Category: NHL

It’s time to kick off a new week with more big NHL and hockey topics on The Hockey News Big Show.

What's Fuelling The Penguins' Success The Most? by The Big Show

Here’s what former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

0:41: What's more heartbreaking: the Oilers' Game 7 loss, or the Blue Jays' Game 7 loss? 

2:35: Is this just a hot start to the season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, or can they sustain this? 

4:25: What is contributing more to the Penguins' success: the goaltending or the scoring? 

6:24: Who can step up to fill in Chris Tanev's spot if he's gone for an extended period of time? 

9:15: Is losing a defensive defenseman like Tanev worse than losing an offensive defenseman?

10:33: How much should Ottawa Senators fans be concerned about Linus Ullmark's play? 

12:55: Is Ullmark likely to turn things around quickly based on what you've seen from him in the past?

14:50: What kind of trade value does Edmonton Oilers D-man Troy Stecher hold on the market? 

16:30: Is there a hole the Oilers are trying to fill in their lineup? 

18:50: The New Jersey Devils agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth $6 million annually with Jacob Markstrom. Thoughts on this deal?

20:40: Who is the starter for New Jersey if the playoffs were to start today? 

23:08: What goes into being a good backup goalie on and off the ice? 

25:48: The Montreal Canadiens are the first team in NHL history to win five of their first 12 games in overtime. Does it matter if they're going to overtime often if they continue to win?

28:34: What is making Montreal so good in overtime?

30:10: Are you starting to come around on whether the Habs are real contenders? 

34:00: Yay or nay: wearing dark helmets with white uniforms, as the Senators and Capitals did over the weekend?

35:20: Free-agent goaltender Ilya Samsonov signed in the KHL. Will he ever return to the NHL?

37:30: Name one player you think is on a hot streak right now and one player who is on a cold streak.

40:40: Has Father Time finally come for Alex Ovechkin? 

42:40: How much Halloween candy did you eat over the weekend?

Watch the full episode here

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The Chicago Blackhawks are coming off an overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. The Hawks played a great game against one of the best teams in the NHL, but the Oilers came out on top in the 3-on-3. 

Facing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in overtime is incredibly difficult, but the Blackhawks played well enough otherwise. Every time Edmonton pulled ahead in regulation, the Blackhawks found a way to even it up. 

Despite it being a loss, it’s a game to build on. The skaters kept up with the speed and skill of Edmonton, and Spencer Knight was great in net. 

Now, the Blackhawks will play game three of a six-game road trip. This one will come in Washington against the Seattle Kraken. 

Scouting Seattle

The Seattle Kraken have had a shockingly good start to the 2025-26 season. At 5-2-4, they’ve been a bit fortunate to collect overtime points, but they are right there in the mix. Since coming into the NHL as the 32nd expansion team, things have not been as smooth for them as they would have hoped, but things are looking good right now. 

Seattle’s last game, like Chicago’s, was a loss in overtime. Their OTL came at home against the New York Rangers. They are going to be looking for a bounce-back game just as much as the Blackhawks. 

Tolvanen - Beniers - Eberle

Schwartz - Stephenson - Kakko

Marchment - Wright - Nyman

Kartye - Meyers - Winterton

Dunn - Larsson

Lindgren - Montour

Mahura - Oleksiak

Daccord

The Kraken have a nice mix of veterans and young players on the team. Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle are two-thirds of a solid top line. Chandler Stephenson and Shane Wright add depth down the middle with decent wingers all over. 

On defense, they have some great players who can make a difference. Vince Dunn, Brandon Montour, and Adam Larsson are the leaders back there. 

The heart and soul of this team, however, is Joey Daccord. He has been a solid NHL goalie so far this season, so the Blackhawks will have their work cut out for them when trying to score. Bodies in front, being hard on the forecheck, and showing off some skill will be necesarry. 

Projected Blackhawks Lines, Defense Pairs, and Starting Goalie

On Monday afternoon, the Blackhawks announced that they called up Oliver Moore. He is going to make his Chicago Blackhawks season debut against the Kraken in this game. In addition to this move, Chicago has placed Jason Dickinson on injured reserve, retroactive to October 30th. 

Later in the afternoon, the Blackhawks announced that they have also sent Landon Slaggert down to the Rockford IceHogs.

