Special Teams Woes Haunt Red Wings In 5-1 Loss To Blackhawks

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Following their disappointing 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Friday evening, the Detroit Red Wings discussed the importance of improving their special teams play.

Instead, it was their inability to convert on both the power-play and the penalty kill on Sunday afternoon that ultimately served as their undoing. 

The Blackhawks scored on all three of their power-play chances while killing off all five opportunities the Red Wings had en route to a 5-1 victory at Little Caesars Arena. 

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XDetroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XFinal

With the loss, the Red Wings have now dropped three straight games in regulation, and have scored a combined two goals during that stretch. 

The Red Wings fired 45 shots at Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom, the brother of Detroit forward Elmer Soderblom, but he was easily the game's first star. 

The Blackhawks struck less than a minute after the opening face-off, as Connor Bedard whistled a shot past the glove of Red Wings goaltender John Gibson after Dylan Larkin had been whistled for a minor penalty. 

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It would be Larkin who knotted the score at 1-1 later in the first period, as he buried a loose puck from a Lucas Raymond shot past Soderblom. 

Chicago made the Red Wings pay in the second period, as Teuvo Teravainen scored his third goal of the season; his tally eventually stood up as the game-winner.

The Red Wings had a golden opportunity late in the second period, as former Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi was whistled for a minor penalty and then assessed another penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for refusing to stop barking at referee Carter Sandlak. 

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They failed to win the face-off in the Chicago defensive zone, and barely had any sustained zone pressure. The entire four minute power-play, which stretched early into the third period, went for naught. 

To add insult to injury, Bertuzzi would score a power-play goal to increase Chicago's lead to 3-1 just seconds into Simon Edvinsson's slashing penalty. 

Chicago added two more goals in the third period, as Andre Burakovsky hit the open net with John Gibson on the bench, followed by rookie Oliver Moore scoring his first NHL goal with just 16 seconds left. 

Soderblom finished with 44 savese in one of the best performances of his young career, while Gibson conceded four goals on the 19 shots he faced. 

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Logan Mailloux Can Always Lean On Blues Teammate Who Knows What It's Like To Break Into NHL

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- In a sense, Tyler Tucker knows what Logan Mailloux is dealing with right now.

In his attempt to secure a spot on the St. Louis Blues blue line, Tucker had a pipeline between St. Louis and Springfield, Mass; he would have been well-served to have his own private jet at his disposal.

Mailloux, who was assigned to Springfield of the American Hockey League on Sunday, isn’t at that point, but there are certain similarities. And who better to lean on than one of his defensive partners through his early career here in St. Louis than Tucker, who didn’t really have to tall him what the 22-year-old has to do.

“I think he knows what he’s got to do obviously,” Tucker said of Mailloux, who had 80 points the past two seasons in 135 regular-season games with Laval of the AHL. “He’s played a couple years now down there. He knows how good he can be down there. I think he’s just got to go down there, get his confidence back, play the way he knows he can play, and they know he can play and things will trend in the right direction for him obviously. As a young guy, that’s really not what you want to hear getting sent down, but I think there’s two ways to go about it, and that’s go down there and work hard or go down there and pout. I spoke with him last night after the game and he’s in the right mindset. I think he’ll do a good job.”

Mailloux, acquired in a July 1 trade with the Montreal Canadiens for Zack Bolduc, played in nine games this season with no points and tied for a team-worst minus-12. His promising preseason has turned into a tough start to his Blues career. But what the Blues want everyone to remember: they said this was a long-term project, not a quick fix/insertion. They were hoping to catch lightning in a bottle and have Mailloux fill in seamlessly at this level, but it’s obvious that they want to get him a ton of minutes, work on both special teams sides and playing in all situations.

“A player that has all the tools,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “Right now, he’s lost his confidence a little bit. This is an opportunity for him to go down, play a lot of minutes, get his game in order, come back up here and help us.”

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said that this isn’t a demotion or something that would last the entire season, but it’s apparent that there’s a need to recapture some confidence.

“I think for him especially, he comes in with high expectations, I feel like,” Tucker said. “Obviously he feels that. But I think for him, the biggest thing (for) himself is being able to trust himself, knowing how good he can be. I think going down there I think will help him. He’ll play in all situations, power play, penalty kill. They’re obviously struggling down there (1-8-1-1), so hopefully he can go in there and help them out a bit and turn it around.”

Mailloux has played a grand total of 17 games at the NHL level, including eight games with the Canadiens, but when he was given the keys to run with a job here, Armstrong at the time said, “It’s his job to lose,” perhaps he felt some pressure there and need to perhaps be too perfect.

“Maybe. I’m not too sure to be honest,” Tucker said. “I know I speak with him almost every day. He lives two doors down from me. I spend a lot of time with him. He’s a good kid. I’m sure he’ll be back here soon. He does a lot of the right things and he tries to be the best guy he can be. He’ll be just fine. I expect to see him back soon.

“I think he’s a really good puck mover. He’s able to make really nice plays, but he’s also able to keep it simple. Just move pucks, get them out of his hands. He’s got a little bit of everything. I’ve seen him be really skilled, I’ve seen him play on the first power play unit. I’ve played against him where he’s probably scored on us. I know he can make plays, I think everyone knows he can make plays. Just putting it all together in this league, I think going down there will help him because he’ll be able to do that down there, put everything together and come back a better player I think.”

This isn’t the Blues’ first rodeo with sending a player down to the minors to spruce and polish up his game before feeling said player is ready for full-time NHL duty. One of these was just recently last year, and a familiar name.

“Bolduc’s a great example of last year, right,” Montgomery said. “He was struggling right before the 4 Nations break. Went down, played four games. I don’t think he lit the world on fire when he went down there, but he came back with just a new appreciation and I think gratitude for how hard it is to be an everyday player in the NHL.

“It’s hard to replicate it here, right? There’s four guys ahead of him that are going to log the most important minutes and he’s got to be able to take the minutes he gets there and bring that confidence and assimilate it into the role that he’s going to have here.”

