The Florida Panthers hit the road on Monday for a quick business trip to Tennessee.

Playing their only game away from Sunrise in the span of about a month, Florida took on the Nashville Predators and came away with a resounding 8-3 road victory.

The Cats got off to a great start, scoring right off the game’s opening faceoff.

After the puck was dumped into the Nashville zone by Seth Jones, Carter Verhaeghe picked it up below the goal line and came back behind the net before sending a quick pass toward the slot.

A cutting A.J. Greer one-timed the puck past the blocker of Juuse Saros to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead just 11 seconds into the game.

Florida continued to keep the pressure on, and just over five minutes later, they doubled their early advantage.

Defenseman Uvis Balinskis had a great look from the slot that was stopped by Saros, but Evan Rodrigues was in a great spot at the side of the crease to snap home the rebound and give Florida a 2-0 lead at the 5:42 mark.

Exactly 70 seconds later, Filip Forsberg scored a frustrating goal from a sharp angle.

The weak shot from the right corner somehow got between Daniil Tarasov and the goal post, putting the Predators on the board just under seven minutes into the game.

A rebound goal by Fedor Svechkov would tie the score at the 10:32 mark of the opening frame after a backhand from the slot off the stick of Ozzy Weisblatt was stopped by Tarasov.

Jesper Boqvist’s third goal of the season would put the Panthers back in front less than a minute later.

His breakaway attempt slid right through the legs of Soros to give Florida a 3-2 lead exactly 59 seconds after Svechkov’s goal.

Florida’s two-goal lead would be restored with just over four minutes left in the period.

Coming into the Predators zone on a rush, Greer’s shot from the left boards was kicked out by Soros, but an attempt to clear the rebound by Svechkov went off the shins of Sam Bennett before fluttering into the net to make it 4-2 Cats.

Florida made it a three-goal advantage just 84 seconds into the middle frame when Gus Forsling’s point shot grazed the leg of Nick Perbix on its way past Soros.

That would mark the end for Nashville’s starting goaltender, as Justus Annunen replaced Soros after Florida scored on five of its 16 shots on goal.

An early third period power play would give the Predators an opening back into the game, and they took it.

Right off the draw after a Jeff Petry tripping penalty, Nick Blankenburg’s long wrist shot found its way through a maze of bodies and past Tarasov at the 2:11 mark of the final frame.

It didn’t even take three minutes for the Panthers to answer, and it was Greer netting his second goal of the game, once again off a primary assist from Carter Verhaeghe.

Sam Reinnart got in on the fun near the midway point of the period while both teams were skating four-on-four.

Catching the Predators in a line change, Evan Rodrigues came into the offensive zone and fired a shot that went off the pads of Annunen, but the rebound went right to Reinhart at the side of the net.

His 13th goal of the season and 11th in his past 14 games gave the Panthers a comfortable 7-3 lead.

A snakebit Carter Verhaeghe got in on the fun before the Cats got out of Dodge.

Greer made a great ally-oop pass that Verhaeghe sped down the ice to catch up with, and his patient backhand went over Annunen’s glove to make it 8-3 Florida.

It was just Verhaeghe’s third goal of the year, and his first since Oct. 21 in Boston.

For Greer, the assist was his third point of the night and gave him a career-high +5 on-ice rating to go with his career-high-tying two goals.

On to the Flyers.

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Photo caption: Nov 24, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Panthers center Jesper Boqvist (70) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. (Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)

Fans of the Buffalo Sabres came into this season hopeful they’d end the team’s record of 14 consecutive seasons with no Stanley Cup playoffs. Instead, the Sabres have wailed and flailed on their way back to an all-too-familar place: at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

The Sabres’ season will soon have reached its midpoint, and the only thing the Sabres have achieved is notoriety. This is why we’re not falling for Buffalo’s great team results, as they’re using only a small sample size. Talk to us when the season is halfway through and the Sabres have crawled their way back to relevancy.

Until then, y’all better believe fans are going to be incensed at Buffalo’s futility at climbing out of the hole the Sabres have dug for themselves. Nothing else matters. No roster changes or building for the building for the future. This is truly a win-or-bust season if ever there was one.

The days of Sabres management spinning their wheels and pleading for fan patience are at an end. And this is the only issue that matters. Every game, without fail, will dictate the reception players get from the paying customer. And if you’ve missed the post-season for a decade-and-a-half, your fans are going to start to ignore you as a team and instead take up a hobby – you know, putting tiny ships in a bottle, or kicking rocks. Things like that.

Sabres Win Again, But Buffalo Fans Need To See Many More Wins Before Getting ExcitedThe Buffalo Sabres' recent win streak is a spark, but a long, tough schedule demands sustained excellence to truly ignite their playoff hopes.

