The Colorado Avalanche had a lot to do last offseason after another disappointing round one elimination from the Dallas Stars. Brock Nelson is a pending unrestricted free agent, and they may have very little cap space to sign him. So the day before the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, the Avalanche sent Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Gavin Brindley, a 2025 third-round pick, and a 2027 conditional second-round pick.

What looked in the eyes of many like a quick cap dump, freeing over $7.5 million in cap space for a team looking to get deeper without giving up much, has turned out even better for the Avalanche and the way Brindley has been playing recently.

🗣️ Gavin Brindley

On the heels of his first career OT winner, the Avalanche Rookie signed a two-year extension this morning.#GoAvsGo | Powered By: https://t.co/O7RJKwUgbNpic.twitter.com/07oNOue9m3

— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports) November 11, 2025

The Blue Jackets had additional draft picks and, combined with the prospect pool they have been building over the past couple of years, it was more about acquiring players of the caliber that Coyle and Wood can bring to their team. The third-round pick turned into Francesco Dell’Elce, a more offensive-style, left-shot defenseman from the University of Massachusetts, who has great skating for his age and a strong shot. His playmaking is solid, able to make great stretch-pass plays and use his skating to blow right by them if they give him too much space, but back to Brindley.

Drafted in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in the second round out of the University of Michigan, who just finished with a season where he scored 25 goals and 28 assists for 53 points, leading his team in points and ahead of other notable prospects like Rutger McGroarty (Penguins), Frank Nazar (Blackhawks).

Heading into the draft, EliteProspects said this about Brindley;

“Brindley is a high-motor player who excels on the defensive side of the puck. He’s a tenacious forechecker and reliable in defensive zone coverage. He’s always in motion, always attacking lanes, bouncing around defenders to find them, especially on the power play. He anticipates plays ahead of time and moves to support them. -EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide”

He struggled in his first professional year with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL, scoring six goals and 11 assists for 17 points. At the same time, other notable Blue Jackets outscored him, like Denton Mateychuk and Luca Del Bel Belluz. Though the Jackets, after last season's run, were in the market to bolster their depth, get more physical, and surround their growing prospects with veterans, the Avalanche were happy to do so and came out on top in the deal.

The Avalanche offloaded two contracts that, while deemed reasonable at the time of their acquisition, couldn't stay on the team due to their performance and cap implications.

They also get a young 21-year-old prospect who's looking to make a name for himself in a new system, and he's done just that. Many, including myself, didn't think he was going to mysteriously breakout and make the top six. Still, he shows flashes of top-six potential in his skating and puck-handling, as seen in his game against the Vancouver Canucks and in securing his first career overtime winner. It is his physicality that also fits in the bottom-six, along with his aggressive puck style.

GAVIN BRINDLEY IS YOUR OT HERO!! 😱

The @Avalanche win it in @Energizer overtime! pic.twitter.com/mfWQpTNCd4

— NHL (@NHL) November 10, 2025

In part of filling in for injured Joel Kiviranta and Logan O’Conner, Brindley has been excellent for the Avalanche and the role he fills for them. Despite just three goals and two assists for five points in 15 games, the effort and grinder mentality he brings with Parker Kelly and Zahkar Bardakov on the fourth line has been precisely what the Avalanche could expect from him in his early career.

This is just the style of effort and production that not only keeps him on the team for longer, as he just signed a two-year extension through the 2027-28 season. $850K two-way contract for 2026-27, $900K one-way for 2027-28. It also reminds people that there is still more room to grow and develop as the years come.

Avalanche Ink Gavin Brindley to Two-Year ExtensionThe young phenom will stay in Colorado for at least a while longer.

This is a player who can help the team win now by being productive and reliable in a bottom-six role, who has the opportunity in the seasons to come to grow and work his way into a middle/top-six role as players get older, traded, or not re-signed because they have his talents to fill higher in the lines.

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Mackinnon Three-Point Night Help Avalanche End Ducks Seven Game Win StreakMacKinnon's three-point night, including Landeskog's first goal of the season, helped the Avalanche take down the red-hot Ducks coming into Denver

The Florida Panthers are finally back home.

Despite the NHL season being just over a month old, the Panthers have already endured road trips of four and five game lengths, one of which took the team to the opposite side of the country for a week.

After a forgettable first trip, and a regretful opening game of last week’s trip in California, the Panthers are showing some serious signs of positivity.

That 7-3 loss last Tuesday in Anaheim led to an intense team practice and video sessions the following day in Los Angeles, one that Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice described as something of a back-to-basics kind of exercise.

Florida’s three games since have been three of their better games of the season, and certainly some of the best they’ve played on the road so far.

Now the question will be whether they can carry that momentum into what will be an extended period of time spent almost exclusively in South Florida.

Starting Thursday, when the Panthers host the Washington Capitals at Amerant Bank Arena, Florida will play 12 games over a 24-day stretch.

Only one of those 12 games will be on the road.

It all starts with a five-game homestand that starts Thursday and ends over a week later, as the Cats will host the Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers.

Then, a quick trip up to Tennessee for a matchup with the Nashville Predators on Monday, Nov. 24.

After that it’ll be right back down to South Florida for a six-game homestand that spans 12 days, featuring games against the Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maples Leafs, Nashville, Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders.

So far this season, the Panthers have played only seven of their 16 games at home, holding a strong 5-1-1 mark in Sunrise.

If they can find a way to combine the recent momentum that was found on the road with their already formidable ability to win games at home, the next several weeks could be very prosperous for the Panthers.

Entering play Wednesday, Florida holds a very mediocre 8-7-1 record on the season. It’s good for a tie for sixth in the Atlantic Division with Toronto and a spot one point behind the Wild Card leading Flyers.

The good thing for the Panthers is that the standings are still extremely tightly packed, as only five points separate Florida from the top of the division, with games in hand on both the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators, who sit second and third in the Atlantic, respectively.

Bottom line, the Panthers have a wonderful opportunity in front of them to simultaneously continue riding the momentum of their trip, enjoy some time at home while working with more familiar routines and made up some ground in the standings at a time where it’s easiest to do so.

We’ll see if Florida can take advantage in the coming days and weeks.

Stay tuned.

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Photo caption: Nov 1, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (11) celebrates with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after winning a shootout against the Dallas Stars at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The Buffalo Sabres currently sit in dead-last in the Eastern Conference with a 5-6-4 record. But the worst could be yet to come – and it may be coming this week.

For proof, just look at the Sabres’ schedule. When you do, you’ll see that, over the next six days, Buffalo has four games. And it isn’t as if any of them are against pushover teams.

Indeed, the Sabres start off this punishing stretch of schedule on the road – where three of their next four games will be played – with a showdown Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. One night later, Buffalo travels to Denver to take on the dominant Colorado Avalanche. Then, on Saturday, the Sabres battle the Red Wings in Detroit. And finally, Buffalo squares off against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in Buffalo. 