And in the meantime, Tucker said the lines of communication are open for whenever Mailloux needs it.

“Of course. Obviously I feel like we’ve got a lot of young guys here,” Tucker said. “I think we all do a really good job by keeping in touch and just checking in with each other. I have no doubt in my mind that I’ll be talking to him here shortly.”

As for Hunter Skinner, who was recalled to fill the role of seventh defenseman, Montgomery goes back to a player’s strong training camp and willingness to push for a job out of camp.

“His energy’s really good,” Montgomery said. “He has that enthusiasm that permeates into the dressing room because of how much he loves being at the rink. He seems like a rink rat. I don’t know him well enough to know if he’s a rink rat, but I know he loves being on the ice. He loves being around the locker room and he’s got a smile on his face.”

Blues Already Moved Past Saturday's ControversyBlues Already Moved Past Saturday's ControversyGoalie interference call that wasn't made allowed Seattle to tie it late, win in OT; Sunday's practice was more geared towards pushing each other to be better, end with bag skateObservations From Blues' 4-3 Overtime Loss Vs. KrakenObservations From Blues' 4-3 Overtime Loss Vs. KrakenBlues lose on late goalie interference call that should have gone their way; another yo-yo game in which St. Louis starts strong, levels off, finishes well until league fumbles another infraction that wasn't called; please explain why someone would take their foot off the gas; Kyrou good in returnImage

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Blackhawks Forward Oliver Moore Has His First Career NHL Goal

The Chicago Blackhawks have a ton of great young players. With that comes a ton of first career goals to celebrate. There was one on Sunday afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings. 

Oliver Moore, one of Chicago's first round picks during the 2023 NHL Draft, finally scored his. It hasn't been for a lack of chances, but he finally has his first in his 13th career game. 

Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) on XBlackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) on X🚨OLIVER MOORE FIRST NHL GOAL🚨

This is a moment that Oliver Moore won't soon forget. Now that he has his first out of the way, he will focus on being the best player he can be, which will lead to a ton more goals. 

Moore is now sitting with a goal and an assist in four games played since being called up with Chicago. At this point, he is looking like an incredibly productive player in Chicago's middle six. There is plenty more where that came from. 

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The Vegas Golden Knights Foundation Raises $1 Million At “A Golden Knight” Gala To Support Las Vegas Community

The Vegas Golden Knights Foundation hosted its annual “A Golden Knight” gala on Sunday, November 2, raising an impressive $1 million to benefit local nonprofits and community initiatives across Southern Nevada. Held at the luxurious LIV Beach and LIV Las Vegas inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the event brought together players, coaches, front office staff, and fans. 

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The gala featured a vibrant atmosphere with live music, food, and specialty drinks. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on exclusive items and experiences during live and silent auctions. Highlights included a full set of team-signed jerseys and a rare behind-the-bench practice day with head coach Bruce Cassidy and his staff.

“It’s always been a great event,” head coach Bruce Cassidy told KTNV. “We always have a lot of fun, meet some interesting people. The guys enjoy it — they get their wives dressed up, get out and have a night on the town, and they’re doing it for a good cause.”

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The funds raised will directly support local nonprofits that focus on education and youth sports, military and first responders, and health and wellness. These initiatives aim to uplift underserved communities and provide critical resources to those in need throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

VGK Foundation President Kim Frank expressed his appreciation."We are filled with gratitude for the generosity from our fans and their shared support of the community and the initiatives of the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation. Sunday’s event was full of smiles from our players, staff, and guests, and the funds raised will go towards our continued philanthropic efforts in the Las Vegas community”.

The evening also featured appearances by David Perrico’s Pop String Orchestra, a mentalist, and a contortionist, adding a unique flair to the festivities. Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which hosted the gala for the second consecutive year, provided a dazzling backdrop for the black-tie affair.

As Las Vegas’ first major professional sports team, the Golden Knights continue to embrace their role as community leaders.

VIRAL: Arvid Soderblom Denies Brother Elmer in Red Wings–Blackhawks Clash

The Detroit Red Wings had a viral moment on Sunday and it wasn’t just because of top prospect Nate Danielson’s much-anticipated NHL debut

In Detroit’s matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks, all eyes turned to a unique family storyline as brothers Elmer and Arvid Soderblom faced off.

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XDetroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XSoderbrothers 🤝

Before the puck dropped, the two Swedish brothers shared a lighthearted moment, posing together for a photo that quickly made the rounds on social media. But it was an in-game exchange that truly captured attention. Late in the first period, Detroit winger Elmer Soderblom found himself on a two-on-one rush, the kind of backyard hockey scenario the brothers likely played out countless times growing up.

When Elmer cut to the net, his brother Arvid Soderblom, manning the crease for Chicago, stood tall and turned aside the chance, preserving a 1-1 tie heading into the intermission.

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NHL (@NHL) on XNHL (@NHL) on XSODERBLOM STOPS SODERBLOM 👀 A huge save by Arvid on his brother, Elmer!

Arvid, making his fifth start of the season, entered the game with a 1-2-1 record, having allowed 12 goals and posting a .885 save percentage through his previous four starts. Elmer, meanwhile, continues to work his way into a regular role in Detroit’s lineup, appearing in 10 games so far this season with one goal and averaging about 10 minutes of ice time per night.

While Danielson’s debut drew plenty of buzz, it was the Soderblom brothers’ family faceoff and that memorable first-period duel, that gave hockey fans a heartwarming subplot to talk about.

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Red Wings Recall Top Prospect Nate Danielson From Grand RapidsRed Wings Recall Top Prospect Nate Danielson From Grand RapidsThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings</a> announced Sunday that they have recalled center Nate Danielson from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Image

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'He's A Really Special Player': Wild's Marcus Johansson Set To Play In His 1,000th Career NHL Game

ST. PAUL, Minn - The Minnesota Wild (6-7-3) return home to host the Calgary Flames (4-10-2) for a 7:00 game. It will be the first of five games at home for the Wild.

