Defenseman Brayden McNabb Set To Become First-Ever To Skate In 600 Games As A Golden Knight

LAS VEGAS -- When talking about the numerous players who have helped mold the identity of the Golden Knights during their first eight-plus years in the NHL, many past and current names come to mind.

From the flashy and boisterous, to the popular fan favorites. The Golden Knights have never been short of personalities since arriving in 2017. 

Yet flying under the radar more than anyone else may be defenseman Brayden McNabb.

On Thursday night, the 34-year-old will stand tall among them all, as he's set to do something no other skater has done as a part of the NHL's 31st franchise.

In what will be his 838th career game, it'll be McNabb's 600th as a member of the Knights.

"Being a day-one guy, super proud of that," McNabb said during a conversation with The Hockey News on Tuesday. "That first year was unbelievable. It's a year I'll never forget, for sure, and building the culture, setting the culture of this team that first year, it's a huge thing to do.

"I've been very fortunate, very blessed, to be able to make the NHL and play as long as I have, and look and keep it going."

An unwavering professional who arrives at the team facility prepared to give 100 percent every day, McNabb's work ethic was instilled as a young boy, growing up in a small Canadian town known more for its agricultural roots and its "Big Coffee Pot" monument than its hockey players.

Davidson, Saskatchewan - population 1,200 - is a small, yet prideful town located in central Saskatchewan that embedded character into McNabb's genetic code, alongside a fine upbringing that provided him with a clear understanding of life in its simplest terms.

"Grew up on the farm, helped out on the farm until hockey kind of took over," McNabb explained. "Obviously, I had a great family, parents growing up to help me through all that stuff. But just the work mentality, it's not always going to go great. And when it does, great; when it's not, you kind of get your work boots on and try and fix it the best you can.

"That's kind of been my mentality throughout my career, just keep the work going and try as best as you can."

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BACKSEAT TO NO ONE

As of Wednesday, McNabb ranked first in the NHL with 51 blocked shots through the team's first 15 games of the season.

McNabb will not only be the first Knight to 600 games, he is the all-time blocked shots leader with 1,326 since the 2017-18 season, a tally that also leads all NHL skaters over that stretch by more than 40.

Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) blocks the shot of Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) during the first period of an NHL game on Jan. 14 2025, at Bridgestone Arena. Photo Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

While forward Reilly Smith spent a season and a half away from the Knights after they won the Cup in 2023, he knows McNabb as good as anyone else, considering the two were part of the original roster in 2017.

"He's one of the leaders that's been extremely important for the success of this organization, and that's a tribute to him," Smith said. "He does everything for this team, and it's a good thing for him to be acknowledged for what he's done."

And as subdued and even-keeled as his fellow quiet-by-nature teammate can be, Smith said "Nabber" knows when to inflect his tone.

As the headliners have come and gone within the organization, McNabb's presence might have been lost in the shadows of spotlights unintentionally grabbed by others. Yet there is no denying the 14-year veteran is, and always has been, one of the team's original leaders.

"He's got a calming presence," Smith added. "I think he's serious when he needs to be serious (and) he keeps the atmosphere light when it needs to be light.

"He's one of those guys that really gauges the environment and the mood perfectly."

IRONMAN

McNabb will not only reach the franchise-high for games played when the Knights host the Islanders, but he'll extend his own ironman streak, having appeared in 275 consecutive games, including all 82 regular-season games the past three seasons.

"There's a lot that goes into it, I wouldn't say it's one thing," McNabb said. "I'm a very big routine guy, no matter what it is. I like my routine. The health part of it has been big the last seven, eight years of my career. I've really dove deep into that. I think that's benefited, for sure.

"I just try and continue to do what I do, stay with my routine, take care of my body, recover my body, the best I can."

Easier said than done, considering McNabb ranks seventh among all defensemen with 1,944 hits since he entered the league in 2011.

While he has a world-class facility in Summerlin during home games, traveling can be difficult with a grueling schedule that takes the team across North America weeks at a time. So, during the season, he relies on resources available and team trainers to keep his body right.

It's where the farmhand work ethic and diligence chime in, and benefit the respect he has for his craft and career, and what both mean to his teammates, the organization and, most importantly, his family.

Which is why he credits his wife Lelanie as being the backbone in the McNabb household, for both him and their two-year-old son, Laken, who was born between Games 1 and 2 of the first round during the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup run.

"You really start to appreciate the home life and your wife; she basically takes care of you as another kid," McNabb said with a chuckle. "It's amazing, and it's basically a big reason I've been where I am. The recovery aspect is a lot of credit to her, too. She's great with cooking and everything. She's the rock of the family."

From family man to hockey player to teammate to assistant captain, an entire organization has benefitted far beyond 599 games - soon to be 600 - from Brayden Luke McNabb.

"Pillar in the organization," star forward Jack Eichel said. "An unbelievable teammate and guy. He's maybe quiet around you guys, but he's a big part of our group and the personality and the culture that's here.

"It's been a privilege to be his teammate and play with him and get to know him."

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"Game Of Inches": Oilers Pull Out Overtime Win In Close Contest vs. Flyers

The Edmonton Oilers started their seven-game road trip in Philadelphia, hoping to find some rhythm and consistency — and while the game was anything but perfect, they somehow found a way to walk out of Xfinity Mobile Arena with two points. Jack Roslovic played the hero for the second straight night, burying the overtime winner after Edmonton nearly let another one slip away.

It was a night that showed both the promise and the problems that continue to define the Oilers’ season — flashes of dominance, stretches of sloppiness, and just enough pushback to make up for both.

