During this past season, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Taylor Hall to the Carolina Hurricanes. Seeing Hall on the move was understandable, as he was a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), and the Blackhawks were out of the playoff hunt. 

Now, after signing a three-year, $9.5 million contract extension with the Hurricanes, Hall is in his second season in Carolina. So far, the former Blackhawks forward is having a solid start to the year, posting five goals, seven assists, 12 points, and a plus-6 rating in 19 games. 

However, Hall is only heating up as the season carries on. In his last six games with the Hurricanes, the former Blackhawks winger has posted three goals and six points. This included him scoring a goal and recording an assist in the Blackhawks' most recent contest against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 17.

With numbers like these, there is no question that Hall is giving the Hurricanes solid secondary scoring right now. He is continuing to be a solid fit on their roster, and his goal will be to stay hot from here. 

In two seasons with the Blackhawks from 2023-24 to 2024-25, Hall posted 11 goals, 17 assists, 28 points, 30 hits, and 30 blocks. 

Darnell Nurse is taking a beating from both Edmonton Oilers fans and analysts as frustrations mount over his sluggish start to the season. By no means has he been the only problem on this roster, but his detractors are pointing to alarming defensive metrics, a lack of offensive impact, and costly penalties that have magnified Edmonton’s early struggles.

With three goals and seven points in 21 games, Nurse is a plus/minus of -8. He's playing over 20 minutes per night, and the Oilers need him to be better. 

After Monday's game against the Buffalo Sabres, where Nurse was among the more problematic players in a very lacklustre group of Oilers, social media had a heyday discussing how his play has fallen well below expectations for a top-four defenceman — especially one carrying a massive contract ($9.25 million per season).

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Thanks to his contract and tendency to do too much on the ice, Nurse has often been polarizing. However, the vitriol has intensified as the numbers continue to look less favorable as the season rolls along. Nurse is being outplayed in nearly every situation, fueling debate about his role, usage, and future with the team.

Frankly, the pressure has reached a boiling point, and the reaction across Oilers Nation is nothing short of fierce. 

Zach Hyman’s Return Gives Oilers Major Boost Against HurricanesZach Hyman returns from a five-month absence, expected to rejoin the top line and spark the Oilers' offense against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Kevin McCurdy: "So being a guy that loves to torture myself with numbers, I was just doing some poking around NST. Darnell Nurse w/o 97 and 29: ZERO GOALS FOR AND ELEVEN AGAINST."

Jesse Corville Lynch, "Trading Darnell Nurse solves every issue the Edmonton Oilers have. #LetsGoOilers" His post led to several comments in the thread about how Nurse's contract is untradable and that the Oilers are stuck with one of the worst deals in the NHL. 

Paul Almeida writes, "Nurse should be sitting right now. July 1. 2027 can’t come fast enough when Nurse's contract goes from a full NMC to a modified NMC with a 10-team no-trade clause."

PuckMarks writes, "Darnell Nurse has been absolutely brutal so far this season. He’s not generating his usual offence, getting caved in defensively and taking way too many penalties. This contract is truly disastrous and keeps having worse and worse consequences."

Author of Connor McDavid: Hockey's Next Great One, Rob Soria: "The most troubling part with this Oilers lineup, no matter who Nurse plays with...he looks terrible. The blue line as a collective has been poor to start the season, but Darnell is hitting new lows."

Jonathan Willis: "From 2022-25, 153 NHL defencemen played at least three hours in 4v5 situations. Seven of them were on the ice for more goals against/hour than Darnell Nurse. 145 of them were on for fewer."From Mr. Bandana: "At some point, maybe someone with a microphone will talk about the fact that Darnell Nurse has been on the ice for 188 scoring chances against so far this year That is the second most in the entire NHL. No other Oiler is in the top 20."

Jonathan Willis: "From 2022-25, 153 NHL defencemen played at least three hours in 4v5 situations. Seven of them were on the ice for more goals against/hour than Darnell Nurse. 145 of them were on for fewer."

From Mr. Bandana: "At some point, maybe someone with a microphone will talk about the fact that Darnell Nurse has been on the ice for 188 scoring chances against so far this year. That is the second most in the entire NHL. No other Oiler is in the top 20."

Add it all up, and it’s clear the heat on Nurse is real, intense, and growing. Fans used to suggest his lack of a true top-four playing partner might explain his inconsistencies. The narrative has flipped, and now Nurse is being blamed for the shortcomings of the pairings he's on. 