Tonight also marks Wild forward Marcus Johansson's 1,000th career NHL game.

The native of Sweden will become the 20th Swedish-born player to reach the 1,000 game milestone and the 412th overall player. He will also become the 11th player to play his 1,000th game as a member of the Wild.

"I just think it speaks to his abilities," Wild head coach John Hynes said on Johansson's 1,000th game. "I had him in New Jersey, he still looks the same. But just his fitness level, his ability to skate and his hockey sense. He can play multiple roles. He can play 3-on-3, 4-on-4, penalty kill and power play. So I think his ability allows him to be such a valuable piece to a team."

Johansson, 35, is playing the best hockey of his career right now. He has six goals, eight assists and 14 points in 16 games. Last year he had just one goal in the first 17 games. It took him 57 games to get to six goals last year.

Per NHL Stats, Johansson is only the second player in NHL history to carry an active point streak of eight games or longer into their 1,000th career game. Bobby Hull carried a 16-game streak into his 1,000th game in 1972.

"He's a really special player, and I'm really happy for him," Jonas Brodin said on Johansson. "But yeah, he's a great player. His skating ability is one of the best in the league. I think when he skates, I mean, he's really hard to defend to as a dman, I played against him a lot. So he's a tough player to play against for sure."

Brodin and Johansson are both from Sweden and actually train in the same hometown together during the offseason. Joel Eriksson Ek is also from Sweden and the two of them raved of Johansson's training.

Across 15-plus seasons in the NHL, Johansson has recorded 191 goals, 340 assists and 531 points. He is riding an eight-game point streak that includes five goals and five assists.

It shouldn't be a surprise that Johansson is playing his best hockey right now and is set to play in his 1,000th game at the age of 35.

"I mean, he's a pro. He's been in the league for so long," Brodin said. "We live in the same hometown. He's from my hometown, so we work out a lot together. He's a really professional player. I mean, he's like in shape every year. And yeah, he's just a problem."

Eriksson Ek added: "It just shows to his dedication. How much he prepares and takes care of himself, his body and his mind. Like I said, there's not a lot of people that can do it and I am really happy for him and his family."

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- Wild Acquire Former Top Prospect From San Jose In A Trade.

Three Players Who Are Taking The Step From Good To Great

A player unexpectedly blossoming into a star is every team’s dream, but it’s not something that happens every day. While it’s more common for a young player to break out, there are times when it takes players several seasons to find their groove.

Last year, Columbus' Kirill Marchenko, Colorado's Martin Necas and even Winnipeg's Kyle Connor all had career seasons, including playing an instrumental role in their team’s improvements. 

Here’s a look at three players who are off to hot starts and on pace for a breakout season.

Seth Jarvis, RW, Carolina Hurricanes

There’s no doubt Jarvis was a solid forward for the Carolina Hurricanes since entering the league, and he’s improved every year, but coming off back-to-back 60+ point campaigns, there were high expectations for Jarvis entering his fifth NHL season. Through 14 games, he's lived up to those expectations. 

He’s totalled 14 points and a plus-4 rating. Jarvis is also averaging 19:19 in ice time, and nearly six minutes combined between the power play and penalty kill, which are all career highs. Jarvis also became the first NHL player to score four game-winning goals within the Hurricanes’ first five games in the season. The ability to close out games is a skill that separates the good from the great, and alongside his offensive and defensive contributions, it shows he can be a leader.

He’s on pace for a point per game campaign, which would shatter his season high point total of 67, which he put up in both 2023 and 2024. 

Despite playing alongside Jordan Martinook and Jordan Staal on the third line, Jarvis leads the team in points and has still found ways to contribute defensively as well. 

With Andrei Svechnikov and newly acquired forward Nikolaj Ehlers struggling to find their groove, Jarvis’ breakout campaign has proved to be crucial. The Hurricanes sit at 10-4-0 and near the top of the Eastern Conference, largely due to Jarvis’ elite level of play on both sides of the ice and in close game situations.

Jarvis has shown he is the most well-rounded forward on the Hurricanes, and if he can continue his high level of play for the rest of this season, it won’t be long until he’s considered one of the league’s best.

Seth Jarvis (James Guillory/Imagn Images)

Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks

If there’s one player whose breakout hasn’t been a huge surprise, it’s Macklin Celebrini’s. Celebrini was drafted first overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2024 NHL draft, and in his first NHL season, he led the team in points with 63 and a minus-31 rating through 70 games. He was also named a finalist for the Calder Trophy. Considering the Sharks had next to no star talent and ended up finishing with the worst record in the NHL, Celebrini’s rookie season went about as well as it possibly could have. 

In the off-season, San Jose drafted Michael Misa with the second overall pick and added veterans John Klingberg and Dmitry Orlov. The Sharks weren’t expected to contend this year, and while they currently have a losing record, Celebrini has looked like one of the league’s best forwards so far. Through 16 games, he’s tied with Nathan MacKinnon for the most points in the league, at 24. He also holds a plus-7 rating, despite the Sharks being one of the poorer defensive teams in the league.

Macklin Celebrini And Will Smith Are Igniting Change In San Jose, Placing The Sharks In Playoff ContentionMacklin Celebrini And Will Smith Are Igniting Change In San Jose, Placing The Sharks In Playoff ContentionYoung stars Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith have ignited the San Jose Sharks' offense this season, but can they lead the Sharks on a surprising playoff push?

Since starting the season 0-4-2, the Sharks have turned it around and are 7-2-1 in their last eight games, largely due to Celebrini’s play. He’s notched at least a point in every one of the team’s wins and has three points or more in two of them. So, when Celebrini turns it up, so do the Sharks. He showed flashes of stardom as a rookie, but this season, he’s emerging as a true leader and the cornerstone of the franchise who can win them games.