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A Strong Start That Looked Promising

The first period was one of the Oilers’ better opening frames in weeks. Both teams traded chances early — Owen Tippett had a dangerous look for the Flyers, while Vasily Podkolzin tested Dan Vladar at the other end. Despite the even shot count midway through the period, Philadelphia had the better scoring opportunities, capitalizing on a few careless Oilers turnovers during clearing attempts.

Momentum began to swing when Nick Seeler was called for a questionable hooking penalty. Edmonton’s power play didn’t convert, but the ice started to tilt. Connor McDavid, who missed the start of the man advantage to fix some equipment, jumped on late and gave the Oilers an energy boost.

Curtis Lazar drove the net hard, crashing into Vladar, who stayed in the game after being shaken up. That sequence seemed to flip a switch for Edmonton. Eventually, Evan Bouchard broke through. McDavid chased down a loose puck off a bank-shot attempt and found Bouchard creeping down from the blue line. The defenseman hammered home a one-timer to make it 1–0.

By the end of the first, the Oilers had completely taken control of the pace and the puck.

  © Eric Hartline Imagn Images  

Edmonton Dominates — Then Lets Up

The second period was more of the same — mostly. Edmonton continued to dictate play, spending long stretches in the Flyers’ zone. Vasily Podkolzin was noticeable again, throwing his weight around and driving the net. McDavid got dumped by Seeler at one point, and the Oilers made sure to let the Flyers know they didn’t appreciate it.

Roslovic looked sharp all night, moving with confidence and creating opportunities almost every shift. But for all that pressure, the Oilers couldn’t extend their lead — and that left the door open.

Late in the period, Philadelphia capitalized. Rookie Matvei Michkov tied it up on the power play, walking off the wall and firing through traffic. The game was tied, and the momentum started to turn.

At that point, you could feel the sense of déjà vu. Edmonton had dominated but failed to capitalize, and there was a real fear that all those missed chances would come back to haunt them.

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Flyers Push Back, Oilers Hang On

The third period was all Philadelphia. Edmonton’s energy disappeared, and the Flyers went to work, winning battles and outskating the Oilers in every zone. McDavid drew a high stick from Noah Cates — more like a cross-check to the face — but the ensuing power play came up empty.

The Oilers took an iffy penalty of their own when Ty Emberson got called for a hold, and the ice tilted even more in Philadelphia’s favor. By the time Frederic ran over Vladar and took a goaltender interference penalty, Edmonton looked gassed.

Then, disaster — or so it seemed.

With just 23.5 seconds left, Travis Sanheim threw a puck toward the net that was redirected by Travis Konecny to seemingly give the Flyers the win. But a video review saved Edmonton: the Oilers challenged for offside, and it turned out Owen Tippett had crossed the blue line just a split second early. The goal was waved off, and Edmonton lived to try to take a point, then earn the extra in overtime. 

Roslovic Delivers Again

In OT, the Oilers made good on the opportunity handed to them. Jake Walman forced a turnover at center ice with a good stick, which went to Roslovic. He tipped the puck to Savoie on a slick passing play —and Savoie gave it back to Roslovic, who ended it with his second straight overtime winner.

Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) on XEdmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) on XJACKpOT 🎰 #LetsGoOilers

Outside of the end of the first and the second period, the game wasn’t pretty, but it was a win. After the game, when asked about waiting to see if the Flyers were offside: "That's twice in a row, obviously we've got to sharpen up a little better. Obviously, we get the two points, which is big for us. Great challenge by the guys in our room." When asked about the assist by Savoie, "What a great pass, it was an easy bury." When asked about him dragging his skate to stay onside on the play, "PTSD from them," he responded. On scoring back-to-back overtime winners, "It's fun, anything to help the team."

A Game Of Inches

The Oilers were outplayed for most of the third period and nearly handed away a game they controlled for two. But good teams — or at least teams trying to become good again — find ways to win when they’re not at their best.

It may not have been the kind of performance head coach Kris Knoblauch drew up on the whiteboard, but there were positives from the win. He noted the Flyers don't give up very much, and the team remained patient, which was a positive.  "It's a game of inches. They got a goal taken away just being offside by a couple of inches. We were able to get the overtime goal just because we were just onside by a couple of inches."

Oilers will take the result — and the momentum — thanking Roslovic for being the difference-maker in the final moments of the past two games. 

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Will Cuylle, Vincent Trocheck score two goals each as Rangers beat Lightning 7-3

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Will Cuylle and Vincent Trocheck each had two goals, and the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-3 on Wednesday night for their second straight win.

J.T. Miller, Alexis Lafrenière and Will Borgen also scored for the Rangers, and Artemi Panarin had four assists. Igor Shesterkin finished with 31 saves as New York improved to 8-1-1 on the road.

Scott Sabourin, Zemgus Girgensons and Jake Guentzel scored for the Lightning, who had won six of their previous seven games. Andrei Vasilevskiy gave up five goals on 13 shots through two periods and Jonas Johansson had six saves in the third.

The Rangers, coming off a 6-3 win against Nashville on Monday night for their first home win, finished with their highest scoring total of the season.

Trocheck pushed New York's lead to 5-3 with 1:41 remaining in the second period as he got a cross-ice pass from Panarin and fired it in from the right circle after Vasilevskiy fell while sliding from his right to his left.

Trocheck scored again at 5:03 of the third from the slot to give the Rangers a three-goal lead, and Cuylle added an empty-netter with 2:11 remaining to cap the scoring.

