One of the main concerns to kick off the New York Rangers’ 2025-26 campaign lies with the play of Artemi Panarin. 

Panarin entered the season without a contract in place, which only put more pressure on the veteran forward to perform at a high level. 

During training camp, he admitted that it’s a roller coaster ride playing without a contract extension in place.

“It’s obviously good for everyone to feel that security,” Panarin said. “I’m used to it, being in that situation. It is what it is right now. Just not (going to) complain about it, I’m ready to work hard…

“Obviously, after bad games, you are thinking too much, but after good games, you enjoy it more than usual.”

Panarin may be making it harder on himself to land the long-term commitment that he is coveting. 

Through 14 games, the 34-year-old forward has recorded two goals, seven assists, and nine points while averaging 21:08 minutes per game. 

Since arriving in New York in 2019, Panarin has been the catalyst of the Rangers’ offense and one of the leading point producers in the NHL. 

Panarin’s slow offensive start to kick off the season has been a wide point of conversation among the Rangers’ community, especially given his current contract situation. 

Mike Sullivan is not worried about Panarin’s production though, as he knows players of his caliber usually find ways to turn things around. 

“I think it's probably a little bit of both,” Sullivan said on if Panarin’s struggles are due to goaltenders playing well or if something is not clicking for Panarin. “He's definitely getting some looks. I think when he gets underneath people, and he gets inside the dots, he's really dangerous. 

“My experience in coaching players of his caliber is sometimes as coaches, we just have to be careful we don’t get in the way there. So we're trying to give him a lot of latitude with his offensive game. We share our observations with him, but obviously, those types of players, what makes them unique is they tend to think the game differently than others, and that's part of what makes them who they are. I've always been a strong believer that, I try not to get in the way of that process. So he's at his best place and in that instinctive mindset, and he's trusted his instincts, and we're trying to encourage that.”

How does Panarin’s slow start directly impact his contract negotiations with the Rangers?

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the Rangers are in no rush to strike a deal, with the team taking a patient approach. 

“But for the moment, my sense of the situation is that it’s very early in the season under new head coach Mike Sullivan, the Rangers want to see how things go and therefore are not in a hurry to get going more seriously on talks to extend the pending UFA winger,” Lebrun wrote.

The longer these negotiations drag out, the more pressure it puts on Panarin if his offensive skid continues. 

K'Andre Miller Opens Up About The Highs And Lows Of Playing For The Rangers K’Andre Miller returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time since being traded from the New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers">Rangers</a> to the Carolina Hurricanes over the summer.&nbsp;

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Rangers wanted Panarin to take a team-friendly deal during the summer, but the two sides were unable to agree. 

“I understand, at some point in the off-season, the Rangers had that kind of conceptual conversation with Panarin: ‘Is there a way you could do for the Rangers what Kopitar did for the Kings?’” Friedman said. “Obviously, at this point and time, it hasn’t happened. I don’t know where that’s going to go, I don’t know if that’s going to be a possibility, but I do know the two sides had the conversation and, obviously, at this point, Panarin is unsigned.”

It’s still early on in the season, so there’s no need to push the panic button on Panarin just yet, but his play on top of his contract dilemma is both worth keeping an eye out for.

The Golden Knights have announced a proud partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings. 

As part of the collaboration, Buffalo Wild Wings will be prominently featured with an on-ice logo at T-Mobile Arena. 

The restaurant chain also steps into a key community role as the Presenting Sponsor of the VGK High School Hockey League, reinforcing its commitment to supporting youth sports in Southern Nevada.

Golden Knights Ignite High School Hockey In The DesertThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights">Golden Knights</a> are responsible for the widespread attention to hockey in the Las Vegas desert, a place where the sport was once considered unlikely to thrive.

“Partnering with Buffalo Wild Wings is a natural fit for the Vegas Golden Knights,” said John Penhollow, President of Business Operations of the Golden Knights. 

“Their passion for bringing fans together over great food and live sports aligns perfectly with our mission to build community through hockey. Whether it’s celebrating a big win or supporting local youth hockey through the VGK High School Hockey League, this partnership gives our fans more ways to connect with the team they love.”

Fans can enjoy six free wings (boneless or traditional) with a $10 purchase at one of ten participating Buffalo Wild Wings locations in the Las Vegas area, valid two days after any Golden Knights win, home or away.

“This collaboration provides the perfect opportunity to bring fans closer to the team they love and offer an exciting way to celebrate every Knights win,” said Phil Albanese, Senior Vice President of Company Operations at Buffalo Wild Wings. “We're excited for the season ahead and look forward to cheering on the Knights over great food and wings."

Five exciting NHL matchups are on the slate, promising fast-paced action, thrilling finishes, and plenty of highlight-reel moments on Wednesday. One of the night’s most compelling games features the young Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Vancouver Canucks, with former Blackhawks 2020 first-round pick Lukas Reichel facing his old team.

This matchup offers plenty of intrigue for fans and bettors alike, with the potential for high-scoring plays and standout individual performances. We’re aiming to build on our early-season momentum after a perfect 3-0 night Tuesday, when all three of our Stars-Oilers picks were correct, while continuing the success of last year’s player prop selections, which included winners like 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.

Mammoth Set To Push Maple Leafs in Wild Scoring FrenzyThe Red-hot Utah Mammoth challenge Toronto's high-powered offense in a potential goal-scoring explosion.

Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks Best Bets

Canucks ML (-169)

Lukas Reichel Over 0.5 Points (+155)

Quinn Hughes Over 0.5 Assists (-154)

Canucks Over 3.5 Goals (-105)

Vancouver has dominated Chicago in recent history, winning 11 straight matchups against the Blackhawks. Chicago’s last victory in this series came in November 2021, when they narrowly edged the Canucks in a 1-0 win. Overall, Vancouver commands a 20-2-1 record in their last 23 games against Chicago.

Wednesday’s game carries added intrigue as a “revenge” story for Lukas Reichel. Once regarded as a potential star in Chicago, Reichel has long been linked to trade rumors due to frustration with the organization. 

Struggling to secure a consistent spot in the Blackhawks’ lineup, he was traded to Vancouver, where he now gets a second chance. In Vancouver, he’s playing second-line minutes alongside experienced wingers like Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser. Despite a hot start to the season in Chicago, recording four points in his first six games, Reichel has yet to tally a point in six outings with the Canucks. He may finally find his footing against his former team, especially with Chicago’s defense showing signs of vulnerability.