To be sure, the Sabres could come out of this four-game span with four losses. And before they    know it, it’ll be the third week of November and Buffalo will be all but buried in the standings. And fat that point, it will be time for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams and the team to part ways. 

Sabres Must Get Out Of Losing Spiral, Or Deal With The ConsequencesThe Sabres' losing streak is threatening their playoff hopes. Can Buffalo finally break the cycle before time runs out on their post-season dreams?

The Mammoth are one of the NHL’s up-and-coming teams. The Avalanche can beat any team in the league. The Wings are a pleasant surprise. And the Oilers will be continuing to prove they’ve got the ability to hang with any team. So there’s no question Buffalo really could come out of the next week with an 0-4-0 record. And that would be a calamity that should result in the resignation of Sabres GM Kevyn Adams and coach Lindy Ruff. 

What can you say if the Sabres are essentially out of the playoffs by Christmas? You can’t say “Look at our long-term prospect!”. You can’t say “We’re going to be great four years down the line,’ “ You need results, and they need to be positive and lasting, and you need them right now. And if that sounds like a tall order, that’s because it is.

Sabres Entering Stretch That Could Spell End Of The Line For GM, CoachThe Sabres once again are in a difficult stretch. And if they can't win more consistently, the jobs of GM Kevyn Adams and coach Lindy Ruff are in serious jeopardy.

The Sabres’ start to the season went about as poorly as they may have hoped, and now, they’ve got a killer stretch to deal with. The way they respond could be the difference between them making and missing the playoffs. 

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond.

Will Injuries Hurt The Canucks Or Leafs The Most? by The Big Show

Here’s what Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed:

01:05: Does the NHL have a Nikita Zadorov problem after Auston Matthews hit?

04:40: Whose injuries will impact the team more: the Toronto Maple or Vancouver Canucks?

07:30: What contributes to rookies staying in the NHL or going back to junior?

12:30: Is it more beneficial to remain with an NHL team without bouncing back and forth between leagues?

14:20: Who's more of a Stanley Cup contender: the New Jersey Devils or Anaheim Ducks?

19:30: How concerned should Team Canada be about Brayden Point's start?

22:15: What did Drew do when he got into a slump?

24:10: How much change do you think there will be from Team Canada's 4 Nations team and the Olympic team?

28:15: What would you like to see next year when NHL All-Star Weekend returns?

31:00: What was your favorite moment from the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony?

33:15: Who gets traded first: Ryan O’Reilly or Nazem Kadri

36:00: Who will win the “hockey Cy Young,” a.k.a. the player with the most goals and fewest assists?

37:15: Who is on more of a hot seat: Craig Berube or Kris Knoblauch?

https://megaphone.link/ROUST2971439851

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

This week on the NHL power rankings, we’re entering the unofficial playoff cutoff as American Thanksgiving approaches.

Historically, NHL teams that are well out of the playoff race at the end of November have a very minimal chance of making the playoffs, so if any team is looking to bank points before the races heat up again in March, now’s the time to do it. (Looking at you, Bruins). 

But what a difference a week can make. The standings have been tight – 17 teams are within two points of each other! – and we’re starting to see some winning and losing streaks emerge. We thought the Bruins were done after losing six in a row, but they now have won seven in a row. The Mammoth looked like they were going to take a huge leap with six straight wins, only to lose five of their next six.

Injuries have been a big story this season, and it continues. Auston Matthews left last night after taking a hit from Nikita Zadorov, and Thatcher Demko didn’t finish the game against the Jets.Boone Jenner and Thomas Chabot also didn’t finish their games, and Frederik Andersen was pulled by a concussion spotter, though he’s not expected to miss any time at this moment. No doubt their absences can negatively affect their respective teams.

As for the NHL power rankings, the No. 1 team has started to pull away.

1. Colorado Avalanche (11-1-5, +25. PR: 1)

There’s little doubt the Avs are the best team in the league. They held the Ducks, who have the second-best offense, to just one goal in Tuesday’s big showdown, and they’re pulling ahead of the pack. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are early-season front-runners for the Hart and Norris, respectively. 

2. Carolina Hurricanes (11-5-0, +14. PR: 4)

Three goalies? No problem. The Canes have been in this situation before, and it hasn’t really disrupted their rhythm at all this season. They’ve lost consecutive games just once this season.

3. Anaheim Ducks (11-4-1, +14. PR: 9)

The hype is totally real. Though they scored just one goal, they hung with the Avs for most of the game, and they might have the NHL’s most underrated elite goalie in Lukas Dostal. The Ducks are playing some freestyle offense under Joel Quenneville, which really suits them given the amount of scoring talent they have.

4. New Jersey Devils (11-4-1, +7. PR: 7)

All three of their games over the past week went into extra time, but they pulled off wins against the Habs and Pens, maintaining the advantage against two upstart East teams. Interesting development is the Devils rotating Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom, one of the growing number of teams doing so.

5. Winnipeg Jets (10-6-0, +10. PR: 2)

The three-game losing streak was slightly concerning, but their offense picked up again, and Cole Perfetti will bolster their non-existent depth scoring. The lack of overtimes and loser points is hurting the Jets; they have three one-goal losses, all suffered in the third period. Had they at least forced extra time in those games, they would be tied for second in points in the standings. 

6. Dallas Stars (10-4-3, -1. PR: 8)

It hasn’t been easy – the minus-1 goal differential is a little eyebrow-raising – but the Stars are 7-1-2 in their last 10 after a pretty slow start. The play of Miro Heiskanen this season, by the way, isn’t getting enough attention, and he has a chance to win his first Norris this season after being completely left off the ballot last season.

Who's Hot And Cold In The NHL: MacKinnon's On Fire, Marchessault SlumpsWho's hot – and who's not – in the NHL over the past week? An Avalanche superstar, the cornerstone of the Blackhawks and Red Wings goalies are among those on the list.

7. Los Angeles Kings (8-5-4, -2. PR: 15)

There was a little concern early in the season, but they’ve gone 7-2-2 since. The Kings had a comeback win against the Pens and continue to dominate the Habs, winning their ninth (!) straight against them since 2021.

8. Montreal Canadiens (10-4-2, +6. PR: 5)

I’m a little curious why the Habs have played Sam Montembeault four times in their last five games when a red-hot Jakub Dobes is an option. The Habs remain impressive, but two losses to conference opponents and then suffering their worst loss of the season Tuesday against the Kings bumps them down a few spots.