Cuylle got the Rangers on the scoreboard with a power-play goal at 1:08. Adam Fox's shot from above the inside edge of the left circle deflected off Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak and then the end boards right to Cuylle on the left doorstep for a quick goal.

The Rangers doubled the Lead at 3:31 when Mika Zibanejad's pass went off Miller's skate and in.

Sabourin pulled the Lightning to 2-1 as he beat Shesterkin from the left circle at 6:04 for his first, and Lafrenière scored from the right circle 1:04 later to restore New York's two-goal lead.

Girgensons pulled Tampa Bay back within one with 6:01 left in the first. Oliver Bjoristrand's shot from the slot hit Yanni Gourde in front and Girgensons put the loose puck in.

Borgen capped the Rangers' four-goal opening period with 3:40 remaining and Guentzel scored a short-handed goal 1:12 later to pull the Lightning to 4-3.

Up next

Rangers: Play at Columbus on Saturday.

Lightning: Visit Florida on Saturday.

Which Canucks Have Played In 500+ Career NHL Games?

Last night, during the Vancouver Canucks’ 5–3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, forward Conor Garland played in his 500th career NHL game. Garland is the seventh current Canuck to play 500+ games in the NHL, with only one other reaching the 1000-game mark throughout their career. 

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The seven players who have played in 500+ NHL games throughout their career are Conor Garland (500), Marcus Pettersson (540), Derek Forbort (552), Jake DeBrusk (565), Brock Boeser (570), Evander Kane (948), and Tyler Myers (1084). The only player of these three who have spent every NHL game with the Canucks is Boeser, who has done so throughout a decade within the organization. 

With Myers having hit the 1000-game mark on October 19, 2024, the next Canuck to hit this milestone will be Kane. The forward has 52 games left until he gets to 1000, which is definitely achievable during the 2025–26 season if he stays healthy. If he were to play every game from now, Kane’s 1000th game would be March 26 against the Los Angeles Kings in Vancouver. 

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The Canuck who is most likely to hit the 500-game mark next is center Elias Pettersson, who is currently sitting on 489 NHL games played. If he remains healthy, he’ll complete this milestone during Vancouver’s home game against the Minnesota Wild on December 6. After Pettersson is Filip Hronek with 469 NHL games played, with Hronek’s projected 500th NHL game taking place on January 19 against the New York Islanders. Quinn Hughes (447) and Teddy Blueger (420) round out the rest of the Canucks who have played 400+ games in the NHL. 

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Filip Chytil is the only Canuck looking to reach the 400-game mark in the NHL this year, though whether he hits this milestone this season or not will depend on his injury status throughout the year. After him on the list of NHL games played is Nils Höglander, who has 293. Hitting 300 NHL games is very doable for Höglander this year, though this will also depend on his injury status. As he is expected to be back anywhere from late November to mid-December, it’s very likely that the forward will hit this milestone during the 2025–26 season.

Forwards Kiefer Sherwood (283) and Drew O’Connor (259) are also looking to hit the 300-game mark this season, with both doable depending on how injuries shake out during the remainder of the year. Pierre-Olivier Joseph rounds out the group of players with 200+ NHL games played with 202.  

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Three current members of the Canucks are currently sitting on 100+ games while waiting to play in their 200th. Lukas Reichel (184) is the most likely to hit this milestone first. Nils Åman (132) and MacKenzie MacEachern (126) follow him on the list, though the former is currently with the Abbotsford Canucks and the latter will likely join once more players start returning from injury. 

10 players who have played for the Canucks this season currently have less than 100 NHL games played. Of these 10, Aatu Räty leads the way with 64 games played, followed by defenceman Elias Pettersson (45), Max Sasson (44), Linus Karlsson (42), Arshdeep Bains (39), Victor Mancini (36), Jonathan Lekkerimäki (28), Joseph LaBate (20), Tom Willander (8), and Braeden Cootes (3). With 64 games remaining in the 2025–26 season, only Räty, Pettersson, Sasson, Karlsson, and Bains have a shot at playing in their 100th NHL game this year. Mancini could hypothetically do so as well, but would have to return to play on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes and take part in every game until the end of the season. 

Oct 25, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland (8) and forward Jake DeBrusk (74) and forward Brock Boeser (6) and forward Elias Pettersson (40) celebrate DebRusk’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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The NHL's Top Scorers Prove Tanking And Rebuilding Work

Rebuild or retool? It’s the most common question asked about NHL teams on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

There’s evidence that both approaches could work, but the recent trend of the NHL suggests that rebuilding is the path to take over a less-aggressive retool.

Team depth, defense and goaltending play critical roles in winning a Stanley Cup, but superstars are needed and are almost virtually the reason why teams win.

Some may look at the Florida Panthers as a recent example that depth matters more, but GM Bill Zito found a way to have an abundance of depth around his two superstars, Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Without the timely plays and consistency from that duo throughout the past three seasons, the Panthers don’t win the Cup. 

The strongest current piece of evidence that tanking works is examining the NHL’s current point leaders.

Out of the top 33 scorers in the NHL with at least 18 points, 28 of them were first-round picks.

Of those first-rounders, 18 of those players were selected in the top 10, including 11 in the top three and seven first overall picks. 

The usual suspects – Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Jack Eichel – are high in these rankings. Each player has been to the Stanley Cup final at least once, and three have won the Cup, providing the first piece of evidence that tanking has worked for these teams.

But to further prove it, four of the top six scorers – MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini, Connor Bedard and Connor McDavid – were first overall picks. Leo Carlsson, who's tied for second in scoring, was drafted second overall, and William Nylander, who's tied for fifth, was selected eighth overall.

