Grand Rapids Legend Alexandre Giroux to Be Inducted into Hall of Fame
The American Hockey League announced Wednesday that former Grand Rapids Griffins forward Alexandre Giroux will be inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame during the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois. The ceremony, scheduled for February 11, will honor Giroux alongside Chris Bourque, Jim Wiemer, and Wendell Young, cementing his legacy as one of the league’s all-time greats.
🌟THE CLASS OF 2026🌟
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) November 5, 2025
Recognized by the AHL Hall of Fame Selection Committee as the latest group of enshrinees are Chris Bourque, Alexandre Giroux, Jim Wiemer and Wendell Young.
🔗: https://t.co/ySr0sBhAmUpic.twitter.com/TeanpP0JSn
Giroux’s professional journey began in the 2001-02 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the team’s inaugural campaign in the AHL and final season as an affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. After a strong rookie season with 27 points in 70 games and a plus-five rating for the West Division champions, Giroux followed Ottawa’s move to a new AHL affiliate, joining the Binghamton Senators. Despite his talent, NHL opportunities were limited.
The AHL announced that former Griffins forward Alexandre Giroux will be inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame during the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois #GoGRG
— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 5, 2025
DETAILS | 🔗 https://t.co/MGoPxXl2Hlpic.twitter.com/thTsWGe6Pv
His fortunes changed in 2003-04 when the Senators traded him to the New York Rangers. He was immediately assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, where he spent the season before earning his first NHL appearance with the Rangers. In 2006, Giroux signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals and scored his first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 16. He later joined the Atlanta Thrashers’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, before returning to the Capitals organization at the 2008 trade deadline.
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12/10/08: BOS @ WSH: Alexandre Giroux, 1st of the season (3rd of career) Assisted by Viktor Kozlov and Tom Poti pic.twitter.com/UdU5C7quqp
— Random NHL Goal a Day (@NHLGoalADay) December 13, 2024
Giroux’s AHL success reached its peak with the Hershey Bears, where he helped lead the team to back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2009 and 2010. During this period, he achieved feats few in league history can match, including consecutive 50-goal seasons, a 60-goal campaign, a record 15-game goal streak, and league MVP honors in 2008-09. He compiled 139 goals and 255 points over two seasons. Over his 11 AHL seasons, Giroux reached seventh on the all-time goals list with 368, finishing his career with 704 points in 771 games and adding 103 points in 118 playoff contests. His clutch play included a record five career playoff overtime goals.
Happy Alexandre Giroux day to those who celebrate! Technically it was yesterday but it was nearing midnight in Hershey when Giroux scored a legendary goal in Hershey Bears history. pic.twitter.com/oRoWgFQNjg
— Bears Hockey Nation (@HBHNationBlog) June 12, 2023
Although his NHL career was limited to 48 games with the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Capitals, and Edmonton Oilers, totaling 12 points, Giroux’s professional impact extended overseas. He competed in Russia’s KHL, Switzerland’s Swiss-A league, and France with Grenoble, helping the team win a league title. He concluded his career in Quebec with Thetford Assurancia of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey.
Giroux becomes the fourth former Grand Rapids player to enter the AHL Hall of Fame, joining Michel Picard, Bryan Helmer, and Darren Haydar. From his start in Grand Rapids to his record-setting AHL dominance and international ventures, Alexandre Giroux’s career represents perseverance, skill, and a deep passion for the game, making him a deserving addition to hockey’s Hall of Fame.
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Former Mets coaches Jeremy Hefner and Antoan Richardson joining Braves staff
A pair of former Mets coaches have found a new home in Atlanta.
The Braves announced on Wednesday that they have hired Jeremy Hefner as pitching coach and Antoan Richardson as first base coach.
Hefner, who pitched for the Mets in 2012 and 2013, was hired to be the team's pitching coach in December 2019. Hefner was not retained following a 2025 season in which the Mets saw their starters fail to give them consistent length, while the bullpen had issues when it came to building the bridge to Edwin Diaz.
