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Report: Penguins' Goaltender Drawing 'Significant Interest' From Western Conference Team

A year ago, if anyone suggested that Pittsburgh Penguins' goaltender Tristan Jarry had any real trade value, it was probably a stretch.

Now - according to a new report - it's apparently becoming a reality. 

Per NHL insider Kevin Weekes, Jarry is drawing "significant interest" from the struggling Edmonton Oilers, who find themselves on the outside looking in at a crucial benchmark point of the season. They currently sit out of a playoff position at the Thanksgiving break, and goaltending has been a huge reason why. 

Edmonton ranks dead last in team goaltending at the 25-game mark of the season with a combined .868 save percentage, so it's safe to say that the position is largely costing them a playoff spot right now, even if it's not their sole issue. 

Stuart Skinner - who has appeared in 18 of the 25 games - is 8-7-3 with a 3.18 goals-against average and an .878 save percentage, while Calvin Pickard is 2-3-2 with a 4.04 goals-against average and .847 save percentage across nine appearances this season. 

Meanwhile, Jarry - who is a former Edmonton Oil King - is part of a goaltending tandem that is fourth in NHL team goaltending, and he is winning the Penguins a lot of hockey games. He is 6-2-0 with a shutout, 2.53 goals-against average, and .914 save percentage this season, which is just a tick above his career save percentage of .910. It has been a good bounceback campaign for Jarry, who struggled last season and found himself on waivers at one point. 

Takeaways: Jarry Steals Show In Return To Lineup, Pens Hold On To Beat Sabres, 4-2Takeaways: Jarry Steals Show In Return To Lineup, Pens Hold On To Beat Sabres, 4-2There were several firsts on Wednesday for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> when they took on the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/">Buffalo Sabres</a> in an important Thanksgiving Eve matchup.&nbsp;

Even if Jarry has been the team's most consistent goaltender in the earlygoing, the Penguins have so much goaltending depth in their organization that trading the 30-year-old Jarry - who is in the third year of a five-year contract that pays him $5.375 million annually - may not actually hurt them all that much, even as they push for a playoff spot in the immediacy. 

Arturs Silovs - acquired from the Vancouver Canucks this summer - has a 2.74 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage this season through 11 appearances, and the promising young Russian netminder in Sergei Murashov had a 1.90 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage with a shutout through four NHL appearances before being re-assigned to the AHL Wednesday to make room for Jarry returning from injured reserve. He has also dominated the AHL so far this season through seven games with a 1.73 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. 

Penguins Activate Two Players From IR, Option Murashov To AHLPenguins Activate Two Players From IR, Option Murashov To AHLAhead of their Thanksgiving Eve tilt against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/">Buffalo Sabres</a>, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> made a few roster moves that signify they're surely but slowly getting healthier.&nbsp;

But the positional depth doesn't stop there for the Penguins. Joel Blomqvist has looked unreal in his first three AHL appearances of the season for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) after sustaining a lower-body injury during training camp, as the 23-year-old has put up a whopping 1.34 goals-against average and .952 save percentage. Filip Larsson also provides some depth at the position, even if he has struggled to start the AHL season with an .870 goals-against average through six appearances. He proved capable for WBS last season in a much larger sample.

Only time will tell if Weekes's report has any real traction, but if Jarry keeps putting up numbers, they won't be the only team vying for his services. And with the Penguins finding themselves in a playoff race in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year by most measures, they may have some tough decisions to make regarding their goaltending situation as the season progresses.

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Takeaways: Flyers Back on Track With a Win Over Panthers

There are wins that look good on the stat sheet, and then there are wins that feel like something. The Philadelphia Flyers’ 4–2 victory over the Florida Panthers was both—a night where resilience, structure, and just enough swagger turned what could’ve been a miserable road trip into a momentum-builder.

Down 2–0 against a team that punishes mistakes for fun, the Flyers didn’t fold. They climbed, they pushed, they clawed back, and they took two points in regulation for their NHL-leading 10th comeback win of the season. 

1. Emil Andrae, Take a Bow!

Emil Andrae has been in a weird spot with the Flyers this season—he's proven that he's an NHL-caliber defenseman, but there always seemed to something that kept him getting shuffled between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley.

Why the Time is Now for Emil Andrae to Cement His Place in the FlyersWhy the Time is Now for Emil Andrae to Cement His Place in the Flyers<i><b>(Header/feature image courtesy of Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)</b></i>

Currently, he's has made consistent displays of smart exits, confident puck touches, and little hesitation to get involved physically. Against Florida, however, he really popped.

The 23-year-old defenseman scored his first goal of the season—and the Flyers' first goal of the game—kicking off a night that can comfortably be described as "the Emil Andrae game."

After his goal came the assist on Matvei Michkov’s tally (which was initially credited as a second goal for Andrae). It was a perfect encapsulation of what Andrae can be when he’s reading the game at NHL speed: a connector, a stabilizer, a creator.

And maybe most importantl, after a tough night in Tampa on Monday, Andrae showed that he's more than capable of bouncing back in style. 

2. Shifting From “Reactive” to “Self-Correcting,” and That’s a Major Step in Their Development Curve.

The Flyers love a comeback (partially evidenced by going to overtime nine times out of the 22 games they've played so far this season), but this one didn't come because of some lucky bounces. In a video posted to Flyers socials, head coach Rick Tocchet emphasized how he doesn't want to hear anything about "stealing these two points" because "we earned them."

He's entirely correct. This Flyers team has become incredibly adept at identifying shortcomings in their game, and making tangible strides to fix them promptly and without much fuss. Wednesday night looked like a team applying adjustments collaboratively.