Arvid Soderblom is going to start in the net. In front of him, lines and defense pairs won't be known for sure until warmups, as the morning skate in Seattle was optional. 

They will, if they go 11/7 again, look something like this: 

Greene - Bedard - Burakovsky 

Teravainen - Nazar - Bertuzzi 

Donato - Dach - Mikheyev

Moore - Foligno

Vlasic - Rinzel

Kaiser - Levshunov

Grzelcyk - Murphy

Crevier

Soderblom

With Dickinson out and Moore in, that makes Sam Lafferty the healthy scratch out of the forward group. Until Jeff Blashill dresses 12 forwards, it is assumed that they will continue with this strategy. 

How To Watch

Local TV viewers can find the game on CHSN, and out of market folks can find it on ESPN+. It can also be heard on local radio AM 720 WGN. The puck will drop shortly after 9 PM CT. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Oct 30, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) makes a save as Nashville Predators left wing Michael Bunting (58) looks on during the second period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Nashville Predators begin another hectic week of action with four games in six days, as the NHL’s compressed schedule continues into November.

It starts with a back-to-back Monday at Bridgestone Arena against the Vancouver Canucks before the team hops on a plane to Minnesota for a visit with the Wild on Tuesday.

Monday’s matchup with Vancouver is the second in as many weeks between the two clubs. The Preds came away with a 2-1 victory in Nashville on Oct. 23. After Monday, the two teams will meet for a final time this season in Vancouver on March 12.

The Preds snapped a three-game losing streak Saturday afternoon with a 4-2 home victory over the Calgary Flames.

Michael Bunting tallied a goal and three points, while Matthew Wood, Jonathan Marchessault and Filip Forsberg (empty-netter) scored the other Preds goals. It was Wood's second goal in as many games after notching his first career NHL goal in Thursday night's loss in Philadelphia against the Flyers.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Monday night’s contest.

Game Day

Who: Nashville Predators (5-6-2) vs. Vancouver Canucks (6-7-0)

When: 7:30 Pm CT at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

TV: FanDuel Sports Network South

Radio: 102.5 The Game

Lines (BetMGM

Canucks

+1.5 (-235)

O 5.5 (-120)

+100

Predators

-1.5 (+195)

U 5.5 (+100)

-120

Injury Update

Preds captain Roman Josi was placed on injured reserve on Sunday with an upper-body injury.

Forward Cole Smith left Saturday’s game against Calgary in the opening period after suffering an upper-body injury. On Sunday, the Predators announced Smith will miss 3-6 weeks.

The Preds held a morning skate on Monday, with Tyson Jost taking Smith's spot on the line with Michael McCarron and Ozzy Wiesblatt. Jost was a healthy scratch Saturday against Calgary.

Defenseman Adam Wilsby (lower body) is currently listed as day-to-day.

Team Leaders

Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly are co-leaders in points and have identical numbers (four goals and five assists for nine points). Bunting (3g-4a) and Erik Haula (2g-5a) have seven points apiece, while Marchessault (4g-2a) and Luke Evangelista (1g-5a) each have six points.

Juuse Saros continues his outstanding start to the 2025-26 season. Following the win on Saturday, ‘Juice’ is 5-4-2 with a 2.79 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. His .959 save percentage on the penalty kill ranks him eighth in the NHL in that category.

Justus Annunen is 0-2-0 with a 4.09 GAA and .852 SP.

Power Play Improving

Nashville’s power play has scored in three of its last four games, including a tally by Jonathan Marchessault on Saturday vs. Calgary.

The club is 3-for- 11 on the man advantage since Oct. 26 vs. Dallas, with Luke Evangelista and Marchessault also converting on the power play.

The Preds still have a hill to climb to get back to respectability; they currently rank 29th at 12.5% (5-for-40).

Meanwhile, the penalty kill is sixth in the NHL at 88.4% (5-of-43). The unit has successfully killed off 28 of the last 32 power plays by opponents.

With an assist on Michael Bunting’s goal on Saturday vs. Calgary, Spencer Stastney set a career high for points in a season with five (1g-4a).

Scouting The Canucks

It’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride for Vancouver so far this season. Over their last five games, the Canucks have alternated wins and losses, including a 5-2 loss in Minnesota against the Wild on Saturday.