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For a table of the top 33 scorers, click here.

The emergence of Carlsson has come quicker than some may have expected, but the talent was always apparent. With 11 goals and 26 points in 16 games, he has the Anaheim Ducks in first place in the Pacific Division with an 11-4-1 record.

The Ducks’ rebuild appears to be complete as many of their top prospects are not only featuring in their lineup but are playing critical roles. It took patience, but now with a No. 1 center in Carlsson, a No. 1 defenseman in Jackson LaCombe, a No. 1 goaltender in Lukas Dostal and top-end talent surrounding them, such as Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, Mason McTavish and Beckett Sennecke, the Ducks look poised to be a perennial contender for years to come.

Celebrini and Bedard sit in second and fourth in the NHL points leaderboard, respectively, and they’ve turned around their franchises.

Coming into the season, the expectations of the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks were very low. Many thought they would be in the race for another top-three pick, but the two young phenoms had other ideas.

Bedard, 20, is carrying the Blackhawks' offense despite the roster still being below average in terms of talent. With nine goals and 25 points in 16 games, Bedard has 11 more points than the next closest player, and the Blackhawks sit in fourth place in the Central Division.

The Blackhawks had some luck landing Bedard, moving up two spots in the draft lottery, but following the selection, they’ve built their defense corps from the ground up and have continued to add high-end prospects, such as Anton Frondell, Oliver Moore, Sacha Boisvert and more. They aren’t as far along as the Ducks, but the future is very exciting in the Windy City.

Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson in 2023 (Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images)

Celebrini, too, has his organization looking like a competitive team.

The Sharks are a very young team, headlined by Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund, Michael Misa, and Sam Dickinson, but they are becoming a harder team to beat. On most nights, they are outshot, but the high-end talent they possess creates numerous high-danger chances that they are skilled enough to finish consistently. 

There are 20 first overall picks currently playing in the NHL, and seven of them rank in the top 33 in points. Some notable omissions who could easily join that group are Auston Matthews, who ranks just outside the top 50 after a slow start to the season, and Nico Hischier, who is playing like the Selke Trophy winner he is, allowing Jack Hughes to shine offensively.

The most recent first overall pick, Matthew Schaefer, leads NHL rookies in goals and points, and he sits in the top 10 for points by a defenseman. The New York Islanders weren’t tanking before selecting Schaefer, but following the selection, they’ve pointed their franchise's direction toward a youth movement, betting on the future. 

Luck most certainly plays a role when tanking. Even with the worst record in the NHL, teams aren’t guaranteed to land the first overall pick, and they aren’t guaranteed to become a superstar. Occasionally, as happened with the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens recently, they select a player who won’t turn the franchise around but can be a big-time contributor.

The quarter mark of the NHL season is approaching, and plenty of hockey still needs to be played. But soon, teams will need to decipher where their season is headed.

With a projected top three of talented wingers Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, as well as 6-foot-4, do-it-all defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, organizations like the Calgary Flames and the Nashville Predators would benefit greatly from selecting a possible franchise cornerstone in the top three.

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Los Angeles Kings Ranked The Highest All Season In THN's Latest Power Rankings

The Los Angeles Kings seem to be trending in the right direction, with two straight victories to kick off a six-game road trip.

Not only were those wins huge for the team’s record and place in the standings, but it was also against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had a hot start to the campaign, and the Atlantic Division leaders Montreal Canadiens.

In this week’s edition of The Hockey News’ power rankings by Jason Chen, the Kings were recognized for their recent performances and made a big jump compared to their previous ranking. 

In this week’s ranking, Los Angeles has climbed their way into the top 10, taking seventh place. They stand between the Canadiens in eighth place and the Dallas Stars in sixth.

There were several question marks surrounding head coach Jim Hiller and his Kings in the early stages of this campaign. However, Los Angeles has been on a nice little run over the last 20 days or so.

“There was a little concern early in the season, but they’ve gone 7-2-2 since,” Chen wrote.

He also highlighted the team’s last two victories over Pittsburgh and Montreal. Against the Pens, the Kings soared in a third-period push, and solid goaltending from Darcy Kuemper along the way.

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When they faced the Habs in the Bell Centre, it was a tidy performance with the help of an explosive middle frame. Joel Edmundson, Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala each scored a goal in the opening six minutes of the second period. They didn’t give the Canadiens a sniffing chance after that.

Kevin Fiala (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)Kings Road Dominance Continues With Victory Over CanadiensKings Road Dominance Continues With Victory Over CanadiensKings dismantle Canadiens with lockdown defense and promising offense, continuing their road dominance.

Thanks to these results, the Kings jumped from 15th place to seventh in the matter of a week. This is the highest they’ve ever been ranked so far this season.

In the real NHL standings, Los Angeles controls the second spot in the Pacific Division with 20 points in 17 outings. With that, the team owns an 8-5-4 record and three points off from the division leaders, the Anaheim Ducks.

The Kings will look to continue their road dominance in their next game against the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. 

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Flyers have late goal wiped away, suffer OT loss to two-time defending West champs

Flyers have late goal wiped away, suffer OT loss to two-time defending West champs originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers had another tight, low-scoring game Wednesday night and couldn’t win it as they fell to the Oilers, 2-1, in overtime at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Jack Roslovic scored the winner for Edmonton on a 2-on-0 opportunity after Cam York had a turnover.

The Flyers dropped to 4-3-3 in games decided by one goal. It was the seventh time they’ve gone to OT.

“Every game, it seems like it’s tight,” Rick Tocchet said. “We’ve just got to learn, we have the puck in overtime, hold onto it. We want to make plays and that’s the learning process — playing through pressure.”