9. Pittsburgh Penguins (9-5-3, +9. PR: 13)

It’s Arturs Silovs’ show now with Tristan Jarry hurt, and there’s a lot of pressure to stay near the top of the standings. The Pens have lost six of their last nine but should have a good chance to sweep the Global Series against the Preds in Stockholm later this week. Cracks are showing, but the bottom has not fallen out yet.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning (8-5-2, +5. PR: 18)

I noted a couple weeks ago that we shouldn’t count out the Lightning because, well, it’s the Lightning. They’re now arguably the league’s hottest team and are 7-1-0 since their four-game losing streak, though injuries to Victor Hedman and Anthony Cirelli are slightly concerning. They’ve faced some tough opponents during that stretch with the only loss coming against the Avs, currently the best team in the league.

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

It’s as if goaltending matters in this league. Clearly, the Knights either don’t feel confident with Akira Schmid in net or expect big things from Carl Lindbom down the road, otherwise they wouldn’t be rotating goalies like this. Their play in front of their goalies has been worrisome, too, and they’ve lost six of their last eight.

12. Utah Mammoth (9-7-0, +1. PR: 6)

I think fatigue is a factor here; the Mammoth have played eight of their last nine games on the road and lost five of their last six. What is more curious, however, is the lack of scoring on a team whose greatest strength is scoring. Clayton Keller has three points and Dylan Guenther has two goals in their last eight games.

13. Philadelphia Flyers (8-5-2, +4. PR: 14)

Is there a bigger dichotomy out there between how the Flyers are playing and the discourse surrounding Rick Tocchet? The Flyers are in playoff position, albeit tied with four other teams, but so far have exceeded expectations. This time last season, they already had a six-game losing streak.

14. Chicago Blackhawks (8-5-3, +12. PR: 22)

The Hawks had a tough start but since then have really lost one game where they probably should’ve won (Nov. 3 against the Kraken) and another that could’ve gone either way (Oct. 17 shootout against the Canucks). The standings are super tight, so do not be shocked if the Hawks make some big jumps over the next few weeks. They have the fourth-best goal differential in the league, which can be a better barometer of a team’s ability than its record.

Five NHL Favorites For Fewest Regular-Season PointsWhich NHL team will finish the regular season with the fewest points? Here are five favorites.

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

The Red Wings had a great start, but it’s starting to be undone with three straight losses and only two goals scored. Neither Cam Talbot nor John Gibson can win with that kind of goal support. Another long losing streak, and I swear we’re going back to doubting the Yzerplan again.

16. Boston Bruins (11-7-0, +3. PR: 25)

Ranked too low in the previous two weeks or just taking advantage of a soft part of their schedule? A little tough to say, but grinding out a 2-1 win against the Canes and then beating the Leafs in consecutive games – maybe this one’s not surprising – are definitely commendable feats. And they’re doing this with Morgan Geekie leading the team in goals. 

17. Ottawa Senators (8-5-4, -2. PR: 28)

The Sens finally managed to win a game in regulation, and nearly half their games have gone to extra time. It’s hard to gauge a team when so many results have been decided by 3-on-3 and shootout gimmickry, but so far their depth has been very good.

18. San Jose Sharks (8-6-3, -2. PR: 30)

Ever since Ryan Warsofsky made that comment about trading his kid for a win, the Sharks have gone 8-3-1, so perhaps the apology wasn’t fully warranted. (Kidding). It’s worth noting for all the Macklin Celebrini highlights, the Sharks have held their opponents to just four goals in four games. 

19. Washington Capitals (8-7-1, +7. PR: 16)

I think losing Pierre-Luc Dubois for most of the season is going to be a huge loss, and it highlights the Caps’ lack of depth at center. It’s a bad time, too, having lost six of their last eight.

20. Florida Panthers (8-7-1, -5. PR: 19)

It’s still not great, but it’s better. After losing four straight, the Panthers have alternated wins and losses. I think what’s most concerning, however, is that no one has really stepped up in Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk’s absence other than Brad Marchand. 

21. Toronto Maple Leafs (8-8-1, -3. PR: 12)

Never mind the three-game losing streak, what might hurt most is losing Auston Matthews for an extended period of time. The Leafs have looked good at time this season, but nowhere near as good as they were last season or what people expected this season. Silver lining: Joseph Woll is returning soon. 

22. Minnesota Wild (7-7-4, -8. PR: 23)

After a stretch of eight losses in nine games, the Wild have managed to get back on track, and getting better goaltending is no coincidence. They took advantage of the Preds, Flames, Isles and Canucks because some big tests against the Ducks, Knights, Canes and Jets loom in the coming weeks.

23. New York Islanders (8-6-2, even. PR: 26)

Big wins against the Rangers and Devils, so does that mean the Isles are the best team in the tri-state area? By the way, Ilya Sorokin’s line in October – 3-4-1, .877 SP, 3.40 GAA – versus his line in November – 2-0-1, .947 SP, 1.61 GAA. He’s back. 

24. New York Rangers (8-7-2, -2. PR: 20)

No doubt having Vincent Trocheck helps a lot. After an embarrassing dearth of goals on home ice, the Rangers broke through in a big way against the Preds. I noted in previous weeks that the Rangers’ expected goals aren’t that poor, and the pucks should start going in soon. Even if you’re a pessimist, note the Rangers play at home only three times for the rest of the month.

25. Edmonton Oilers (7-6-4, -9. PR: 17)

What stuck out the most was an embarrassing 9-1 loss against the Avs. When Cale Makar scored from the same spot off the same play twice, it was a microcosm of the Oilers’ inability (stubbornness?) to adjust and change. You reap what you sow; the Oilers watched the same Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard we did and decided their best option was to run it back for a third time.

26. Columbus Blue Jackets (8-7-1, -1. PR: 11)

The Jackets at least ended their five-game road trip on a good note with a shootout win against the Kraken, allowing just one goal after allowing 17 in their previous four games. Consistency remains elusive, too, and they were just as streaky last season.

27. Seattle Kraken (7-4-5, -6. PR: 21)

The Kraken haven’t gone on any extended losing streaks like they did last season, which is positive, but they’ve also lost consecutive games four separate times already this season. They look a little more like the version that made the playoffs, but the story’s still the same – they can’t score.

28. Vancouver Canucks (8-9-1, -10. PR: 24)

Quinn Hughes looks like he might be playing hurt, and Thatcher Demko is definitely hurt. The Canucks are battling through injuries and managing to stay in games, but there continues to be an underlying current of frustration with the front office and management by the fan base. It’s not exactly toxic, but it’s not definitely helping, especially with what transpired last season.

Hall Of Fame D-Man Says Canucks' Quinn Hughes Is His Favorite To Watch, Paying Back ComplimentDuncan Keith has only been retired for three years, but the two-time Norris Trophy winner says so much has changed with the defense position: "Each generation does things that nobody has seen before."

29. St. Louis Blues (6-8-3, -18. PR: 27)

The Blues nearly blew a 3-0 lead against the Flames, and given the way their season has gone, it’s actually a minor miracle they’ve somehow managed to win six games already. It certainly helps that Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer are playing better.