Richardson, who joined the Mets when Carlos Mendoza was hired after the 2023 season, was lauded for his work with Mets baserunners, particularly during the 2025 season when he helped the club tie a major league record with 39 stolen bases in a row without getting caught. He also worked closely with Juan Soto, who stole a career-high 38 bases and nearly had a 40/40 season.
As a team last year, the Mets stole 147 bases, the fifth most in baseball, and were caught just 18 times, the second fewest of any team.
The Mets had interest in retaining Richardson to coach first base, but he and the club could not agree to terms on a new deal, leading to his departure from the organization.
According to SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino, there was 'no world' in which the Mets were going to be able to retain him, though they "tried hard."
Belgium to Santa Barbara to Oklahoma City: Ajay Mitchell’s winding path to a breakout season
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Most of the players in the NBA grew up dreaming of being on this stage. They were the stars of middle school AAU teams with fantasies of being the next Stephen Curry or Paul George.
Growing up in Ans, Belgium, Ajay Mitchell dreamed of the NBA, too, but it there was a bigger question — did he really want to be the next Jalen Brunson or the next Belgium/Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne?
"Oh, that's a good question. I think a little bit of both," Mitchell told NBC Sports, adding he played soccer as a youth and is still a huge fan. "I think, until I was probably like 14, it was both. And then when I was 14, I kind of made the decision to just pursue basketball, because, obviously, in Belgium, we didn't have high school sports, so it was hard to play multiple sports because it's all the same season. So when I was 14, I decided to just play basketball."
That decision was the first step of a winding journey that took Mitchel through idyllic Santa Barbara, California and ultimately landed him in Oklahoma City — where fans now see an "overnight" sensation averaging 16.1 points a game, someone who is the current DraftKings betting favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year.
But that journey was anything but overnight.
Belgium to Santa Barbara to OKC
After Mitchell committed to basketball, he soon found himself in Limburg United's youth program in Belgium, where he played as a member of the youth team, eventually transitioning to the senior team during the 2020–21 season.
"I think it really helped me playing professional before college," Mitchell said, in terms of getting used to a level of play.
However, for the kid with an American father, playing college ball in the United States was always the dream. He landed at UC Santa Barbara, a beachside campus that may be the most chill college in America.
"It was a pretty smooth adjustment for me ..." Mitchell said of moving stateside. "I think it really helped just the way it was in Santa Barbara. We had like six incoming freshmen when I got in, so it was really easy to get adjusted. And the guys that were already there just kind of, like, brought us in. So it was, it was really smooth.
"And I think off the court was pretty easy. It's a great school, so I was really happy."
Like he is now in OKC, Mitchell wasn't flashy in Santa Barbara, but he just made the right basketball play and knocked down his shots — you could see he knew how to play the game. He was always doing the little things and had an impact from the start, being named Big West Freshman of the Year in 2022. The following season, he averaged 16.3 points and 5.1 assists a game for the Gauchos and was the Big West Player of the Year.
He also was drawing interest from scouts. By the end of the 2023-24 season, Mitchell declared himself for the NBA Draft.
Adjusting to Oklahoma City
The Knicks drafted Mitchell with the No. 38 pick but instantly traded him to the Thunder, with whom he signed a two-way contract. Even then, Mitchell was overlooked and in the shadows — Nikola Topić was the Thunder's lottery pick in that draft. However, Topic was injured while Mitchell was playing himself into rotation minutes as a rookie, thanks to his efforts in Summer League and training camp. Mitchell was putting in the work, and the Thunder noticed.
"He was playing rotation minutes in the first game of the season last year for what was a very deep team ..." Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "It allowed him to get some miles underneath him and learn the league a little bit so that when he sat [due to injury], he sat with the contextual awareness of what it was like to be an NBA player and play in NBA games. I think he was still able to learn and evolve even though he was out."