Travis Konecny scored what could have been a game-winning goal for the Flyers on a deflection with 23.5 seconds remaining in regulation. But league-initiated review determined that Owen Tippett was offside.

“I have to be more patient, I guess,” Tippett said, “but it happens.”

The Flyers (8-5-3), who came in with the NHL’s third-fewest shots per game at 24.8, had just six at the midway mark Wednesday night.

But Matvei Michkov provided a spark by burying a game-tying power play goal with 4:22 minutes left in the second period.

Despite the loss, Tocchet’s club extended its point streak to four games (2-0-2).

“We thought we had it won,” the Flyers’ head coach said. “We have some other things we’ve got to shore up, but there were some stretches where I liked our game.

“Everybody expected us to be in last place, so I’ve got to give these guys a lot of credit. I’m proud of them.”

The Oilers (8-6-4) went into the third period with a 25-11 shot advantage on the Flyers.

The Flyers face Edmonton again Jan. 3 when they visit the two-time defending Western Conference champs.

• Dan Vladar was excellent again, making 30 saves on 32 shots.

The 28-year-old has given up two or fewer goals in eight of his 10 starts.

He wasn’t too happy when Mattias Janmark ran into him with 5:35 minutes left in the third period. After some pushing and shoving, which included Vladar, the Flyers ended up on a power play, but failed to convert.

“It was just a hockey play, it happens,” Vladar said. “It’s going to happen again, I’m pretty sure, whether it’s me or someone else. Just emotions.”

The Oilers struck first with under a minute remaining in the opening stanza. Evan Bouchard blasted one off a nice feed from three-time MVP Connor McDavid, who finished with one point.

The Flyers have actually slowed down the superstar center in his visits to Philadelphia. They’re 6-2-1 at home against McDavid’s Oilers teams. In those nine matchups, they’ve held him to 10 points (three goals, seven assists).

But it has been a different story up at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, where McDavid has put up 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) on the Flyers over nine games. The Flyers are just 2-6-1 in those matchups.

“Having the puck helps, making him play defense, making them stop and start,” Tocchet said after morning skate. “I don’t care who it is, any team with great players, you want to make them stop and start, so you try to muck it up a little bit, too. He’s going to get his looks, he’s just too good of a player.”

Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner stopped 20 of the Flyers’ 21 shots.

• Michkov is really starting to find his form.

The 20-year-old winger has put a goal in three straight games. He now has four on the season and nine points.

He just looks like that dynamic scorer from last season when he delivered 26 goals and 63 points as a rookie.

His skating is there, he’s holding onto the puck and he’s determined to shoot it.

More: How Flyers are ‘staying with it’ on Michkov’s learning process

• Tyson Foerster was activated off injured reserve and returned to the lineup after missing the last four games because of a blocked shot.

To make room on the roster, the Flyers loaned Carl Grundstrom back to AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley.

The 23-year-old Foerster was back on his regular line with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink.

• Next up for the Flyers is a back-to-back road set as the club visits the Blues on Friday (8 p.m. ET/NBCSP+) and Stars on Saturday (8 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Flyers have late goal wiped away, suffer OT loss to two-time defending West champs

Flyers have late goal wiped away, suffer OT loss to two-time defending West champs originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers had another tight, low-scoring game Wednesday night and couldn’t win it as they fell to the Oilers, 2-1, in overtime at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Jack Roslovic scored the winner for Edmonton on a 2-on-0 opportunity after Cam York had a turnover.

The Flyers dropped to 4-3-3 in games decided by one goal. It was the seventh time they’ve gone to OT.

“Every game, it seems like it’s tight,” Rick Tocchet said. “We’ve just got to learn, we have the puck in overtime, hold onto it. We want to make plays and that’s the learning process — playing through pressure.”

Travis Konecny scored what could have been a game-winning goal for the Flyers on a deflection with 23.5 seconds remaining in regulation. But a league-initiated review determined that Owen Tippett was offside.

“I have to be more patient, I guess,” Tippett said, “but it happens.”

The Flyers (8-5-3), who came in with the NHL’s third-fewest shots per game at 24.8, had just six at the midway mark Wednesday night.

But Matvei Michkov provided a spark by burying a game-tying power play goal with 4:22 minutes left in the second period.

Despite the loss, Tocchet’s club extended its point streak to four games (2-0-2).

“We thought we had it won,” the Flyers’ head coach said. “We have some other things we’ve got to shore up, but there were some stretches where I liked our game.

“Everybody expected us to be in last place, so I’ve got to give these guys a lot of credit. I’m proud of them.”

The Oilers (8-6-4) went into the third period with a 25-11 shot advantage on the Flyers.

The Flyers face Edmonton again Jan. 3 when they visit the two-time defending Western Conference champs.

• Dan Vladar was excellent again, making 30 saves on 32 shots.

The 28-year-old has given up two or fewer goals in eight of his 10 starts.

He wasn’t too happy when Mattias Janmark ran into him with 5:35 minutes left in the third period. After some pushing and shoving, which included Vladar, the Flyers ended up on a power play, but failed to convert.

“It was just a hockey play, it happens,” Vladar said. “It’s going to happen again, I’m pretty sure, whether it’s me or someone else. Just emotions.”

The Oilers struck first with under a minute remaining in the opening stanza. Evan Bouchard blasted one off a nice feed from three-time MVP Connor McDavid, who finished with one point.

The Flyers have actually slowed down the superstar center in his visits to Philadelphia. They’re 6-2-1 at home against McDavid’s Oilers teams. In those nine matchups, they’ve held him to 10 points (three goals, seven assists).