Whether he rebounds — or becomes a bigger storyline this season — is now one of Edmonton’s biggest questions. As Edmonton stumbles through another uneven stretch, the veteran defenceman has become a focal point of frustration — and the numbers behind his play aren’t helping his case.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.   Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

On Sunday night, New York Islanders. No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer went head-to-head with the NHL’s best defenseman, Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar. 

Sharing the ice for 5:38 minutes in a 4-1 loss, the Islanders held the Avalanche to just two shots on gaol, with Schaefer playing a huge role in that. 

Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, is someone that Schaefer name-dropped as a comparison back when we spoke to the 18-year-old at the 2025 NHL Combine. 

Schaefer also dropped another name, a defenseman who he will be going up against on Tuesday night. 

"I like watching Cale Makar & Miro Heiskanen, two great guys with great hockey sense and great skating ability,” Schaefer said back in Buffalo.

There were signs early on that #Isles No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer had some #GoAvsGo Cale Makar in him.

The two face each other for the first time tonight.

My convo with Jonathan Drouin, who played with Makar last year & Schaefer now @TheElmontershttps://t.co/SDONtqutb6

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) November 16, 2025

Miro Heiskanen, drafted by the Dallas Stars with the third pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, is one of the premier offensive-defensemen the NHL has to offer.

Through 19 games, Heiskanen has three goals with 14 assists for 17 points, averaging 25:18 minutes per game.

Through 19 games, Schaefer has seven goals, with eight assists for 15 points, averaging 22:24 minutes per game. 

The Stars have been a Stanley Cup contender for the last few seasons, and Heiskanen has been a major reason why. 

Schaefer will be the main reason why the Islanders get back to that status when they do. 

After battling Heiskanen and the Stars, Schaefer goes on to battle another elite defenseman, Mo Seider, and the Detroit Red Wings to conclude the Islanders’ seven-game winning streak. 

Puck drop between the Islanders and Stars comes your way at 8 PM ET on MSGSN2. 

Entering this week, the Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-9-2, and winless in their last five games (0-4-1).

While it's still early in the season, and they're within range of a wild-card berth, the rumor mill is buzzing about potential changes to the roster.

During last Thursday's Leafs Morning Take podcast, Jay Rosehill said a league source told him the Maple Leafs were trying to acquire Rasmus Anderson from the Calgary Flames. The 29-year-old defenseman is eligible to become a UFA in July. He's currently earning an annual cap hit of $4.55 million.

Rosehill felt that the only way the Leafs would make that deal is if Andersson agreed to sign a contract extension. He was skeptical that they had the trade assets to entice the Flames.

Two days later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said the Maple Leafs attempted to acquire Andersson last season but failed. He felt that the Flames' rearguard wasn't a fit for Toronto.

According to Friedman, the Leafs are not interested in parting with futures. However, if they were to revisit their interest in Andersson, the Flames' asking price could include top prospect Easton Cowan.

Friedman claimed the Leafs prefer a “roster for roster” trade, meaning they're examining players on their roster who might interest other teams, excluding their core players.

Adam Proteau of The Hockey News can see the Leafs peddling defenseman Morgan Rielly. He wondered if they might offer him to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Erik Karlsson, or the New Jersey Devils for Dougie Hamilton.

The opportunity to play for a contender could entice Rielly to waive his no-movement clause. However, the better-than-expected Penguins aren't in any rush to move Karlsson, who would also have to waive his no-move clause. Meanwhile, Hamilton has stated he has no desire to leave the Devils, and the Leafs might not be on his 10-team list of preferred destinations.

Proteau suggested veterans like center Max Domi and defenseman Brandon Carlo could also be trade candidates, along with depth forwards Calle Jarnkrok, Nick Robertson, Bobby McMann and Dakota Joshua.

Assuming the Leafs can find any trade partners willing to take some of those players off their hands, they won't fetch the type of returns that could provide a significant, immediate boost to the roster.

Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sunrecently observed that the promising Cowan and power forward Matthew Knies are the two Leafs that other clubs covet. However, they're among the least likely to be moved out of Toronto.

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  The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the road to take on the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre.

The Jets are 3-4 since November 1 and are 5-5-0 in their last 10. They're 11-7 on the year and are the only team in the Western Conference without an OT loss. So, they sit 3rd in the Central Division and 6th in the West. 

Blue Jackets Stats

• Power Play - 17.8% - 21st in NHL
• Penalty Kill - 72.9% - 26th in NHL
• Goals For - 57 - 18th in NHL
• Goals Against - 59 - 18th in NHL

Jets Stats

• Power Play - 24.1% - 8th in NHL
• Penalty Kill - 84.1% - 8th in NHL
• Goals For - 58 - 15th in NHL
• Goals Against - 50 - 7th in NHL

Series History vs. The Jets

• Columbus is 18-17-1 all-time, and 9-8-1 on the road vs. Winnipeg.
• The Jackets are 5-4-1 in the last 10 games vs. the Jets
• The CBJ went 1-1 vs. the Jets last season.