Conor Garland (3g-8a) leads Vancouver with 11 points, while former Preds forward Kiefer Sherwood has nine goals through 13 games this season. Elias Pettersson has three goals and eight points.

Thatcher Demko is 4-4-0 in the Vancouver net with a 2.41 GAA and .917 SP. Former Preds netminder Kevin Lankinen is 2-3-0, 3.53, .885.

On the power play, Vancouver is 7-for-42 (16.7%), putting them 21st in the league. The penalty-kill unit ranks 26th at 71.1% (13-of-45).

Drew O'Connor has factored on each of Vancouver’s past four goals (excluding shootout-deciding goals) dating to Oct. 30. Only Kiefer Sherwood has factored on more consecutive Canucks goals so far this season (five from Oct. 26-30).

All-Time Meetings

The Preds are 38-43-9 all-time against the Canucks, including a 20-19-7 mark in Nashville. The Preds are 5-4-1 in their last 10 outings against Vancouver and 2-3-0 in their last five against them at Bridgestone Arena.

Head To Head

Jonathan Marchessault has 26 points (11g-15a) in 26 career games against Vancouver, the fourth-most points he has vs. a single franchise.

Luke Evangelista scored his first two career NHL goals on March 6, 2023 at Vancouver. He became the second player (Jordan Gross) in Predators history to score his first two career NHL goals in the same game.

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FREE GIFT ISSUE + 12 ISSUES + FREE DIGITAL ARCHIVE + FREE SHIPPING*** Canada Post Strike update - as of October 15, 2025 -  Please be aware that Canada Post is now in a rolling strike.  While they are accepting mail, delivery times could be longer than expected.  US orders are not impacted. WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR PRINT & DIGITAL ARCHIVE SUBSCRIPTION > FREE GIFT ISSUE* of your

Former Montreal Canadiens forward Devante Smith-Pelly has landed a new gig.

The NHL Network has announced that they have hired Smith-Pelly as a studio analyst. In addition, the NHL Network shared that Smith-Pelly will make his 2025-26 season debut NHL Tonight: First Shift at 4 pm ET on Nov. 3. 

Smith-Pelly spent two NHL seasons with the Canadiens from 2014-15 to 2015-16. In 66 games with the Canadiens over that span, the winger recorded seven goals, eight assists, 15 points, and 143 hits.

We are excited to welcome #StanleyCup champion Devante Smith-Pelly to NHL Network as an analyst!

📺: Catch him on #NHLTNFirstShift today at 4p ET on NHL Network! pic.twitter.com/XkbvMuh47S

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) November 3, 2025

Smith-Pelly's time with the Canadiens ended during the 2015-16 season when he was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Stefan Matteau. Following this, Smith-Pelly then played for the Washington Capitals, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2018. 

Smith-Pelly also had stints with Kunlun Red Star of the KHL and the Ontario Reign of the AHL following his time with the Washington Capitals. After this, he played his final professional season in 2021-22 with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, where he recorded four goals and eight points in 24 games.

While his career as a player is over, Smith-Pelly will now stay with the game after landing this cool new gig with the NHL Network. 

The Winnipeg Jets announced via social media on Monday that captain Adam Lowry will return to the lineup Tuesday night on the road against the Los Angeles Kings.

CAP IS BACK 👨‍✈️

Adam Lowry will return to the lineup tomorrow night! pic.twitter.com/3tMWZjYRFz

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 3, 2025

Lowry recently told media "I feel really good, I'm looking forward to being back out there and it's finally feeling like Christmas morning so I'm looking forward to it."

The holidays came early 🎁😆 pic.twitter.com/UZsdn5eXn5

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 3, 2025

The Canadian center underwent hip surgery in late May, and the club estimated a recovery timeline of five to six months. While he was initially expected to miss the start of the 2025‑26 season, the early return suggests his rehabilitation progressed ahead of expectations. 

In the 2024‑25 regular season, the 32‑year‑old recorded 16 goals and 18 assists in 73 games, finishing with a +18 rating. In the playoffs, he added four goals in 13 games, including the memorable game-winning goal in Game 7 of the first round, a 4‑3 double‑overtime win over the St. Louis Blues. 