Mitchell missed three months of his rookie season with a toe injury that required surgery, but by that point the Thunder knew what they had and converted his two-way contract to a standard one. From his perspective, Mitchell was still figuring things out and adjusting, but he said the key was that he never stopped looking for ways to improve.
"Speed is definitely one. I think defensively too, being able to guard multiple positions," Mitchell said of the hardest adjustments from going from Santa Barbara to the NBA. "I think everything is such a different game than college …
"It was an adjustment, but I think I understood right away this is the NBA, and for me, my goal is to have a long career. So understanding what I had to do to help a team win was really important early on and I think it was a pretty smooth adjustment. Obviously, I just want to win, so when I'm focused on what I have to do to win to help the team win, that's all I have to do."
Like going from Belgium to Santa Barbara before, the adjustment from a California coastal oasis to Oklahoma City was made much easier because the Thunder are a young roster with a core around his age (23).
"For sure it makes it easier. Obviously, we've got a lot of young guys, and then we all hang out," Mitchell said. "So it's fun to have such a young team and it was really easy for me to just get in the mix of things with those guys, and they made it really easy for me just putting me in everything they do."
Making the leap this season
Mitchell returned from his toe injury late in the season and was on the roster for the Thunder's run to an NBA title last spring.
"Obviously, I think anybody being around a playoff run like that and getting some minutes, spot minutes at times, is good for them," Daigneault said. "Then he was able to take that wisdom into his summer. He got his body really, really strong, he got his game tighter and better, and he came out firing this year."
Again, that "overnight" success came about because of a summer spent in the gym, particularly in the weight room.
"I always wanted to be like a complete player, so I think every summer for me it's like working on a little bit of everything or try to get better at a lot of things," Mitchell said. "I think the main focus [this summer] was my body. When you get in the league as a rookie, you definitely feel a difference in like physicality and how the game is played. So I think for me that was the focus was getting stronger, getting faster, and being ready to play at this level … It's such a long season compared to like a college season, you want to be healthy and you want to be ready to go every night."
This summer, Mitchell signed a three-year, $8.7 million contract (with a team option on the last season) that now looks like an absolute steal for the Thunder. Mitchell has come out playing aggressively, took over secondary playmaking duties off the bench, and on an already deep team he has become a standout sixth man.
Mitchell is just taking it all in stride.
"For me, I just want to help this team win in any way I can," Mitchell said. "I don't really look at any roles. I just go out there and do what it takes to win."
The 8-0 Thunder are winning. Mitchell is winning, too, and he could do a lot more of that this season — and even take home some league hardware.
Just don't call it an "overnight" success.
Michigan State basketball landing Jasiah Jervis shows Tom Izzo still has his fastball
A look at what Jasiah Jervis' choosing MSU basketball means for the Spartans from columnist Graham Couch.
Yankees' 2026 MLB spring training schedule
The 2026 MLB season will be here before you know it, and the entire Grapefruit league schedule was announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The Yankees will play 33 spring training games, including 16 home games at Steinbrenner Field, opening with a road game against the Baltimore Orioles on Feb. 20.
Their first home game is set for Feb. 21 against the Detroit Tigers.
Additionally, the Yankees will have their 2026 Spring Breakout Game, which highlights some of the top prospects in the sport, on Mar. 21 against the Atlanta Braves' prospects.
The Yanks will then close things with a rare trip to Arizona to play the Chicago Cubs on Mar. 23 and 24.
Here is the full schedule for Aaron Boone's club:
The Yankees have announced the 2026 Spring Training schedule: pic.twitter.com/YTpHQdz93M
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) November 5, 2025
Phillies exercise Alvarado's option for 2026 after uneven campaign
Phillies exercise Alvarado's option for 2026 after uneven campaign originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies are bringing back a familiar late-inning arm.
Philadelphia exercised José Alvarado’s $9 million team option on Wednesday, committing to the left-hander for 2026 after a season with highs and lows.