Who To Watch For The Jets

• Mark Scheifele leads the team with 11 goals and 24 points.
• Josh Morrissey leads the Jets with 16 assists.
• Goalie Connor Hellebuyck is 8-6-0 with a SV% of .913. His last start was on November 15.
• Eric Comrie is 3-1-0 with a SV% of .908. His last start was a loss on November 9.

CBJ Player Notes vs. Jets

• Zach Werenski has 10 points in 12 career games against the Jets.
• Charlie Coyle has 24 points in 35 games.
• Sean Monahan has 21 points in 32 games vs. Winnipeg

Injuries 

• Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 11 games - IR
• Boone Jenner - Upper Body - Missed 3 Games - IR

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 26

How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

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While the Montreal Canadiens were suffering a fourth straight defeat, one of their former players was reaching an important milestone. Jeff Petry, who spent eight of his 16-season-long career in Montreal, skated in his 1,000th game with the Florida Panthers.

The Habs first acquired Petry at the trade deadline in 2015 for a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick at the 2015 draft. He could have been a rental player, but after putting up seven points in 19 games, he was signed to a six-year contract extension with a $5.5 million cap hit and became a significant part of the Sainte-Flanelle’s blueline. From 16 points in his first complete season in Montreal, he became a steady 40-plus points producer in the last four years of the contract. His performance prompted then-GM Marc Bergevin to sign him to a four-year contract extension with a $6.250 million cap hit in September 2020.

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Whichever way you look at it, the Canadiens were lucky to have Petry during the Shea Weber years. Acquired to be the team’s top blueliner, Weber missed a lot of time due to injury, and when he was on the sidelines, Petry consistently stepped up to fill the void. In 508 games with the Habs, he put up 248 points.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 outbreak derailed Petry’s career with the Canadiens. A family man, Petry became a shadow of himself when his wife and three boys stayed behind in the USA for the season because of the restrictions. It prompted him to request a trade to an American team despite having recently signed a contract extension.

In their eight years in town, the Petry family left their mark on the organization. Not only because of the defenseman’s play, but because his wife Julie started a clothing label with goaltender Carey Price’s wife Angela. The Line Change label began as a Canadiens-only label but quickly expanded to other teams, and it’s now teaming up with Jessica Campbell, the first female assistant coach to have a role behind an NHL team’s bench.

The family’s eldest son, Boyd, also became something of an internet sensation in Montreal through the team’s social media, shooting many videos of the youngsters behind the scenes while he watched his dad play.

When Kent Hughes finally found a trading partner for the right-shot defenseman, he landed Mike Matheson from the Pittsburgh Penguins, a player who has played a significant role in the Sainte-Flanelle’s rebuild. The Canadiens’ GM had to throw in Ryan Poehling in the trade, and he received a 2023 fourth-round pick as well in what turned out to be a fantastic trade for the Habs. To this day, Matheson is a significant cog in the Canadiens’ defence, while Petry’s stay in Pittsburgh only lasted 61 games.

Just over a year later, the Canadiens reacquired the defenseman in a three-way trade. Still, Hughes promptly traded him again, this time to the Detroit Red Wings, a team he grew up watching as an Ann Arbour, Michigan native whose dad played for the Detroit Tigers in the MLB. The way Hughes handled the delicate Petry was no doubt noted by players around the league, as it showed just how respectful the GM was of his players.

Petry would end up playing in Detroit for two seasons before signing a one-year deal at a league-minimum $775,000 with the Panthers in the hope of winning a Stanley Cup before retiring. While things haven’t gone according to plan so far for the double-reigning Champions, with injuries to Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, they are far from out of the playoff race. In 1,000 games, the defenseman has put up 390 points, meaning that 64% of his offensive production came while wearing the Sainte-Flanelle.

The Panthers honoured Petry for his milestone in a pregame ceremony, where he received the traditional silver stick and added a personal touch by having his sons announce the starting lineup in the dressing room.

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Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

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The Philadelphia Flyers have a number of their top prospects knocking on the door for an NHL role, but if those players do get called up, the team cannot continue to make the same mistakes repeatedly as they have been.

Rookie Nikita Grebenkin has hardly gotten a fair shake since the season started, franchise player Matvei Michkov is playing significantly less than last year, and it took the Flyers nearly a month to install defenseman Emil Andrae as a regular in the lineup.