Lowry has spent his entire NHL career with Winnipeg after being selected in the third round (67th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft. As of the end of the 2024‑25 season, he had accumulated 121 goals and 152 assists (273 points) in 775 career games. 

His return provides a timely boost to the Jets’ lineup and leadership core. Lowry will rejoin the lineup under a significant change, as it will be his first game in some time without his regular linemate, Mason Appleton, who left the team in free agency for the Detroit Red Wings. Lowry will instead be reunited with Nino Niederreiter, as the duo looks to rekindle the chemistry that made their line with Appleton one of the most impactful in the NHL over the past few seasons.

Lowry’s return is especially timely given the growing absences in the lineup. Winnipeg head coach Scott Arniel revealed Monday that veteran winger Gustav Nyquist remains day-to-day, while depth center Morgan Barron is listed as week-to-week.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have called up Oliver Moore from the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. This will be Moore’s first stint in the NHL this season. Jason Dickinson has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to October 30th. 

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on Xeveryone say hi Oliver!👋 roster moves📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/MlkjCGhoFZ

In 9 AHL games to start the year, Moore has 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points. Those 6 goals lead all AHL rookies. He had a great camp ahead of that, so his hot start isn’t much of a surprise. Moore’s speed and tenacity were always there, but using them to create offense was something that he’s been working on. He also went into the summer looking to improve his shot.  

During the preseason and his time in the AHL, it seems like he has done that. His skills are starting to match his speed. 

Moore played in 9 NHL games to end last season after he was done at the University of Minnesota. In those games, he collected four assists but is still looking for his first career NHL goal. 

Oliver Moore’s addition will make the Blackhawks an even faster team. There is speed up and down the lineup, and Moore is the fastest of them all. 

Following this call-up, Moore is available to play on Monday night against the Seattle Kraken. 

UPDATE: Later in the afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that they have also sent Landon Slaggert down to AHL Rockford. This will be his chance to get back on track by playing in every game.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Monday’s NHL slate may be compact, but it is packed with marquee matchups that promise high-energy action, dramatic finishes, and highlight-reel moments. One of the night’s most compelling games features Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers taking on the struggling St. Louis Blues.

This matchup offers plenty of betting intrigue and the potential for league-wide fireworks. We aim to carry over our early-season momentum and build on last year’s success with player props, which included hits on stars such as Mitch Marner, Mark Scheifele, Wyatt Johnston, Rasmus Dahlin, Teuvo Teravainen and Connor Hellebuyck.  

All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.

Bank On Offensive Outburst in Leafs-Penguins ClashCan Toronto's resurgence overcome Pittsburgh's veteran surge? Bet on explosive offense as these high-scoring rivals clash.

Edmonton Oilers vs St. Louis Blues Best Bets:

Over 6.5 Goals (+100)

Andrew Mangiapane Over 0.5 Points (+150)

Connor McDavid Over 1.5 Points (-115)

Jordan Kyrou Over 0.5 Points (-133)

The Oilers have dominated recent matchups against the Blues, winning four of their last five meetings. These games have typically been high-scoring affairs, with seven goals needed to hit the over, which was exactly the total in their last matchup in early April. Both teams have been consistent in generating offense, recording five or more goals in seven straight meetings. If the first period starts slowly, there could be value in waiting for a favorable live line to catch five or more goals later in the game.

Defensively, the Blues are struggling severely, ranking last in the NHL with a 4.17 goals against per game average. Their poor defensive play has contributed to a 3-7-2 record with their recent play showing little signs of improvement as they've allowed 30 goals in their last six games, seven more than any other team. 

The Oilers have started to regain their offensive firepower, scoring 26 goals over their last seven games, tied for fifth-most in the NHL during that span and could take advantage. However, Edmonton’s defense has been inconsistent as well, allowing 36 goals over their last ten games, which is tied for second-worst in the league.

Edmonton's attack will likely be led by captain Connor McDavid, who has two goals and four assists for six points over his last four games. McDavid has historically dominated the Blues, recording ten goals and 27 assists for 37 points in his last 25 games against St. Louis, including four three-point games in their last six meetings. His hot streak should also help others around him like winger Andrew Mangiapane, who we expected to break out of a ten-game point drought after starting the season with a three-game streak.