When on the mound, Alvarado remains one of baseball’s tougher lefties. Before his mid-season 80-game suspension for violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy, he posted a 2.70 ERA over his first 20 appearances, striking out 32 batters in 26 innings. His sinker still ranked in the 99th percentile in velocity.
But the back half of the year told a different story. Upon his return in late August, Alvarado posted a 7.50 ERA and then landed on the injured list with a forearm strain, which ended his season prematurely. Part of the suspension was going to hold him out of the postseason anyways. Manager Rob Thomson noted in his end-of-season remarks:
“Tough year, it really was for him in a lot of different ways… I think making sure that he’s healthy going into the offseason kind of eased his mind and mine.”
The decision to bring back Alvarado sense for the Phillies, though. Left-handed relief is a scarce commodity, and Philadelphia enters the offseason light in that area — with only Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks under contract among LHPs.
The familiarity factor also counts: Alvarado has logged 21 postseason games since 2022.
Still, the upside comes with risk. His command remains one of his major issues. But for a one-year, $9 million commitment — under the $11.6 million market value that Spotrac estimates — the front office appears willing to bet on the “Alvy” who dominated in 2022–23 rather than the one who sputtered late in 2025.
In a bullpen that struggled for middle-relief depth down the stretch, bringing Alvarado back provides flexibility for Thomson. Whether he’s back as a seventh-inning bridge or strictly for matchups, the move signals the Phillies believe in his ability to bounce back.
Michigan State basketball lands 4-star shooting guard Jasiah Jervis for 2026 class
Tom Izzo landed a third player for Michigan State basketball's 2026 recruiting class with the commitment of four-star shooting guard Jasiah Jervis.
The Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series had record-setting ratings. Here's what it means
Two years ago, the Dodgers set out to become Japan’s team. The Toronto Blue Jays are Canada’s team.
When the two teams collided in this year’s World Series, the ratings hit the stratosphere.
The deciding Game 7 of the World Series attracted a record 51 million viewers across the United States, Canada and Japan, Major League Baseball said Wednesday, making it the most-watched MLB game since Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.
The series averaged 34 million viewers across the three countries, the largest global audience for the World Series since 1992. The audience outside the U.S. was the largest ever — even with other countries yet to be tallied.
Read more:'Work to do': Four questions the World Series champion Dodgers face this offseason
In the U.S. alone, an average of 16.1 million viewers watched each game, an increase from last year even with the New York Yankees out and a Canadian team in. (The series was a more dramatic seven games this year and five last year, which helped.)
For the third consecutive year and fifth time in six years, the World Series had a higher rating than the NBA Finals — this year, 56% higher.
The strong World Series ratings — and attendance that rose for the fourth consecutive year — underscore the risk owners would take if they locked out players next winter and shut down the sport in a quest for a salary cap.
After a work stoppage that cost the league the end of the 1994 season and the start of the 1995 season, average attendance did not rebound to pre-strike levels until 2006. Attendance soon dipped again as game times routinely crept past three hours — the pitch clock has solved that — and amid the pandemic.
Even with the recent gains, attendance remains 10% below its 2007 peak.
The Atlanta Braves, despite missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017, announced Wednesday that 2025 revenues through Sept. 30 had hit $671 million — up 10% from last year — and profits had hit $36 million.
The Braves’ revenues included $71 million from the Battery, their ballpark-adjacent development that depends largely upon selling three million tickets to Braves games every year. (As a publicly traded company, the Braves are legally required to release financial data; the Dodgers and most other teams are not.)
Los Angeles led all U.S. television markets in World Series ratings, followed in order by San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis and Milwaukee, according to Fox data.
Read more:Money helped Dodgers win the World Series. But they say culture got them through Game 7
Both the current and future homes of the Athletics — Sacramento and Las Vegas, respectively — ranked among the top 10.
In Japan, a country with one-third the population of the U.S., the World Series averaged 9.7 million viewers. In Canada, a country with one-tenth the population of the U.S., the series averaged 8.1 million viewers.