While defenseman Adam Ginning, who has played just once since Oct. 16, is likely the first to go to make a roster spot for a prospect, the Flyers need to do it with a purpose.

Anthony SanFilippo of On Pattison recently reported that the Flyers might be "ready to give [Alex Bump] a look, but they don't want him stuck playing on the fourth line. The Flyers brass believes when Bump comes up, he has to play in the top nine."

In translation, that means more than 12 minutes a night, and not playing with Rodrigo Abols and Garnet Hathaway.

But the same, obviously, hasn't been true for Grebenkin and Michkov, who have both had to do that this season at some point.

'Everyone’s Bringing the Intensity': Tocchet, Flyers Committed to Avoiding ComplacencyThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> were battling hard in practice on Monday.

Bump, 21, has four goals, nine assists, and 13 points in 15 games with the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, with 11 of those points coming in his last 10 games.

The offense is finally coming after an unimpressive preseason, and the Flyers, who rank seventh-worst in the NHL in goals scored, could certainly use that.

This is simply a matter of how, but head coach Rick Tocchet and Co. have not yet shown a willingness to lean into the youth, bar the Noah Cates line and newcomer Trevor Zegras.

Adding a young Bump to the equation only further muddies matters, as the Flyers would then have to organize a group of top-nine wingers that includes him, Michkov, Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny, Zegras, if he stays on the wing, and potentially Grebenkin, too.

Such a move would effectively force Zegras and Christian Dvorak to stay down the middle permanently, which can, and arguably should be, the plan for Tocchet, but that remains to be seen.

Tocchet has basked in the versatility those two bring to the table, and it would be hard to imagine he softens his stance on that to make way for a 21-year-old winger.

Flyers: Are We Headed Towards a Goalie Controversy?The push and pull between Sam Ersson and Aleksei Kolosov may force the Philadelphia Flyers into having an uncomfortable conversation about goaltending.

Nonetheless, the Flyers absolutely should be leaning into youth and more traditional rebuilding practices while it is convenient for them, rather than seeing what developments come about and winging it from there - no pun intended.

Plus, Porter Martone could be in the conversation as soon as this spring. The Flyers ought to see which pieces fit into Tocchet's "puzzle" and which ones do not, and sometimes, you have to build the frame first and turn it every which way to find your next move.

After losing three games in a row at home, the Montreal Canadiens were hoping to get back to their winning ways with a game on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was never going to be an easy task, though, with the injury bug going around the Habs’ dressing room these days. Without Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach, Martin St-Louis had to switch his lines and was hoping to spark some production in doing so.

Unfortunately for the bench boss, things didn’t go according to plan, and the Habs had to come back to Montreal with a four-game losing streak. This 4-3 shootout defeat and the point it earns keep the Canadiens in the playoff picture.

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Ex-Canadiens Forward Continues To Impress With New Team

New Lines Take Time

Chemistry doesn’t happen overnight, or even instantly, and it was painfully evident in Monday night’s tilt. For the first time this season, Zachary Bolduc was deployed alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the top line. The unit had one of the best scoring chances of the first frame when Bolduc skated up the wing and cut towards the net, but with the blueliner blocking his way, he ended up going around the net, but not without getting Jet Reaves deported to one side. A quick thinker, Bolduc opted for a backhand pass to Suzuki, but the captain didn’t see it coming and wasn’t ready for the pass.

The Habs’ newly formed second line featured Juraj Slafkovsky, Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov. While it wasn’t easy for them match-up-wise early on, as they were facing the Jackets’ top line, they still managed to score the Habs’ first goal by creating a lot of movement and defensive coverage mayhem. Four Canadiens players touched the puck as they built up Kapanen’s seventh goal of the season.

As for Jake Evans and Josh Anderson, they were paired up with Joshua Roy, who had a roller-coaster of a night. On the Jacket’s second goal, Roy had the puck right on his stick in front, but missed his opportunity to clear, and Adam Fantilli made him pay. Later in the third frame, his presence helped create mayhem in front of Greaves’ net, allowing Anderson to cut the lead in half.

Deep into the third frame and down by one, St-Louis couldn’t resist the urge to go back to familiar combinations with Slafkovsky joining Caufield and Suzuki and Gallagher joining Anderson and Jake Evans.

A tough Outing For Dobson

Since joining the Canadiens at the last draft, Noah Dobson has been very good for the Habs, but on Monday night, it was harder. While he’s fantastic offensively, there are times when it can be trickier in his own zone, and it was the case tonight.

His play reading wasn’t the best tonight, and as a veteran, that shouldn’t happen. On Zach Werensky’s goal, instead of closing down the dangerous blueliner, he just skated backwards, giving him all the time and space in the world to pick his spot, a recipe for disaster.

