways, Beaudoin looked overwhelmed at times in the defensive zone. 

“You see arguably your very best player [go down], that’s a tough loss for our team,” Sullivan said. “I thought we fought hard. We battled. Our third period was probably our best. I thought we had the right intentions out there, just trying to control play.” 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Boone Jenner's goal in the second period proved to be the winner as the Washington Capitals beat the Rangers 3-1 on Friday night after New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin had to be helped from the ice after being injured.

Jenner scored on a wrist shot that made it a 2-1 game with 2:22 remaining in the second period. Tom Wilson and Timothy Liljegren also scored for the Capitals. Logan Thompson made 21 saves.

Alexis Lafreniere scored for the Rangers.

Dylan Garand made 11 saves for the Rangers after entering the game for the injured Shesterkin, who had 13 saves.

Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice after an awkward fall into his own net. He came well out of his crease to challenge a shooter and fell as he scrambled back to the net midway through the second period. The 30-year-old Russian caught his skate on the post as he slid back into the crease and collapsed into the net.

Shesterkin lay on the ice for several minutes holding his right knee as he received medical attention. He did not put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice by teammates.

The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner missed a month of last season with a lower-body injury, contributing to the Rangers falling short of the playoffs.

Up next

Rangers: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.

Capitals: Host the Seattle Kraken on Sunday.

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

The Chicago Blackhawks lost Frank Nazar for the final couple of minutes in regulation of their loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday night. He was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head against forward Bo Horvat. 

During the day on Friday, Frank Nazar was offered a phone hearing to determine supplemental discipline. Later on Friday, the verdict was announced. Nazar has been suspended for two games. 

Chicago’s Frank Nazar has been suspended for two games for an illegal check to the head against NY Islanders’ Bo Horvat. https://t.co/2NbknT4yX8

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 10, 2026

The summary of the suspension comes down to the fact that the NHL's Department of Player Safety decided that the main point of contact was the head. Nazar's lack of a fine or suspension in his NHL career played into it being just two games, according to the official video that followed his suspension. 

Nazar will now miss Saturday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes, and Tuesday night's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It's a tough set of games for the Blackhawks to be without Nazar, but it's the reality of the situation. 

Now, the Hawks are without Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. That's a large amount of offense out of their lineup. With Teuvo Teravainen likely out again as well, there is a lot of skill on the sideline. 

This suspension may force the Blackhawks into a call-up. Dominic Toninato is already up, so Landon Slaggert may be on the next ride to Chicago from the Rockford IceHogs. 

The morning skate on Saturday will be a greater hint at what lines look like without Nazar in the mix. What seems to be decent center depth is being tested early in the season, but they just have to tread water for a little while longer until Connor Bedard comes back. 

One of Anton Frondell or Roman Kantserov is likely going to center the top line with Patrick Kane. These were going to be hard matchups anyway, and this verdict by the NHL's department of player safety just made them even harder. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Rangers’ season flashed before everyone’s eyes in one swift motion. 

Goalie Igor Shesterkin fell flat on the ice after scrambling to get back in the crease while the Rangers defended the Capitals’ power play during the second period Friday night at Capital One Arena. 

The star Russian netminder, who has been electric to start the season, slammed his right leg against the post while skating back into the crease to defend the play in front of him.

His leg appeared to bend back awkwardly during the sequence. 

Without putting any weight on his right leg, Shesterkin had to be assisted off the ice. 

The Rangers were tied 1-1 with the Capitals at the time of the incident. 

Rookie Dylan Garand replaced Shesterkin in goal. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was helped off the ice with a right leg injury Friday night after an awkward fall into his own net against the Washington Capitals.

Shesterkin came well out of his crease to challenge a shooter midway through the second period and fell as he scrambled back to the net. The 30-year-old Russian jammed his right skate into the right post as he slid back into the crease and collapsed into the net in pain.

Shesterkin stayed down for several minutes holding his right knee as he received medical attention. He did not put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice by teammates.