Not only are they identifying and fixing issues from game to game and period to period, they're becoming better and better at adjusting in real time—mid-period, mid-shift. That’s what matters. That’s what good teams do. And it’s the clearest sign yet that Rick Tocchet’s influence is settling into the group’s muscle memory.

3. Just What the Doctor Ordered After Tampa Bay.

The loss to the Lightning was flat. It was the kind of performance that can snowball on a long road trip if you let it.

The Flyers didn’t let it.

They corrected what mattered—generated consistent offense, stayed connected defensively, didn’t break under pressure, and scored on their chances instead of waiting around for the perfect play.

This game could’ve spiraled after going down 2–0. Instead, the Flyers did what they’ve done all year: they got up. They responded. They dictated the final 40 minutes of hockey against the reigning Cup champs.

And winning in regulation against Florida? That’s not just two points—that’s a tone-setter for the rest of the trip.

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'He's Got Ice In His Veins': Easton Cowan Ends Scoring Draught With Game-Tying Goal In Maple Leafs' Overtime Win Over Blue Jackets

After demanding better out of himself last week, Easton Cowan showed everyone what type of player he can be when he's at his best with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With less than seven minutes remaining in the game, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski found the back of the net, putting the Maple Leafs down 1-0. It was a massive blow for Toronto, who had played pretty well up to that point.

It was adversity within adversity.

The Maple Leafs were either going to leave Nationwide Arena in Columbus with their eighth loss in nine games or somehow come back late and win the game. They elected to go with the latter, beginning with what occurred just over three minutes after Columbus' goal.

John Tavares worked tirelessly down low in the Blue Jackets' zone to keep the puck. Down on one knee, and with one hand on his stick, the 35-year-old pushed the puck to William Nylander behind the net.

Nylander, on his backhand, fed it quickly in front to Cowan, who potted it past Jet Greaves to tie the game. It was Cowan's first goal in six games, and his second of the season. You could understand how big the goal was by how lively his celebration was.

"Yeah, it felt good to bury it and help my team," Cowan said.

Nylander would follow it up with his 15th-career overtime winner, giving Toronto their first win in eight days. After his first 15 games in the NHL, Cowan has two goals and five assists for seven points.

"I think he's playing pretty good hockey," Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said after the game.

"Is there mistakes? Definitely. He's a young kid, and there's going to be mistakes, but he learns from them, in my opinion, and he listens, and he wants to get better. And he's just got ice water in his veins. Like, he doesn't feel the pressure.

"He just plays, and he knows his capabilities and what he can do."

The 'Ice in his veins' comment from Berube on Cowan comes as no surprise. The forward dominated his final year of junior, finishing with the most points in the OHL Playoffs and Memorial Cup last spring.

It's no doubt difficult to make the jump from junior to the NHL. But if there's anyone who enjoys the moment of trying to tie or win the game for their team, it's Cowan.

"Yeah, he's very chill," Nylander, a noted chill guy himself, said. "But you know, always focused on getting better. Even in practice, you see it. Very determined, and that's what I love to see."

For any player, finding the back of the net gives them confidence. It was clear that Cowan's frustrations were mounting with every game that went by, where he didn't capitalize on his chances.

The goal, and the timing of it, wasn't only a massive marker for the Maple Leafs but a huge point to potentially boost Cowan's play in an even more positive direction.

"Yeah, that’s huge," Auston Matthews said.

"I think, like he said, he’s been getting lots of chances, and it’s amazing what that does for your confidence going forward. It’s going to be great to see him here down the stretch here of these next couple of games. And I thought that he’s just been all over.

"He moves his feet. He’s a very smart player and he gets himself into good spots and uses his skill to create opportunities, whether it’s for him or his linemates. He’s just going to continue to get better and better."

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Canadiens: For Better Or For Worse

After bouncing back against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens were hoping to start their three-game road trip on the right foot when they took on the Utah Mammoth.

Adam Engstrom was inserted in the lineup, playing the first NHL game of his career, which meant that Arber Xhekaj was a healthy scratch for the first time since Kaiden Guhle went down to an injury. It wasn’t easy, but in the end, the Canadiens prevailed.

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Canadiens: A Date With The Mammoth

400 For The Captain

Nick Suzuki seemed to be skating better tonight. He was clearly playing through the pain for a couple of weeks after a selfless shot block against the Philadelphia Flyers. Since being separated from Juraj Slafkovsky, Suzuki and Cole Caufield had been trying to get used to playing alongside Zachary Bolduc, and on Wednesday night, they looked like they belonged together.

The trio was behind the Canadiens’ two first-frame lamplighters, even though the first one came on the power play, all three were on the ice, and Bolduc finally got his fifth of the season. He hadn’t scored since October 22 against the Calgary Flames, and the goal is sure to help with his confidence.

Suzuki scored the second goal interestingly. Bolduc gave the puck away to the Mammoth high up in his own zone before getting it back and launching the attack the other way. Seconds later, Suzuki scored his sixth goal of the season, which was also the 400th point of his seven-year career. Four hundred points in just 477 games, that's 0.84 points-per-game.

The pivot wasn’t done, though. He added a second goal in the third frame and finished the game with three points, just like Zach Bolduc, who achieved the feat for the first time in his career.