In overtime, he had an opportunity to complete the comeback win for the Canadiens after being put through on his own in front of Greaves by Caufield, but he couldn’t get the puck past him, and the game went on.

Hutson Bounced Back

Meanwhile, Lane Hutson had his best game in quite some time. He spent over 25 minutes on the ice, put up a goal and an assist, took five shots, landed two hits and blocked one shot. While Hutson doesn’t have the best shot in the league, he needs to trust himself more and take some shots; even if they don’t go in, they can lead to rebounds.

He finished the game with a highly deserved plus-two rating, and this is the type of game that could do wonders for the sophomore defender. His game-tying goal with less than a minute 20 left in the game allowed the Habs to collect a precious point.

After being visibly upset by the overtime loss against the New Jersey Devils on November 6, Jakub Dobes was livid after giving a shootout goal to Kiril Marchenko. He partly stopped the puck, but it trickled in, and the young netminder broke his stick on the way to the dressing room.

The Canadiens will now head back home, where they’ll host Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Thursday at 7:00 PM.

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After a weekend in which they defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in overtime, the Buffalo Sabres squared off against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. And the Sabres took it to the high-octane Edmonton Oilers, beating them 5-1. The Sabres are still one of the worst teams in the NHL, so Buffalo fans shouldn’t get overly excited.

To wit: the Sabres got a dynamic performance Monday from young goaltender Colten Ellis, who stopped 32 Oilers shots to post a .970 save percentage in the game and improve his SP to .913 on the season. And rookie center Noah Ostlund scored twice against Edmonton. 

These are the type of young player performances teams need if they’re going to contend for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres can’t put all their playoff aspirations on the shoulders of one player – let’s say that player is Tage Thompson or Rasmus Dahlin - and expect that player to singlehandedly carry the team across the finish line. 

You really do need your whole team to contribute, or you’ll be lacking the depth required for a deep Stanley Cup playoff run. So the Sabres have to be in all-hands-on-deck, night-in and night-out mode, to even have a hope of leapfrogging other Atlantic Division teams and improving their 7-8-4 record. 

Wobbly Sabres Must Rebound Soon, Or Face The FalloutAs the worst team in the Eastern Conference, the Sabres are struggling offensively and defensively. A rebound is desperately needed for them to avoid massive change.

The Sabres now have games against the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks, games they absolutely should win. Because after that, Buffalo’s schedule gets significantly more difficult: the Sabres will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild as well as the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets. No team is going to lay down and give two standings points to the Sabres. They're going to have to show terrific resilience throughout the season, and defy expectations that now hover over the team like a black cloud.

Buffalo has cratered out of the gate, but there’s still time for them to rebound and get back in the playoff picture. But time is of the essence here, meaning that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams needs to be active on the trade market. And Adams should be on the hunt to add experience and proven leadership to steer this Buffalo team into the post-season. 

Sabres' Win Ends Long Losing Streak, But Bigger Picture Is Still Gnarly For BuffaloThe Buffalo Sabres got back in the win column with a victory over Detroit Saturday. But scratch the surface, and you'll see the Sabres aren't nearly out of the woods -- nor are they a playoff team.

The Sabres are aiming to end a 14-year playoff drought, but their poor start this year has hampered their post-season aspirations. Buffalo doesn’t have time to waste – they need to string together five-game and six-game win streaks of their own. They can’t be bailing out opponents by faltering in areas within their control. 

When it comes to delivering wins, the Sabres have to be far better. And if they can’t, there will be catastrophic consequences.

After a weekend in which they defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in overtime, the Buffalo Sabres squared off against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. And the Sabres took it to the high-octane Edmonton Oilers, beating them 5-1. The Sabres are still one of the worst teams in the NHL, so Buffalo fans shouldn’t get overly excited.

Now, we’re not here to tell you the Sabres have turned the corner this season and that they’re on the verge of dominating the way the Colorado Avalanche have dominated this year. Buffalo has the most modest win streak of two games. And now they’re at the point where they’re desperate for wins, no matter who leads them there,

To wit: the Sabres got a dynamic performance Monday from young goaltender Colten Ellis, who stopped 32 Oilers shots to post a .970 save percentage in the game and improve his SP to .913 on the season. And rookie center Noah Ostlund scored twice against Edmonton. 

These are the type of young player performances teams need if they’re going to contend for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres can’t put all their playoff aspirations on the shoulders of one player – let’s say that player is Tage Thompson or Rasmus Dahlin - and expect that player to singlehandedly carry the team across the finish line. 