The Sharks' first line, consisting of Celebrini, Will Smith and Tyler Toffoli, has also drastically improved and looks like one of the better ones in the league. According to Money Puck, they have the sixth most goals for and the eighth fewest goals against among forward lines with at least 80 minutes of playing time. They also rank seventh in goals against per 60 minutes, averaging just 0.89. 

It’s rare to see the top line of one of the league’s worst teams put up such strong numbers, and Celebrini is the main reason behind it.

He’s shown how valuable he is to the team’s success and is on the verge of not just being a franchise cornerstone but also the league’s next superstar.

Dylan Larkin, C, Detroit Red Wings

Dylan Larkin (Brian Bradshaw Sevald/Imagn Images)

For most players, if they’re going to break out, it’ll usually be before their 11th year in the league. But Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin is proving it can come at any time. Larkin, who was drafted 15th overall by the Red Wings in the 2014 NHL draft, has spent all 11 seasons with Detroit, and by no means has he been a bad player.

He’s led the team in points five times and has been a consistent scorer since entering the league. However, he’s never averaged a point per game, and the highest point total he’s ever accumulated in a single season was 79. 

He’s a three-time all-star with selections in 2016, 2022 and 2023, but every team is guaranteed one player to make it, and Larkin was the Red Wings’ only selection all three years.

Heading into the 2025-26 season, there were no expectations that Larkin would step his game up to a new level, but that’s what he’s doing right now.

Through 15 games, Larkin is tied for the 18th most points in the league with 18, and he’s also posted a plus-6 rating.

Detroit currently holds the second-longest playoff drought in the NHL at nine seasons, having missed the post-season every year following Larkin’s rookie season in 2015-16. But, they’re off to a good start. They’re tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for third in the Atlantic Division. The Red Wings' top line, consisting of Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Emmitt Finnie, has been a major factor in their early success.

They’re tied for the 18th most goals among forward lines with 80 or more minutes played. They also rank seventh in average goals against per 60 minutes, allowing just two. While all three players on the Red Wings' first line have been effective, Larkin has been the best. Entering the season, Detroit was in desperate need of someone to step up and lead the team to the playoffs, and the captain has answered that call.

He’s always had the talent, but was surrounded by weak rosters for most of his career. Now that the Red Wings are ready to contend, it appears Larkin is prepared to take that next step. If he continues to sustain the pace he’s on right now, and Detroit’s successes continue, I think it’s fair to say Larkin has taken that step from good to great.

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Kings Will Debut New Lineup In Matinee Battle Against Penguins

The Los Angeles Kings (6-5-4) travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins (9-4-3) at PPG Paints Arena at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET. The Kings are still in search of their first win over an Eastern Conference foe and will look to take advantage of a Pittsburgh team playing their third game in four days.

After their impressive seven game point streak came to an end, Los Angeles has lost three of their last four games. They have scored an average of 2.25 goals in those four games. That is not a recipe for success in today's NHL. Penguins 21-year-old net-minder Sergei Murashov is set to make his NHL debut against the Kings. LA should do whatever they can to pepper the rookie goalie with high quality shots in order to get out of their mini goal scoring slump. A victory today will get the team back on track as they begin a six-game road trip.

Kings Projected Lineup

Warren Foegele makes his return to the Kings lineup after being activated off of injured reserve. Foegele will slot in for Jeff Malott on the fourth line. The rest of the lineup will remain the same as the previous game against the Panthers. Darcy Kuemper is expected to make his 11th start of the season. 

*Indicates Leading Scorer

Forwards

1st Line:  Joel Armia - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe*

2nd Line: Kevin Fiala - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere

3rd Line: Andrei Kuzmenko - Phillip Danault - Trevor Moore

4th Line: Warren Foegele - Alex Turcotte - Corey Perry

Defense

1st Pair: Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty

2nd Pair: Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke

3rd Pair:  Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci

Goaltender: Darcy Kuemper (Expected) - Anton Forsberg (Backup)

Penguins Projected Lineup

The Penguins are dealing with a plethora of injuries including Rickard Rakell, Justin Brazeau, Rutger McGroarty, and Tristan Jarry. Kevin Hayes is appearing in his second game of the season after missing the start of the year due to injury. As mentioned above, 21-year-old Sergei Murahsov will make his NHL debut.

*Indicates Leading Scorer

Forwards

1st Line:  Bryan Rust - Sidney Crosby* - Ben Kindel

2nd Line: Tommy Novak - Evgeni Malkin - Anthony Martha

3rd Line: Joona Koppanen - Kevin Hayes - Ville Koivunen

4th Line: Danton Heinen - Blake Lizotte - Connor Dewar

Defense

1st Pair: Parker Wotherspoon - Erik Karlsson

2nd Pair: JRyan Shea - Kris Letting

3rd Pair:  Ryan Graves - Connor Clifton

Goaltender: Sergei Murashov (Confirmed) - Arturs Silovs (Backup)

History and Facts

  • The Kings and Penguins have done battle 171 times in the regular season.
  • In those games LA is 81-64-26 while PIT is 72-77-22
  • The Kings have won five of the last 10 meetings between these two
  • PIT has won the last three meetings against LA
  • A win over the Devils Saturday night would be the Kings first victory over an Eastern Conference foe this season. Currently 0-2-2 against the East, including a 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh earlier this year.
  • Kings are 5-1-2 on the road this season.
  • Adrian Kempe is currently on a seven game point streak away from home
  • Kempe has scored nine goals in his last six games against Pittsburgh
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Maple Leafs Have A Logjam Of Forwards That's Affecting Consistency

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been dealing with several lineup issues this season. Their goaltending has struggled due to Joseph Woll’s leave of absence. It's forced Anthony Stolarz into a heavy workload, and their blueline has played shorthanded due to shutdown defenseman Chris Tanev suffering a pair of concussions. Conversely, the issues up front have lingered since the summer, when the club added a trio of depth forwards via trades.

But conversely, the issues up front have lingered since the summer, when the club added a trio of depth forwards via trades.