The Game 7 broadcast in Canada was the most-watched of any English-language broadcast on record aside from the 2010 Winter Olympics, which were held in Vancouver.
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Mets' 2026 MLB spring training schedule
The Mets will play their first spring training game of 2026 on Feb. 21, when they open their Grapefruit League schedule against the Marlins at Clover Park.
New York will play 29 spring games in total, including two against World Baseball Classic teams -- against Nicaragua on March 3 and Israel on March 4.
The Spring Breakout Game -- featuring many of each team's best prospects -- will take place for the Mets on March 19 when they host the Rays.
Here's the Mets' full spring training schedule:
Feb. 21: vs. Marlins
Feb. 22: @ Yankees
Feb. 23: @ Blue Jays
Feb. 24: vs. Astros
Feb. 25: vs. Cardinals
Feb. 26: @ Astros
Feb. 27: @ Cardinals
Feb. 28: vs. Nationals
Mar. 1: vs. Astros
Mar. 3: vs. Nicaragua (WBC team)
Mar. 4: vs. Israel (WBC team)
Mar. 5: @ Nationals
Mar. 6: @ Marlins
Mar. 7: @ Cardinals
Mar. 8: vs. Yankees
Mar. 9: vs. Marlins
Mar. 10: vs. Cardinals
Mar. 12: @ Cardinals
Mar. 13: vs. Marlins (SS)
Mar. 13: @ Nationals (SS)
Mar. 14: @ Astros
Mar. 15: vs. Blue Jays
Mar. 16: vs. Nationals
Mar. 17: @ Marlins
Mar. 19: @ Astros
Mar. 20: vs. Cardinals
Mar. 21: vs. Astros (SS)
Mar. 21: @ Nationals (SS)
Mar. 22: @ Marlins
Overtime blues: Nashville Predators are now 0-4 in games decided in 5 minute OT period
A stat is a stat.
Following Tuesday's overtime 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild, the Nashville Predators are now 0-4 in games decided in the overtime period and 1-4 in games that have gone beyond regulation.
The loss to the Wild was vastly different from the rest. The Predators did a decent job with the possession battle, which has stung them in the past.
With 1:22 left in overtime, Justus Annunen knocked the net off its left mooring and it began to slide. Marcus Johansson's first shot attempt, while the net had started to move, hit the side of the net. If it had gone in, it would've counted as the puck would've gone into the net if it was still on its mooring.
The issue with the goal came on Johansson's rebound shot, which went in. He got the puck off the side of the net, which wouldn't have happened if the net had been still on its mooring. After review, the officials stood by their original call of it being a good goal.
"It's a weird play. I can see the confusion, but the confusing part for us was why it was so emphatically called a goal," Steven Stamkos said. "I get it. If the net comes off and the puck goes in right away, it's no problem. But he missed the net and the puck actually bounced back to him because the net was sideways.
"My interpretation of the rule is that if the net wasn't off, the puck wouldn't have come back to him."
Losses to the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 16 and the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 3 saw the Predators looking ahead to the shootout. Predators head coach Andrew Brunette even said following the game against the Canucks that he liked his team's chances more in the shootout.
Against the Canadiens, Cole Caufield scored the game-winner with three seconds left in overtime, and Brock Boeser won the game for the Canucks with two seconds left in overtime.
Both situations saw the Predators lose a board battle, with two players in the scrum and the puck getting knocked out to the opposing player in open space. Caufield caught a drop pass into the slot and Boeser was all alone from the left side of Juuse Saros.
The loss to the Utah Mammoth on Oct. 11 saw the Predators' opponent fully dominate the possession battle. Nashville couldn't generate a single shot, let alone a rush down the ice, before Dylan Guenther made a move past Fedor Svechkov and scored.
It was nearly a similar situation against the Canucks as defenseman Quinn Hughes slowed play down to give Vancouver a possession advantage.
The Predators have pushed a game past overtime once this season, which was a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings in a shootout on Oct. 25. Nashville has also shown a third-period fight in these eventual overtime losses, forcing the game into extra time against the Canucks and Wild.