The Blackhawks began the season solidly, posting a 4-2-2 record in their first eight games. However, they’ve struggled recently, going 1-3-1 while allowing 18 goals over their last five contests. Their offense has stalled, producing just 14 goals in that stretch, seven of which came in a single 7-3 win over the Ottawa Senators last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Canucks have dealt with significant injury issues, with key players Nils Höglander, Filip Chytil, Connor Garland, and Teddy Blueger all sidelined. This has contributed to inconsistency, as seen in their 5-4 overtime win over the Nashville Predators on Monday. Vancouver gave up two late goals to tie the game on the road but quickly regained momentum with a game-winning goal from Brock Boeser in overtime. The Canucks have alternated wins and losses in each of their last six games, and a win on Wednesday would not only break that cycle but also give a boost to their playoff push.

Canucks captain Quinn Hughes returned from a four-game absence on Monday but did not record a point. Hughes has historically excelled against Chicago, tallying points in six straight games versus the Blackhawks, totaling ten points over his last 11 games against them. He could be primed for a bounce-back performance in this matchup and help Reichel get on the board in the process. 

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?

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The Los Angeles Kings have finally secured their first win at home on Tuesday night when they defeated the Winnipeg Jets in a 3-0 shutout victory.

However, despite the big win against the Jets at Crypto.com Arena, the Kings still have another drought to end this season.

Adrian Kempe Reaches 200 Goals, Drew Doughty Sets Franchise Record As Kings Shut Out Jets Los Angeles finally found their swagger at home, shutting out the Winnipeg Jets 3-0 Tuesday night to win its first home game of the season.&nbsp;

In 14 games so far this season, the Kings have faced an Eastern Conference opponent four times. They’ve battled against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, and New Jersey Devils. 

In those four contests, the Kings only picked up one point in an overtime loss to the Hurricanes on Oct. 18. This means they’re still looking for their first win against an Eastern Conference team this season.

Report: Los Angeles Kings Scouting Philadelphia Flyers For Potential Top-Six WingerThe Los Angeles Kings are keeping tabs on the Philadelphia Flyers. Recent scouting reports suggest a top-six winger acquisition, potentially targeting Tippett, Konecny or Foerster to boost scoring.

Los Angeles have a chance to silence their lack of wins against the opposite conference on Thursday night when they take on the defending, back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, Florida Panthers.

History says that there is a strong possibility for the Kings to best the Panthers on home ice. In the last six matchups between these two teams, the Kings have been victorious four times, with three of those wins in their own barn.

Last season, Los Angeles and Florida split the season with one regulation win apiece. The Panthers got the last laugh with a 3-0 win on Jan. 29.

Nonetheless, the Kings could be looking at their first win against an Eastern Conference opponent for the first time this season, just after they earned their first home win of the campaign on Tuesday.

To help the Kings’ case against the Panthers on Thursday, Florida currently sit last in the Eastern Conference, despite having a 6-6-1 record. Furthermore, their coming off a 7-3 loss to open their California road trip against the Anaheim Ducks.

In the process of Los Angeles potentially solving their case against Eastern Conference opponents, a win would push them into the top three of the Pacific Division, even if they have a few more games played than their divisional counterparts.

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There have been a ton of boxes checked for Pittsburgh Penguins' rookie sensation Ben Kindel in the last two months.

First, the 18-year-old center impressed so much during training camp that he earned a spot on the opening night NHL roster, which was not necessarily something that was expected. Then, he impressed even more as the team's third-line center during his nine-game trial that he earned an NHL stay and activated his three-year entry-level contract. He also earned the chance to play on the Penguins' top power play unit in the injury absence of Rickard Rakell, and he already has two power-play goals.

Now, it appears he will get to check yet another box. 

During Wednesday's practice, Kindel was taking line rushes with future Hall-of-Fame center Sidney Crosby and top winger Bryan Rust on the team's first line, which is a good indication that he will slot there in the lineup when the Penguins take on Washington Capitals on Thursday. 

And for the rookie center - who has five goals in 12 games on the season already - it will be yet another earned opportunity for him to play a bigger role on this Penguins' team. 

"If I get that opportunity to play with two elite players like that, I'm very honored and grateful to have that opportunity," Kindel said. "Just going to do whatever I can to help that line."

And it's no secret that playing with an all-time great player doesn't always come easy to players. But, given how Kindel has adjusted to the NHL up to this point, it may be a piece of cake for the young center.

For one, Kindel has switched from center to the wing before, so this is nothing new to him. He has played wing for Canadian national team camps, and he switched between center and wing last season for the Calgary Hitmen, when he put up 35 goals and 99 points in 65 WHL games. 

But even more so than the positional familiarity is the hockey sense that Kindel possesses at such a young age. That has been on display during his entire first taste of NHL action, and he hasn't missed a beat. He reads plays in all three zones akin to how a 10-year NHL veteran would. He knows how to expose the soft areas of the ice. He's a workhorse down low and uses some high-end edgework to his advantage. 

Penguins Provide Injury Updates On Three Key PlayersThe Pittsburgh Penguins provided some injury updates to three players on Wednesday.

Does that sound a bit familiar? It's not unlike his new linemate - even if expectations aren't quite as high as they were for that guy at 18. Crosby and Kindel think the game on a similar level, and that will probably lend to them developing some chemistry.

Crosby said Kindel's speed and compete in puck battles will help, too. But, at the end of the day, it's about communication, as it is with any other linemate - not just a young one.

"I think that you always want to communicate," Crosby said. "You can [try to] accelerate that learning curve as best you can, but ultimately, you've just got to go through things and read off each other. I think that the more you can talk things out, the better you can do that. That's going to be part of it."

Kindel himself also identified his ability to win puck battles and get the puck to some of the best players on the ice as things he can do to help out his new veteran linemates.

"Just kind of trying to work as hard as I can," Kindel said. "They're all very smart players, and I'm just trying to read off them as much as I can and just trying to move the puck to them, win puck battles, just keep plays alive, stuff like that. You know, things like that... I think it's going to be really important."

With a boatload of injuries and a roster shakeup - the Penguins placed three players on injured reserve, sent down young defenseman Owen Pickering, and recalled three more players Tuesday - there is bound to be a lot of experimentation going forward. Kindel's third line was really getting the job done in recent games - including controlling 95.5 percent of the expected goals share against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday - but with two regular top-six players missing from their lineup in Rakell and Justin Brazeau, things were probably going to change eventually.