30. Buffalo Sabres (5-6-4, -8. PR: 29)

Losing Rasmus Dahlin is a huge blow, and we’ll see what Bowen Byram and Owen Power are really made of in the coming weeks. They’ve lost six of their last seven, including four in overtime, and have not won in regulation in two weeks. The Sabres have a logjam in the crease, which makes the panic signing of Alexandar Georgiev all the funnier.

31. Nashville Predators (5-9-4, -18. PR: 31)

If there’s a team that has the bleakest outlook, it’s certainly the Preds. Ryan O’Reilly was unnecessarily harsh on himself – perhaps he was deflecting – but there is some underlying truth to what he was saying. For many of the Preds’ vets, their best seasons are well behind them. They’re saddled with big contracts that will be tough to move. 

32. Calgary Flames (4-12-2, -20. PR: 32)

The Flames have lost three straight and scored just two goals, quickly overtaking the Rangers as the league’s most offensively inept team. With dates against Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard coming up, they have zero chance if they can’t score goals.

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

The Grand Rapids Griffins open a two-game homestand on Wednesday and Friday, beginning with a highly anticipated matchup against the Toronto Marlies. Grand Rapids has been dominant to start the season, winning eight straight games before falling in a shootout against the Chicago Wolves. Now, they shift their focus to the Marlies, who will feature the return of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll on an AHL conditioning stint.

Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) on XIT’S GAME DAY‼️ Wake up we got a game to play #GoGRG 📍 : Van Andel Arena ⏰ : 11 AM 💻 : AHLTV on FloHockey https://t.co/K1zdGDHoeZ 📻 : 96.1 The Game https://t.co/eP1wPsALbI

Woll’s return comes at a crucial time for the Maple Leafs, who have struggled defensively this season. Toronto has allowed 65 goals, tied with the Nashville Predators for the most in the NHL. The pressure has largely fallen on Anthony Stolarz, who has shouldered a heavy workload with Woll sidelined. Stolarz has started 12 of the Leafs’ 15 games, posting a 6-5-1 record with a 3.35 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage. Without Woll’s steady play, the Leafs’ goaltending tandem has lacked balance, making this rehab assignment a major storyline for both the NHL and AHL clubs.

Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) on XROOLLLL CALLLL @Acrisure | #GoGRG

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

Woll made his season debut last Saturday for the Marlies against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, stopping 21 of 24 shots in a 3-2 loss. He will get the start again on Wednesday as Toronto fans watch closely, hoping this appearance marks the final step before his NHL return.

The Griffins, meanwhile, continue to roll offensively with forward John Leonard as one of the hottest scorers in the league. With nine goals and three assists for 12 points in eight games, the 27-year-old is producing at a 1.50 points-per-game pace, the second-best average in the AHL. He has scored in six of his eight appearances and carries an active eight-game point streak that includes three multi-goal performances. Playmaker Amadeus Lombardi has also been a key contributor with assists in seven of Grand Rapids’ nine games, including an active five-game assist streak.

Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) on XLooks like the Griffins might get to face goaltender Joseph Woll tomorrow for the annual school day game 👀 #GoGRG #LGRW

Grand Rapids will look to test Woll early and often, but they have goaltending concerns of their own. With both of their regular netminders injured in the last game, the Griffins will turn to ECHL call-ups Carter Gylander and newly signed Luke Pavicich to handle duties in goal.

Wednesday’s matchup promises high intensity and plenty of offense as the Griffins aim to make a statement against an NHL-caliber goaltender. Puck drop is set for 11 a.m. EST. Fans can listen live on WOOD 106.9 FM and 1300 AM or stream the action on AHLTV via FloHockey.

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The Montreal Canadiens were back in action at the Bell Centre tonight as they hosted the Los Angeles Kings and their former penalty kill specialist, Joel Armia. The big Finn wasn’t the only former Habs on the ice, though, since Philip Danault, Corey Perry and Joel Edmundson now all ply their trade in California.

Canadiens: Growth All Around
Canadiens Will Attempt To Put An End To An Eight-Game Losing Streak Against The Kings
Canadiens: For The Last Two Weekends Michael Hage…

A Convincing First 100 Games

Reigning Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson was playing the 100th game of his young career, and the 62nd overall pick of the 2022 draft wasn’t going to let the milestone go by with no fanfare. With less than a minute left in the first period, he found himself involved in a three-on-three in the Kings’ zone with Jake Evans and Josh Anderson, and his clever play allowed Anderson to get the puck all alone on the wing with ample time to pick his spot and give the Canadiens a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

It was a good first frame for the 21-year-old who was passed over 61 times before the Habs finally claimed him, a move 31 teams now probably regret dearly. The more he plays, the better the blueliner gets. Whenever the opponent thinks they have him beat, he finds a way to come back in the play through sheer determination and skill. He was also impressive in the third period when he was battling in the offensive zone by the boards with two players; he didn’t come out with the puck, but he held it long enough to receive some much-needed help, and Montreal didn’t lose possession.

Of course, there was that play when Joel Armia was able to pick his pocket to score LA’s fourth goal, but that was the exception rather than the rule.

Jack (@MidWestLAFan) on XJOEL ARMIA REVENGE GAME #GoKingsGo

Not A Gut Punch

For most teams, giving up a goal with less than a minute left in a period is a gut punch. For the Kings, it was a wake-up call; they stormed the Canadiens’ territory like the Canadians stormed Juno Beach in Normandy 81 years ago with just as much success.

A lost faceoff by Jake Evans led to a Joel Edmunston goal with a shot from the point, which didn’t appear to get tipped. Then, on a delayed penalty call, the Habs were unable to regain possession of the puck, and the Kings played six-on-five for quite a while, forcing Montreal to run around after the puck. Eventually, Quinton Byfield scored an easy goal to make it 2-1.

Just over a minute later, the puck slowly came in from in front of Samuel Montembeault’s net, and instead of freezing it, he elected to give it a little paddle push. A fraction of a second later, Kevin Fiala was making the score 3-1 LA. That was an inexplicable move by the goaltender, and that had a gut-punch effect on the Habs.

Emmanuel Favre (@emfavre) on XL’offrande de Samuel Montembeault à unser 🇨🇭Kevin Fiala

That definitely won’t help the Quebec-born goaltender’s confidence, something he has struggled with this season. When asked if he was worried about that after the game, though, Martin St-Louis held firm:

No, I don’t think I’m worried. I think we have two goalies…we’ve played pretty well as a group [this season], but we weren’t sharp in front of Monty tonight. So no, not worried.

-

Will that translate to Montembeault getting another game on Thursday night because the team didn’t play well in front of him? I highly doubt it, but St-Louis is not the kind of coach who throws his players under the bus; he’s never going to say that he’s worried.