The Leafs were unable to find a top-six replacement for departed free agent Mitch Marner, but bolstered their bottom six, acquiring Nicolas Roy from Vegas in the Marner sign-and-trade, Dakota Joshua in a swap with Vancouver, and Matias Maccelli in a deal with Utah. Both the Joshua and Maccelli deals involved a trade of draft picks and created a logjam up front. 

Veterans David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, and youngster Nick Robertson were all on uncertain footing going into the off-season. Kampf played only 59 games last season under new head coach Craig Berube after being an everyday starter under Sheldon Keefe. Jarnkrok missed nearly all of last season due to injury and played a fourth-line role in the playoffs, while Robertson scored 15 goals in limited ice time during the regular season and played only three of the club’s 13 playoff games.

Toronto let the buyout window prior to free agency pass without clearing out Kampf’s remaining two years or Jarnkrok's final year, because both had deals with heavy signing bonuses that would have provided little cap relief, and the Leafs avoided arbitration with Robertson. GM Brad Treliving was rumored to have pursued trade scenarios with all three, but Kampf’s remaining term and Jarnkrok’s injury history may have factored into his ability to pull something off. 

The group became even more crowded when winger Sammy Blais (who played for Berube in St. Louis) was claimed off waivers from Montreal, and rookie Easton Cowan earned his way onto the roster with an excellent training camp. 

Toronto Maple Leafs (Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)

Robertson reportedly was offered to Columbus for winger Yegor Chinakhov over the summer, but there wasn't any interest from the Blue Jackets. The issue with the 24-year-old forward has not been his talent and scoring ability, but his fit in the Leafs' lineup as a bottom-six winger. In Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Boston, Robertson scored his fourth goal of the season, but was -2 on the night in just under 16 minutes of ice time.

Kampf was placed on waivers at the end of training camp and, after clearing waivers, played four games for the AHL Toronto Marlies before leaving the club to contemplate his future. According to numerous reports, the 30-year-old Czech is contemplating terminating his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that a possible hangup is that Kampf would have to return a portion of the $1.325 million signing bonus the Leafs paid him in July.  

Jarnkrok and Blais have both played well as rotational players in and out of the lineup, and Cowan did not seem out of place in the NHL in 10 games this season, scoring his first NHL goal in Philadelphia last week. But the 20-year-old was demoted to the Marlies with the return of Scott Laughton on Wednesday against Utah. That return lasted exactly five periods, as Laughton was hit by Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov on Saturday and will not play against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. 

One of the contributing factors to the Leafs' inconsistent start has been Berube’s constant stirring of his forward lines, searching for a replacement for Marner in the top six. Through 15 games, Toronto has used Maccelli, Max Domi, Cowan, and have fallen back on putting William Nylander with Matthews and Matthew Knies on an overloaded top line. Treliving has reportedly been on a search for a top-six remedy since the summer, and will likely continue that quest between now and the trade deadline. Until then, the Leafs will continue to search for answers from within.

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Devils Stay Perfect at Home, Beat Penguins in Shootout

The 11-4-0 New Jersey Devils remain undefeated at home with a perfect 7-0-0 record, claiming the top spot in the Eastern Conference after a shootout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins, who sit third in the conference, left Newark with one point.

Rookie Arseny Gritsyuk opened the scoring late in the first period, notching his third goal of the season. Pittsburgh answered in the second when former Devil Ryan Graves scored his first goal of the year against his old team. The remainder of regulation and overtime went scoreless, sending the game to a shootout.

Due to injuries, the Devils’ lineup was adjusted as follows:

Forwards

Stefan Noesen – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt

Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer

Ondrej Palat – Cody Glass – Arseny Gritsyuk

Paul Cotter – Juho Lammikko – Luke Glendening

Defensemen

Jonas Siegenthaler – Simon Nemec

Brenden Dillon – Luke Hughes

Dennis Cholowski – Colton White

Quick Notes:

  • Colton White made his first start of the season. The defenseman hadn’t played in the NHL since 2022–23, recording one shot on goal in 9:55 of ice time. His last NHL appearance came with the Anaheim Ducks.
  • In a scary moment, captain Nico Hischier took a puck to the face and briefly left the game. He later returned, but while he was being evaluated, Jack Hughes filled in on his line.

In the shootout, Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt scored for New Jersey, while goaltender Jake Allen delivered a stellar performance, stopping 33 of 34 shots. His most crucial save came against Sidney Crosby in the shootout to seal the win.

Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs also deserves credit, making an impressive stop on a dangerous shot from Jack Hughes.

With the victory, the Devils improve to 11-4-0 and continue their pursuit of history. The franchise record for most consecutive home wins to start a season is eight, set by the 1987–88 Devils. New Jersey is now 8-0-0 this season when scoring first. The team has gone to overtime in three straight home games, defeating Colorado in overtime on October 26, Montreal in overtime on November 6, and Pittsburgh in a shootout last night.

The Devils will look to extend their home winning streak Monday night when they host the New York Islanders. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Malcom Subban Signs With Czech Club

Canadian goaltender Malcom Subban, 31, has signed a contract to play the remainder of the current season with Dynamo Pardubice, the Czech Extraliga club announced on Sunday.

This is Subban’s first contract to play in Europe.

Pardubice already has a capable starting netminder in veteran Roman Will, who played four seasons in North America and one NHL game with the Colorado Avalanche. According to club sports director Petr Sýkora, this season’s compressed schedule requires more goaltending depth.

“This season is unique, as it will be interrupted by the Olympic break,” said Sýkora. “We have a demanding schedule before and after it starts, and we want to go into it with an experienced goaltending duo. We’re glad that we managed to reach an agreement with Malcolm. We believe that together with Roman Will, they will create a balanced and stable pair.”

Born in Toronto, Malcom is the younger brother of long-time NHL defenseman turned broadcaster P.K. Subban. Malcom played junior hockey for the Belleville Bulls of the OHL and was drafted in the first round, 24th overall, by the Boston Bruins in 2012.