Penguins' Third Line - Led By Rookie Ben Kindel - Thriving In Key Analytics CategoryWell, it appears that word travels fast across hockey circles, and the rest of hockey is quickly learning that <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' rookie center Ben Kindel is the real deal.&nbsp;

And head coach Dan Muse thought it was the right time to give Kindel a try in the top-six, especially since he's played on the wing in the past, during training camp, and even in some game action.

"It's something we wanted to see today in practice," Muse said. "Like I said before, we're still going to have some conversations and make some final determinations in terms of how things are going to look [Thursday]."

He added: "There's been enough of an evaluation in the past for us to feel comfortable with seeing what that looks like. Obviously, those guys are together on the power play, and we've seen them be able to read off each other, make plays with each other. So, it's something we wanted to look at. It's just another option. It's nice when you have practice days, especially when we had some new faces in there today and some things that we needed to shuffle around."

For Kindel, playing with Crosby is an opportunity to really start to show the rest of the hockey world what he can do. He's already starting to get some of that outside recognition, especially after a dominant two-goal performance in hockey's biggest market Monday.

But, at the end of the day, the young rookie is just grateful for his opportunity to keep playing and keep thriving at the NHL level. And he will get the opportunity to share the ice with another NHL legend Thursday against Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals.

"Obviously, every night you're playing against different elite NHL talent, but playing against a guy like that, Ovechkin, like... I mean, such a legend in the league," Kindel said. "Very few guys come around that have that kind of status. So, I'm really excited to have the opportunity to play against him."

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The Carolina Hurricanes are close to returning another of their injured starters as defenseman K'Andre Miller is looking more and more like he'll be ready to go on Thursday.

The 25-year-old blueliner has missed the Canes' last six games with a lower-body injury, but he's been practicing with the team over the past two days and on Wednesday, he was taking reps back alongside his normal partner, Jalen Chatfield.

"We'll see," Miller said when asked if he feels he'll be ready for Thursday. "Gonna talk with the medical staff and we'll kind of make our decision from there."

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour had been hoping that the defenseman would be ready for Tuesday's game against New York, but has insisted that Miller is very close to returning still.

"We'll find out in the morning," Brind'Amour said on Wednesday when asked about Miller's availability against Minnesota. "It's definitely, like I said the other day, getting closer. I would hope that he'll play tomorrow."

Before the injury, Miller had been off to a great start in Carolina, with two goals, four points, six hits and eight blocks in six games. He was also controlling a 58.14 CF% and 52.48 xGF%, while outscoring opponents 4-3 in his minutes.

"He couldn't have played much better to start," Brind'Amour said on Miller. "I was so impressed with just his range, his skating ability, which fits perfectly. He was kind of doing it all for us there until he went out. It's a big piece we've been missing."

He was logging big minutes for the Hurricanes and getting used in all situations, so it was a tough blow for the team to lose him, especially given the number of injuries that followed his.  

"Obviously you never want to be out of the lineup, but health comes first at the end of the day," Miller said. "Figured I'd just use the couple of games off to try and get my body back where I want it to be."

With Miller (and more) out with injury, the Canes had to rely on quite a few rookies on the backend, but the team has managed to find ways to win despite the inexperience on the blueline.

"They've been doing unbelievable," Miller said on the rookies. "It's been really fun to watch from a different perspective. I think they've done such a great job. Everybody knows with having three or four guys in your lineup that obviously haven't played NHL games is tough on them, but I think they've done a great job of responding to the adversity and we've gotten some really big wins when we've needed them."

While the young guys have done well enough, getting actual veteran NHL players back in the lineup will go a long way for the Hurricanes.

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By Gary Pearson, BetMGM

Will the New York Rangers’ poor puck luck continue, and can the Pittsburgh Penguins maintain their dream start? Are the Anaheim Ducks for real, and will the real Linus Ullmark please stand up? 

And is Steve Yzerman’s seemingly fruitless project in Detroit finally destined to take the next step?

I answer those questions while weighing in on whether the aforementioned NHL teams will make the Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Ottawa Senators (Yes) (-120)

The Senators had a rocky start to the season. Yet, they are right in the mix despite losing five of the first seven games and seeing their former Vezina-winning goaltender sport the worst goals saved above expected (minus-8.1). 

Linus Ullmark, as he did last season, should improve. As importantly, the Sens will get their heart and soul back in the next month. If they remain within reach when Brady Tkachuk returns from injury, their playoff chances will be in good shape. 

Detroit Red Wings (Yes) (+105)

One of the pacesetters in the Atlantic Division, the Detroit Red Wings have flown out of the gate. Eight of their first nine wins came against playoff teams from last season, five of which have short Stanley Cup odds and are among the Stanley Cup favorites.

Their electric start comes despite having the fourth-worst goals differential above expected at 5-on-5. I expect a positive regression in that respect, which should reinforce their playoff pedigree. 

The +105 odds imply a 48.78 percent chance of advancing to the dance.

Anaheim Ducks (No) (-150)

I don’t recall this much buzz emitting from Anaheim since the original naming of the franchise. Sitting pretty atop the Pacific Division with the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights, the Ducks’ odds to make the playoffs have shortened to +125. 

While the seventh-youngest team (26.92 years) deserves all of their early-season plaudits, inexperience will catch up to them over the course of a long, gruelling season. I’m also cognizant of the fact that seven of their opening 11 games were against non-playoff teams from last season.

Pittsburgh Penguins (No) (Odds)

When will the bubble burst for rookie coach Dan Muse? 

The Penguins are off to a start resembling the script of a Disney fairy tale. Look beyond their win-loss record, though, and you’ll unearth some disconcerting signs. 

Until recently, the Pens had the third-best goals differential above expected, which has since dropped to 12th at 5-on-5. 

Currently, they have the fourth-best goals against above expected in all situations (minus-9.34). I can’t see the goaltending duo of Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs sustaining that elite standing, nor do I believe that no-longer-a-kid Sid will finish among the league leaders in goals.

New York Rangers (Yes) (+105)

As the NHL’s second-best road team and worst in their own rink, the Rangers are navigating a perplexing dichotomy. However, I don’t foresee their Madison Square Garden horror show continuing. 

With the second-best expected goals differential and the fourth-most expected goals at 5-on-5, it’s only a matter of time before their puck luck turns around. 