Slafkovksy And Veleno Saw Less Ice Time

Juraj Slafkovsky and Joe Veleno didn’t have good games. Slafkovsky has been doing a good job of playing to his identity so far this season, and that’s when he’s most effective. On Tuesday night, he was trying to do too much. In the end, he had only 12:12 of ice time against the Kings, and before this game, his lowest total was 15:26.

In the last two frames, St-Louis made him skip a few turns, sending Ivan Demidov out with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. The first occurrence came not too long after the power forward tried to do a Demidov-like pass on the power play, but without having his deceptiveness.

There were also two occurrences in the third frame where a promising attack died because of an ill-advised pass by the winger, one when he was entering with speed and tried to backhand a pass that was easily picked off and the other one when he tried to pass through the player who was covering him. Asked why he had sent Demidov out with Caufield and Suzuki, the coach explained:

I think I was switching things up, trying to see if something stuck there, you know, just coaching at that point in time and trying to read where we are, who’s going.

-

Pressed about whether that combination had been on the back of his mind for a while, he replied:

It’s not the first time I've done that.

-

Which brings me back to St-Louis will not throw one of his players under the bus. If he’s unhappy with Slafkovsky’s play, he’s going to take it up with him in the room before he discusses it with the media, and that’s the way it should be, really.

As for Veleno, he spent 10:23 on the ice, and he was far from impressive. On the Kings’ first goal, his attempt at a block came too late, and in open play, he doesn’t seem to “gel” with Evans and Anderson. In fact, late in the third, he didn’t know where to go as Anderson was trying to create some offence, and they ended up bumping into one another.

This 5-1 defeat makes it nine losses in a row against Los Angeles and it's easy to understand why St-Louis said he's glad they are in t he Western Conference. 

The Canadiens will be back on the ice Wednesday in Brossard as they get ready to host the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

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Bob Boughner had his work cut out for him when the New York Islanders hired him to run the defense and penalty kill. 

The Islanders allowed 3.13 goals per game in 2024-25, and while that wasn't horrific, the offense was only providing 2.71 goals per game, making it difficult to overcome the defensive lapses. 

The bigger concern was the penalty kill, which ended the season second-worst in the NHL, at 72.2 percent. There's no question that if Tommy Albelin's PK was 10 percent better last season, they likely would have found a way to sneak into the playoffs. 

The penalty kill was led by Ryan Pulock (159:33), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (135:34), Alexander Romanov (122:30), Adam Pelech (115:34), Scott Mayfield (108:36), Simon Holmstrom (104:12), Bo Horvat (88:01) and Kyle Palmieri (85:56), with Casey Cizikas (69:05) and Brock Nelson (76:15) as the extra forwards.

This season, Boughner's penalty kill cast hasn't changed much -- but the results certainly have. 

After allowing at least on power-play goal in eight of the first nine games, Boughner's guys have flipped a switch. Since Oct. 30 -- seven games -- the Islanders' penalty kill has been executing at a 90 percent clip, killing off 18-of-20.

What's changed? 

Pelech and Pulock remain as the No. 1 PK pairing, with Pageau, Holmstrom, Horvat, and Palmieri leading the way amongst the forwards. 

What you will notice is that Cizikas, who has struggled to find his game this season, has played sparingly on the kill, just 2:05 minutes this season. 

The PK has been much more aggressive, keeping the opposition's power play to the outside while also clearing the front of the net as much as they can. 

Because of the stronger structure, we've seen Ilya Sorokin turn things around when his club is shorthanded. 

Last season, Sorokin owned an .847 PK SV%. This season, it's up to .852, but since Oct. 30, it's at .923. 

Your goaltender has to be your best penalty killer and he's risen to the occassion as of late. 

Ilya Sorokin’s Rebound Is Powering the Islanders’ Road Trip MomentumA coaching change ignited Ilya Sorokin's stellar play, now propelling the Islanders' critical road trip with game-saving heroics.

Given the Islanders' offense, which averages 3.31 goals per game, they can overcome a shaky PK. But if the PK is going to be a strength rather than an Achilles' heel, the Islanders will be an even more dangerous team. 

The Islanders next five opponents' PP:

Vegas Golden Knights: 22.6% (11th)

Utah Hockey Club: 16.3% (27th)

Colorado Avalanche: 17.5% (24th)

Dallas Stars: 32.8% (2nd)

Detroit Red Wings: 18.9% (16th)

The Islander are 2-0-0 to kick off this road trip where the penalty kill is 5-for-6. 

DENVER — March 5, 2022. 

That was the last time Gabriel Landeskog had lit the lamp in a regular season game, but alas, the wait is finally over. 

Landeskog scored his first goal of the season and the go-ahead tally on Tuesday night, as the Colorado Avalanche ended the Anaheim Ducks’ seven-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory at Ball Arena.  

B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) on XCAPTAIN LANDESKOG HAS HIS FIRST REGULAR SEASON GOAL IN OVER 3 YEARS 🤯🤯

The longtime Avalanche captain had found the back of the net twice earlier this season, but both goals were wiped out by offsides challenges, one in a heavily disputed call against the Utah Mammoth on October 21, and another against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. The latter was the correct call, but no less frustrating, with Landeskog’s expression saying it all. 

Landeskog cleaned up the garbage 11:37 into the second period, capitalizing on a rebound from Valeri Nichushkin’s shot to beat Lukáš Dostál, who was otherwise spectacular for the Ducks in defeat. The sequence began when Sam Malinski’s stick shattered on the initial attempt, sending the puck fluttering forward. Nichushkin gathered it and fired toward the net, and after Dostál made the first save, Landeskog drove it home. 

When asked if he paused to make sure the goal counted, Landeskog joked: “Yeah, I did. I thought maybe I caught the goalie stick and (committed goaltender interference), you never know. Yeah, no. Got back to the bench and obviously there’s nothing to argue there, so it felt good.” 

Another Massive Win 

This is the third instance this season in which Colorado has brought an opponent’s extended winning streak to an end. The Avalanche halted an eight-game run by the New Jersey Devils, a five-game streak by the Tampa Bay Lightning, and most recently, a seven-game surge by the Anaheim Ducks heading into this matchup. 

We, at The Hockey News asked Landeskog how it feels to have this kind of momentum so early in the season, leading the NHL and taking down the league’s top competition. 

“That’s kind of what we expect out of ourselves,” Landeskog said. “We feel like we’re able to collect points, win hockey games, and beat good teams at the same time, all while trying to perfect our game. 

“I don’t think our game is perfect by any means, but at this point in the season, I think we’re doing a good job of making adjustments on the fly and trying to really hone in on the details that will make us successful. Obviously, the power play has been better as of late, and that’s been big for us. I think we just showed our depth tonight, and that’s what we need to do moving forward.” 