Something else to be mindful of – the Sabres have little room for error. They can’t afford injuries, as their lack of NHL depth is clear. They also can’t afford prolonged stretches of games where they lose four or five in a row. The Atlantic Division will maul you, so the Sabres have to be aware they have to hit the gas and really climb up the Eastern rankings.

There can be no more excuses. No more looking to the future. All that matters in Western New York is ending that embarrassing playoff drought. And through the first quarter of the season, they’ve shown they’re not worthy of being a playoff team 

NEW YORK (AP) — Alexis Lafreniere scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves as the New York Rangers snapped a four-game skid with a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Monday night.

Lafreniere put the puck past Blues netminder Joel Hofer 40 seconds into the final period for his fifth goal this season.

Vincent Trocheck and Adam Edstrom also scored for the Rangers, who won for just the second time in 10 home games. New York is 2-7-1 at Madison Square Garden. Vladislav Gavrikov and Adam Fox each had two assists.

Dylan Holloway and Brayden Schenn scored for St. Louis, and Hofer made 17 saves.

Holloway opening the scoring late in the first period.

Trocheck tied it midway through the second, taking a pass from Jonny Brodzinski and firing the puck past Hofer for his fourth goal.

After Lafreniere made it 2-1, Edstrom increased the lead with 11:04 left in the third. Schenn got the Blues within 3-2 with 1:15 remaining.

The Rangers had to kill off a four-minute high-sticking penalty assessed to Brett Berard in the third. Berard made his season debut following his recall from Hartford of the AHL.

The Rangers (11-12-2) — who played without injured captain J.T. Miller for the second straight game — are still last in the Metropolitan Division.

Up next

Blues: At New Jersey on Wednesday to conclude a five-game trip.

Rangers: At Carolina on Wednesday.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Connor Brown had a goal and an assist each and the New Jersey Devils beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Monday night in a matchup of two of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference.

Alex DeBrincat, James van Riemsdyk and Dylan Larkin scored for Detroit.

New Jersey scored three goals in the first period on just eight shots for a 3-1 lead after one, snapped a three-game losing streak, and got its first win in regulation since beating the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on Nov. 1.

The Devils’ previous four wins occurred in either overtime or the shootout.

New Jersey’s Jacob Markstrom made 32 saves, 13 in the third period.

Hischier scored his fourth goal in five games and added an assist on Meier’s first-period goal for the 102nd multipoint game of his Devils’ career.

Cody Glass snapped a 1-1 tie for New Jersey in his first game back after missing the previous four games with an upper-body injury. He replaced Juho Lammikko on the Devils third line.

Van Riemsdyk, who grew up in New Jersey, scored a power-play goal in his 1,100th game that got the Red Wings to within 3-2 in the second period.

Moritz Seider added two assists for Detroit, who lost for just the second time in its last seven games.

Brown moved the Devils’ lead to 4-2 from Dawson Mercer later in the second period before Larkin scored his 13th goal in the third period.

Cam Talbot had 15 saves for Detroit.

Up next

Devils: Host St. Louis on Wednesday night.

Red Wings: Host Nashville on Wednesday night.

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The Detroit Red Wings dominated the New Jersey Devils in the shot totals on Monday evening, but unfortunately for Detroit, they didn't lead where it matters.

The Devils escaped with a 4-3 victory in regulation at Prudential Center despite a furious late-game push by the Red Wings to try and knot the score.

Following the final horn, multiple scraps broke out on the ice between the two clubs. 

Back home Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/WFP7UgiHaV

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 25, 2025

With the setback, the Red Wings dropped to 13-9-1 so far in their centennial campaign. 

The Devils found the back of the net first thanks to a deflection goal from Timo Meier, only to have Alex DeBrincat score his second goal in as many games to tie things up.

The Devils then scored twice in short order thanks to Nico Hischier and Cody Glass, taking a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.

New Jersey native James van Riemsdyk brought the Red Wings back to within a goal with his second tally of the season in the second period, but a brutal turnover by defenseman Travis Hamonic soon afterward resulted in Connor Brown restoring New Jersey's two goal lead.

The Red Wings pressed for the equalizer, and made it a one-goal game again as Dylan Larkin buried a shot from the slot past goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

Detroit also felt they should have been on the power-play late in regulation, but Jonas Siegenthaler's blatant interference on Lucas Raymond in the neutral zone was somehow missed by both referees. 

It was a rare subpar outing for goaltender Cam Talbot, who finished with 15 saves on the 19 shots he faced. Markstrom was far busier, turning aside 32 of the 35 shots Detroit fired his way. 

The Red Wings will return home to face the Nashville Predators on Wednesday evening. 

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The Hall of Fame credentials for Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane are already guaranteed, and he's added yet another impressive milestone to his resume.

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

With an assist on teammate Alex DeBrincat's first period goal on Monday evening against the New Jersey Devils, Kane moved past former Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan for sole possession of 29th place in the NHL's all-time points list with 1,355. 