The Second Period Slump

We often hear in hockey about players being plagued by the sophomore jinx. After solid rookie seasons, they underperform the following year with no rhyme or reason. The Canadiens are a bit like that, but it’s about the second year for them, it’s about the second period,

Martin St-Louis’ men were playing an intelligent and mostly prudent game in the first frame, not forcing the play and taking what the game was giving them, as the coach had so often preached. Nine minutes into the second, however, Alex Carrier sent the puck into the stands and was given a delay-of-game penalty, which woke the Mammoth up.

Even though the host had not scored on the power play since the start of November, they didn’t miss the opportunity, scoring three goals in just over four minutes and noticeably shifting the momentum.

Before the game, the Habs had a minus-eight differential in the middle frame; after that game, their differential now stands at minus-11. This is unacceptable, and St-Louis has got to find a way to keep his team performing for 60 minutes. While Jakub Dobes couldn’t be held responsible for the power play goal, he certainly would like to get that third goal back.

The Bounce Back

After a disastrous second frame, the Canadiens “bounced back” in the third. Not that the team effort was fantastic, but Dobes shut the door on the 15 shots he faced in the final 20 minutes, several of which were dangerous. Without him, the Habs do not leave Utah with two points tonight, thanks to a 4-3 nailbiter of a win.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens only took five shots in the final frame (just like in the second), but they made them count. Montreal scored twice through Suzuki (his second of the game) and Ivan Demidov, who got the game-winning goal on a fantastic drag and release. His first goal in eight games.

Against one of the top penalty-killing teams in the league, the Canadiens managed to score two power-play goals on only three opportunities. Eager to start a winning streak, St-Louis really cut his bench in the final frame: Jared Davidson played only 5:23 on the night, Florian Xhekaj 8:51, and Joe Veleno 10:28. Meanwhile, Engstrom only skated 10:42 in his NHL debut.

The Canadiens will be back in action on Friday afternoon when they’ll visit the Vegas Golden Knights in the first game of a back-to-back, which they’ll conclude against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon. It will be interesting to see who the coach sends between the pipes on Friday. Dobes has just signed the last two wins, while Samuel Montembeault is still trying to find his game. With a back-to-back, both will play


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Three takeaways: Panthers can't build on strong start against Flyers, Carter Verhaeghe starting to turn a corner

The Florida Panthers dropped a tough one to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.

Florida jumped out to a 2-0 lead against the visiting Flyers but couldn’t hold on, allowing a pair of very late goals en route to a 4-2 defeat at Amerant Bank Arena.

It was a game that the Panthers felt they could have, and should have, come out on top.

As has been the case in each game Florida has face the Flyers this season, Philly goaltender Dan Vladar played outstanding between the pipes, but that still shouldn’t have cost the Cats two points.

Here are Wednesday’s takeaways:

SOLID FIRST 40

Despite allowing a pair of second period goals, the Panthers were pleased with how they were playing through forty minutes.

Philadelphia got off only five shots during the middle frame and were outshot by the Florida 20-12 through the first two periods.

If not for several sparkling saves by Vladar, the Panthers likely would have pulled away.

“I liked the first two periods an awful lot,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “I thought we were really quick with the puck, and our decisions, we were really confident with it, and that started to fade.”

DECISIONS SLOWED DOWN

As the game progressed, it felt like the Panthers started gripping their sticks a little tighter.

Passing lanes seemed to shrink and it became much more difficult to get shots on net, taking away from Florida’s ability to build momentum while simultaneously giving the Flyers more confidence.

That makes it all the more exasperating for the Panthers, as they were still in the driver’s seat in the game’s final minutes and had two points in their grasp.

“I thought we were slow with the puck,” said Maurice. “I think they got in on some pucks and we were just late getting to some loose pucks that were laying around, and they maintained that control. Their D got moving up top, and we needed to get in a few of those shot lanes.”

VERHAEGHE HEATING UP

One of the big positives to take from the past several games for Florida is the play of Carter Verhaeghe.

He has logged three multi-point outings over his past five games after having none all season, and he’s scored in consecutive games for the first time since Games 3 and 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of last year’s playoffs.

If Verhaeghe can resume producing the way he has during the majority of his time with the Panthers, it will go a long way toward helping the team keep pace in the playoff race while Florida’s injured players continue healing and working their way back to the lineup.

“I thought the three games prior to him scoring, he was moving pretty darn good, and it wasn't going for him,” Maurice said. “But he is now moving, and he's getting the puck off his stick, and he's faster with it, and he's faster
that line's been very good for us.”

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Photo caption: Nov 26, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) moves the puck against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale (9) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

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Todd McLellan Holds Red Wings' Feet To Fire After Loss To NHL-Worst Predators

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When the Detroit Red Wings were defeated by a 5-1 final score on Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens in their home opener, head coach Todd McLellan stated in no uncertain terms that the group as a whole would not take the next step until they were able to figure out how to avoid such letdowns.

On Wednesday evening against the NHL-worst Nashville Predators, the Red Wings got another tough lesson in what McLellan was referring to.

The Predators, who also had the NHL's worst goals-per-game average, scored a season-high six tallies as part of a 6-3 win at Little Caesars Arena. 

McLellan's frustration was evident in his postgame media availability as he had to once again re-hash the same thing he's repeatedly talked about. 

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

“Until this team figures out that they have to value checking and defensive play, I’ll keep telling you the same things," McLellan said. "Lo and behold, here I am again. So back to the drawing board again." 

Both Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider acknowledged that the Red Wings had a lack of focus in the third period, during which the Predators would twice score two goals in a span of less than 60 seconds. 

When asked the potential reasons behind that lack of focus, McLellan didn't have the answer.

"I have no idea why our group would feel or think that way," McLellan said. "I have no idea."