Power Play Improving 

Landeskog makes a compelling point regarding the power play. Earlier in the season, the Avalanche ranked among the league’s poorest in that category. Now, however, they sit in a three-way tie for 11th, alongside the New Jersey Devils and reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, having converted on 17.5% of their opportunities. Martin Nečas’ third-period goal, which gave the Avs a 3-1 lead over the Ducks, came on the man advantage. 

The Adjustments 

Lately, the Avalanche have excelled at staying with plays—meaning that even when a pass isn’t perfect or doesn’t land exactly where intended, the team still finds a way to get pucks in the back of the net. Even when unexpected events occur, Colorado is quick to capitalize on any opportunity that presents itself. 

A prime example came in the Avalanche’s 5-4 overtime victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, when Nathan MacKinnon scored just before the nine-minute mark of the opening period. Victor Olofsson delivered a pass that wasn’t particularly precise, yet MacKinnon remained composed, took his time, and still managed to snap the puck into the net. How often do we see a misdirected or slightly off pass completely disrupt a team’s rhythm?  

Much like Landeskog’s goal in this game, Malinski’s stick shattered. Yet everyone remained disciplined; no one panicked, the team stuck to the game plan, Nichushkin directed the puck on net, and Landeskog was ready when it mattered most.  

Firing On All Cylinders 

That, however, has been the message the Avalanche have conveyed all season: everyone has a role, everyone supports one another, and that is how championship teams are built. With a record of 11-1-5, Colorado stands as the NHL’s top team. While Landeskog acknowledged that their play is not yet perfect, being the best team in the league at this stage is an achievement worth celebrating. 

“For us, it’s just a standard that we want to uphold really and continue to play well and continue to hone in on the details and improve our game the best we can as we move deeper into the season, so I think for us, it’s a standard thing,” Landeskog continued. “That’s what it is. You enjoy the wins, you learn from the wins, and you learn from the losses. That’s really the way it is. This one tonight, I guess a good team is no different. We’ll look at the video and get some rest and get back on it Thursday.” 

Next Game 

The Avalanche square off against Bowen Byram and the Buffalo Sabers for the second time this season on Thursday at Ball Arena. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. local time. 

 

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Looking back on the season, no one would have expected the Colorado Avalanche versus the Anaheim Ducks to be as big as it is today. While the Avalanche are staying true to their team's roster and looking to compete for another Stanley Cup, what the Ducks are doing to start the season is mind-blowing for many (myself included): maybe they're a wildcard team that's fun to watch, but still rebuilding. That's not the case today. Despite the hot streak coming into today's game, it wasn't enough against the Avalanche.

First Period

The first period did not disappoint, and the action came just 30 seconds in as Cale Makar finds Artturi Lehkonen, and he blasts a quick one-timer past Lukas Dostal to make it 1-0. It was assisted by Nathan MacKinnon, who, on that point, recorded his 11th career point streak and passed Joe Sakic and Peter Stastny for the most in Avalanche/Nordiques history.

Lehkonen is called hooking, but the Avalanche penalty kill stands strong. The Avalanche get a power play when Ian Moore is called for tripping, but fails to convert. With a fast game comes a physical game, including some scrums in infront of each goalie, but this time Jack Drury and Olen Zellweger are called for roughing and sent to the penalty box for 4-on-4 for 2 minutes. Jacob Trouba, behind the net, finds Leo Carlsson crashing the net, and he taps it in to tie the game 1-1.

Second Period

While the first period was high-flying and full of shots, the defense and goaltending stood taller this period, with both goalies making big saves to keep their teams in the game. Jackson Lacombe crashed into Wedgewood when trying to cross the crease and is called for goalie interference. Wedgewood was on his knees and looked in pain once the play was called dead, but after a talk with the team trainer and staff, he remained in the game.

Finally, after two goals called back, it's the captain, Gabriel Landeskog, who pounces on Nichushkin's shot and buries the rebound for his first goal of the season and his first since the 2022 NHL season in March.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 1347 DAYS, GABRIEL LANDESKOG HAS SCORED A REGULAR SEASON GOAL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/fLh2iFDYDo

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 12, 2025

Third Period

Moore takes his second penalty of the game as he is called for a delay of game. It's a wacky goal on the power play, but the Avalanche take it, as MacKinnon's shot is deflected/tipped twice, first by Lehkonen, then finally by Martin Necas, to make it 3-1. Just after the faceoff, Jacob Trouba is called for slashing and sends the Avalanche right back to the power play, but they don't end up converting on the opportunity.

No notes, it's perfect. pic.twitter.com/01Mw5Mg4Bi

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 12, 2025

Necas goes to battle for the puck against Alex Killorn, but his stick rides up high and hits Killorn in the face. The play is initially four minutes for high-sticking cause there was blood. After review, no blood was drawn, but Necas is still called for roughing after what happened after the initial whistle. Dostal is pulled with just over three minutes left in the period, but a Parker Kelly goal, assisted by MacKinnon, would seal the deal, and the Avalanche beat the Ducks, ending their seven-game win streak.

Alex Killorn just exited the medical tent. He has a bad gash under his right eye. @AnaheimDucks#goavsgo#avs@TheHockeyNews

— Ryan O'Hara (@OHaraSports) November 12, 2025

The Colorado Avalanche are back in action on home ice in a back-to-back against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, November 12.

Avalanche Ink Gavin Brindley to Two-Year ExtensionThe young phenom will stay in Colorado for at least a while longer.Could Nathan MacKinnon Accomplish A Feat Unseen In Over Three Decades?We haven't seen a Triple Crown winner since 1993.

It appears that a decision on Pittsburgh Penguins' rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke's future with the NHL club has not yet been made.

Despite being a healthy scratch for the Penguins' last three games and for seven of the team's last 10 games, the Penguins elected to take the 19-year-old Brunicke to Stockholm, Sweden with them for the upcoming NHL Global Series, which will feature two games between the Penguins and Nashville Predators this weekend.

The Penguins' top defensive prospect played in his ninth NHL game a week ago in a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, meaning he is one NHL game away from activating his three-year entry-level contract. Fellow teenage rookie Ben Kindel - a center drafted 11th overall this summer - has already surpassed the 10-game mark and triggered his entry-level contract.

The 6-foot-3, 202-pound Brunicke - selected 44th overall by the Penguins in 2024 - made the Penguins' roster out of training camp and has one goal on the season to go along with a minus-4. He has had some learning moments in recent games in trying to adjust to NHL speed, even if he has shown flashes of high-ceiling potential during his first taste of NHL action. 

The Penguins have a decision to make with regards to Brunicke, who could be re-assigned to his junior team, the Kamloops Blazers (WHL), for the rest of their 2025-26 season. If re-assigned, Brunicke would not be eligible to return to the AHL or NHL until the conclusion of Kamloops' season. 