Vladimír Sobotka Changes Czech TeamsVladimír Sobotka Changes Czech Teams Veteran Czech forward Vladimír Sobotka is moving one Czech Extraliga contender to another. The 37-year-old is leaving Sparta Prague, where he played for five seasons and was captain last year, to Dynamo Pardubice, <a href="https://www.hcdynamo.cz/clanek.asp?id=Dynamo-posili-Vladimir-Sobotka-14491">the latter club announced on Wednesday</a>.

Between 2014 and 2024, Subban played 87 NHL games for the Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets, compiling a record of 36-34-9 with a goals-against average of 3.10, a save percentage of .898 and three shutouts.

Subban also spent time in the organizations of the St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators, spending last season in the AHL with the Belleville Senators. He remained a free agent until signing with Pardubice.

Internationally, Subban represented Canada at the 2011 IIHF U-18 World Championship and at the 2013 World Juniors. 

Subban joins a high-profile Pardubice team that includes ex-NHLers Vladimír Sobotka, Lukáš Sedlák, Jakub Lauko, Libor Hájek, Martin Kaut, John Ludvig, Roman Červenka, Miloš Keleman and Jiří Smejkal. The team currently sits third in the 14-team Extraliga with 36 points in 21 games.

Czech Icon, National Team Captain Receives Contract ExtensionCzech Icon, National Team Captain Receives Contract ExtensionCzech veteran Roman Červenka defies age, signing through 2028. His elite scoring and leadership ensure continued national team impact.

The Hockey News Sunday Recap: Columbus Blue Jackets

NEWS

Despite Emotional Loss, The Blue Jackets Must Stay LevelheadedDespite Emotional Loss, The Blue Jackets Must Stay LevelheadedLast night, the Blue Jackets lost a game to the New York Islanders by giving up two goals in 29 seconds with right around a minute to play, and there was no coming back from it.&nbsp;

The CBJ are on a five-game road trip that will take them to Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, and then Seattle. This trip usually does not end well for Columbus. Below is a breakdown of how they've done historically on the Western Canada trip. In a very crowded Eastern Conference, these next four games are crucial. 

Overreacting To And Overanalyzing The Metro Standings As Of 11/03Overreacting To And Overanalyzing The Metro Standings As Of 11/03Devils dominate, Penguins surge, while surprising Blue Jackets climb. See where every Metro team truly stands early this season.

We are now, four weeks into the 2025-26 NHL season, and no one many could have predicted how this season is going. Looking around the NHL, teams that were supposed to be good are bad, and bad teams are good.

For the Columbus Blue Jackets, they have turned around a slow start and now are winnings of four of their last five. But where do the rest of the Metro Division sit?

Can The CBJ Goalie Tandem Keep Up Their Great Play All Year?Can The CBJ Goalie Tandem Keep Up Their Great Play All Year?Since Sergei Bobrovsky bolted Ohio for sunny Florida, the Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled to find consistency with their goaltending position. It's been bad, like, really bad.&nbsp;

Since Sergei Bobrovsky bolted Ohio for sunny Florida, the Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled to find consistency with their goaltending position. It's been bad, like, really bad. 

The only consistent thing about the goalies has been Elvis Merzļikins, and that's been a hot topic on its own, and a different discussion. 

From THN's Archive: Brassard Craves Attention From THN's Archive: Brassard Craves Attention The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

Brassard sustained his second shoulder separation during the Quebec League pre-season of 2006-07. Both he and the Blue Jackets agreed surgery was the best course of action. After racking up 44 goals and 116 points in 58 games in 2005-06, Brassard played only 14 regular season games last year and still managed six goals and 25 points. He added nine goals and 24 points during a 12-game playoff stint.

An Early Look At The Blues Jackets' Unrestricted Free AgentsAn Early Look At The Blues Jackets' Unrestricted Free AgentsThe NHL season is now more than a month in, and the Columbus Blue Jackets are off to a very good start. They currently sit in fifth in their Division with a 7-5-0 record. This looks like the season that they are going to push their way into the playoffs and bring playoff hockey back to Columbus for the first time since 2019-20.

They need to make decisions that can drastically change the outcome of the season. First, there will be trades close to and at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline in March. After that, there will be the difficult decision to re-sign some of their unrestricted free agents.

Blue Jackets Recall Luca Del Bel Belluz; Erik Gudbranson To IRBlue Jackets Recall Luca Del Bel Belluz; Erik Gudbranson To IRThe Columbus Blue Jackets have announced a pair of roster moves today.&nbsp;

The team has recalled forward Luca Del Bel Belluz from the Cleveland Monsters. Del Bel Belluz has three goals and six assists and nine points with a +3 plus/minus rating in 16 NHL games with the Jackets, including 2-6-8, +2 in 15 outings last season. He leads the Monsters in goals and points in 2025-26 with 3-2-5 in seven games. 

They also put defenseman Erik Gudbranson on IR with a hip injury. He has missed the last 5 games. 

Former Blue Jackets Forward Is Playing Very Well With New TeamFormer Blue Jackets Forward Is Playing Very Well With New TeamRoslovic thrives in Edmonton, could beat his career-high in points and finding a comfortable top-six role. Can he secure his future?

The Columbus, Ohio native has three goals and five assists for eight points in just 13 games. That puts him on pace for around 50 points over a full season, which would set a new career-high and surpass his previous best of 45 points from the 2021-22 campaign with the Blue Jackets.

It's Time For The Blue Jackets To Make Two ChangesIt's Time For The Blue Jackets To Make Two ChangesThe Jackets have been playing well behind solid goaltending and defense, but now it's time for the offense to step up.

1. Promote Adam Fantilli to the first line center role.  

Fantilli hasn't started the season the way he wanted to, I'm sure. In 13 games played, he's scored just two goals and has totaled 6 points. He's also a minus-6 and has 28 shots on goal. Last season, through 13 games, Fantilli had 3 goals and 7 points. So, there's still time.