Image

As far as what he felt about the rest of their game, he pulled no punches. 

“Didn’t like our game most of the night,” McLellan said. “I thought we were quite casual early in the game. Our passing was horrendous. There was nothing crisp about our game.”

The Red Wings missed an opportunity to gain a pair of valuable points in the standings on a night when teams they're competing with in the Atlantic Division like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators all managed to win their respective games. 

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Sabres Lose Against Pens, Fall Back Into Division Basement — And It Could Get Worse From Here

Sidney )Crosby (left); Jason Zucker (right) -- (Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Images)<br>

The Buffalo Sabres are currently on a competitive roller-coaster ride. On Wednesday, they came into their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on a high, as they’d won four of their past five games, and they climbed out of the Atlantic Division’s basement, Things were looking up.

Then, on Wednesday, the Sabres put in an effort that wasn’t good enough to beat a sliding Pens team and solidify Buffalo’s spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Sabres were beaten 4-2 by the Penguins, and that development, combined with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, means that the Sabres once again are the worst team in the East. 

.The Sabres managed to tie the game against Pittsburgh at the 7:20 mark of the third period on a Jason Zucker goal. But 31 seconds after Zucker’s goal, the Penguins struck again on a Bryan Rust goal to make 3-1. And from there, the Penguins never looked back. They got a good performance out of Tristan Jarry, and they limited Buffalo to only 19 shots on net.

But here’s the deflating part: in the highly-competitive Atlantic, all eight teams in the division played on Wednesday. And by the time the day was done, five Atlantic teams were victorious, so climbing up the division was for the most part extremely difficult. And because the Sabres were one of those three loser teams in the Atlantic, they had more separation between them and most of the teams in the division.

Star Center Norris Nearing A Return To Action -- But Can He Stay Healthy?Star Center Norris Nearing A Return To Action -- But Can He Stay Healthy?Sabres veteran center Josh Norris is rumored to be returning from injury soon, which will give Buffalo a boost. But his injury history leaves lingering doubts about his ability to stay on the ice.

Thus, Buffalo can’t be content with just having a competitive game against any opponent. There’s a real and increasing pressure hanging over the Sabres, and every defeat they deal with is another nail in the coffin for coach Lindy Ruff and GM Kevyn Adams. And every loss is another step toward extending Buffalo’s Stanley Cup playoff drought to 15 years.

The Sabres’ next stretch of schedule is particularly daunting, as they take on the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets (twice) and Philadelphia Flyers. All of those teams have had solid success this season, so Buffalo will be in tough to climb the Atlantic standings.

Despite Sabres' Surge, Buffalo Faces Long Road Back To RelevancyDespite Sabres' Surge, Buffalo Faces Long Road Back To RelevancyThe Buffalo Sabres' playoff drought looks like it will extend for another year. But Sabres fans want more from the team than that. No more promises. Every game now dictates their fight for survival.

Buffalo’s poor start to the season now hangs over the Sabres. No matter what they do, they seem like they’re stuck at the bottom of the Atlantic.

The only way out of their current place in the standings is a slew of wins – and so far this season, Buffalo hasn’t shown they can do that.

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Shane Pinto Scores Early (And Late) In Rare Senators Victory Over Vegas

The Ottawa Senators generally come up snake eyes in Vegas, but the house doesn't always win. 

The Senators entered the game on Wednesday night with a 1-12-1 record against Vegas but finally conquered the Knights, 4-3. It figures that Shane Pinto would come up big in Vegas. He scored once and also had the only goal in the shootout.

Jake Sanderson led the Senators offence with a goal and two assists, Claude Giroux and Tim Stutzle each had two assists, and Linus Ullmark made 32 saves, including a few beauties in the third period and in the shootout.

The Senators opened the scoring just 51 seconds into the game. Shane Pinto’s harmless-looking, bad-angle wrist shot from the bottom of the circle somehow leaked through Vegas goalie Akira Schmid, a terrible goal by anyone’s measure. Pinto’s 11th goal of the season, tying him with Tim StĂŒtzle for the club lead, gave the Sens a 1–0 lead.

Jake Sanderson added to Ottawa’s lead on the power play just over 13 minutes into the game. Claude Giroux, standing at the top of the left circle, got it back to Sanderson at the top of the umbrella, and he one-timed a slap shot off the post and in past a screened Schmid.

With just over 3 minutes remaining in the first, Mitch Marner took a long stretch pass from Shea Theodore and dropped it for Brett Howden. 

But the Senators restored their two-goal lead with just 17 seconds left in the period. Tim StĂŒtzle sprinted past everyone down the left wing and centered to Drake Batherson, who one-timed a snapshot past Schmid to make it 3–1 after one.

Just over 2 minutes into the second, Jack Eichel cut the lead to 3–2. Down at the goal line, Eichel found a loose puck and crammed in a backhand.

That score held up until the third, when former Senator Mark Stone tied it with a fluky power-play goal. Stone’s centering pass to the front of the net bounced off StĂŒtzle’s skate and in.

That power play was set up by a controversial high sticking call, as it appeared Eichel skated right into it. It was the second such penalty of the game, the first coming earlier in the period with Giroux down on the ice and getting called for tripping when Eichel skated over top of him and fell.

The Senators held on in a one-sided third period, getting outshot 11-5, but still clinching a point on the road.

This was the ninth overtime game this season for Vegas, which has only won one of those games. Ivan Barbashev had the best chance of ending the game in OT, charging in alone on Ullmark and ringing one off the post.