That's THE CAT! #LGRWpic.twitter.com/YU9wl734cK

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 25, 2025

Kane, who has 860 career assists, is just 35 shy of passing Phil Housley for the most in the career of an American born player.

Speaking of former Red Wings, he's also just 20 points away from passing Mike Modano for the most points in the history of the NHL by an American born player. 

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Mikko Rantanen will miss the Dallas Stars’ upcoming road game against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday as he serves an automatic one-game suspension.

On November 18, with under a minute remaining in regulation, Rantanen skated through a check by New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield and checked Alex Romanov from behind, propelling him violently into the end boards. Romanov was eventually assisted off the ice. Rantanen was given a five-minute major for boarding, which carries an automatic game misconduct.

The NHL did not discipline Rantanen for the hit, citing the slight contact from Mayfield, a decision that did not sit well with many fans. While Mayfield may have slowed him slightly, that hardly explains Rantanen’s forward thrust that carried him through Mayfield and into Romanov, though that was the rationale offered after the fact.

Can of Worms

In discussions with my colleagues, we reached a consensus. The NHL’s decision not to suspend Rantanen for the hit on Romanov risked setting a troubling precedent. Hockey is a contact sport, yet such leniency could encourage players to take liberties that endanger their peers. What was especially surprising, however, was that it would be Mikko Rantanen himself repeating the same behavior just days later against the Calgary Flames, charging out of the penalty box and plowing through Matt Coronato. 

Mikko Rantanen receives 5 and a game for this hit, in a game he shouldn’t have been playing in because of his 5-minute boarding major on Tuesday.

pic.twitter.com/k8pfSlYS92

— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_) November 23, 2025

"Dallas’ Mikko Rantanen has been automatically suspended for one game under Rule 23.6, Physical Infractions Category," the NHL Department of Player Safety said in a statement on X. "In regular season League games, any player who incurs a total of two (2) game misconduct penalties in the Physical Infractions Category, before playing 41 consecutive regular season League games without such penalty, shall be suspended automatically for the next League game of his team."

NHL Should Have Suspended Rantanen Longer

Revisiting the hit on Romanov, who is now sidelined for five to six months following shoulder surgery sustained in the play, it is evident that Rantanen’s intent was to deliver a forceful impact. While Mayfield’s contact may have slightly altered his trajectory, there is little doubt that his objective was to drive Romanov into the boards. Rantanen extended his arms—a motion rarely seen in the context of a conventional hockey stop, but one commonly employed to deliver a hit, which is what happened.

If the play had truly been unintentional, and Rantanen had merely “lost control” to the detriment of Romanov’s season, it seems unlikely he would engage in similarly reckless behavior just two games later. Yet he did, charging out of the penalty box and targeting Matt Coronato. This was not a simple boarding incident; Rantanen took at least five strides before reaching Coronato, meeting the criteria for charging as well. Boarding, charging, two game misconducts in less than a week—and all of it resulting in only a one-game suspension—raises serious questions about the league’s disciplinary standards.

What are we actually doing? What is the point of having a Department of Player Safety if we're not actually taking safety seriously. It's like having a department in the government dedicated to balancing the budget while consistently being in debt and not actually doing the things the people voted for you to accomplish.

The issue extends beyond setting a poor precedent, as the optics are equally troubling and demand serious scrutiny. According to NHL rules, a player must accumulate two game misconducts within a 41-game span to trigger an automatic suspension. When a player reaches that threshold in just a matter of days, it seems reasonable to question whether a more substantial penalty is warranted. The league could have easily imposed a four- or five-game suspension on Rantanen if it chose to exercise stricter judgment. It is, after all, the NHL’s prerogative, but should another player sustain a serious injury due to what appears to be leniency, the consequences for the league’s credibility could be severe.

Sports Betting

It is also important to recognize that the NHL faces a significant dilemma with sports betting. A 2018 Nielsen Sports study estimated that the league’s annual revenue could increase by at least $216 million from sports betting alone, a figure that has likely grown considerably in the years since. Suspensions can be costly for business. Much like in combat sports, where a fighter testing positive for a banned substance can disrupt events and revenue, leagues often calibrate penalties to minimize financial disruption. First-time offenders typically receive six-month suspensions, which coincides roughly with the natural cadence of a fighter’s career, thereby limiting the impact on the sport’s revenue stream.

For the NHL, however, the priority should be clear: protecting players must take precedence, regardless of the team or the business considerations involved.

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One of the biggest surprises of the early NHL season has been the rapid rise of the New York Islanders. Entering the year, expectations were modest. After holding the first overall pick along with two additional first-rounders, the franchise seemed ready to focus on long-term growth rather than immediate success.

That outlook changed quickly. Their top selection, Matthew Schaefer, has been a tremendous hit. His electric start has energized the entire organization and helped push the Islanders to a shocking 13-8-2 record that almost no one saw coming.