You really do need your whole team to contribute, or you’ll be lacking the depth required for a deep Stanley Cup playoff run. So the Sabres have to be in all-hands-on-deck, night-in and night-out mode, to even have a hope of leapfrogging other Atlantic Division teams and improving their 7-8-4 record. 

Wobbly Sabres Must Rebound Soon, Or Face The FalloutAs the worst team in the Eastern Conference, the Sabres are struggling offensively and defensively. A rebound is desperately needed for them to avoid massive change.

The Sabres now have games against the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks, games they absolutely should win. Because after that, Buffalo’s schedule gets significantly more difficult: the Sabres will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild as well as the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets. No team is going to lay down and give two standings points to the Sabres. They're going to have to show terrific resilience throughout the season, and defy expectations that now hover over the team like a black cloud.

Buffalo has cratered out of the gate, but there’s still time for them to rebound and get back in the playoff picture. But time is of the essence here, meaning that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams needs to be active on the trade market. And Adams should be on the hunt to add experience and proven leadership to steer this Buffalo team into the post-season. 

Sabres' Win Ends Long Losing Streak, But Bigger Picture Is Still Gnarly For BuffaloThe Buffalo Sabres got back in the win column with a victory over Detroit Saturday. But scratch the surface, and you'll see the Sabres aren't nearly out of the woods -- nor are they a playoff team.

The Sabres are aiming to end a 14-year playoff drought, but their poor start this year has hampered their post-season aspirations. Buffalo doesn’t have time to waste – they need to string together five-game and six-game win streaks of their own. They can’t be bailing out opponents by faltering in areas within their control. 

When it comes to delivering wins, the Sabres have to be far better. And if they can’t, there will be catastrophic consequences.

Parker Wotherspoon and Erik Karlsson have been on the top defensive pairing for the Pittsburgh Penguins since the 2025-26 NHL season started in October.

They started getting reps together during training camp in September, and it was evident pretty quickly that the two had serious chemistry. They feed off one another super well, and so far this season, they have been one of the best defensive pairs in terms of lowest goals against per 60. 

According to MoneyPuck, among defensive pairs that have played at least 150 minutes together, the Wotherspoon-Karlsson pairing ranks fifth in the NHL in goals against per 60 with 1.4. The duo is shutting things down in their own zone and not giving the opposition much of anything on offense. 

Wotherspoon was signed to a two-year contract by Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas in July and the early returns have been fantastic. Not only has he brought a little offense, but he's done a great job preventing scoring chances. 

Karlsson looks rejuvenated under new head coach Dan Muse and is playing his best hockey as a Penguin, which is saying something after he ranked tied for fifth in 5v5 points among all NHL defensemen last year with 33. He has already compiled one goal and 13 points in 19 games. 

Both Karlsson and Wotherspoon are a big part of the Penguins' 10-5-4 start, and if they keep it up, the team will have a decent shot at returning to the playoffs this year. 

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They may be in new situations, but for a pair of former Detroit Red Wings players, they haven't made the kind of impact that their new NHL clubs were anticipating.

Both Joe Veleno and Vladimir Tarasenko, who are no longer on the Red Wings roster, are heavily struggling in their new surroundings. 

Veleno now plays for the Montreal Canadiens, having signed with the team during the offseason after being placed on unconditional waivers by the Seattle Kraken for a buyout.

He had been traded by the Red Wings on March 7 to the Chicago Blackhawks for goaltender Petr Mrazek and forward Craig Smith, and later sent to the Kraken on June 21 for André Burakovsky. 

Instead of his experience with the Canadiens being a fruitful homecoming for the Quebec-born Veleno, he's instead struggled with one of the worst starts to an NHL campaign in his entire career. Through the first 13 games with Montreal, Veleno has yet to register a single point. 

It was also a rough start for him last season, as he began the campaign with only a single assist in his first 11 games before finally lighting the lamp in his 12th contest against the Blackhawks on Nov. 6.

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Meanwhile, two-time Stanley Cup-winning forward Vladimir Tarasenko, whom the Red Wings traded after a single disappointing season in 2024-25 to the Minnesota Wild on June 30, has only scored twice in the first 18 games of his Minnesota tenure. 

Tarasenko was signed in 2024 by the Red Wings just weeks after he helped the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup, and he was expected to provide timely offense as he's done throughout his NHL career. However, Tarasenko managed just 11 goals with 22 assists in the 80 games he played in what would be his only campaign in Detroit. 

Tarasenko, who scored his first career NHL goal against the Red Wings as a member of the St. Louis Blues in January 2013, can become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason, as can Veleno. 

The Red Wings selected Veleno in the opening round (30th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft with the first-round pick they acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Tomas Tatar trade. 