“It's awful, you know? He's a pillar of this team. It stinks," Rangers captain J.T. Miller said following a 3-1 loss to the Capitals. "Obviously, it's young. We don't even know what's going on. But to see him leave the game is a shock to all of us. But at the same time it means we've got to step up to a man to try to get the job done.”

The team didn't provide any specific details about Shesterkin's condition.

"It's concerning, obviously," coach Mike Sullivan said after his team's four-game winning streak was snapped. “He's an elite goaltender and you never want to see anyone get hurt. Obviously, he's an important player for us.”

The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner missed a month last season with a lower-body injury, contributing to the Rangers finishing last in the Eastern Conference.

Shesterkin was off to a strong start this season with a 3-1 record and 1.76 goals-against average. Last week, he became the first Rangers goalie to score a goal when he lofted the puck the length of the ice into an empty net late in New York’s home opener against Tampa Bay at Madison Square Garden.

“We're not going to let that take the wind out of our sails,” Miller said about Shesterkin's injury. “We love the way we're playing most of the time.”

Shesterkin stopped 13 of 14 shots and left with the score tied 1-all. He was replaced by 24-year-old backup Dylan Garand, who gave up the go-ahead goal late in the second but finished with 11 saves on 12 shots.

It was the fifth NHL appearance and second this season for Garand, recalled last week from Hartford of the American Hockey League after clearing waivers. Garand made 22 saves in a 2-0 shutout at Detroit last Friday with the Rangers playing their second game in two nights.

Garand went 2-0-1 with a 1.62 goals-against average and .948 save percentage in three starts for the Rangers last season.

New York acquired veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins last summer to be Shesterkin’s backup. But the 32-year-old Finn was placed on injured reserve last week and was week to week with a lower-body injury.

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The Buffalo Sabres are off to a 2-2-0 start to the 2026-27 regular-season, and in those four games, the Sabres have the NHL’s ninth-worst offense at an average of only 2.50 goals-for per-game. Offense has proven to be an issue, and if you’re finger-pointing regarding Buffalo’s ability to generate goals, you’ll need a lot of fingers, and even more pointing.

To wit: Sabres winger Josh Doan currently has zero points in four games. Winger Zach Benson has just one point in four games, and center Josh Norris also has just one point in four games. Meanwhile,center Ryan McLeod has one point, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has two points, as does forward Jack Quinn. So there’s an almost across-the-board issue when it comes to Buffalo’s players generating offense.

Not every one of the aforementioned Sabres has to start challenging for the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s top point-producers. But they do need at least a couple of them to start putting up points and take some of the pressure off of Buffalo’s goaltenders. The Sabres have to get solid production from up-and-down the lineup, and there’s no time like the present to start turning up their offensive game a notch or two.

Star Tage Thompson has two goals and four points, so he’s doing the job. And Owen Power is having a stellar year on offense, with four assists and five points. So they need to keep on alleviating the pressure on the rest of Buffalo’s roster. Coach Lindy Ruff probably doesn’t care where he gets his goals from, but he has to be concerned that the offense isn’t flowing the way it should be capable of.

Last season, the Sabres had the NHL’s fifth-best goals-for average at 3.45 goals-for per-game. Losing former star winger Alex Tuch and star defenseman Bowen Byram has contributed to the drop-off in offense, but not by this much. The young Sabres in Buffalo’s dressing room have to take responsibility for their early struggles generating goals.

Buffalo doesn’t have the luxury of employing an abundance of superstar players, so improvement-by-committee is the only way their offense is going to rebound. The Sabres aren’t always going to be putting up less than three goals every game – Thompson alone is capable of scoring a hat trick – but it has to be concerning that Buffalo has lost some of its mojo in the offensive zone.

If the Sabres’ offense does rebound, Buffalo’s chances to win many more games than they lose will certainly improve. And if not? Well, they'll be highly-unlikely to make it back into the post-season.

And that is going to leave Sabres fans apoplectic.  

MONTREAL (AP) — The Nashville Predators acquired defenseman Jayden Struble from the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night for a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL draft.

Struble had seven goals and 28 assists in 174 games for the Canadiens. The 25-year-old former Northeastern University player was a second-round pick in 2019.

The Predators are at Ottawa on Saturday night.

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