Brunette and multiple players have said it's "a coin flip" in overtime, but with the Predators constantly struggling in 3-on-3, the issue may be deeper than chance.
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea: Champions League – as it happened
Alejandro Garnacho scored off the bench as Chelsea escaped from Azerbaijan with a point after being given a scare
1 min: No Caicedo or Enzo in midfield for Chelsea, and that’s going to be a test of Romeo Lavia and Andrey Santos. The young visitors get booed on every touch. Boos are very much in fashion in football, as Trent Alexander-Arnold will tell you.
Here we go in Baku, the teams are out, the jewel of the Land of Fire take on west London’s finest. The weather looks much the same as London today, though the pitch looks decidedly soggy.
Continue reading...One more time with feeling: Devin Booker again says he wants to play entire career in Phoenix
One might think that signing a two-year, $133.3 million contract extension that could keep him in Phoenix through 2030 would have quieted any trade speculation around Devin Booker. One would be wrong. Phoenix's 3-5 start has had some fans and pundits wondering how much longer before Booker asks out.
Don't hold your breath. Before the Suns fell to the Warriors Tuesday night, Booker talked about how much he admired Stephen Curry spending his entire career with one franchise and lifting them to titles, and how he wants to do that in Phoenix, speaking with Nick Friedell of the Athletic.
"You know it because there's not many," Booker said ... "So I know he holds a special place in everybody's heart here in the Bay. And I feel a similar type of love in Phoenix. It's something special. It's kind of hard to explain, but there's a different type of love that comes with it. I wouldn't want it any other way."
Booker is embracing the legacy of being a one-team player.
"The ones I think of off the top of my head: Tim Duncan, Dirk (Nowitzki), Kobe (Bryant)," Booker said. "I had a chance to play against all three of them guys too, close to their last seasons, or their last season, so seeing their farewell tours and the love that they got. At that point, not only from their cities, but I think every city around the NBA also acknowledged it and showed love to the loyalty and embraced it."
Booker is averaging 31 points and 7 assists a game, looking every bit the All-Star and veteran team leader.
He could have asked out this summer when Phoenix traded Kevin Durant, but that's not what Booker wants. He is where he wants to be. While one should never say never in an unpredictable NBA, Booker leaving Phoenix is about as close to never as it gets. He keeps saying that. Eventually people may listen.
McIlroy thanks PGA chief for Ryder Cup apology and questions LIV changes
McIlroy received apology over fan abuse
Eyes Dubai finale after ‘amazing 10 months’
Calls LIV’s 72-hole shift ‘peculiar’ move
Rory McIlroy says PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague personally apologized for the abuse directed at him and his wife during Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black and that the gesture helped close the book on what had been a bruising week.
“I got a lovely e-mail from Derek Sprague apologizing,” McIlroy told BBC Sport ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. “Erica worked with Derek at the PGA of America back in the day, so we know Derek and his wife pretty well. He couldn’t have been more gracious or apologetic and he wrote us a lovely letter, which we really appreciated.”
Continue reading...Predicting The Outcome Of The Canucks’ Upcoming Four-Game Homestand
After a three-game road trip that saw them go 2–1–0, the Vancouver Canucks will be spending the next four games at home, taking on the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, and Winnipeg Jets. This means the Canucks have the opportunity to snag a possible eight points within the span of the week, which would do great damage in the standings to their Pacific Division opponents. Let’s make some guesses as to how this homestand will go for the Canucks.
November 5 vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Some may be quick to dismiss the Blackhawks, as this stretch of home games features opponents who currently sit at the top of the NHL’s standings. However, this shouldn’t be the way Vancouver approaches tonight’s game, as they did only take their game against Chicago via shootout back in October. Since Thatcher Demko has started the past two games, it would make sense for Kevin Lankinen to get the start tonight, just as he did back in October. On the other side of the ice, expect Spencer Knight to start for Chicago, as Arvid Söderblom was given the start in the Blackhawks’ most recent game on Monday.