And now that coach Mike Sullivan has adapted to life in the Big Apple, don’t be surprised when his team stops singing the blues on home ice.

Advanced stats are according to moneypuck.com.

The Chicago Blackhawks have inserted a lot of good young players into their lineup who have become NHL regulars in the last few seasons. Connor Bedard, Sam Rinzel, Frank Nazar, Alex Vlasic, and Artyom Levshunov are examples of young men who have not had any need to come out of the lineup for an extended period since making it on a full-time basis. 

There is a lot more where that came from. Not every single one of Kyle Davidson’s selections is going to pan out, just based on simple probabilities, but that same math suggests that even more help is on the way based on the volume of talent in the organization. 

There are five prospects, in particular, who seem like players who could be impacting the NHL roster by this time next year. 

Oliver Moore

The Chicago Blackhawks called up Oliver Moore on Monday ahead of their game against the Seattle Kraken. He made his NHL season debut, which was his 10th game played in the league. 

In those 10 games, Moore has four assists. He is still looking for his first NHL goal. All of his skills, especially his speed, are going to allow him to score a lot in this league. By this time next season, he may be a key contributor to all areas of the game. 

Once Jeff Blashill feels comfortable, he is going to use Moore on the penalty kill. He believes that his speed will allow him to be great at it. Not only will he help in keeping the opposition from scoring, but that burst could help him get short-handed chances of his own.

The Rockford IceHogs run a different PK scheme than they do in Chicago, so he wants Moore to have a practice or two doing it before putting him on that assignment. 

Roman Kantserov 

The Chicago Blackhawks drafted Roman Kantserov in the second round, 44th overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft. Now, at age 21, he is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the KHL. 

Playing for the Metallurg Magnitogorsk, he has 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points in 23 games. It's one thing to be a point per game player that young in the KHL, a league full of veteran pros, and it's another to be scoring goals as often as he does. 

When the Blackhawks are able to bring him to North America, he will have the tools needed to translate that to the ice in the NHL. It won't be long before he's scoring goals in Chicago.

Nick Lardis

On Tuesday, the American Hockey League announced that Rockford IceHogs forward Nick Lardis was the AHL's Rookie of the Month for October. 

Rockford IceHogs Forward Nick Lardis Is Recognized By AHL - Community PostOn Tuesday, the AHL recognized Nick Lardis of the Rockford IceHogs as the Rookie of the Month for October.&nbsp;

In the 8 October games, Lardis had 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points. To go from dominating the OHL to producing at a high level in the AHL means that his skills translate to the pro game. Next for him is showing he can play in the NHL.

That transaction will come sooner rather than later. With Oliver Moore already up, you'd think that Lardis is next on the list in terms of forwards on the IceHogs waiting for the call. By this time next year, if all goes well, Lardis will be making an impact in the NHL. 

Sacha Boisvert 

Sacha Boisvert was one of the best freshmen in college hockey, playing for North Dakota in 2025-26. Now, after transferring to Boston University, he is looking to help the team get to yet another Frozen Four. 

Jay Pandolfo's team always seems to get there at BU, and Boisvert is a key to that success. In six games played so far this year, Boisvert has 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points. 

It's isn't all about offense for Boisvert, though. He is capable of producing at a high level, but he never takes a shift off in the defensive zone. 

Becoming a great two-way bottom-six center is exactly what the Blackhawks need from a player with Boisvert's set of skills. If he becomes even better than that, regardless of his minutes in the NHL, the Blackhawks will be that much better of a team. 

Anton Frondell

The Chicago Blackhawks made Anton Frondell the third overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Since then, he decided to sign with the team but play the 2025-26 season in the Swedish League. 

That has turned out to be a great decision for him as he seems to be improving every day. He could have played in the NHL and fit in, but this is better for his long-term development. 

In 17 games played with Djugardens of the SHL, Frondell has 8 goals and 4 assists for 12 points in 17 games. For the SHL, and for being a teenager, those are impressive numbers. 

Is Frondell going to be a two-way center like his own personal player comp, Aleksander Barkov, or will he fit in more on the wing with the Blackhawks?

That remains to be seen once they get him over to North American hockey on a full-time basis. The tools are there for him to be a high-end player, no matter which route they go. 

It is not likely that all five of these guys, or any player in the system for that matter, will be a superstar in the NHL. What they can become, knowing that potential stars like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Sam Rinzel, and Artyom Levshunov are already in the lineup, are players who contribute to the overall success of the team in different ways. 

They could be stars like one of those aforementioned players, or they could become impact depth guys like Ryan Greene. You need those types to win Stanley Cups. 

You may notice that all five of the players listed here are forwards. Well, the Blackhawks have a plethora of young defensemen already on the NHL team. Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, Louis Crevier, Alex Vlasic, and Wyatt Kaiser are already fighting for ice.

There are also Ethan Del Mastro, Nolan Allan, and Kevin Korchinski in the AHL just waiting for their chance. It is unclear who among those waiting will stick around long term, so it's hard to say who will impact the team by this year next year. 

In goal, Spencer Knight is the number one for the foreseeable future. Arvid Soderblom and Drew Commesso are both working on becoming full-time starting goalies, which may take some time to figure out.

Right now, these five forwards listed are the youngest players in the organization who may start impacting the NHL club any time from now through next year. 

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

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The Calgary Flames (3-9-2) return home after a four-game road trip where they went 1-2-1 to face the Columbus Blue Jackets (7-5-0)

The Blue Jackets, while ranked 29th in even-strength time on ice, are fourth in shots on goal and sixth in goals scored, proving to be a mighty offence.

Their top playing line of Dmitri Voronkov-Sean Monahan-Kirill Marchenko is tied for fourth in the league in scoring the most goals (9) for lines that have played more than 100 minutes of 5v5 hockey. This line is also tied for giving up the least goals (1) for lines in that category.

When it comes to the power play, they are ranked 23rd and they don't often get to go on the man-advantage as their time on the ice in power play situations (50:38) is the second-lowest in the league. On the other hand, Calgary has been on penalty-kill the fourth-longest (83:34) and as we mentioned in our Three Takeaways for the Flames-Flyers game, Calgary has had BOTH its regulation wins in games where it had been short-handed the least without giving up a goal (2:00 vs Rangers, 1:37 vs Flyers). The only other game where the Flames were short-handed for a lower time was against Vegas on Oct. 18 (1:45), but they gave up three power play goals in that nightmare of a contest.