St. Louis can respond with offensive firepower of their own. Jordan Kyrou, the Blues’ top scorer this season, has four goals and four assists in 12 games. He has a strong track record against Edmonton, with six goals and nine assists in his last 11 games versus the Oilers. Kyrou’s performance could be pivotal in keeping the Blues competitive.

Are The Pittsburgh Penguins For Real?Crosby and Malkin are revitalized, leading league-leading Penguins. Can this aging core sustain a Stanley Cup push with solid goaltending and surprisingly deep support?

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will finish their four-game road trip on Monday night in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.

The Penguins are coming off a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday and will try to end the trip on a high note. They enter Monday's game with an 8-3-2 record, which is good for 18 points. They are tied for first in the Metropolitan Division with the New Jersey Devils. 

Tristan Jarry is set to start in goal for the Penguins after having the day off on Saturday. He's off to a strong start this season, compiling a 5-1-0 record, a 2.35 goals-against average, and a .923 save percentage. 

Harrison Brunicke is slated to be in his ninth NHL game after he was paired with Owen Pickering again during the morning skate. Brunicke played in his eighth game on Saturday and struggled, so he'll try to bounce back on Monday.

Here were the rest of the lines: 

Forwards:

Hallander-Crosby-Rust

Mantha-Malkin-Tomasino

Novak-Kindel-Koivunen

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Defense

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Shea-Letang

Pickering-Brunicke

Dumba-Clifton

---

Anthony Stolarz will start in net for the Maple Leafs, and they will also be getting back William Nylander. Nylander has been one of their best players this year, compiling three goals and 15 points in nine games. 

The Maple Leafs come into this game with a 6-5-1 record and recently beat the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

Puck drop for Monday's game will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh and NHL Network. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

---

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The greatest goal-scorer in NHL history has two goals in 12 games. He has no points in his past four games. And on Saturday, he was demoted to the third line.

Which raises the question: has Father Time finally come for Alex Ovechkin?

If so, it was bound to happen, especially a year after the 40-year-old broke Wayne Gretzky's record for the most regular-season goals of all-time.

That record-breaking year, which saw Ovechkin finish the season with 44 goals and lead the Washington Capitals to the best record in the Eastern Conference, was emotional. But it was also probably emotionally draining.

It's not unusual that Ovechkin, who has accomplished everything he sought out to accomplish in his Hall of Fame-worthy NHL career, would take a step back this season. That being said, the drop in his production has been swift and significant.

Ovechkin, who is one goal away from 900 career goals, has gone four games without scoring. This season, he is averaging 2.25 shots per game — down from 3.65 in 2024-25. His shooting percentage is a career-low 7.4 percent — down from 18.6 percent in 2024-25.

Three times already, he's seen his ice time cut back to less than 17 minutes per game. In a game against the Rangers last month, he spent just 14:47 on the ice.

That's not the Ovechkin that Capitals fans have come to know. That's not the guy who you couldn't drag off the ice and who built a career on one-timing pucks past helpless goalies.

The Story Of The Ovechkin-Crosby Rivalry And His Quest To His First Stanley CupA former VP of communications for the Washington Capitals discusses Alex Ovechkin entering the NHL as an "infectious, lovable character" whose rivalry with Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby evolved in three stages.

At one point in his career, Ovechkin was an ice hog who seemed to have one leg permanently hanging over the bench waiting for his next shift and was averaging more than 23 minutes of ice time. But those days are long gone. On a team that is transitioning to its youth, Ovechkin is no longer playing top-line minutes. He's not even a top-six forward right now, having lost his spot on a line with either Dylan Strome or Connor McMichael to rookie Ryan Leonard. 

Instead, Ovechkin joined Hendrix Lapierre and Sonny Milano on what appeared to be the Washington Capitals' third line in a 4-3 shootout loss against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. It was the Capitals' fourth straight loss, with the team having managed just five goals in that span.

As some have noted, this isn't the first time that Ovechkin has started the season out slowly. Two years ago, he also had just two goals in October — although, he only played in eight games. But after scoring nine goals in the first four months, he exploded with 22 goals in the next three months and finished the season with 31 goals. 

Still, it was one of Ovechkin's second-lowest goal totals of his career. The only one worse was in 2020-21, when he scored 24 goals in a 45-game season.