Chicago’s special teams put them around the middle of the pack, with their penalty kill (80.8%, 15th in the NHL) being a bit better than their power play (17.5%), which sits at 21st in the NHL. While the Canucks did score two goals on Monday with the man-advantage, neither of these came from their top-unit. With Quinn Hughes taking part in his second game since returning from injury, Vancouver’s first-unit is due for a goal or two.
Prediction: Canucks 5, Blackhawks 3
Three Stars for Vancouver: Quinn Hughes, Kevin Lankinen, Elias Pettersson
November 8 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Canucks’ second game of their homestand is against the Blue Jackets, who will take on the Calgary Flames tonight before heading to Vancouver for Saturday’s game. Columbus has looked strong so far this season, with the Blue Jackets occupying the fourth spot in the Metropolitan Division. As of November 5, the Blue Jackets are currently tied for the fourth-most 5-on-5 goals-for in the NHL with 30 while sporting the third-lowest goals-against at 5-on-5 with only 20. Their special teams work, on the other hand, may be one of their biggest weaknesses. Columbus has scored only five goals on the power play so far this season, while surrendering 12 power play goals against.
As for goaltending, Elvis Merzļikins and Jet Greaves has split their starts pretty evenly so far for Columbus, with Merzļikins taking the team’s November 2 game against the New York Islanders. If Greaves gets the start tonight, Merzļikins will likely be the starter on Saturday. In the event that Vancouver starts Lankinen on Wednesday, Demko would be the most likely candidate to start on Saturday, with Lankinen then coming in on Sunday against the Avalanche.
Prediction: Blue Jackets 3, Canucks 2 (OT)
Three Stars for Vancouver: Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko
November 9 vs. Colorado Avalanche
As of November 5, the Avalanche are the top team in the entire NHL, having only lost once in regulation but five times in overtime. It will be very hard for the Canucks to shut down the lethal offence of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Nečas, especially given that Vancouver is missing a good chunk of their top penalty killers in Teddy Blueger and Conor Garland. However, the Canucks have found success against Colorado in the past, as the team won all three of their matches against the Avalanche last season including shutting them out back in February.
Vancouver’s biggest shot at winning against Colorado comes in overtime, as the Avalanche have lost all five of their games that have gone past regulation. The Canucks, on the other hand, have yet to give up a game in overtime or a shootout (though the prediction for their Columbus game negates that stat). While this game marks the second-half of a back-to-back for both teams, Colorado will be travelling to Vancouver from Edmonton, putting the circumstances of the game in the Canucks favour — albeit slightly.
Prediction: Canucks 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
Three Stars for Vancouver: Quinn Hughes, Kiefer Sherwood, Kevin Lankinen
November 11 vs. Winnipeg Jets
Vancouver’s fourth and final game of this homestand is against the Jets next Tuesday. Winnipeg, near the top of the NHL’s standings with a 9–4–0 record, welcomed back their captain Adam Lowry on Tuesday night after the forward started the season rehabilitating hip surgery done in May. The Jets have been a strong team all over the ice this season, placing in the top-half of the NHL in power play (22.7%), penalty kill (88.7%), and faceoff wins (51.9%). The only lapse in the Jets’ power that seems to be a target is their ability to generate shots and scoring chances. They’re within the bottom-10 in the NHL in shots per game with 26.8, and have generated a ninth-lowest scoring chances for with 356.
From now until the 11th, the Jets only play in two games. Winnipeg backup Eric Comrie has played in three games so far this season against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, and New York Islanders, winning all of them. Whether he gets the start over Connor Hellebuyck or not will depend on who starts the Jets’ next couple of games. For Vancouver, if Lankinen takes the game against the Avalanche, then all signs will point to Demko starting against Winnipeg.
Prediction: Jets 3, Canucks 1
Three Stars for Vancouver: Jake DeBrusk, Evander Kane, Thatcher Demko
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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