Shane Pinto had the only goal of the shootout for the Senators, who improved to 12-7-4 on the season. Their next game is on Friday at St Louis, where Brady Tkachuk is slated to return to the lineup.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

This article was originally published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Read more:

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Takeaways: Jarry Steals Show In Return To Lineup, Pens Hold On To Beat Sabres, 4-2

There were several firsts on Wednesday for the Pittsburgh Penguins when they took on the Buffalo Sabres in an important Thanksgiving Eve matchup. 

The most prominent first was, obviously, the first NHL game of Penguins' center Tristan Broz's career, and he put forth a nice effort for Pittsburgh. It was also forward Ville Koivunen's first game back from injury, and he and Broz - frequent linemates in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) - had the opportunity to play on the same line for the first time at the NHL level. 

But there was another player who was playing his first game after a stint on injured reserve. And he was the most important player on the ice for the Penguins en route to a 4-2 win. 

With Buffalo pressing big-time in the second half of the game, Penguins' goaltender Tristan Jarry stood tall, keeping his team in the game and making some huge saves. He stopped 28 of 31 Buffalo shots on goal, and he was the main reason the Penguins got back in the win column Wednesday after dropping two straight games. 

"He was outstanding," head coach Dan Muse said. "And I think, especially the second half of the game, he saw a lot more than we'd want him to see. But even in the second period, the first - I don't know exactly what it was, but - the first half of the period, there wasn't much for scoring chances for them. I thought we controlled play, and then, it kind of flipped.

"That's not easy for a goalie. You go a lot of the period there without seeing too much, and then suddenly, you see a lot. I thought that was a huge part of the game there where he was able to help us weather the storm with some big saves - especially that really long, extended shift that we had in the d-zone there in the second period."

'He's A Great Player': Tristan Broz Confirmed To Make NHL Debut Wednesday Against Buffalo Sabres'He's A Great Player': Tristan Broz Confirmed To Make NHL Debut Wednesday Against Buffalo SabresPittsburgh Penguins' forward prospect Tristan Broz will make his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres On Wednesday

There was no score - and not a whole lot of shots - for most of the first period until Penguins' defenseman Matt Dumba threw a knuckling puck from the right circle through a screen and toward the net and in. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Penguins through the end of the second period, too, despite Buffalo beginning to push in the latter half of the middle frame. 

Then - when the Sabres just kept pressing in the third period - the tying goal felt almost inevitable. And ex-Penguin Jason Zucker did register that tally with 7:20 to go in regulation. 

The Penguins have certainly been in that position - the aftermath of a blown lead - plenty of times in the month of November. But, this time, they responded the right way. 

Just 31 seconds later, Bryan Rust buried one from the right circle to put Pittsburgh back on top, 2-1, and less than four minutes later, Kevin Hayes added an insurance goal and his first of the season in the form of a net-front redirection off of a gorgeous feed from Erik Karlsson. 

Buffalo's Jack Quinn did bring the Sabres within one with just over four minutes to go in regulation, but Connor Dewar responded with a late empty-net goal to seal the 4-2 win.

Here are a few takeaways from this win:

- There were ups and downs for Broz in his debut. He didn't have a great defensive zone showing on Buffalo's tying goal, and there were some jitters and adjustments earlier on in the game. 

But, by the end of it, he looked like he belonged. And he looked comfortable with both Koivunen and Tommy Novak.

We'll see how everyone lines up Friday when the Penguins play the Columbus Blue Jackets, as - presumably - rookie Ben Kindel will be back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch Wednesday.

- Speaking of Kindel's scratch, I had no issue with it. 

Yes, the Penguins have not played a lot of games lately, and resting him might seem silly to some because the Penguins hadn't played since Saturday. 

But, remember this: The Penguins originally had a development plan in place for both Kindel and rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke, and that kind of went off the tracks for both of them in opposite ways. While Brunicke found himself scratched for seven consecutive games on his way to an AHL conditioning stint that began Wednesday against the Hershey Bears, Kindel found himself as an essential part of the lineup because of the Penguins' injury situation, which means they couldn't really give him any planned breaks. 

Penguins Loan Top Defensive Prospect Harrison Brunicke To AHLPenguins Loan Top Defensive Prospect Harrison Brunicke To AHLThe Pittsburgh Penguins are giving teenage top defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke a chance to reset at the AHL level with a conditioning loan.

Wednesday was an example of them simply having the ability - for the first time in a while - to actually follow through on their development plan. With Broz able to slot in at third-line center, Kindel could afford to have a night off. 

So, I wouldn't read into it too much, and I expect him back Friday. However, one thing I would keep in the back of your mind is that - especially if Broz does end up sticking around and the team continues to get healthier - it's no guarantee that Kindel won't play in the World Junior Championship. 

I feel it's probably still unlikely for several reasons, but I wouldn't rule it out entirely. 

- Dumba has looked a bit better in the last couple of games, and I think he's at his best when he's getting pucks to the net. 

Of course, his goal Wednesday wasn't the hardest shot in the world, but Dumba does have a booming shot that he could sure use a whole lot more than he does. If he continues to activate more in the offensive zone, I think we'll see a better version of him moving forward.

I thought he was good Wednesday.  

- Rust really needed a goal. And, man, was that goal huge.

For him personally, it had been going on seven games without a goal and six games without a point. Rust tends to score in bunches, and the Penguins really need him to score goals right now in the absence of Rickard Rakell and Justin Brazeau.

Hopefully, this gets him going. 

Team-wise? The Penguins very well could have deflated entirely after surrendering yet another third-period lead. Instead, they responded with a quick goal and added another insurance goal in pretty quick order, almost as if to say, "Not this time."