This year looks like it will be more of the same. Maybe that's why the Capitals are already running the team with one eye on the future. That means giving minutes to Leonard and Aliaksei Protas and depending less and less on Ovechkin.

After all, no one knows how much longer he'll be playing at a high level — much less playing altogether.

Ovechkin is in the final year of his contract. And now that he's won a Stanley Cup and beaten Gretzky's all-time goals record, there isn't much else for him to achieve besides padding his stats and perhaps making one more championship run.

When asked about his retirement plans, Ovechkin told ESPN's Emily Kaplan that health will be a determining factor.

"I still love (the) game. I still have passion," he said. "You just enjoy it because you never know when you’re going to get hurt or when you’re going to be retired… I don’t want to play hockey and then (can't) play soccer with my kids or I can skate with them.

"Right now, I’m just– I want to take as much energy from a crowd. You have to enjoy the moment."

---

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The Florida Panthers begin a four-game Western Conference road trip on Tuesday and will do so without winger Jonah Gadjovich.

Gadjovich sustained an upper-body injury on Oct. 25 against the Vegas Golden Knights and hasn't skated since. The initial timeline given by coach Paul Maurice was "at least a week," but now we know that it will exceed two weeks.

Rob Darragh reported that he will not accompany the team on their road trip, and the organization should know more in the next couple of days. 

Noah Gregor stepped into the lineup to replace Gadjovich and will seemingly continue to do so as the Panthers begin their road trip against the Anaheim Ducks.

Jonah Gadjovich Out For At Least A Week; Noah Gregor To Make Panthers DebutCoach Paul Maurice announced that Jonah Gadjovich will be out at least a week with an upper-body injury, which creates space for Noah Gregor to make his Florida Panthers debut.

This is the Panthers' second road trip of the season, and they will be hoping for better results on this one. Their first road trip was a five-game Eastern Conference trip where they finished with a 1-4-0 record, losing the first four games. 

On the trip, the Panthers struggled to score goals, recording just eight goals, four of which came in the final game against the Boston Bruins. The Panthers' goal scoring well has been dry for most of the season, but it has been put on display on the road this season. The Panthers are averaging 2.5 goals per game, which ranks 29th in the NHL. 

On this trip, the Panthers will take on the Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and the Golden Knights. The Ducks and Golden Knights are currently tied for the Pacific Division lead in points with 15, and the Kings sit a point back with 14.

Picking up wins on this trip won't be easy, but it's necessary if they want to remain in the Atlantic Division hunt. The Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens currently lead the Atlantic Division with 18 points, five more than the Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres, who are all tied in last place. 

Gadjovich's absence affects the Panthers' physical play in the bottom six, but the Panthers need to find a way to maintain their level. 

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Manitoba Moose fell 2-1 in overtime to the Texas Stars on Sunday afternoon, handing Texas its first win of the season and extending Manitoba’s inconsistent start. The loss drops the Moose to 3-4-2-0, just one point ahead of the Iowa Wild for the final playoff spot in the Central Division.

Here are the highlights from today's game.

We go again with the Stars tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/C9PwQHThDn

— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) November 3, 2025

Sunday’s game started slowly, with neither team able to find the back of the net in the first period. Four minutes into the second, Texas winger Samu Tuomaala opened the scoring after a pass intended for a teammate deflected off a Moose defender and slid past goaltender Thomas Milic. Texas netminder Remi Poirier turned aside every shot he faced through two periods, while Milic kept the Moose close with a strong performance of his own.

YUM YUM EAT EM UP!!! pic.twitter.com/VIo0t2qh1O

— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) November 2, 2025

Manitoba finally broke through five minutes into the third period when defenseman Kale Clague fired a point shot that beat Poirier to tie the game at 1-1. The equalizer was all the offense the Moose could muster in regulation, setting up overtime. Just 30 seconds into the extra frame, Texas forward Artem Shlaine capitalized on a loose puck in a net-front scramble to give the Stars their first victory of the year.

Jets' Mark Scheifele Named NHL's Second Star of the MonthScheifele's scorching October, leading the league in points, fuels the Jets' top spot and reignites Olympic hopes.