Schaefer’s breakout is only part of the story as several veterans have turned back the clock, led by Bo Horvat. The 30-year-old center looks like the same player who put up 68 points two seasons ago. He currently leads the team with 14 goals, 11 assists, and 25 points in 23 games. Riding alongside Horvat is Emil Heineman, formerly a depth winger in Montreal, who has flourished on the top line with nine goals and six assists.

Another key contributor is Mathew Barzal, the most recognizable Islander, who has added 17 points in 22 games while anchoring the second line. Having both Horvat and Barzal controlling the center of the ice has been an underrated advantage and a major reason behind New York’s early success.

Still, no player has changed the team’s trajectory more than Schaefer. The rookie defenseman has burst onto the scene with remarkable poise, logging heavy minutes in every situation and seeming to break a new record every night. At 18 years and 70 days old, he became the youngest player in NHL history to score an overtime goal, surpassing Sidney Crosby’s mark from 2005. 

During a six-game point streak to begin his career, he put up seven points with two goals and five assists, becoming the youngest defenseman ever to accomplish that feat. His outstanding play has not only made him the clear favorite for the Calder Trophy but has also sparked early conversation about his potential spot on Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics.

The Islanders have also benefited from Ilya Sorokin regaining his form. The goaltender owns a 2.64 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and a 7-6-2 record, providing stability in net.

All of this raises an important question. Are the Islanders legitimate playoff contenders, or will their early momentum eventually fade? We saw a similar story last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who went on an emotional run in honor of the late Johnny Gaudreau before running out of steam and narrowly missing the postseason.

Sportsbooks appear cautious as well. Schaefer is the heavy Calder favorite at -238, but the Islanders' playoff odds have already tightened to +110. For believers, this may be the last chance to buy in at value.

Islanders' Matthew Schaefer, Avalanche's Cale Makar Already Near-Locks in NHL Award RacesAn 18-year-old phenom and a Norris contender are dominating early NHL award races, setting impressive records and dazzling fans.

It is hard not to believe when you look at the teams they have beaten. Some wins have been driven by energy, but others have been convincing statements. In only their fourth game, they defeated the Oilers 4-2,  they beat several of the league’s best teams, including the Capitals, Devils, Golden Knights, and Stars. Their dominance over the Atlantic-leading Red Wings has been especially notable, outscoring Detroit 12 to 2 in their two meetings.

Within the Metropolitan Division, the Islanders have been just as impressive. Excluding their first two games of the season, they have gone 4-1-1 in their last six divisional matchups. With teams like the Capitals, Penguins, Blue Jackets, and Flyers still early in various stages of their rebuilds, there is little reason to think New York cannot remain in the top three.

The Islanders have quickly become one of the most entertaining teams in hockey, and they continue to show that they are worth believing in.

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Two defensemen get the most love in the latest look at who was hot and cold in the NHL in the past week.

Their teams needed the help as well.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are tied in points with three other teams in the East, including the Philadelphia Flyers, which are currently in the second wild-card spot due to a tiebreaker. The Calgary Flames, meanwhile, are likely not going to climb out of the basement, but they at least showed more than a smidge of offense in their recent surge.

With that said, let’s get right down to business. Here are this week’s hot and cold NHL players:

Hot: Rasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames 

Despite being in the trade rumor mill, Andersson had a stellar week for the Flames, posting seven assists and nine points while being a plus-5 in four games. Andersson also was a huge workhorse for Calgary, logging 25:02 of ice time, bumping up his season average time-on-ice average to 24:25. 

The 29-year-old Swedish blueliner is on a five-game points streak, and he had three-point nights against the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks, both wins that suggested Calgary is capable of scoring a lot more than its current average of 2.38 goals-for.

Andersson is almost certainly going to be traded by or before this year’s trade deadline if the Flames remain in the NHL's basement. The pending UFA's current strong play is going to drive up Calgary’s asking price for him.

Cold: Jonathan Toews, C, Winnipeg Jets 

The Jets made a big splash by signing Toews this summer, and his choice of Winnipeg to stage his NHL comeback was a feather in the organization’s cap. But one question that arose was how well he would play after missing two seasons.

Toews has had some up-and-down weeks. This past week, Toews recorded zero points and four shots in three games. He has now gone five points without a point, and he has one point in the last nine contests. This season, he has three goals and eight points in 21 games.

The Jets were blanked by the Minnesota Wild and lost by one goal to the Carolina Hurricanes Friday, so they could’ve used some offense from Toews. Winnipeg can afford to be patient with Toews, but sooner or later, the team will need him to produce some more points.

Hot: Zach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets 

Werenski had a phenomenal year for the Blue Jackets last season, and this year, the 28-year-old is off to another strong start. This week, Werenski posted five assists and eight points in only three games, giving him seven goals and 21 points in 22 games. 