On the Flames blue line, the duo of Rasmus Andersson-Kevin Bahl is tied with five other pairs for third in giving up the lowest goals (5) for pairs that have played 125 minutes or more of even-strength hockey.

On the Blue Jackets' defence, Columbus has given up the sixth-most shots on goal and the 10th-most high-danger scoring chances.

Their main duo is Zack Werenski-Denton Mateychuk who are tied with four other pairs in conceding the second-lowest goals (4) for pairs that have played at least 125 minutes of even-strength hockey.

The main strength with Columbus lies within net: they are number one in save percentage in even-strength situations. Both of their goalies have a save percentage of above 0.900 after starting in six games each and it's been confirmed that in Wednesday's contest, Jet Greaves will be goaltender for Columbus. He currently carries the lower GAA of the two at 2.68 with a 3-3-0 record.

Dustin Wolf is confirmed in net for Calgary and will be hoping for an encore of the game against the Flyers.

As for the Flames power play, this game might give them the opportunity to try something new as Columbus' penalty-kill is the second-worst in the league.

Bottom Line

This is a tough match-up, but the Flames can come away with a win if they can get a good performance from Wolf and don't commit foolish penalties on the ice. There's also the part about getting past the top save percentage team in even-strength hockey, but if they do that, they're golden.

 

The American Hockey League announced Wednesday that former Grand Rapids Griffins forward Alexandre Giroux will be inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame during the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois. The ceremony, scheduled for February 11, will honor Giroux alongside Chris Bourque, Jim Wiemer, and Wendell Young, cementing his legacy as one of the league’s all-time greats.

🌟THE CLASS OF 2026🌟

Recognized by the AHL Hall of Fame Selection Committee as the latest group of enshrinees are Chris Bourque, Alexandre Giroux, Jim Wiemer and Wendell Young.

🔗: https://t.co/ySr0sBhAmUpic.twitter.com/TeanpP0JSn

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) November 5, 2025

Giroux’s professional journey began in the 2001-02 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the team’s inaugural campaign in the AHL and final season as an affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. After a strong rookie season with 27 points in 70 games and a plus-five rating for the West Division champions, Giroux followed Ottawa’s move to a new AHL affiliate, joining the Binghamton Senators. Despite his talent, NHL opportunities were limited.

The AHL announced that former Griffins forward Alexandre Giroux will be inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame during the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois #GoGRG

DETAILS | 🔗 https://t.co/MGoPxXl2Hlpic.twitter.com/thTsWGe6Pv

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 5, 2025

His fortunes changed in 2003-04 when the Senators traded him to the New York Rangers. He was immediately assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, where he spent the season before earning his first NHL appearance with the Rangers. In 2006, Giroux signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals and scored his first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 16. He later joined the Atlanta Thrashers’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, before returning to the Capitals organization at the 2008 trade deadline.

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

12/10/08: BOS @ WSH: Alexandre Giroux, 1st of the season (3rd of career) Assisted by Viktor Kozlov and Tom Poti pic.twitter.com/UdU5C7quqp

— Random NHL Goal a Day (@NHLGoalADay) December 13, 2024

Giroux’s AHL success reached its peak with the Hershey Bears, where he helped lead the team to back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2009 and 2010. During this period, he achieved feats few in league history can match, including consecutive 50-goal seasons, a 60-goal campaign, a record 15-game goal streak, and league MVP honors in 2008-09. He compiled 139 goals and 255 points over two seasons. Over his 11 AHL seasons, Giroux reached seventh on the all-time goals list with 368, finishing his career with 704 points in 771 games and adding 103 points in 118 playoff contests. His clutch play included a record five career playoff overtime goals.

Happy Alexandre Giroux day to those who celebrate! Technically it was yesterday but it was nearing midnight in Hershey when Giroux scored a legendary goal in Hershey Bears history. pic.twitter.com/oRoWgFQNjg

— Bears Hockey Nation (@HBHNationBlog) June 12, 2023

Although his NHL career was limited to 48 games with the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Capitals, and Edmonton Oilers, totaling 12 points, Giroux’s professional impact extended overseas. He competed in Russia’s KHL, Switzerland’s Swiss-A league, and France with Grenoble, helping the team win a league title. He concluded his career in Quebec with Thetford Assurancia of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey.

Giroux becomes the fourth former Grand Rapids player to enter the AHL Hall of Fame, joining Michel Picard, Bryan Helmer, and Darren Haydar. From his start in Grand Rapids to his record-setting AHL dominance and international ventures, Alexandre Giroux’s career represents perseverance, skill, and a deep passion for the game, making him a deserving addition to hockey’s Hall of Fame.

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A stat is a stat.

Following Tuesday's overtime 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild, the Nashville Predators are now 0-4 in games decided in the overtime period and 1-4 in games that have gone beyond regulation. 

The loss to the Wild was vastly different from the rest. The Predators did a decent job with the possession battle, which has stung them in the past.

With 1:22 left in overtime, Justus Annunen knocked the net off its left mooring and it began to slide. Marcus Johansson's first shot attempt, while the net had started to move, hit the side of the net. If it had gone in, it would've counted as the puck would've gone into the net if it was still on its mooring. 

The issue with the goal came on Johansson's rebound shot, which went in. He got the puck off the side of the net, which wouldn't have happened if the net had been still on its mooring. After review, the officials stood by their original call of it being a good goal. 

"It's a weird play. I can see the confusion, but the confusing part for us was why it was so emphatically called a goal," Steven Stamkos said. "I get it. If the net comes off and the puck goes in right away, it's no problem. But he missed the net and the puck actually bounced back to him because the net was sideways.

"My interpretation of the rule is that if the net wasn't off, the puck wouldn't have come back to him." 

Losses to the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 16 and the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 3 saw the Predators looking ahead to the shootout. Predators head coach Andrew Brunette even said following the game against the Canucks that he liked his team's chances more in the shootout. 

Against the Canadiens, Cole Caufield scored the game-winner with three seconds left in overtime, and Brock Boeser won the game for the Canucks with two seconds left in overtime. 

Both situations saw the Predators lose a board battle, with two players in the scrum and the puck getting knocked out to the opposing player in open space. Caufield caught a drop pass into the slot and Boeser was all alone from the left side of Juuse Saros. 