The Moose have now recorded points in four straight games, but their offensive woes remain a major concern. Manitoba has scored just 20 goals through nine games, ranking among the bottom seven teams in the AHL. Their defense has held up reasonably well, allowing 28 goals, but the lack of scoring support has cost them valuable points.

Former NHL forward David Gustafsson leads the team with six points in eight games, followed by Phillip Di Giuseppe and Mason Shaw with five apiece. Prospects Brayden Yager and Colby Barlow, both first-round picks expected to become key pieces of the Winnipeg Jets’ future, are adjusting to the pro game. Yager has four points in nine games, while Barlow has just one.

Between the pipes, the Moose have relied on a solid tandem. Domenic DiVincentiis owns a 2-3-0 record with a 3.45 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage, while Milic has bounced back from a rough rookie campaign with a 1-1-2 record, a 2.27 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage, and one shutout. Special teams have been another area of concern with Manitoba’s power play sits near the bottom of the league at just 15.4 per cent, while their penalty kill operates at 77.8 per cent.

With only five teams from the Central Division qualifying for the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Moose will need to find their scoring touch soon if they hope to stay in the postseason hunt. The American Hockey League’s playoff field includes 23 teams: six from the Atlantic Division, five each from the North and Central Divisions, and seven from the Pacific Division.

‼️MONDAY HOCKEY‼️

🎟️ | https://t.co/ItJNL5osMr
📻 | https://t.co/Ys8SJYgYTm
📺 | https://t.co/HzTs5a3WS3#MBMoosepic.twitter.com/zW7aL05o5V

— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) November 3, 2025

Manitoba will have a chance to bounce back in the second leg of their back-to-back against the Texas Stars on captain Mason Shaw's birthday Monday night at 7:00 p.m. CST. Fans can catch the action live on AHL.TV via FloHockey.tv or listen in on 680 CJOB. 

Jets Rookie Brad Lambert Delivers First NHL Goal in Crucial Spot Versus PenguinsInjuries tested the Jets, but rookie Brad Lambert answered, igniting offense with his first NHL goal against the formidable Penguins.

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Former St. Louis Blues first-round pick, Klim Kostin, is returning to the KHL after signing a contract to play the remainder of the current season with Avangard Omsk, the KHL club announced on Monday.

Kostin was selected in the first round, 31st overall, by the Blues in the 2017 NHL Draft. He went on to play 46 games with the Blues, scoring four goals and 11 points. He was also a key figure in the Blues' AHL affiliate, but throughout his Blues tenure, he would return to the KHL.

His time with the Blues had more negatives than positives, and it's why he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 9, 2022, for Dmitri Samorukov. 

Kostin had a career season with the Oilers, scoring 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games. He and Kailer Yamamoto were shipped to the Detroit Red Wings in the 2023 off-season, and Kostin signed a two-year, $2-million AAV contract. 

One final NHL transaction would involve Kostin, as he was dealt to the San Jose Sharks from the Red Wings midway through his first season with the club. Kostin's contract expired this off-season, and the Sharks had no interest in retaining him. After being unable to find an NHL team, Kostin will return to Russia to play with a familiar team, Avangard Omsk.

The 26-year-old won a Gagarin Cup in 2021, and their current team has the best record in the KHL’s Chernyshev Division with 29 points in 21 games. The team’s roster includes Nail Yakupov, Michael McLeod, Vyacheslav Voynov and Maxime Lajoie, and the head coach is Canadian Guy Boucher.

“We are happy to have Klim back with Avangard,” said Omsk GM Alexei Sopin. “Obviously, a lot of time has passed since our initial offer, so we needed to renegotiate all the terms. Kostin is familiar with the demands of North American coaches, has experience in the KHL, and can play in any situation. He will have his first practice today and will go to the Far East road trip with the team.”

The 6-foot-4 winger finished his NHL career with 25 goals and 53 points in 190 games. 

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Any hope of Klim Kostin rejoining the Edmonton Oilers has officially come to an end.

The 26-year-old forward has signed with Avangard Omsk of the KHL for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, returning to the organization where he won a Gagarin Cup five years ago.

2021 Gagarin Cup champion Klim Kostin is back to Omsk! pic.twitter.com/eqbyAZKFF4

— KHL (@khl_eng) November 3, 2025

Kostin, a former 31st overall pick by the St. Louis Blues, spent part of the 2020–21 season on loan with Omsk, tallying 18 points in 43 games before adding nine more in the playoffs during the club’s championship run.