Werenski averaged 27:41 of ice time this week, and that includes two straight games of more than 28 minutes per game. His current average of 26:50 would be a career high, but regardless, he’s underscoring his status as one of the best D-men on the planet.

Cold: Frank Vatrano, LW, Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks have been thriving this season, but one prominent Anaheim player who has been struggling is veteran Vatrano. The 31-year-old had zero points on seven shots in four games this week, and he’s averaged just 13:34 of ice time in that span. His average ice time of 12:18 this season is about five fewer minutes per game than he had last season.

Two seasons ago, Vatrano put up 60 points. And last season, he averaged 45 points. The Ducks could have traded him to get some more assets in the late stages of their rebuild, but instead, they signed him to a three-year contract extension worth about $4.5 million annually.

This year, he’s got only two goals and three points in 22 games. It doesn’t get much colder than that.

The Ducks lead the Pacific Division thanks in part to Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Troy Terry, who have 29, 26 and 25 points, respectively. Even rookie Beckett Sennecke has 16 points, and acquisition Chris Kreider has 15 points in 18 games.

Vatrano got pushed down Anaheim’s depth chart, and he isn't in a position to excel right now. At least the team is doing well.

Hot: Yaroslav Askarov, G, San Jose Sharks 

As San Jose’s goalie of the present and future, Askarov has to do much of the heavy lifting in net for this young Sharks team.

This week past, the 23-year-old was electric, compiling a 3-0-0 record, .937 save percentage and 1.92 goals-against average. San Jose needed Askarov to be sharp, as the Sharks won one game in overtime, one in the shootout and the third game by two goals, although one of those goals was an empty-netter.

In 14 appearances this season, Askarov has an 8-5-1 record, .913 SP, and 2.83 GAA. If the Sharks are to be in playoff contention, Askarov will need to be at least that well. But he’s living up to lofty expectations, and San Jose has to be thrilled with what they’re getting out of him already.

---

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Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider has proven himself to be among the League's most durable players, and in doing so, he's already set a new Red Wings franchise record as part of their centennial campaign.

Last week, Seider skated in his 346th consecutive game to begin his NHL career, passing the previous mark of 345 by former Red Wings forward John Ogrodnick.

Seider also played a key role in Detroit's dramatic 4-3 overtime comeback victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday afternoon, as he knotted the score at 3-3 in the third period with a seeing-eye shot from the point that eluded goaltender Jet Greaves. 

🗣️ MORITZ SEIDER. pic.twitter.com/b7X7fpERAs

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 22, 2025

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For Seider, he understandably takes pride in not only being available for his team but is also grateful that he's been blessed with good health that enables his durability. 

"I just take a lot of pride in being available, other than that you work so hard in the summer to be in those moments to be in shape and stay healthy, and along the way you just try to maintain form," he said.

"Obviously, I've been blessed with being healthy and being able to get out there and fight every night," he continued. 

Moritz Seider Breaks 40 Year Red Wings Franchise Record Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider recently skated in his 346th consecutive game to begin his NHL career, passing the previous mark of 345 by former Red Wings forward John Ogrodnick

Like his teammate Lucas Raymond, it wasn't long ago that Seider was a rookie on the Red Wings and getting acclimated to life in the NHL.

This current Red Wings roster features several rookies, including forwards Emmitt Finnie and Nate Danielson as well as defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka. 

Seider remembers his 2021–22 rookie campaign as both an exciting experience and, at times, a mental drain compared to the experiences of playing in both German and Swedish Leagues. 

"Just mentally, I think you can be overwhelmed in your first season and you just drive on adrenaline all the time," he said. 

"Every city is new, you kind of find your way around," he continued. "You go to restaurants you've never been to before, sleep in hotels you've never been in. It's all exciting, but once a certain mark hits, you kind of get mentally exhausted from playing so many games in a short amount of time. It's the biggest difference." 

Not only did Seider overcome the challenges of playing in the NHL, but he was soon awarded the Calder Trophy as the League's best rookie. He's become Detroit's top defenseman, and also signed an eight-year contract extension prior to the start of last season. 

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The Montreal Canadiens have made another roster move, as they have assigned forward Joshua Roy to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket. 

Roy played in two games during his most recent call-up to the Canadiens' NHL roster, where he was held off the scoresheet. In three total games for the Habs this season, the 22-year-old forward has recorded zero points, two shots, two penalty minutes, and an even plus/minus rating. 

Down in the AHL with Laval this season, Roy has recorded four goals, three assists, seven points, and a plus-4 rating. Now, after being reassigned to Laval, he will be aiming to impress in hopes of landing another call-up to the Canadiens' roster soon.

Roy was selected by the Canadiens with the 150th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In 38 games over three seasons with the Canadiens so far, he has posted six goals, five assists, and 11 points. His best season with the Canadiens was back in 2023-24, however, as he recorded four goals, five assists, and nine points in 23 games. 