The loss to the Utah Mammoth on Oct. 11 saw the Predators' opponent fully dominate the possession battle. Nashville couldn't generate a single shot, let alone a rush down the ice, before Dylan Guenther made a move past Fedor Svechkov and scored. 

It was nearly a similar situation against the Canucks as defenseman Quinn Hughes slowed play down to give Vancouver a possession advantage.

The Predators have pushed a game past overtime once this season, which was a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings in a shootout on Oct. 25. Nashville has also shown a third-period fight in these eventual overtime losses, forcing the game into extra time against the Canucks and Wild. 

Brunette and multiple players have said it's "a coin flip" in overtime, but with the Predators constantly struggling in 3-on-3, the issue may be deeper than chance. 

After a three-game road trip that saw them go 2–1–0, the Vancouver Canucks will be spending the next four games at home, taking on the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, and Winnipeg Jets. This means the Canucks have the opportunity to snag a possible eight points within the span of the week, which would do great damage in the standings to their Pacific Division opponents. Let’s make some guesses as to how this homestand will go for the Canucks. 

November 5 vs. Chicago Blackhawks 

Some may be quick to dismiss the Blackhawks, as this stretch of home games features opponents who currently sit at the top of the NHL’s standings. However, this shouldn’t be the way Vancouver approaches tonight’s game, as they did only take their game against Chicago via shootout back in October. Since Thatcher Demko has started the past two games, it would make sense for Kevin Lankinen to get the start tonight, just as he did back in October. On the other side of the ice, expect Spencer Knight to start for Chicago, as Arvid Söderblom was given the start in the Blackhawks’ most recent game on Monday. 

Chicago’s special teams put them around the middle of the pack, with their penalty kill (80.8%, 15th in the NHL) being a bit better than their power play (17.5%), which sits at 21st in the NHL. While the Canucks did score two goals on Monday with the man-advantage, neither of these came from their top-unit. With Quinn Hughes taking part in his second game since returning from injury, Vancouver’s first-unit is due for a goal or two. 

Prediction: Canucks 5, Blackhawks 3 

Three Stars for Vancouver: Quinn Hughes, Kevin Lankinen, Elias Pettersson 

November 8 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Canucks’ second game of their homestand is against the Blue Jackets, who will take on the Calgary Flames tonight before heading to Vancouver for Saturday’s game. Columbus has looked strong so far this season, with the Blue Jackets occupying the fourth spot in the Metropolitan Division. As of November 5, the Blue Jackets are currently tied for the fourth-most 5-on-5 goals-for in the NHL with 30 while sporting the third-lowest goals-against at 5-on-5 with only 20. Their special teams work, on the other hand, may be one of their biggest weaknesses. Columbus has scored only five goals on the power play so far this season, while surrendering 12 power play goals against. 

As for goaltending, Elvis Merzļikins and Jet Greaves has split their starts pretty evenly so far for Columbus, with Merzļikins taking the team’s November 2 game against the New York Islanders. If Greaves gets the start tonight, Merzļikins will likely be the starter on Saturday. In the event that Vancouver starts Lankinen on Wednesday, Demko would be the most likely candidate to start on Saturday, with Lankinen then coming in on Sunday against the Avalanche. 

Prediction: Blue Jackets 3, Canucks 2 (OT) 

Three Stars for Vancouver: Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko 

November 9 vs. Colorado Avalanche

As of November 5, the Avalanche are the top team in the entire NHL, having only lost once in regulation but five times in overtime. It will be very hard for the Canucks to shut down the lethal offence of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Nečas, especially given that Vancouver is missing a good chunk of their top penalty killers in Teddy Blueger and Conor Garland. However, the Canucks have found success against Colorado in the past, as the team won all three of their matches against the Avalanche last season including shutting them out back in February. 

Vancouver’s biggest shot at winning against Colorado comes in overtime, as the Avalanche have lost all five of their games that have gone past regulation. The Canucks, on the other hand, have yet to give up a game in overtime or a shootout (though the prediction for their Columbus game negates that stat). While this game marks the second-half of a back-to-back for both teams, Colorado will be travelling to Vancouver from Edmonton, putting the circumstances of the game in the Canucks favour — albeit slightly. 

Prediction: Canucks 4, Avalanche 3 (OT) 

Three Stars for Vancouver: Quinn Hughes, Kiefer Sherwood, Kevin Lankinen 

November 11 vs. Winnipeg Jets

Vancouver’s fourth and final game of this homestand is against the Jets next Tuesday. Winnipeg, near the top of the NHL’s standings with a 9–4–0 record, welcomed back their captain Adam Lowry on Tuesday night after the forward started the season rehabilitating hip surgery done in May. The Jets have been a strong team all over the ice this season, placing in the top-half of the NHL in power play (22.7%), penalty kill (88.7%), and faceoff wins (51.9%). The only lapse in the Jets’ power that seems to be a target is their ability to generate shots and scoring chances. They’re within the bottom-10 in the NHL in shots per game with 26.8, and have generated a ninth-lowest scoring chances for with 356. 

From now until the 11th, the Jets only play in two games. Winnipeg backup Eric Comrie has played in three games so far this season against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, and New York Islanders, winning all of them. Whether he gets the start over Connor Hellebuyck or not will depend on who starts the Jets’ next couple of games. For Vancouver, if Lankinen takes the game against the Avalanche, then all signs will point to Demko starting against Winnipeg. 

Prediction: Jets 3, Canucks 1

Three Stars for Vancouver: Jake DeBrusk, Evander Kane, Thatcher Demko 

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Things are going to get real from here on out in the NHL power rankings.

With the first month completed, we’re going to see which NHL teams are for real and which ones are the pretenders.

Remember, American Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and historically, it’s been a very good predictor of which teams will make the post-season. In a league with so much parity, banking points early can provide a cushion when the playoff races heat up in the final weeks of the season.

As with all previous seasons, there has been no shortage of surprises. The Penguins, for example, are surprisingly good, while the Blues have been surprisingly bad. In this week’s NHL power rankings, we take a look at which players and storylines have been the most surprising for each team.

1. Colorado Avalanche (8-1-5, +13. PR: 1)

For a team with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, it’s a little shocking they’ve lost three in overtime and twice in the shootout. Their only regulation loss came, surprisingly, against the Bruins, which nearly blew a 3-1 lead and were outshot 33-19. Locking up Martin Necas for eight years quickly was a smart move, and the Avs look poised to make another deep run. 