When a team is mired in a funk, winning games this way can really help to boost morale and propel them forward, especially with a tough, condensed schedule ahead. The Penguins responded, and they hung on.

And it started with Rust's goal. 

- Over 77 percent of the time in the NHL, teams in a playoff spot come Thanksgiving do indeed make the playoffs. 

With a Utah Mammoth comeback against the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday, the Penguins are officially in a playoff spot come Thanksgiving. 

A lot can happen this season, obviously. But remember this.

It's no small thing that the Penguins are tied for third in the NHL in regulation wins, which is the first tiebreaker. It's no small thing that - despite a rough November where their luck has run out - they still hold a winning record and seem to be in almost every hockey game, save for a few. And it's no small thing that they've been able to scratch and claw and still bank points - and hold a playoff position - despite being severely injury-depleted during this tough stretch. 

The Penguins will be getting much healthier soon. Brazeau and Noel Acciari skated with the team Wednesday in a non-contact capacity. Koivunen is back. Jarry is back. Rakell is skating on his own. Hallander is skating. Rutger McGroarty is tearing up the AHL with three goals and five points in three games. 

If they continue to get the goaltending - and they get healthy - maybe, just maybe, this is actually a good hockey team. There is still a lot to clean up defensively, and they need to start scoring a whole lot more goals again. 

But it's possible that we've seen the worst of it. Of course, that might not be the case, and the sport of hockey has an unpredictability that makes it fun and unique. 

So, all I will say - for now - is that something does feel different about this team. There is a different air in the locker room. There is a different kind of fight in this group. 

We'll just have to see where it takes them. 

Penguins' Top Prospect Rutger McGroarty Extends AHL Goal-Scoring StreakPenguins' Top Prospect Rutger McGroarty Extends AHL Goal-Scoring Streak<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' top prospect Rutger McGroarty can't stop scoring goals for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins.

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Blackhawks Let Another Lead Slip Away As Red-Hot Wild Make Multi-Goal Comeback

CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks were defeated at the United Center by the red-hot Minnesota Wild. This win came after holding a 2-0 lead with one minute remaining in the second period. 

Goals scored by Jason Dickinson and Connor Bedard gave Chicago the 2-0 lead, but they eventually let it slip away as the game went along. 

With under 14 seconds remaining in the middle frame, a Brock Faber shot found its way through traffic to beat Spencer Knight. That 2-1 lead for the Blackhawks went to the intermission, but the Wild tied it just 2:17 into the third period. Nico Sturm's first of the season knotted things up at one. 

At 5:31, Artyom Levshunov scored his first career NHL goal to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead. He put a beautiful move on Minnesota goaltender Filip Gustavsson after receiving a perfect pass from Connor Bedard. 

The lead, once again, couldn't hold. Matt Boldy tied the game at 10:35, which would eventually lead to overtime. The 3-on-3 didn't last very long as Ilya Mikheyev took a controversial penalty to give the Wild a power play. 

Connor Bedard was flattened by Joel Eriksson Ek, who was then hit hard by Mikheyev. The officials gave Mikheyev an interference penalty. 

After the game, Bedard didn't have a problem with the hit or the call. He said the hit on him was "super clean". He also admitted that he didn't believe there was an issue with the officials, saying that their job is not always easy. 

Jeff Blashill, on the other hand, didn't have the same mindset. Despite Mikheyev making the hit because he hit Bedard, Blashill believes that it was the wrong call. 

"Right before Eriksson Ek got hit, he had the puck," said Blashill. "It's not a penalty." Chicago's new head coach has no problem critiquing the officiating if he feels it was a wrong call. 

The Blackhawks had no answers when asked about lead protection, and that's just something that they are going to have to keep working on if they want to earn more points in the standings. Although Blashill may be right with the penalty, it wasn't the officials who blew a 2-0 lead. 

Watch Every Blackhawks Goal

What's Next For Chicago?

The Chicago Blackhawks will have a home game on the evening of Black Friday. The Nashville Predators will be in town as Chicago debuts their newly remodeled black sweaters. All fans in attendance are encouraged to dress in all black in order to create a blackout environment. 

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Jets Drop Third Straight in Road Loss To Capitals

The Winnipeg Jets opened their five-game road trip with a 4–3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, extending their losing streak to three games. Goaltender Eric Comrie made his third consecutive start and continued to struggle, allowing four goals on a night that raised his total to 11 against in his last three appearances.

Forward Gabe Vilardi provided the bulk of Winnipeg’s offense with two goals, bringing his season total to ten while center Mark Scheifele added a late marker that closed the gap, but the Jets were unable to complete the comeback in the final minutes.

Washington struck first seven minutes into the game, when they entered the Winnipeg zone on a quick transition play that ended with defenseman John Carlson taking a pass in the high slot and firing a one-timer past Comrie. The Capitals doubled their lead later in the period when defenseman Jakob Chychrun continued his strong campaign with a wrist shot from the blue line that went bar down through heavy traffic.

Winnipeg answered in the final seconds of the opening frame as Kyle Connor intercepted a pass and quickly moved the puck to Vilardi, who was open at the back post and beat goaltender Logan Thompson to cut the deficit to 2–1 entering the intermission.

Vilardi tied the game early in the second period by tipping a point shot past Thompson on a power play chance. The goal marked his second of the night as well as the 100th of his NHL career. The celebration didn't last long however as Capitals longtime captain Alex Ovechkin regained the lead for Washington when he located a loose puck near the top of the zone and released a wrist shot that slipped through traffic.