From THN's Archive: Beauty And The EastFrom THN's Archive: Beauty And The EastRealignment boosts the Wings and Jackets, who cut their teeth in the superior West, and grounds the Jets, who had it easy in the East

On the flip side, the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets have to be thrilled. They’ll be playing the majority of their games in their own time zone and padding their record by beating up on patsies. Yes, we said that about the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the numbers back us up. Over the five seasons prior to 2012-13, the Blue Jackets have racked up an impressive record of 44-26-12 against the Eastern Conference teams. 

Blue Jackets Lead NHL In Goals By Defensemen Blue Jackets Lead NHL In Goals By Defensemen Surprising offensive production from Columbus's defensemen fuels their league-leading goal count, adding a potent weapon to their attack.

According to Statmuse, they sit first with 11 goals from their back end. Behind them, the Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, and Minnesota Wild are all tied with nine. Altogether, Columbus defensemen have combined for 26 points, 11 of which are goals.  

GAME PREVIEWS & RECAPS

Rookie Matthew Schaefer Has Two Goals; Jackets Falter LateRookie Matthew Schaefer Has Two Goals; Jackets Falter LateThe Columbus Blue Jackets allowed two goals in 29 seconds to drop their first game since October 24th.

Columbus allowed two goals in 29 seconds to lose. 

The game was absolutely dominated by the New York Islanders, but Elvis Merzlikins was the singular reason this game was even close down the stretch. He made some huge saves throughout the game to frustrate NYI. 

Columbus Blue Jackets (14 pts) vs. Calgary Flames (8 pts) Game Preview Columbus Blue Jackets (14 pts) vs. Calgary Flames (8 pts) Game Preview Columbus is 36-25-0-8 all-time, and 15-15-0-4 on the road vs. Calgary.Blue Jackets Roasted By Flames; Lose Sean Monahan To InjuryBlue Jackets Roasted By Flames; Lose Sean Monahan To Injury<b>Kirill Marchenko</b>(6-SHG) scored the only goal for Columbus, and Jet Greaves would give up four goals, including two in the first&nbsp;1:32 of the game to seal it for Calgary.&nbsp;

Kirill Marchenko(6-SHG) scored the only goal for Columbus, and Jet Greaves would give up four goals, including two in the first 1:32 of the game to seal it for Calgary. 

The Jackets didn't play too bad after the initial onslaught by Calgary but couldn't overcome those two goals. The Jackets would fall to the Flames in Calgary.

Columbus Blue Jackets (14 pts) vs. Vancouver Canucks (14 pts) Game PreviewColumbus Blue Jackets (14 pts) vs. Vancouver Canucks (14 pts) Game PreviewColumbus is 26-32-2-9 all-time, and 11-17-0-6 on the road vs. Vancouver. Blue Jackets Lose Third Straight In VancouverBlue Jackets Lose Third Straight In Vancouver<b>Kirill Marchenko</b>(7,8) and&nbsp;<b>Dmitri Voronkov</b>(6) scored the goals for Columbus, while Elvis Merzlikins 21 of 25 Vancouver shots in the loss.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This wasn't the best outing for Merzlikins, who gave up the game-winner with five minutes left. The goal was one he will definitely want back. 

The first line of Dmitri Vorokov, Adam Fantilli, and Kirill Marchenko was the only noticeable line on the ice for the Blue Jackets. Between the three of them, they combined for 8 points, 14 shots, and were a plus-3. 

Up Next: Columbus takes on the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, Nov. 10th. They will wrap up their Western swing with a matchup against the Seattle Kraken.  

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Game #15: Ducks vs. Jets Gameday Preview (11/09/25)

Fresh off their 4-3 overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Ducks are right back at it at home on Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets are coming off a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Friday.

The Ducks continue to sit at the top of the Pacific Division after Saturday's win, increasing their points lead over the Golden Knights to three. They are just two points back of the Colorado Avalanche, who are first in the Western Conference.

Anaheim’s current six-game winning streak has been spearheaded by Leo Carlsson, who extended his point streak to nine games on Saturday with two goals and a primary assist on the overtime winner. He is currently second in the league in scoring.

Nov 6, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) and defenseman Olen Zellweger (51) and right wing Troy Terry (19) celebrates a short handed goal scored by Carlsson against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“Leo’s (been) putting on a show at the start of the season,” head coach Joel Quenneville said. “(He’s) showing that he’s taking a big step. There’s a lot of guys that we are also happy with, but Leo’s been leading the charge.”

The Jets are the third team the Ducks have faced in the past week who are top-5 in the Western Conference. They are one point back of the Dallas Stars, who the Ducks beat 7-5 on Thursday.

“That second period (against Vegas), I feel like when we play our simple game and work their team in our zone, we’re a great team,” Carlsson said.

“It was a better start for us here,” Quenneville said after their game against the Golden Knights. “We want to make sure we’re not just reacting (to) the way the game’s going to be played, let’s try to dictate it a little more. That first period pace was flying, was unreal, and we’re ready for that. I think that’s a good sign of some progress for us that if we can start the first 10 minutes that can dictate the flow and pace of the game, that can help us.”

Nov 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba (65) scores a goal against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid (40) during an overtime period to give the Ducks a 4-3 victory at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

There could be lineup changes abound for the Ducks in their second game of a back-to-back (SEGABABA). Quenneville said before Saturday’s game that Ryan Strome, who has yet to make his season debut due to an upper-body injury he suffered during preseason, is “very close to consideration to playing.”

Beckett Sennecke could also be a healthy scratch as the team manages his workload during his rookie season. This is the first back-to-back of the season for Anaheim and Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek had hinted previously that Sennecke could go through a workload management plan similar to the one implemented by the team during Carlsson’s rookie season. Sam Colangelo, who has been a healthy scratch for the past four games, would draw in.