In the late 2000s to mid-2010s, California NHL fans were living their dream, regardless of which team they rooted for.

Between 2006-07 and 2016-17, the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup, and the San Jose Sharks came close, marking plenty of success on the West Coast.

In that span, the Kings won two Stanley Cups and bowed out in the Western Conference final once. The Sharks made the conference final three times, advancing to the Cup final in 2015-16. The Ducks won it all in 2006-07 and made the conference final twice afterward.

While all the California teams were contenders in the early to mid-2010s, the Kings clearly led the pack.

However, by 2018-19, all three teams were beginning to age out, and they started rebuilding. That was, until the Kings' surprisingly strong 2021-22 season.

While the 2020-21 season was shortened to 56 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kings continued their downward spiral, finishing 21-28-7 with 49 points. Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, and Jonathan Quick were entering the later stages of their career, and they didn’t have many promising assets aside from Quinton Byfield and Adrian Kempe. The team finished 27th overall in scoring, Quick had a down season in net, and there were holes throughout the roster, leading many to believe the Kings would be stuck at the bottom for years to come.

However, in 2021-22, the Kings had a surprising turnaround, amassing 99 points and securing their first playoff berth since 2017-18. They lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round after dropping Game 7, but their success didn’t stop there.

Led by a mix of veteran leadership and maximizing their young talent, they've made the playoffs the last three seasons as well. However, they’ve been a first-round exit every time.

On the other hand, the Ducks and Sharks haven’t had the same success. Anaheim hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017-18 and San Jose hasn’t made it since 2018-19. 

The Ducks have slowly been building their roster through productive draft picks, with the most notable being Leo Carlsson, their first-round pick in 2023, who has amassed 29 points in 22 games so far this season. They’ve also added key contributors, such as Mason McTavish, Beckett Sennecke, Troy Terry and Jackson LaCombe. In January 2024, they also acquired Cutter Gauthier from the Philadelphia Flyers.

As for the Sharks, they’ve struggled with inconsistent drafting and didn’t find a promising young player in the draft until 2023, when they selected Will Smith. The team was lucky enough to obtain the first overall pick in the 2024 draft and sceleelected Macklin Celebrini, who has formed a strong connection with Smith on the first line and has helped bolster the Sharks' offense. However, they’ve struggled with the goalie situation since the departures of Antti Niemi and Martin Jones, and the team also hasn’t been able to build up a stable defensive core. 

As a result of slow rebuilds, both teams have been stuck near the bottom of the Pacific Division for the last six seasons.

Don't Be Shocked If The Tables Turn Soon

After a long wait, it appears the rebuilds for the Ducks and Sharks are close to ending.

Through 22 games, the Ducks sit atop the Pacific Division with a 14-7-1 record and 29 points. They rank second in goals-for per game with 3.59. The team’s young talent has looked excellent so far, with Carlsson, Gauthier and Terry all averaging over a point per game, and Sennecke has also been a key top-six forward.

Their goalie, Lukas Dostal, also deserves some praise for his strong play. Through 17 starts, he holds an 11-5-1 record, .904 save percentage and 10.1 goals saved above expected, which ranks seventh among NHL goalies.

Within the last year, Anaheim has also added veterans Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, who have fit in well next to the Ducks' young talent. The team also has nearly $17 million in cap space, the third-most in the league.

After starting the season 0-4-2, the Sharks have had a complete turnaround, largely as a result of Celebrini’s play. Through 23 games, he’s notched 34 points, 12 on the power play, two game-winning goals and two hat-tricks. They’re heating up and are 9-4-1 in their last 14 games.

San Jose’s young talent may not be as fully developed as Anaheim’s with players like Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson still adapting to the NHL. But Celebrini has shown he’s capable of leading the team, and with him on the verge of becoming a superstar, the Sharks just need to continue to build around him. Their first line, consisting of Celebrini, Smith, and Tyler Toffoli, has the highest goals percentage in the league amongst lines with 120 minutes or more at 83.3 percent.

While their first line has looked like one of the best in the league, there are still holes in the team on offense and defense. They rank 22nd in goals-for per game and 21st in goals against per game. But with possibly two first-round picks, two second-round picks and two fourth-round picks this year, as well as nearly $6 million in cap space, the Sharks are in a good spot.

The Kings Are In A Much Tougher Position

Sure, the Kings still have talent and are playing at a high level, but they don’t have as much build around. They also have several players either nearing the end of their careers or contracts. 

Just five forwards – Byfield, Kevin Fiala, Kempe, Trevor Moore and Alex Laferriere – are locked up beyond next season. It also doesn’t help that their longtime captain, Anze Kopitar, announced he’ll be retiring at the end of the season.