Jets defense prospect Elias Salomonsson made his NHL debut and had his moments, but one he'd like to forget came on the Caps fourth goal. A puck skipped past him at the blue line, allowing Connor McMichael to race free for a breakaway that he converted to make it 4–2 for Washington.

Scheifele scored with under five minutes to play after scooping up a loose puck and lifting it over Thompson. Winnipeg pressed for the tying goal but failed to capitalize on several late chances. 

The Jets now find themselves with a 12-10-0 record that now leaves them three points out of a wild card spot. They continue their road trip on Friday in Carolina, where they will attempt to halt their skid against a Hurricanes team that started their losing streak last week.

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Avalanche Post Third Consecutive Shutout in 6-0 Win Over Sharks

The last time the Avalanche played the Sharks was on November 1, and the Sharks, with a 37-save performance from Yaroslav Askarov and a two-goal game, including the overtime winner from Philip Kurashev, won 3-2. This time was certainly different, as the Avalanche jumped on Askarov early and powered through, earning a 6-0 win. 

Period 1:

Ross Colton opens the scoring as he picks his corner and rifles a shot past Askarov’s right shoulder, making it 1-0. The Avalanche gets the first chance at the power play when Adam Gaudette is called for high-sticking, but fails to capitalize on it. MacKenzie Blackwood hasn't been forced to make many saves in the first, but stops the Sharks' best attempt as William Eklund’s breakaway attempt is denied. 

Eklund is called for interference, and the Avalanche gets another power play chance. This time, they capitalize on it as Nathan MacKinnon blasts a one-timer from Cale Makar to make it 2-0 and end the period.

Period 2:

Sam Malinski shows off his best Makar impersonation as he rifles a wrister right past Askarov, almost stunning him, to make it 3-0. Josh Manson, inspired by Malinski, shows off his offensive prowess, and he sends his own wrister past Askarov to make it 4-0. Then, just five seconds after the faceoff from the Manson goal, Ivan Ivan receives the puck from his skate and sends a behind-the-back pass to Joel Kiviranta to open the floodgates and make it 5-0. That goal marks the end for Askarov as he pulled, letting in five goals on 15 shots on goal.

The rest of the period has been a good push for the Sharks, but it's on the Avalanche's fault, who took three penalties. Devon Toews is called for holding, Gabriel Landeskog is called for hooking, and Kiviranta is called for tripping, but the Avalanche penalty kill continues to stand strong. They would get a power-play opportunity when Ty Dellandrea is called for holding, but they can't capitalize on it.

Period 3:

The third period was much slower than the previous two. Brock Nelson is called for tripping, and Vincent Desharnais is called for interference, but neither team could capitalize on the power play. Artturi Lehkonen and MacKinnon convert on a 2-on-3 with Lehkonen burying his own rebound to make it 6-0. MacKinnon’s assist on that goal pushes him ahead of Peter Stastny for the second-most assists in franchise history.

The Avalanche are back in action tomorrow in a back-to-back game against the Minnesota Wild in Minnesota. The Wild are coming off a 4-3 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Scott Wedgewood Joins Team Canada’s Expanding Long ListScott Wedgewood Joins Team Canada’s Expanding Long ListTeam Canada has added Scott Wedgewood to their list of possible participants for the roster in the upcoming Olympics
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Kings Defense Quarter Review: Clarke is becoming a Positive Surprise

After a quarter review of the Kings' forwards, it is now time to see how the Kings' defence has been doing. 

With the Kings still a true contender through a quarter of the NHL season, let's take a look at how good the defence has been thus far. 

Best Kings Defence

Starting with Drew Doughty, who was playing some great hockey until his unfortunate injury put him on injured reserve. In 19 games this season, Doughty has had 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points. Doughty, so far this season, has a +7 in plus-minus and averages 22 minutes per game. While he did not put up the most points when Doughty was playing, his leadership and strong defensive skill set not only benefited his team but also gave the other defensemen confidence.  

Another defenseman who has been playing well for the Kings is Joel Edmundson, who has 1 goal and 9 assists for 10 points in 23 games this season. Edmundson took a big step for the Kings after Doughty was put on Injured Reserve, as he filled the top defence role alongside Mikey Anderson. Edmundson has been averaging 17 minutes a game, but his ability to play on any line has provided the Kings with much-needed support, especially with Doughty gone.

Next is one of the Kings' young guys, and that's Brandt Clarke, the 22-year-old with 3 goals, 7 assists for 10 points in 23 games. The former 8th overall pick has finally emerged as a solid, reliable defenseman for the Kings, playing on the second line. He has shown both his offensive and defensive capabilities and is making a charge to be on the Kings' power play in the future, indicating that the team trusts him. 

Lastly, the Kings' top left-handed defenseman, Mikey Anderson, has been one of the most reliable players this season. Anderson has registered 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 23 games played, and he is averaging nearly 20 minutes a game. Anderson has been paired with Doughty, Ceci, Edmundson, and Dumoulin, and he has been able to adapt his style of play and play a solid game no matter who his linemate is, and the Kings have been able to use that to their advantage, especially with the injuries. 

Disappointing Kings Defence 

While the majority of the Kings' defensemen have been good, there have been some who are disappointing, and they are Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, 2 guys who signed in the offseason. According to MoneyPuck, Ceci and Dumoulin, when paired together, have 9 goals against, which is tied with Edmundson and Clarke for the most as a pairing. The only difference is that the Clarke and Edmundson line have 11 goals for, and Ceci and Dumoulin have 1 goal for. Ceci is averaging 17 minutes a game, and Dumoulin is averaging nearly 20 minutes a game. While I wouldn't say they have been the worst defensive pairing in the NHL, they haven't been super good either, and fans weren't the happiest when the Kings signed both of them. 