2. Winnipeg Jets (9-4-0, +12. PR: 3)

It’s deja vu all over again. Excellent goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck and then relying on one line that can score. Perhaps the biggest surprise is how consistent the Jets have been and proving last season was no fluke despite lacking the depth that a lot of other elite teams possess. 

3. Vegas Golden Knights (7-2-3, +8. PR: 4)

Over the past few seasons, the Knights have had one of the most productive bluelines in the league. So far this season, they’ve produced one goal, and you’ll never guess from who… (Kaedan Korczak)

4. Carolina Hurricanes (8-4-0, +12. PR: 6)

Pyotr Kochetkov returned and immediately shut out the Rangers – it’s not hard to do these days – but I think the biggest development has been Logan Stankoven locking down the second-line center spot behind Sebastian Aho. They’ve been looking forever and seem to have finally found someone they like.

5. Montreal Canadiens (9-3-1, +7. PR: 8)

Jakub Dobes has come out of nowhere to go 6-0-0 to start the season, and with Sam Montembeault getting tagged with four goals and another loss Tuesday against the Flyers, it could be Dobes’ net going forward. Another name: Nick Suzuki. At this point, it’d be a travesty if he were left off Team Canada.

6. Utah Mammoth (9-4-0, +9. PR: 9)

The Mammoth were a popular dark horse pick so I don’t think their success is all that surprising, but I didn’t expect their goaltending to be so solid. Karel Vejmelka has an .894 SP, but his quality start percentage is the highest of his career, per hockey-reference.com, and he has become reliable on a nightly basis.

7. New Jersey Devils (9-4-0, +6. PR: 2)

Aside from a brilliant performance from Jacob Markstrom against the Kings, the Devils looked pretty horrible on their four-game roadie, losing three games and allowing 17 goals (!) in those losses. No question, I think the biggest surprise has been Dawson Mercer, who hasn’t looked this good since his first two seasons after scoring just 69 points over the last two seasons.

8. Dallas Stars (7-3-3, -2. PR: 5)

The lack of scoring is a little perplexing. The Stars rank tied for 26th in goals-for per game and hired Glen Gulutzan away from the Oilers to improve their power play, which it has, but they’re also tied for last in goals-for at 5-on-5. 

9. Anaheim Ducks (8-3-1, +11. PR: 15)

The Ducks rattled off three straight wins against some pretty tough teams over the past week and outscoring them 16-6, including a season sweep of the Panthers. They’re the biggest surprise in the West this season.

10. Detroit Red Wings (9-5-0, +2. PR: 7)

They toughed out a road trip with two shootout wins, including a bizarre game against the Kings where they were outshot, blew a lead, seemingly lost in overtime, only to get the call reversed. The biggest surprise is the pieces of the Yzerplan falling into place as the Wings hunt for a playoff spot. 

11. Columbus Blue Jackets (7-5-0, +4. PR: 12)

The goaltending has been very good with Jet Greaves (.916 SP) and Elvis Merzlikins (.917 SP). We knew the Jackets could score (except on the power play), but for the longest time, they couldn’t get any stops consistently. Their record doesn’t look like much now, but don’t be surprised if they go on a run here. A few seasons ago, they couldn’t string two wins together.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs (7-5-1, even. PR: 14)

After ranking eighth in goals allowed per game last season, I thought the Leafs’ problem would be scoring, not defending. Anthony Stolarz’s .896 SP is misleading – he’s been their best player some nights – but I do think they miss Joseph Woll in a big way. 

13. Pittsburgh Penguins (8-4-2, +9. PR: 10)

Pick one. The Pens have been the best feel-good story of the season so far, making one last push in the twilight of the Crosby-Malkin-Letang Era. I do think the biggest surprise, however, is rookie Ben Kindel, who was a bit of a surprise pick at No. 11 this past summer after being ranked 21st among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Penguins' Ben Kindel Is Playing His Way Off The Canadian World Junior TeamPittsburgh Penguins rookie Ben Kindel continues to strengthen his case to stick around in the NHL, which could be bad news for Canada's world junior squad.

14. Philadelphia Flyers (7-5-1, +3. PR: 17)

I think the Flyers have been better than anyone expected, but not because Matvei Michkov has emerged as their franchise player, with one goal in 13 games. We shouldn’t write them off too early, or even praise them too soon, because it does look like Dan Vladar is coming down to earth after a surprisingly strong start.

15. Los Angeles Kings (6-4-4, -4. PR: 19)

The Kings are 5-1-2 since their horrific start, joining a handful of teams that have managed to turn their season around in the first month. Kevin Fiala has 10 points in 14 games, dispelling previous notions about his slow starts.

16. Washington Capitals (6-5-1, +2. PR: 11)

That’s four straight losses and three games where they scored one goal or fewer. And they’re without Pierre-Luc Dubois for an extended period. Oof. It’s been interesting to see Tom Wilson playing arguably the best hockey of his career right now at 31 years old, especially for a player who plays such a taxing physical style and already has a lengthy injury history. 

17. Edmonton Oilers (6-5-4, -2. PR: 13)

I think the most surprising thing, even before the season, was the Oilers’ decision to run it back with their current goaltending tandem. It can be good, but it’s not good enough very often, and we’re stuck asking the same questions over and over again. 

18. Tampa Bay Lightning (6-5-2, +1. PR: 21)

This is definitely the Lightning we know. They’ve gone 5-1-0 after a rough first few weeks, with their only loss coming against the Avalanche. I’m surprised we even talk about the Lightning at all in the first month; they usually like to give the league a head start before showing in late November and December why they should still be feared. 

19. Florida Panthers (6-6-1, -7. PR: 16)

Yes, the two-time defending Cup champions are ranked last in the East, though they’re not ranked as such in the NHL power rankings because we know how good they really are. However, Sam Bennett, who was supposed to fill a significant portion of the void left by Aleksander Barkov, has mostly been invisible, and their top scorer is 37-year-old Brad Marchand. 

20. New York Rangers (6-6-2, -3. PR: 22)

This one’s easy: they can’t score. They’re shockingly 0-5-1 on home ice and were shut out again Tuesday against the Canes. At some point, they should turn it around; Artemi Panarin’s on an unsustainable cold streak, and their expected goals actually aren’t this bad. 