But it has been a different story up at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, where McDavid has put up 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) on the Flyers over nine games. The Flyers are just 2-6-1 in those matchups.

“Having the puck helps, making him play defense, making them stop and start,” Tocchet said after morning skate. “I don’t care who it is, any team with great players, you want to make them stop and start, so you try to muck it up a little bit, too. He’s going to get his looks, he’s just too good of a player.”

Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner stopped 20 of the Flyers’ 21 shots.

• Michkov is really starting to find his form.

The 20-year-old winger has recorded a goal in three straight games. He now has four on the season and nine points.

He just looks like that dynamic scorer from last season when he delivered 26 goals and 63 points as a rookie.

His skating is there, he’s holding onto the puck and he’s determined to shoot it.

More: How Flyers are ‘staying with it’ on Michkov’s learning process

• Tyson Foerster was activated off injured reserve and returned to the lineup after missing the last four games because of a blocked shot.

To make room on the roster, the Flyers loaned Carl Grundstrom back to AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley.

The 23-year-old Foerster was back on his regular line with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink.

• Next up for the Flyers is a back-to-back road set as the club visits the Blues on Friday (8 p.m. ET/NBCSP+) and Stars on Saturday (8 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Game Preview: New Jersey Devils at Chicago Blackhawks

The 11-4-1 New Jersey Devils hit the road tonight to face the 8-5-3 Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

This will be the first meeting of the season between the two teams. It marks the start of a five-game road trip for the Devils, while the Blackhawks begin a four-game homestand.

The Devils are coming off their first home loss of the season, a 3-2 overtime defeat to the New York Islanders on Monday. Their last road trip ended with a 1-3-0 record.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe reflected on that stretch when speaking with NHL.com:

“We didn’t like the way our last road trip went,” Keefe said. “It’s a five-game stand on the road. We have to play better on the road. It’s a good opportunity for us to get that right.”

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, enter the game riding a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating the Detroit Red Wings 5-1.

Former first-round draft pick Connor Bedard continues to impress. Bedard is on an eight-game point streak, collecting 11 points in his last five games. Bedard is tied for the team lead in goals (9) and leads Chicago with 25 points.

For comparison, Jack Hughes leads the Devils with 18 points this season, while Timo Meier has scored two goals in his last three games as he looks to extend his streak.

Ahead of the matchup, Keefe discussed the challenge of facing Bedard and the young Blackhawks roster.

“Lots of speed and skill,” Keefe said to NHL.com. “Bedard is playing on another level right now. We don’t need too many reminders—it wasn’t too long ago that we played San Jose and Anaheim, all these young guys taking significant leaps in their play. It’s a real challenge, but their defense has taken a step too. They have lots of confidence. It’s a challenge like every single game this season, and we’ll have to be ready.”


Injury Report

Devils:

  • Dougie Hamilton (undisclosed)
  • Connor Brown (undisclosed)
  • Brett Pesce (upper body)
  • Evgenii Dadonov (hand)
  • Johnathan Kovacevic (knee)
  • Marc McLaughlin (undisclosed)

Blackhawks:

  • Frank Nazar (undisclosed, day-to-day)
  • Jason Dickinson (shoulder, IR)
  • Louis Weber (IR)

Ahead of the game, Keefe announced several line changes after limited offensive production in recent outings.

The top two lines were shuffled, with Dawson Mercer joining Jack Hughes and Arseny Gritsyuk, while Jesper Bratt moved alongside Nico Hischier and Timo Meier.

“It’s been too long now that both those lines haven’t really connected offensively,” Keefe said to NHL.com. “I think it’s time for a different look.”

Bratt said he was eager for the opportunity to play with new linemates.

“It boosts you up to get new linemates—even if they aren’t really new, just familiar faces,” Bratt said to NHL.com. “It’ll be good to help the team get a little spark.”


This is the first of two meetings between the Devils and Blackhawks this season. They’ll face off again on March 29.

Forward Dawson Mercer said the team is eager to make a statement on the road.

“We feel being a great road team would be a huge step for us,” Mercer said to NHL.com. “We’ve been amazing at home. After our last trip, we want to end on a more positive note. Right now, we have a great opportunity—five games here to really prove that and turn the switch.”

Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET in the Windy City.

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Former Devil Alexander Mogilny Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame

Former New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup champion Alexander Mogilny was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night.

Mogilny entered the Hall as part of the Class of 2025, alongside Jennifer Botterill, Zdeno Chara, Brianna Decker, Duncan Keith, and Joe Thornton.

Mogilny is credited as the first Soviet player to defect to the NHL. Mogilny helped pave the way for future generations of Russian stars.

Originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round (No. 89) of the 1988 NHL Draft, Mogilny made his NHL debut on October 5, 1989. After six seasons in Buffalo, he spent five years with the Vancouver Canucks before being traded to the Devils on March 14, 2000. A few months later, he lifted the Stanley Cup with New Jersey.

Mogilny followed that championship season by scoring 43 goals in 2000–01, though the Devils ultimately fell short in the Stanley Cup Final. On July 3, 2001, he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, ending his first stint in New Jersey.

A member of hockey’s exclusive Triple Gold Club, awarded to players who have won the Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, and a World Championship, Mogilny returned to New Jersey for one final season in 2005–06. Despite battling hip issues, he still managed 12 goals in 34 games before retiring.

Over his 16-year NHL career, Mogilny recorded 1,032 points (473 goals, 559 assists) in 990 games, making him the fourth-highest-scoring Russian player in NHL history, behind only Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, and Sergei Fedorov.