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If there was ever a night for the Edmonton Oilers to show up and find a higher level of play, Monday night was it. Their matchup with the Buffalo Sabres was a chance to handle business. The Sabres had a losing record in their past ten games; they were playing a backup-to-the-backup in net, and everything screamed “just don’t screw this up.”

But, as the Oilers have often done this season, they found a way to bring less than their A-Game. In fact, it wasn't a B or C-level effort. Edmonton lowered the bar… and then proceeded to crawl under it.

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Buffalo started Colten Ellis, a goalie with three NHL games under his belt. Edmonton responded by barely testing him. No urgency. No desperation. No recognition that they had been handed the softest landing spot of their seven-game road trip.

The first period summed up the vibe perfectly with just seven shots after the Sabres opened the door with only six shots of their own. It was 1-0 at the end of the first for the Sabres. The Oilers tied it in the second when Jack Roslovic roofed it, scoring his 15th point in 19 games. Leon Draisaitl fed Roslovic with a slick little backhand tee-up, and Roslovic finished the play, suggesting the Oilers were right back in the game. 

But instead of building on the goal, the Oilers did what they’ve perfected this season: took their foot off the gas.

Chaos in the defensive zone led to Bowen Byram making it 2–1. Then Rasmus Dahlin tossed a puck from the point that found a tip for 3–1. Edmonton was getting caved in. The Sabres smelled blood. Meanwhile, the Oilers looked lifeless and unprepared to put forth the effort required.

Knoblauch Pressed The Big-Line Panic Button

When it was clear the Sabres were tilting the ice, head coach Kris Knobloch went to the “break glass” move: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman on one line. Small moments hinted the move could help the team, but it didn’t shift the momentum. To end the second, the Oilers pushed, and Darnell Nurse got a perfect pass from Roslovic and couldn’t finish. A late scrap saw Vasily Podkolzin stand up for McDavid after a nasty hit, but even that spark didn’t transfer to the bench.

Bob Stauffer summarized it between periods: “Lifeless. Chasing games. Same thing every time in Buffalo.” Hard to argue.

Sabres Pull Away, Oilers Fold

Ostlund scored again in the third—his second of the night—with way too much time and space as he circled behind the net. There was no resistance, no urgency, and no coverage. For the most part, it was just a team watching the play happen.

Knobloch pulled the goalie, and Edmonton finally took some shots on an inexperienced goalie -- one who was available to the Oilers via waivers on October 6 --, but by then, Ellis looked like a seasoned pro. McDavid capped the disaster by coughing up three times in one shift, finally to Tage Thompson, who fired it into the empty net. 

Not Good Enough—Again

The Sabres wanted the game more. Full stop. Edmonton tied it 1–1, and instead of pushing, they sagged. Buffalo pushed, and the Oilers let them. 

After the game, Podkolzin summed it up: “We better figure it out as soon as possible" He was one of the few Oilers who had any sense of urgency. When asked about his fight with Peyton Krebs, he noted he didn't have much to say, but did respond, "No one can play against our leaders like that. The whole team will protect them.” He walked the walk. Not many others did.

"After their power play goal, we let up a little bit just with confidence or emotion, we just didn't have the same jump we had starting the game.... Buffalo played with that emotion, that speed, and were the better team the second half of the game," Knoblauch said of the team's effort. He said they let the Sabres run around too much. "I have expectations that we can better... there's a lot of things we can get better, make our team harder to play against. A lot of things to clean up."

Another night, another game where Edmonton got exactly what they deserved. Until they stop lowering the bar—and tripping over it—nothing changes.

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In their first game since the massive news of Adrian Kempe signing long-term, the Los Angeles Kings fell to the Washington Capitals by a score of 2-1. The loss ends the Kings impressive four-game win steak.

The score makes the game seem closer than it was thanks to Darcy Kuemper, who gave his team a chance to make it a game with due to his terrific play throughout. LA's offense was silenced aside from a second period tally by Anze Kopitar on the man advantage. 

Where Does Kuemper Stand In Team Canada’s Goaltending Depth Chart?Darcy Kuemper has been solid for the Los Angeles Kings lately, including a shutout in his last appearance. However, where does he stand on Team Canada's goaltending depth chart ahead of the 2026 Olympics?

Washington Strikes Early 

Only one team seemed ready to play out of the gate and they were rewarded for it quickly. The Capitals were the better team for much of the opening frame as they wasted no time getting on the board. 