He joined the Blues in 2021-22, playing four games for the team before being demoted to the AHL. He was later traded to the Edmonton Oilers, where he came a quick success story and fan favorite. 

Oilers Weighing Trade That Puts Veteran Defenseman In Best SituationOilers actively seeking a "soft landing" for veteran defenseman Troy Stecher amidst growing roster pressure and injury returns.

The rugged winger was a hit during the 2022–23 season, scoring 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games while providing physicality and energy in a depth role. However, due to the Oilers’ cap crunch and the unwillingness to pay him what his production had warranted, he was dealt to Detroit Red Wings, and eventually the San Jose Sharks.  He never regained his footing in the NHL and became a free agent this offseason. 

Kostin was quite public in his desire to rejoin the Oilers this summer. There was some thought Edmonton might entertain the idea on a PTO basis. “In Edmonton, I wanted to die on the ice for the fans,” Kostin said. “This is the place where I felt most comfortable and was myself. Of course, this is my dream.”

The Oilers chose to go a different route. Now, a few weeks into the season, Kostin has realized the only way back to the NHL might be through international play. 

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Last year, when a player was named player of the game by his Montreal Canadiens teammates, he got to wear the team’s man-of-the-match sunglasses. It was a fitting choice for a group of young guys who were trying to have fun in the midst of a rebuild, focusing on development and getting better together.

On Saturday, after the overtime win over the Ottawa Senators, Alex Newhook was named the player of the game after scoring the overtime winner. He didn’t get to wear last year’s sunglasses, though; he was presented with a wolf pelt, which he proudly put on his head.

Canadiens: A Big Milestone For Dobson
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Canadiens Prospect David Reinbacher Returns To Action

While some may not approve of that choice (granted, a wolf was killed to make the accessory), it’s quite a significant choice as well. This season is no longer about developing; it’s about playing as a team and being stronger together. Martin St-Louis keeps telling his men to play defense as a five-man unit and to adopt a pack mentality.

Awoooo 🐺#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/oWi4HF7YtH

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 2, 2025

He wants his team to stand up for one another, and they’re doing just that. On Saturday night, when Tyler Kleven hit Alexandre Carrier with what looked like a hefty hit on the boards, with the defenseman dropping to the ice, Joe Veleno jumped on the Ottawa Senators player and dropped the gloves.

One could even say the pelt makes sense because these young Canadiens are hungry like the wolf, as Duran Duran sang in 1982, with, admittedly, a very different meaning, but still, this squad jumps on the ice every night looking for the win — and, figuratively speaking, for blood. It’s no longer about developing and learning; it’s about winning.

In a video shared by the team in the tunnel before the game, as the players are pumping each other up, there’s a lot of “wooing” out there that’s not far off from howling. You could even see that choice as a wink to the fact that Hutson won the Calder Trophy, beating Dustin Wolf to the prize; the Calgary Flames goaltender finished second in voting.

On n'oubliera jamais David Savard 🫡

Savy will not be forgotten
#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/0joaQ0OIAC

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 1, 2025

This young team has a new identity and they’re not afraid to show it.

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ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues have acquired a familiar face for some depth.

The Blues acquired defenseman Calle Rosen from the Washington Capitals for defenseman Corey Schueneman. Rosen will report to Springfield of the American Hockey League.

The 31-year-old had seven points (one goal, six assists) in nine games with Hershey of the AHL this season. He spent parts of three seasons with the Blues from 2021-24, including playing in 73 games (10 goals, 15 assists, plus-17).

In 2022-23, he played in 49 regular-season games for the Blues and had a career high in points (18), goals (eight) and assists).

Rosen has spent parts of seven seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche and Blues.

St. Louis Blues Prospect Report (Nov. 2, 2025)Justin Carbonneau back to sniping goals; Jiricek giving Brantford great 'O' from the 'D' position; Jecho breaks out; Mrsic scores first college goalA Sight For Sore Eyes: Blues Could Get Huge Boost With Return Of Key PieceRobert Thomas was on the ice Sunday; No. 1 center has missed past four games with upper-body injury

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