Ducks Projected Lines

Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry
Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Sam Colangelo
Nikita Nesterenko - Ryan Strome - Alex Killorn
Ross Johnston - Ryan Poehling - Frank Vatrano

Jackson LaCombe - Drew Helleson
Olen Zellweger - Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov - Ian Moore

Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)

Jets Projected Lines

Kyle Connor - Mark Scheifele - Gabe Vilardi
Vladislav Namestnikov - Jonathan Toews - Alex Iafallo
Nino Niederreiter - Adam Lowry - Nikita Chibrikov
Cole Koepke - Parker Ford - Tanner Pearson

Josh Morrissey - Dylan DeMelo
Logan Stanley - Neal Pionk
Haydn Fleury - Luke Schenn

Connor Hellebuyck (projected)

Los Angeles Kings At Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off a 2-1 shootout loss against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

The Penguins outplayed the Devils for the majority of regulation and overtime before their struggles in shootouts continued. Goaltender Arturs Silovs allowed two goals on two attempts, while the Penguins missed their two attempts. The Penguins have lost 11 of their last 12 shootouts. 

They still got a point from that game and will look to finish the weekend off with 3/4 points when they take on the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. The Kings have been off since Thursday after losing 5-2 against the Florida Panthers

The Kings come into this game with a 6-5-4 record, good for 16 points. This will be the second of two meetings between the Penguins and Kings this year after the Penguins beat them 4-2 in Los Angeles on Oct. 16. The Penguins took the first period off and were down 2-0 going into the first intermission before outscoring the Kings 4-0 in the final two periods. Filip Hallander scored the game-winning goal in the third period. 

Sunday will be the long-awaited debut of Penguins goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov. He was called up prior to Thursday's game against the Washington Capitals after Tristan Jarry suffered an injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. 

Murashov has dominated at every level of hockey he has played in during his career, but the NHL will be his biggest test yet. He was named the AHL's Goaltender of the Month for October after finishing the month with a 5-1-0 record, a 1.68 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage, and a shutout. 

Here were the lines for Saturday's game in New Jersey: 

Forwards

Rust-Crosby-Kindel

Novak-Malkin-Mantha

Koppanen-Hayes-Koivunen

Heinen-Lizotte-Dewar

Defense

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Shea-Letang

Graves-Clifton


Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'


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Blackhawks Vs Red Wings: Projected Lineup, How To Watch, & More Ahead Of Game 16

The Chicago Blackhawks are about to end a six-game road trip. This final game will come against the Detroit Red Wings in Motown. 

Of course, any game between the Blackhawks and Red Wings is going to stir up the century-old rivalry between the two.

Chicago and Detroit are rivals in every major sport, but nothing is as intense as the one in hockey. Despite being in opposite conferences now, the bad blood is always remembered. 

There is also the Patrick Kane factor. This is Kane's third season with the Red Wings, following his short cup of coffee with the New York Rangers.

He just returned from injury in Detroit's most recent game, which is perfect timing ahead of this game against the franchise that took him first overall in the 2007 NHL Draft.

Blackhawks Road Trip Starts With Jonathan Toews And Ends With Patrick KaneBlackhawks Road Trip Starts With Jonathan Toews And Ends With Patrick KaneThe Chicago Blackhawks started their trip with Jonathan Toews. Now they will end it with Patrick Kane.

Scouting Detroit 

The Detroit Red Wings have lost two in a row, but they are still 9-6-0 which is currently good enough for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a long way to go before they are a playoff team, but they could finally break the drought if all goes well for them from now until April. 

Finnie - Larkin - Raymond

DeBrincat - Compher - Kane

Kasper - Copp - Appleton

van Riemsdyk - Rasmussen - Berggren

Edvinsson - Seider

Chiarot - Sandin-Pellikka

Johansson - Hamonic

Gibson

The Red Wings have some important veterans on their roster, like James van Riemsdyk, Patrick Kane, and Dylan Larkin. 

Young stars entering their prime fill out their lineup like Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, but they also have up and coming players like Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Jonatan Berggren, and Emmitt Finnie. 

This well-balanced group is going to skate in front of goaltender John Gibson, whom the Red Wings acquired during the off-season from the Anaheim Ducks. 

Most of their offense goes through their captain, Dylan Larkin, who is projected to skate with Finnie and Raymond. On the second line, Kane plays with former Blackhawk Alex DeBrincat and JT Compher in the middle. 

On defense, Seider and Sandin-Pellikka are the ones to keep an eye on if you're the Blackhawks attacking and defending. 

Projected Blackhawks Lines, Defense Pairs, and Starting Goalie

At 7-4-3, the Blackhawks are currently right on the bubble of the playoff mix in the Eastern Conference. They aren't a lock to make it by any means, but they are continuing to show that they will be a hard team to beat all year long. 

Greene - Bedard - Burakovsky

Teravainen - Nazar - Bertuzzi

Moore - Donato - Mikheyev

Dach - Foligno - Lafferty

Vlasic - Rinzel

Kaiser - Levshunov

Grzelcyk - Murphy

Crevier

Knight

Söderblom

The Blackhawks didn't practice on Saturday, and there was no morning skate on Sunday ahead of this afternoon's game, so this is all a projection. 

Frank Nazar left their most recent game against the Calgary Flames with an injury. He is a game-time decision for this one against the Red Wings. Whether he plays or not, it isn't a long-term issue, which is a big break for the Blackhawks. If Nazar can't play, they will still likely go 11/7, but with Sam Lafferty drawing into the lineup. 

After Spencer Knight dominated his last two starts, it would make sense to run it back with him, but this is also a great game to get Arvid Soderblom in some game action. 

UPDATE:Sam Lafferty will play and Frank Nazar will not. Arvid Soderblom will be the starter. 

How To Watch

This game can be found on CHSN in the Chicagoland area, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit for those in Michigan, and on NHL Network for those trying to watch it nationally outside of the two participating markets. WGN Radio AM 720 will carry the Blackhawks feed in Chicago. The puck will drop shortly after noon on Sunday. 

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