They also have defensemen Cody Ceci, Mikey Anderson, Joel Edmundson and Brian Dumoulin locked up beyond next season. All except Anderson are 30 years or older and likely don’t have much left in the tank. Their goalie, Darcy Kuemper, is also in his age-35 season and is only under contract for one more year.

According to PuckPedia, they’re only projected to have $2.3 million in cap space this offseason, although that number could jump up to around $20 million next year.

While the Kings might not have a complete fall from grace, their time as the leader of California hockey may be coming to an end. Unlike Anaheim and San Jose, they don’t have a super promising young core, and their prospect pool ranked 29th in Future Watch. The Sharks ranked first, and the Ducks ranked second. The Kings also have too many expiring contracts and not enough money to fill all the holes, which could force the team to enter some sort of rebuild in the near future. 

This may not be the year, but California hockey is on the verge of changing.

Michael Hapanovich is an intern with The Hockey News.

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The Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy recently ranked the top 100 hockey players 21 years old and under. 

The Hockey News recently revealed the players ranked from 81 to 100, and a Chicago Blackhawks prospect made the cut: forward Oliver Moore. 

Moore was given the No. 91 spot on Kennedy's list for The Hockey News, and it is understandable when noting that the 20-year-old forward has good upside. 

Moore has shown promise this season with the Blackhawks, as he has recorded two goals and five points in 10 games. This is after he recorded four assists in his first nine NHL career games for the Blackhawks this past season.

Moore also put together strong numbers in the AHL this season with the Rockford IceHogs before being called up to Chicago's roster, as he recorded six goals and nine points in nine games. He also had a good 2024-25 season with the University of Minnesota, posting 12 goals and 33 points in 38 games.

With all of this, it is hard not to feel excited about Moore's future with the Blackhawks. The 2023 first-round pick as the potential to become a very impactful player, and it is why he has made The Hockey News' list. 

The Nashville Predators, now more than ever, are in need of a win as they are ranked 32nd in the NHL, dead last, with 16 points in 21 games. 

They had been ahead of the Calgary Flames for a bit, who the Predators defeated 4-2 on Nov. 1, but the Flames have won three straight games and now have a three-point cushion ahead of the Predators.

Calgary and Nashville are the only two teams in the NHL that have yet to eclipse 20 points this season. 

Nashville has lost 10 of its last 12, getting some support from two overtime losses in that stretch. The Predators have won a true road game just once this year, a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 13. 

When it comes to divisional play, the Predators are four points behind the St. Louis Blues. 

Looking at individual and team statistics, Nashville has the lowest goals-for in the league, scoring just 48 in 21 games, for an average of 2.29 goals per game. The Philadelphia Flyers are second-to-last with 56 goals scored this season.

That is shown in the Predators' individual offense: no player who has played more than 5 games this season has a positive plus/minus. There are only two players with over 10 points this season: Filip Forsberg (15 points) and Ryan O'Reilly (13 points).

Four players have 10 points: Matthew Wood, Erik Haula, Luke Evangelista and Michael Bunting. However, the Predators' top forwards' lack of production has been concerning. Steven Stamkos has just five points in 21 games, on pace for a career-worst 20 points in 82 games.

Jonathan Marchessault has six points in 18 games and has a plus/minus of -11. Fedor Svechkov's impact has been non-existent with a point in 19 games. 

Nashville's goals allowed per game this season is in the bottom six, as opponents are averaging 3.48 goals a game against the Predators. 

Its defense recently got a boost with the return of Roman Josi, who has five points in nine games. Brady Skjei has had a tremulous start to the season with a plus/minus of -14, which is the fourth-worst plus/minus in the league out of 776 active players this season. 

Nashville has received solid support from its younger players: Spencer Stastney (seven points in 21 games) and Nick Blankenburg (six points in 11 games). Its defense hasn't been great, but it is one of the better parts of its game. 

Their power play is surprisingly not the worst in the league, ranked 26th at 15.4%, scoring on 10 of 65 opportunities.

The Predators' penalty killing unit is hanging just outside of the top 10 at 82%, killing 50 of 61 penalties. They've also been surprisingly disciplined this season so far, logging 157 penalty minutes, which ranks 30th in the NHL.

Usually, the Predators are leading the league in penalty minutes, but this season, they are near the bottom. 

Juuse Saros still ranks in the top 10 in shots faced (460, 6th) and saves made (412, 6th) in the league, showing that he's put in a lot of the heavy work for the Predators. 

However, unlike Saros, Justus Annunen is ranked among the league's worst goalies right now. He is 0-3-1 with a goals against average of 3.98, which is the third lowest in the NHL. Annunen's save percentage of .849 is the fourth lowest in the league. 

Just over the quarter point of the season, the Predators have not made any changes nor have signaled any. General manager Barry Trotz has expressed disappointment in the team, but has not hinted at any coaching changes or potential trades.

Following the Predators 3-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, head coach Andrew Brunette remained positive that the team could turn things around if they kept working at it and had a hopeful mindset. 