Although Mogilny was not present at the induction ceremony, he shared a heartfelt pre-recorded message:

“Taking part in this exciting event with the other inductees, I am overwhelmed with gratitude—not just for this honor, but for the journey that got me here.

What an incredible journey it was. My greatest hope is that my story might inspire another kid from a small Russian town to dream big, just as I was inspired by legends.

This honor is not mine alone—it belongs to everyone who believed in me along the way.”

Mogilny’s legacy as both a New Jersey Devil and a trailblazer for many players is now forever cemented in hockey history, as the 56-year-old takes his rightful place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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The Tkachuk Brothers' New Podcast Is Hockey's Unfiltered Answer To Kelce Craze

NHL fans are about to get something the sport has sorely needed – a raw, unfiltered, personality-driven show led by two of the game’s most entertaining active stars. 

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk announced on The Pat McAfee Show and posted on social media they’re launching a new podcast called Wingmen with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, in partnership with Wave Sports & Entertainment. 

The show will drop every Wednesday and aims to bring energy to hockey media similar to what New Heights did for the NFL with Travis and Jason Kelce.

Why 'Wingmen' Could Be A Game-Changer

There’s a hole in the NHL market when it comes to promoting personalities in the game. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk have two of the biggest personalities. 

Matthew Tkachuk, the Florida Panthers left winger, is one of the NHL’s biggest pests. A two-time Stanley Cup winner, he’s extremely talented with puck skill and grit, and he’s one of those players you hate to play against but would love to have on your team. 

Maybe less hated than Matthew but still a handful, Brady Tkachuk is the Ottawa Senators’ captain trying to lead his team into consistent playoff contention. 

Both talk a big game and back it up. That makes them perfect for podcast hosting.

Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk (Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)

They’re funny, blunt and completely unafraid to say what they think. That’s exactly what the NHL needs. As long as they aren’t handcuffed in what they’re able to talk about – and who is going to tell them what they can and cannot say – their inexperienced podcast energy should be infectious and a must-listen every week.

The best-case scenario with Wingmen is that it does for hockey what the Kelces did for football. Matthew and Brady have cross-market appeal: one plays for an arguable dynasty, the other for a Canadian capital team. And their natural chemistry could bridge the gap between casual fans and diehards who’ve long wanted NHL players to speak freely.

Wingmen with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk (@Wingmenpod) on XWingmen with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk (@Wingmenpod) on XNHL fans, your new favorite podcast is here 🚨 Wingmen with Matthew & Brady Tkachuk drops TOMORROW 🏒

Who They Should Have On

The guest list potential is huge. Imagine episodes where the game’s biggest stars let loose away from stiff post-game interviews. 

Whether guys like Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby choose to take the brothers up on their invite remains to be seen. But, get on a character like Spittin’ Chiclets Paul Bissonnette or their own father, Keith Tkachuk, and things could get interesting. Get on the Hughes brothers, or have a crossover show with the Kelce brothers themselves.

In any case, Wingmen could become a huge off-ice marketing tool for the NHL. The brothers have the perfect blend of humor, authenticity, and competitive edge to make hockey fun and unpredictable – even better if the league leans into it.


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Rangers Sign Goaltender Spencer Martin

James Guillory-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with goaltender Spencer Martin on a two-year contract.

Martin was previously playing in the KHL with CSKA Moscow before his contract was bought out after 14 games.

The 30-year-old goaltender has played in 66 total NHL games for the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Carolina Hurricanes. 

In those 66 games, Martin recorded a 24-30-8 record, 3.56 goals against average, and .883 save percentage. 

The Rangers placed Martin on waivers upon signing him with the intention of sending him down to the Hartford Wolf pack of the American Hockey League if he goes unclaimed.

Why Did The Senators Choose Tyler Kleven Over Jordan Spence In Overtime?

When the Ottawa Senators head for overtime, something they've done five times in their last six games, they have a fairly predictable plan for their blue line. First, they rotate Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot.

End of plan.

Sanderson and Chabot take alternating shifts until overtime ends, and unless they're needed in round 10 of the shootout, the other four guys' nights are done.

But when Chabot left the Dallas game with an injury on Monday night, the Senators had to turn off their overtime autopilot and come up with a new plan. Who would replace Chabot in the furious action of the 3-on-3? Would it be Jordan Spence, Artem Zub, Nick Jensen, or Tyler Kleven?

With his puck skill, skating speed, and point production, Spence is the player in that group who most resembles Chabot, and it's not even close. Then you might next think about Zub, who's more known for his defense, but has shown some offensive flash this season with 9 points.

But the Senators went with stay-at-home defenseman Tyler Kleven.

Kleven has zero goals and one assist in 15 games, and while he has done some good things this season, his levels of quickness, puck skill and creating offence aren't the reason he's in this league. And in the wide open spaces of NHL overtime, those are crucial virtues..

Head coach Travis Green was at his short-answering best after the game when asked why Kleven was seen as the best option to replace Chabot in OT.

Ottawa Senators Lose Defenseman Thomas Chabot To Injury On Tuesday NightOttawa Senators Lose Defenseman Thomas Chabot To Injury On Tuesday NightChabot's injury exposes the Senators' lack of organizational depth on the left side.

"Just... Baumer went with him," Green said, referring to assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner, who looks after the defense.

Green could have just said, "That's what we decided to do," which would have been very much on brand. Instead, he decided to share or remind us that it's his assistant coach who makes that call.