Washington took a 1-0 lead just under four minutes into the first thanks to blue-liner Matt Roy. Roy, who spent the first six years of his career in Los Angeles scored his first of the season with an impressive tip-in past Darcy Kuemper. The Kings were punished for the defensive breakdown as the 30-year-old defenseman was all alone in front of the net while all five LA skaters were at, or above the hashmarks.

The Kings had a brief three-minute stretch where they showed some push back after falling behind but the Capitals took control of the period shortly after. Let's just say Darcy Kuemper's teammates should have been showering their goaltender with compliments and 'thank you's' as he made plenty of important saves including a terrific stop on a breakaway chance from Tom Wilson.

The Captains Shine In The Second

This could be a hot take, but it might not be a good idea to leave the greatest goal scorer in the history of the planet alone in front of the net.

'The Great Eight' proved why as he buried his sixth goal of the season early in the second period to double the Capitals lead. Kings defensemen Cody Ceci and Jacob Moverare did not communicate with each other as they both left their positions in front of the net to help out in a puck battle, leaving Ovechkin open and of course the puck found his stick. Ovechkin's 903rd career goal which is also his 13th career goal against the Kings gives the Capitals a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

Much like the majority of the first period, things were looking bleak for the Kings. That was until their captain cut the deficit in half with a power play goal. After they failed to score on their first power play opportunity, the Kings got on the board thanks to Anze Kopitar having his stick on the ice in front of the net. Corey Perry continues to play like its 2011 again as he hit Kopitar with a beautiful pass and all the LA captain had to was be strong on his stick. Perry and Kevin Fiala pick up the helpers. Kopi's third goal of the season brings the score to 2-1, keeping his team in the game entering the final 20 minutes. 

LA Kings (@LAKings) on XCAP GETS ONE BACK!

Shut Down In The Third

Although they had plenty of opportunities to tie this game, the Kings were unable to capitalize. The final 40 minutes were much better than the opening 20 but it was clear which team deserved the two points tonight. 

Washington did a great job not allowing LA to get their mojo going and when they did stumble upon some scoring chances, Charlie Lindgren was there to shut the door. 

LA Kings (@LAKings) on XFinal from DC

Moving Forward

Washington hands Los Angeles their first loss of the road trip. Coming into the trip it wasn't very realistic to expect the Kings to go 6-0 so a close loss against a hungry Capitals team isn't the end of the world.

However, the Kings (10-6-4) will look to end the six-game road trip on a high when they visit the San Jose Sharks (8-8-3) on Thursday, November 20th at 7:00 PM PT/10:00 PM ET.

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It has been exactly two weeks since Pittsburgh Penguins' rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke dressed for a game day. 

And, now, the 19-year-old is eligible for an AHL loophole that may benefit both him and the Penguins.

As of Sunday's win against the Nashville Predators, Brunicke was a healthy scratch for a fifth consecutive game at the NHL level, meaning he is now eligible to be sent to the AHL on a conditioning loan.

Normally - per the current NHL-CHL agreement - teenagers are not eligible to play in the AHL. However, with this loophole, Pittsburgh can loan Brunicke to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins for a maximum of either 14 days or five games. They can only do this once, and WBS is scheduled to play exactly five games within the next 14 days. 

Brunicke - selected 44th overall by the Penguins in 2024 - has played in nine games at the NHL level this season, which means his entry-level contract has not yet been activated. His last NHL appearance came in a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 3, and he was a minus-2 in that game alongside fellow defensive prospect Owen Pickering.

It has been a bit of a mixed bag for Brunicke to begin his NHL career, as he has shown high-ceiling potential in transition and offensively but is still working to get up to speed on NHL reads and his net-front work. Should the Penguins elect to send him to WBS on a conditioning loan, it would push out their decision on activating his entry-level contract, and the end of the stint would also bring him closer to the World Junior Championship - which Brunicke is eligible to be lent to Team Canada for.

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>.

At the end of his 2024-25 junior season with the Kamloops Blazers - in which Brunicke worked around a wrist injury setback and registered five goals and 30 points in 45 games - he played in 10 regular season games with WBS as well as in two postseason contests. By the end of his AHL stint, he rounded into top form, as he put up a goal and two points in the two playoff games playing in WBS's top-four as an 18-year-old. 

Pittsburgh's next game is Friday against the Minnesota Wild, and WBS also plays Friday, when they will travel to Hartford, Conn. to take on the Wolf Pack.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Defenseman Exceeds Expectations, Eyes NHL Roster SpotHeading into the 2025-26 season, the&nbsp;<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>&nbsp;have shifted the focus to youth and development. Rutger McGroarty Shines In Return As WBS Penguins Complete Weekend SweepSaturday marked the return for one of the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' top forward prospects.&nbsp;

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