The slate doesn't get better for the Predators this week. They host the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Monday, travel to the Atlantic Division leader Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, face a Chicago Blackhawks team on the road that is defying expectations and host the Winnipeg Jets the next day on Saturday. 

There was a bit of everything mixed in for the Belleville Senators over the course of their three games last week.

After blanking the Toronto Marlies 4-0 in front of 4,000+ students during the club's first-ever School Day Game, the Senators suffered one tight loss in Laval and had one rough outing against the Rocket as well. The defeats in Laval halted Belleville's respective four-game win streak and five-game point streak, with the Senators still entering the week fourth in the North Division standings.

Here's your recap of the three games:

• Wednesday, November 19, 2025: Belleville Senators - 4 vs Toronto Marlies - 0

The Belleville Senators were back home for their first-ever school day game against the Toronto Marlies, securing a 4-0 win. Rookie goaltender Jackson Parsons, an Embrun native, stopped 25 of 25 shots to earn his third win of the season and first career American Hockey League shutout. Oskar Pettersson, Carter Yakemchuk, Arthur Kaliyev, and Jan Jenik all scored for the Senators.

GAME RECAP | BOX SCORE

• Friday, November 21, 2025: Belleville Senators - 3 @ Laval Rocket - 4 (OT)

The Belleville Senators began a four-game road trip with a pair of games in Laval against the Rocket, and came out on the wrong end of a 4-3 overtime defeat in their first visit to Place Bell this season.

Arthur Kaliyev extended his goal-scoring streak to seven games by scoring his 10th goal of the campaign, while defender Scott Harrington tallied his first goal as a Senator, and Xavier Bourgault scored in the final minute to force overtime. Mads Sogaard stopped 33 of 37 shots he faced in his first start since being injured at Toronto in late October.

GAME RECAP | BOX SCORE

• Saturday, November 22, 2025: Belleville Senators - 2 @ Laval Rocket - 7

The Belleville Senators couldn't stop a barrage of bears from Laval Rocket fans, or goals from the Rocket themselves last Saturday, losing 7-2 at Place Bell during the Laval Teddy Bear Toss.

Belleville was only down a goal heading into the third period, after Phil Daoust and Wyatt Bongiovanni had scored earlier in the game, but the Rocket would take off for four goals in the final frame and run away with things in a feisty and physical affair. Jackson Parsons suffered his first defeat of the season, stopping 30 of 37 shots against.

GAME RECAP | BOX SCORE

Recent Transactions

• Nov. 18/25: #33 Lassi Thomson (D) - DELETE - Recalled from loan by Ottawa (NHL)
• Nov. 18/25: #12 Danny Katic (LW) - ADD - Recalled from loan to Allen (ECHL)
• Nov. 18/25: #34 Stephen Halliday (C) - DELETE - Recalled from loan by Ottawa (NHL)
• Nov. 22/25: #33 Lassi Thomson (D) - ADD - Returned on loan from Ottawa (NHL)
• Nov. 22/25: #15 Olle Lycksell (RW) - ADD - Returned on loan from Ottawa (NHL)
• Nov. 22/25: #48 Dennis Gilbert (D) - ADD - Loaned from Ottawa (NHL)

Click here for a full list of Belleville Sens transactions.

Senators Prospect Watch: Seven Future Sens Who Are Getting NoticedSeveral promising young talents in the Sens system are making their mark at lower levels this season.

Statistical Leaders

Points: Philippe Daoust (C) - 18 (T-4th in AHL)

Goals: Arthur Kaliyev (F) - 10 (T-2nd in AHL)

Assists: Stephen Halliday (C) - 15 (T-3rd in AHL)

Power Play Goals: Arthur Kaliyev (F) - 5 (T-1st in AHL)

Goals Against Average: Jackson Parsons - 2.26

Save Percentage: Jackson Parsons - 9.30

The B-Sens continue their four-game road trip and run against Canadian opponents in Winnipeg this week against the Manitoba Moose (AHL Affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets). They'll take part in the Moose School Day Game on Tuesday morning (11:30 a.m. ET) and then go back to a normal evening puck drop at Canada Life Centre on Wednesday (8:00 p.m. ET). 

You can follow all the action by listening on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network, or watching along on AHL TV on FloHockey. After returning from Manitoba on Thursday, the Senators will play 12 of their next 14 games on home ice, including Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30 against the Providence Bruins for Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend.

More Sens Headlines at The Hockey News Ottawa:

Former Senators Prospect Finally Finds NHL Home With Rival Boston Bruins
Without His Wingman, Sens Top Gun Stützle Continues Relentless Drive To Improve
Senators Place Swedish Winger On Waivers
NHL Insider Says Senators Are 'Looking To Hit A Home Run' On The Trade Market
Senators Have Big UFA Contract Decisions In Next Few Years (Who Stays And Who Goes?)