21. Seattle Kraken (6-2-4, even. PR: 18)

A couple bounces, and the Kraken might be on a five-game winning streak, and the conversation would be different, but alas, they’re 3-2-2 in their last seven and 1-0-1 in a quiet week. Their scoring has been a nice surprise; this might be just the second time they’ve had at least two players score 60 points in the same season. 

22. Chicago Blackhawks (5-5-3, +1. PR: 20)

I think the biggest compliment you can give the Hawks is that they’re competitive. In a season where almost every team has a points percentage above .500, the Hawks beating the likes of the Mammoth and Lightning, and hanging with the Oilers, Habs and Panthers, is a testament to how much they’ve improved. It’s especially surprising following a very quiet summer.

NHL's Eastern Conference Has Incredible Historic ParityEvery team in the NHL's Eastern Conference is playing at .500 hockey or better entering November. That is anything but normal.

23. Minnesota Wild (5-6-3, -11. PR: 25)

The Wild have been a high-event but not-so-good defensive team for two seasons now, but the biggest difference this season has been the play of Filip Gustavsson. He’s got the bag, and now he has to prove it, and things have been slightly improved lately.

24. Vancouver Canucks (7-7-0, -5. PR: 23)

Kiefer Sherwood has become somewhat of a cult hero. It’s easy to forget that the record setter for hits in a single season was once known as a scorer; he scored 75 points in 57 games in the AHL one season and averaged 0.92 points per game in the AHL throughout his career. He’s clearly never going back.

25. Boston Bruins (8-7-0, -2. PR: 27)

They’ve been incredibly streaky, and Jeremy Swayman is either excellent or in danger of losing his job. He was given a partial pass last season after a contract holdout, but I think he’s very, very far from being a lock to be USA’s No. 3 goalie in February.

26. New York Islanders (6-5-2, -3. PR: 28)

The most surprising thing about the Isles this season is that they’re actually watchable. There’s an understanding that anyone who hurts a hair on Matthew Schaefer’s head is going to get mobbed, and they look far more energized and faster than ever.

27. St. Louis Blues (4-7-2, -16. PR: 24)

Considering how good they were under Jim Montgomery last season, this season has been a total disaster so far. They’re inconsistent, and their goaltending has been horrible; Jordan Binnington is not playing like he wants to be Canada’s No. 1 after a strong showing at the 4 Nations Faceoff. 

28. Ottawa Senators (6-5-2, -3. PR: 26)

Tough to gauge the Sens without their captain, but Linus Ullmark has been really poor this season after a promising first season with his new club. He’s faced 30 or more shots only once (!) this season and allowed two goals or fewer just three times, and in one of those games, he faced only 13 shots.

29. Buffalo Sabres (5-4-4, -2. PR: 29)

Bad luck or just Sabres luck? They’ve played five straight games that went to extra time and lost four of them in overtime. Obviously, goaltending – what’s going to happen with Devon Levi? – and injuries have been hot topics, but I think the most surprising storyline that’s been developing over multiple seasons is how a club blessed with so much talent seem to attrition itself back into rebuild mode every decade or so.

30. San Jose Sharks (4-6-3, -11. PR: 31)

Take away the horrendous 0-4-2 start, and the Sharks are actually 4-2-1 since then, though three of those wins came in overtime. I think the surprise, albeit a mild one, is how quickly Macklin Celebrini has established himself as a dominant offensive player in the NHL. 

31. Nashville Predators (5-6-4, -12. PR: 30)

The loser point skews things, but the Preds were lucky to earn half the points they did over the past week. They were down 3-1 against the Canucks, and Steven Stamkos scored with 0.3 seconds (!) left against the Wild to force overtime in both games. I think what’s most surprising is the Preds haven’t been mentioned much in the rumor mill, or very active in trying to fix this poorly constructed roster. 

32. Calgary Flames (3-9-2, -17. PR: 32)

It’s a surprise that a borderline playoff team last season is this bad. Like, lottery-bound bad. A lot of it has been the Flames' subpar goaltending, but their offense hasn’t been good, and top defenseman MacKenzie Weegar is minus-12.

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.

Wednesday’s NHL schedule features five games filled with marquee matchups, promising fast-paced action, dramatic finishes, and highlight-worthy moments. One of the night’s most intriguing games has the Toronto Maple Leafs coming off a thrilling four-goal comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. They now face one of the league’s hottest teams, the 9-4-0 Utah Mammoth.

If you’re new to our betting challenge, here’s how it works. We start with a modest bankroll and aim to grow it using smart, data-driven wagers. In past runs, we’ve turned just $10 into triple-digit profits. Tonight, our same-game parlay focuses on the Toronto-Utah matchup, providing a great opportunity to rebuild momentum after our recent hot streak came to an end. Our bankroll had climbed to $264.60 before taking a loss in Tuesday’s Golden Knights win over the Red Wings. Now we’re ready to heat back up and continue the climb after going a perfect 3-0 with our picks in last night’s Oilers-Stars game.

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.

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?

Picks: Mammoth +2.5 & Over 5.5 Goals (+115)

The Utah Mammoth have begun their first season under their new identity in impressive fashion, suffering only four losses so far. However, they will look to rebound on Wednesday after dropping two of their last three games. Their recent struggles have come from defensive lapses rather than offensive shortcomings, as they still managed to score five goals despite giving up ten in those two defeats. The defense showed improvement in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres.

Utah now heads to Toronto for the second leg of their road back-to-back. The Maple Leafs feature one of the league’s top offenses this season, ranking third in goals scored, but they have also struggled defensively, ranking fifth-worst in that category. Toronto’s stars William Nylander and Auston Matthews led the way in a 4-3 win over the Penguins on Monday, combining for three of the team’s four goals, while Matthews assisted Bobby McMann on the fourth. The Leafs’ top players appear to be heating up as they try to climb out of an early 7-5-1 start.

Utah should be able to challenge Toronto’s attack with their own strong offense, which sits just inside the league’s top ten. The Mammoth have developed a reputation for competing hard in tough matchups, holding a 6-4 record against the spread over their last ten games. Toronto has faced Utah only twice in franchise history, winning both games by a single goal, with each contest featuring six or more total goals.

A $10 wager on the Mammoth and the over at +115 odds would cashed for a $11.50 profit, pushing the total payout to $21.50 in return. With a loaded NHL slate ahead on Thursday, it’s the perfect time to ride the momentum and keep stacking that bankroll. 

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