Even with these two defensemen being disappointing thus far, they are not playing super bad hockey; it's just that, compared to the other Kings defence, their negative play stands out more. 

As the NHL season progresses, the Kings' defence, if it remains as it has been thus far, will be a big factor for them, possibly making the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

 

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Rangers Show Signs Of Poise In Gutsy Win Over Hurricanes

James Guillory-Imagn Images

Heading into Thanksgiving, the New York Rangers secured a gutsy 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night. 

In their previous three-game road trip, the Rangers looked outskilled and outmatched against the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Utah Mammoth, three highly skilled teams. 

The Hurricanes were another big test for the Rangers to truly see where this team stood among the league’s best. 

Despite getting outshot 13-4 in the first period, the Blueshirts actually were pleased with their performance through the first frame. 

They played an aggressive offensive game, and while it didn’t translate into many shots, the Rangers were able to control the pace of play.

Rod Brind'Amour’s offensive system in Carolina is predicated on attempting as many shots as possible, which is why the Rangers did not get discouraged by their barrage of shots on net. 

“It’s not a big deal,” J.T. Miller said of the Rangers getting heavily outshot in the first period. “Sometimes it is, but this team is notorious for shooting everything. They are a team that are going to outshoot you most nights because they go low to high and shoot every single puck. I thought the first 5-8 minutes of the game, we played really well.”

Noah Laba’s goal 16:53 minutes into the opening frame put the Rangers up 1-0. The line of Laba, Brett Berard, and Jonny Brodzinski brought a spark, as they were generating chances all night long due to their speed and physical presence. 

There’s been a lot of pressure on the team’s top-six forward unit, with the bottom-six core struggling to generate consistent offense. The trio of Laba, Berard, and Brodzinski posed to be a scoring threat, which could take a weight off of some of the Rangers’ top point producers moving forward if they stay intact. 

In the second period, the Rangers committed three penalties, shifting momentum to Carolina’s side and allowing them to tie the game. 

However, on a set play to close out the second period, Artemi Panarin scored immediately after a faceoff after a pass from Adam Fox. 

Panarin carried the momentum into the final frame, setting up Vincent Trocheck perfectly for a goal, in a way that only a player of Panarin’s calibre can make. 

In two plays, Panarin changed the game, showcasing his incredible and unique talent. 

“That’s what he is capable of, he has game-breaking abilities,” Mike Sullivan said of Panarin. “He doesn't need a lot of opportunities, and when he gets them, for the most part, he can convert. Just his ability to just delay and create time and space, grabs the blue line and that's where he trusts his instincts. I think that's the type of player that he is. He has the ability to change outcomes with those types of plays.”

Taking a 3-1 lead with just under 20 minutes to play, the Rangers stuck to their structure, playing a defensively sound game, but also remained aggressive offensively, helping make for a strong, balanced attack. 

Getting Scratched Out Of The Lineup Unlocked A Version Of Adam Edström We've All Ben Waiting ForGetting Scratched Out Of The Lineup Unlocked A Version Of Adam Edström We've All Ben Waiting ForIt came as a bit of a surprise when Mike Sullivan decided to scratch Adam Edström last week for the New York Rangers’ game against the Vegas Golden Knights.&nbsp;

“I thought we just did a better job at taking what the game gave us, and if plays weren't there, we were willing to make space plays or we were willing to punt and hunt,” Sullivan said. “I just think that's a part of the modern NHL.”

Igor Shesterkin’s 36-save performance also helped propel the Rangers to a victory, with their superstar goalie bailing the Blueshirts out when defensive breakdowns ensued. 

It wasn’t always pretty, but the Rangers found a way to win on the road against the top team in the Eastern Conference. Both their well-structured and organized offense, and stingy defensive effort contributed to this victory in what was a complete team effort from New York. 

The Rangers will be back in action on Friday afternoon against the Boston Bruins.

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McGroarty Shines Again, Brunicke Makes AHL Season Debut As WBS Penguins Beat Hershey Bears

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins secured a massive win over the Hershey Bears on Wednesday evening.

The WBS Penguins came into Wednesday's game with a 13-4-1 record, good for first place in the Atlantic Division, and kept their top spot after a 6-3 win over the Bears. They're now 14-4-1 and have 29 points in 19 games. 

Boko Imama got things going for the WBS Penguins off a beautiful goal on a penalty shot in the first period. He came in on the right side in the offensive zone and rifled a beautiful backhand shot past the Bears goaltender. 

After that, Rutger McGroarty continued his hot start with his third goal in three games. He fired an absolute snipe top shelf to make it 2-0 later in the first period. He also added two assists, bringing his total to five points.

He continues to look better and better, and it's only a matter of time before he gets called up to the NHL.

Avery Hayes (two goals), Philip Tomasino, and Sam Poulin also scored for the Penguins. This was Tomasino's first game in WBS after he cleared waivers and was reassigned. McGroarty had a great no-look assist on Tomasino's goal, which made it a 4-2 game. 

Harrison Brunicke was also in the lineup for WBS after he was sent down on a conditioning assignment. He had been accumulated at least five scratches in a row in the NHL, paving the way for him to be sent to WBS. 

He was paired with Aleander Alexeyev for his first game on the second pair. 

Next up for WBS is a game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Black Friday (Nov. 28).

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