What To Know: NHL Global Series Feat. The Pittsburgh Penguins And Nashville PredatorsThe 2025-26 NHL Global Series is finally here, and the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> and <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators">Nashville Predators</a> are gearing up for their two-game set at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

Should he stay, Brunicke would activate his NHL contract, and another date to keep an eye on would be Jan. 3 - as that would mark the 40th game for the Penguins, who would lose a year of team control if they decide to keep Brunicke and Kindel beyond that date. The Penguins also have another option in the immediacy, as Brunicke would be eligible for a 14-day or five-game maximum AHL conditioning stint should he be healthy-scratched for both games in Sweden.

Brunicke can also be lent to Team Canada for World Juniors in late December, and that loan would not affect his NHL eligibility.

Opinion: Despite Struggles, Brunicke Should Remain With PenguinsThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> made a flurry of moves Tuesday, sending young blueliner Owen Pickering back to the AHL, placing three others on injured reserve, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-call-up-3-players-announce-several-roster-moves">and recalling two veterans and top goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov from the AHL</a>.

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Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson was involved in a lot of trade rumors during this offseason. 

He was coming off his second season with the Penguins after they acquired him from the San Jose Sharks before the 2023-24 season. Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas was trying to give this core one more push toward contention before he pivoted and started rebuilding at the 2024 trade deadline with the Jake Guentzel trade, since the Penguins were outside the playoff picture at the time. They tried to make a late-season push for the playoffs, but fell three points short. 

Dubas has kept the same plan since that trade deadline and wants to return the Penguins to contention as urgently as possible. It felt like Karlsson wasn't going to be part of those plans after the 2024-25 season, but Dubas opted to hold onto Karlsson during the offseason, and it's been a great decision.

Karlsson is off to a tremendous start to the 2025-26 season, compiling one goal and 12 points in 17 games. His one goal came against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 3, and it was a blistering shot. 

He's been showcasing his playmaking ability at 5v5 and on the power play, the latter of which was a bit of a struggle for him these last two years. He wasn't even quarterbacking the top power play unit for most of last year (that job belonged to Matt Grzelcyk), but he has been great in the role this year. He's making the right reads at the point and using his elite skating ability to his advantage. 

At 5v5, he's driving offense and is even holding his own in his own end. Part of it has to do with how steady Parker Wotherspoon has been as his partner, but you're not seeing him out to lunch nearly as much in his own zone like you did these previous two seasons. Speaking of the Karlsson-Wotherspoon pair, the two have played 243:32 at 5v5 this season, and when they're on the ice, the Penguins have had 52.7% of the shot attempts, 54% of the scoring chances, 57.4% of the high-danger chances, and 60% of the actual goals (9-6). 

Dan Muse and Co. were never going to change Karlsson's playstyle. He's the best offensive defenseman of his generation for a reason. However, there was the opportunity to tweak certain aspects of his game, and so far, that has all worked to perfection. He's not being too aggressive in his pinches, like you'd see under former head coach Mike Sullivan. His positioning has also been outstanding. He's taking those top-pairing minutes and running with them. 

Karlsson has even gotten some time on the penalty kill, which hasn't always been the case during his Penguins tenure. He spent a combined 78 minutes on the penalty kill these last two seasons and is already up to 31:45 of penalty kill time in just 17 games this year. He hasn't missed a beat on that unit and has done a great job getting his stick in shooting lanes and winning puck battles down low, leading to clears. It's part of the reason the Penguins rank seventh in the league with an 84.3% PK. 

Penguins Take Swedish Goaltending Prospect To Stockholm As Third GoalieThe trip overseas to Stockholm, Sweden for the NHL Global Series presented the opportunity for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> to bring a third-string goaltender with them.

Overall, Karlsson is a big reason why the Penguins are off to a 9-5-3 start and is proving Dubas right for holding onto him during the offseason. He's also trying to secure a roster spot on the Swedish Olympic team after he was on the 4 Nations Face-Off team back in February. He was on a pairing with Mattias Ekholm, and they had great chemistry together. Nobody should be surprised if they get more minutes this coming February, especially if they both make the team.

Karlsson is set to play in his home country on Friday and Sunday, as the Penguins take part in this year's NHL Global Series. They'll play the Nashville Predators in both games before returning to Pittsburgh next week.

We're only a little over a month into the season, but so far, Karlsson is doing an outstanding job silencing his naysayers. 

(Data via Natural Stat Trick).

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The 2025-26 NHL Global Series is finally here, and the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators are gearing up for their two-game set at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

Pittsburgh's last trip to Stockholm in 2008 ended up turning out pretty well for them, as they later went on to beat the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 Stanley Cup Final for the franchise's third championship. And - according to NHL.com writer Amalie Benjamin - that's something that isn't unique to the Penguins. 

In fact, starting with the Penguins' trip to Stockholm in 2008, there have been 10 NHL trips outside of North America. Six teams participating in those contests went on to win the Stanley Cup in the same respective year as their trip.

In other words, these trips actually tend to mean a lot in the grand scheme of things, whether that's due to the team bonding experiences or a break from the normalcy of the NHL schedule. And there are added stakes since these games will count toward the regular season.

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Here is what you need to know about this year's Global Series between the Pens and Preds:

- Including this season, the NHL debuted the Global Series in 2017 when the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche squared off, and it had been six years since the league played an international regular season game overseas - as the NHL Premiere series ended in 2011. This is the seventh season the NHL has done the Global Series, as there was a recess in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Penguins Five-Day Break Before Sweden Games Comes At Perfect TimeThe Pittsburgh Penguins have five days off before their next game, and it couldn't come at a better time.

- Both games will take place at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, and it will be an international home-and-home series. The two-game set begins Friday at 2:00 p.m. EDT, and it concludes on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. EDT.

- The games can be viewed on Sportsnet and Sportsnet Pittsburgh for regional coverage and on NHL Network for national/international coverage. 

- The Penguins enter the Global Series third in the Metropolitan Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with 21 points and a record of 9-5-3. They have lost four out of their last five games and have blown leads in three of them. 

Forsberg And Wilsby Hope Global Series Will Breathe New Life Into PredatorsFilip Forsberg and Adam Wilsby have an opportunity to play two NHL games in their home country of Sweden. But this trip could also provide a fresh start for the Nashville Predators.

- The Predators enter the Global Series at 5-9-4 with 14 points, which is second from the bottom of the league standings. The Calgary Flames are the only team with a lower points percentage (.278) than the Preds (.389). They are on a three-game losing streak. 

- The Penguins are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games against Nashville.