So we're left to speculate, as we so often are, and this was probably a decision based on trust. Since Kleven's calling card is defense, Baumgartner chose the defenseman he felt he could most rely on, maybe not to win the game, but the one that's least likely to do something that might lose the game.

It could be that Baumgartner is still spooked by Spence's last-minute turnover against the Islanders last month, which cost the Senators at least one point in the standings. But if that were true, Spence wouldn't have been elevated to the second pairing.

Interestingly, with Kleven out there for the extra frame on Tuesday to provide defence and physicality, it was a major defensive breakdown that led to the winning goal, with Stars players being allowed to stand around freely in Ottawa's slot area. Kleven and Shane Pinto became the second and third goaltenders on the play, but in fairness, it was Dylan Cozens who contributed most to that defensive breakdown.

NHL.com

Dallas forward Jason Robertson took the puck behind Ottawa's net, and Kleven had him contained to the outside, but Cozens unwisely left his post in front to help Kleven. That left Miro Heiskanen all alone in front, which led to four straight shot attempts from the Stars. The Sens blocked the first three, and two were game-savers by Shane Pinto, but every rebound ended up perfectly on Dallas stick blades until Hintz put it away.

Looking ahead, if Chabot is out for any length of time, it will be interesting to see how the Sens handle things in their next overtime and if Kleven continues to be their plan B. My old co-host, John Rodenburg at Ottawa's TSN 1200 radio, put it perfectly, asking the question many Sens fans are asking today:

If Jordan Spence isn't built for 3-on-3 overtime, what is he built for?

Steve Warne
The Hockey News/Ottawa

Read more at The Hockey News Ottawa:

Staios On Linus Ullmark: ‘I Believe In Linus, The Team Believes In Linus.’
Four Takeaways From Senators 4-2 Victory Over Utah Sunday Night
Former Ottawa Senator GM Passes Away At Age 70
Ullmark: "There Are So Many Things I'd Like To Say To All The Doubters"

Blackhawks Vs Devils: Projected Lineup, How To Watch, & More Ahead Of Game 17

After a mostly successful (3-2-1) road trip, their longest of the 2025-26 season, the Chicago Blackhawks are home. At 8-5-3, Chicago will take on the 11-4-1 New Jersey Devils.

The Blackhawks have won three games in a row. They haven't won four in a row since winning five in a row back during the 2022-23 season.  

Coming off a home loss in overtime, New Jersey is headed on a long road trip of their own, starting in The Windy City. 

Number One Picks

This game will feature a lot of high-end talent. Three of the last nine first overall picks will participate in this game. New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier is the oldest, as he was the first overall pick of the 2017 NHL Draft. Of course, that draft took place at the United Center. 

Two years later, New Jersey selected Jack Hughes with the first overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. Since then, both of them have become catalysts for a winning organization. 

In 2023, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard first overall. Like both Hughes and Hischier, it took a while for Bedard's offensive flair to take off, but we are seeing all three of them dominate games in 2025. 

There are also a couple of second overall picks participating in the game. New Jersey selected Simon Nemec second in 2022, while Chicago took Artyom Levshunov second in 2024. Both of them are now starting to realize their NHL potential as the games go on. 

Scouting New Jersey

Gritsyuk - Hughes - Mercer

Meier - Hischier - Bratt

Palat - Glass - Noesen

Cotter - Glendening - MacEwen

Siegenthaler - Nemec

Dillon - Hughes

Cholowski - White

Markstrom

New Jersey is making some changes to their top six. Arseny Griitsyuk is moving up to play with Jack Hughes. Jesper Bratt, however, who scores at a point per game pace these days, is swapping lines with Dawson Mercer. They are expecting that to open up more offense in the top six. 

Ondrej Palat is a nice veteran, but he is a step behind where he was as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now, on the third line, he is in a much more fitting spot for what he brings to the table in 2025. 

On defense, New Jersey is dealing with a fair amount of injuries. That includes Dougie Hamilton, who has been a star in the NHL for years. There is a lot of youth on this blue line, but the Blackhawks must be wary of Simon Nemec and Luke Hughes, who can make big-time plays at a moment's notice. 

Jacob Markstrom will start in the net for the New Jersey Devils. Markstrom has had a rough start to the year, being outplayed by his backup, Jake Allen, but every game is one in which he could go back to his former Vezina-nominee form. Traffic in front, smart shot selection, and a hard forecheck will be Chicago's key to beating him early and often. 

Chicago's Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Starting Goalie

Bertuzzi - Bedard - Burakovsky

Teravainen - Greene - Mikheyev

Moore - Donato - 

Dach - Foligno - Lafferty

Vlasic - Rinzel

Grzelcyk - Murphy

Kaiser - Levshunov

Crevier

Knight

This lineup is in flux going into the matchup. For one, Jason Dickinson and Frank Nazar are still missing due to their injuries and will not play. 

Andre Burakovsky is a game-time decision. The Blackhawks needed an extra forward in case the answer is no, so they called up Landon Slaggert. If Burakovsky can't go, Slaggert will fit into that forward group somehow.

Connor Bedard is sure to see a lot of ice with the way this is shaking out. He is on an eight-game point streak, so expect him to come out flying, looking to make it nine in a row. 

On defense, they will be dressing seven once again. All seven of them have mostly played well in every game that they go with this strategy. 

In goal, Spencer Knight is the expected starter. Knight, so far this season, has been one of the best goalies in the NHL. Their confidence to start him in multiple consecutive games is showing. 

How To Watch

The Blackhawks vs Devils match is a national game in the United States. It will be the second game of a doubleheader on TNT. The puck will drop at 8:52 CT. 

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