- The Penguins' active roster features two Swedes in defenseman Erik Karlsson and goaltender Filip Larsson - who was named the team's third-string goaltender for the trip. They also have two inactive Swedish players on their roster in forwards Rickard Rakell and Filip Hallander, who are both on injured reserve. Rakell made the trip, while Hallander did not. The Predators feature forward Filip Forsberg and defenseman Adam Wilsby.

Penguins Take Swedish Goaltending Prospect To Stockholm As Third GoalieThe trip overseas to Stockholm, Sweden for the NHL Global Series presented the opportunity for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> to bring a third-string goaltender with them.

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The St. Louis Blues beat the Calgary Flames 3-2 in what came to be a rare thriller situation for the Flames in the Gateway to the West.

Here are the takeaways:

Needed A Good Start

Until the two Calgary goals that were scored in a span of 25 seconds by the 14:29 mark of the second period, the Blues outshot the Flames 22-20, out-chanced them 21-16 in scoring chances and 12-4 in high-danger scoring chances.

After that, it seemed to light a fire in Calgary as until the end of the game, the Flames outshot St. Louis 21-9, out-chanced them 7-6 in scoring chances and 3-2 in high-danger scoring chances.

But Jordan Binnington proved to be too good.

A good start is always necessary.

In the bigger picture, the Flames outshot the Blues 40-31, but St. Louis doubled them in high-danger scoring chances 14-7. Quality counts...

Penalty Costing Dearly

In a one-goal game, a single goal given up on the power play will always be scrutinized. Deservedly so.

But that's not the only reason why the penalty was costly.

Out of the 18 games Calgary has played so far, the time on the penalty-kill in this game (3:46) ranks the seventh-lowest but the shots on goal given up on it (7) were the seventh-highest and the eventual goal was the nail in the coffin.

Dustin Wolf

Even though it was a losing effort and his small size was taken advantage of, Wolf did face the seventh-most shots on goal in a Flames game this season. He came out with a save percentage of 0.903 which is still a consolation prize in this loss.

Bottom Line

This game showed something new in the Flames. That they had spunk and fire (pardon the pun).

For the first time since the season opener, you saw passion on both sides of the ice.

Let's see if this carries on.

On Tuesday evening, the Los Angeles Kings travelled to Montreal for a clash with the Canadiens in a rematch of the 1993 Stanley Cup Final.  A very interesting matchup considering the play style of both teams. 

The Kings may have just given the rest of the National Hockey League the blueprint for beating the high flying Canadiens. For 60 minutes, the Kings stayed structured and composed, not allowing Montreal to get any type of offense going. They were stronger on the puck and used their bodies, something Montreal is not a fan of. Los Angeles improves to 7-1-2 on the road in 2025-26.

LA Kings (@LAKings) on XKINGS HOCKEY BABY! #GoKingsGo

First Period: Not A Lot of 5-on-5 Time

The opening frame of the game was headlined by a plethora of penalties. The Kings received the first two penalties which ultimately gave the Canadiens a long 5-on-3 opportunity.

Just over seven minutes into the period, Brandt Clarke was called for hooking. It was one of those penalties that you are okay with a player taking as it likely saved a goal. Clarke hooked Montreal's sniper Cole Caufield who was in a prime scoring position as the puck came his way. Shortly after, Cody Ceci was called for hooking as well, which gave the Habs a two man advantage for over a minute.

Darcy Kuemper and the Kings penalty kill stood tall as Montreal was able to generate a number of solid scoring chances but were ultimately unable to capitalize due to the play of Kuemper and positioning of the LA defenders, as well as some fortunate bounces. 

After the Ceci penalty expired, the Kings were given a power play of their own as Kirby Dach was called for tripping. LA failed to take advantage, but they were give another chance thanks to Dach who took a high-sticking penalty right after he finished serving his initial penalty. Once again. the Kings were unable to score on the power play and the game remained 0-0 until very late in the period.

Josh Anderson gave the Canadiens a 1-0 lead with just over 40 seconds remaining in the first. Anderson rifled a shot past the far right side of Kuemper who likely didn't see the shot due to the power behind it. The Habs entered the intermission with a one goal lead.

It's also worth noting that Kings forward Joel Armia received a touching tribute as he returned to the Bell Centre for the first time after playing seven seasons in the Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge. 

Second Period: The Floodgates Were Opened

Although the Kings outshot the Canadiens 12-9 after 20 minutes of play, they found themselves trailing by a goal. The entered the middle frame desperately needing to get one by Sam Montembeault. They didn't get one by the Montreal goaltender, they got three, and they happened quick. 

Just over one minute into the second period Joel Edmundson scored his first goal of the season. Edmundson blasted a one-timer past Montembeault off a feed from Brandt Clarke who took possession after a clean face-off win by Anze Kopitar in the offensive zone. The former Montreal Canadien evened the game at 1-1, but it wouldn't stay tied for very long.

Exactly three minutes later, Quinton Byfield found himself in the right place at the right time as he buried his third goal of the season. Byfield found the puck on his stick after an Adrian Kempe shot from the point deflected off of Edmundson's skate in front of the net. All Byfield had to do was put the puck into the open cage as Montembault was not set after the deflection. The scoring didn't stop there either.

Kevin Fiala doubled the Kings lead just over a minute after Byfield made it 2-1. Fiala scored his eighth goal of the season from virtually the same spot as 'Q' did just a minute prior. Byfield and Alex Laferriere pick up the assists on the goal.

The Kings were given their third power play of the game after Alex Newhook was called for tripping. Yet again, the power play did not look pretty as they failed to get any traction and didn't show much urgency. The penalty kill however remained perfect as they killed off a too many men on the ice penalty and brought a 3-1 lead with them to the final frame.

LA Kings (@LAKings) on XQ MADE IT ✌️

Third Period: Shutdown Effort Leads to Some Insurance

Los Angeles entered the third period needing a strong 20 minute effort to hold their lead and leave Quebec with a victory and they did just that.

The Kings stayed out of the box in the final frame which allowed them to have a consistent style of play with no interruptions. Due to the Kings structure and positioning, the Canadiens were unable to get anything going. Montreal was struggling to make passes and enter LA's zone. 

After shutting down the Habs for the first half of the period, the Kings decided to add some insurance. Joel Armia scored his third of the season after he stripped the puck form Lane Hutson before beating Montembeault to grow the LA lead to 4-1. A very cool moment for the former Canadien.

Warren Foegele later put the final nail in the coffin making it 5-1 as he buried his second of the year on the empty Montreal net. The Kings fifth goal is now their highest goal total in a victory this season and ties the most they've scored in a game this year. They last scored five goal in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knight on October 8th.

A complete 60 effort and strong style of play improves the Kinsg record to 8-5-4 and gives them back-to-back victories for the third time this season. They look to make it three in a row as they continue their road trip in Canada with a date with the Toronto Maple Leafs (8-8-1) on Thursday, November 13th at 4:00PM PT/7:00 PM ET.

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