The Pittsburgh Penguins have won four of their last five games, including two-straight. 

They recently defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in a wild, chaotic game on Thursday, in which Nikita Kucherov's game-tying goal was taken off the board for a hand pass. The Penguins were able to survive the final minute of regulation and walk away with two points.

The Penguins have responded since head coach Dan Muse called them out following the Nov. 22 3-2 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken, and will try to carry that strong momentum into Sunday's game against a Dallas Stars team with Stanley Cup aspirations. The Stars are currently in second place in the Central Division with a 19-5-5 record and have won two in a row and seven of 10. 

Stars forward Jason Robertson has been outstanding this year, compiling 18 goals and 37 points in 29 games. He's been doing it all for the Stars and if he's not on Team USA's Olympic team in February, then something is seriously wrong. 

Mikko Rantanen has also been outstanding, racking up 13 goals and 38 points in 28 games. He's very crafty in the offensive zone and can make anyone pay in an instant.

Wyatt Johnston continues to do his thing with 16 goals and 33 points in 29 games and doesn't get talked about enough. He's one of the most underrated players in the NHL. 

Miro Heiskanen leads the Stars defensively and is one of the best defenseman on the planet. He can do everything in all three zones and has exceptional gap control. 

Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith have both been good in goal this season and it'll be interesting to see which goalie gets the nod in this one. 

As for the Penguins, there may be a couple of changes coming to the lineup after Saturday's practice. Evgeni Malkin missed practice with a maintenance day and will not play on Sunday due to an upper-body injury. Justin Brazeau was back in his usual spot on the second line during line rushes, and Noel Acciari was back on the fourth line. 

Matt Dumba was also in Connor Clifton's spot on the bottom pairing with Ryan Graves. 

Here's what Sunday's lineup could look like if Brazeau and Acciari are cleared to return: 

Forwards

Novak-Crosby-Rust

Mantha-Hayes-Brazeau

McGroarty-Kindel-Koivunen

Dewar-Lizzote-Acciari

Defense

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Shea-Letang

Graves-Dumba

Penguins head coach Dan Muse will likely announce a starting goaltender when he meets with the media before the game. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh, and fans can listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

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In the Nashville Predators' (10-14-4) 6-3 loss over the Carolina Hurricanes (17-8-2), Preds star forward Filip Forsberg recorded a big milestone.

After getting an assist on Matthew Wood's goal in the third period, Forsberg scored his tenth goal of the year and notched his 19th point of the season in 28 games.

The Preds leading goal-scorer this year recorded his 328th career goal with his tip in the third period. It was his 700th career point.

Forsberg, 31, is still second all-time in Predators scoring behind defenseman and captain Roman Josi (734). Forsberg, with the goal, has put himself 118 goals in front of David Legwand for most goals in Predators history.

You're looking at Fil's 700th @NHL point 👏 pic.twitter.com/DPe779z2g6

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 7, 2025

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Recent Nashville Predators Stories

- Column: Penalty kill alone isn't going to turn around Nashville Predators season.

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As New Jersey Devils Public Address Announcer Adam Hamway announced the in-game Dessert Race from his booth at the top of Prudential Center on Friday night, down below on the ice was Colton White skating small laps near his team's bench. 

In the nine games he has appeared in for the Devils this season, you can count on the 28-year-old to take advantage of every TV timeout, jumping over the boards for a quick skate to keep his mind in the game and his focus sharp.  

Since being called up on Nov. 05, White has averaged 11:58 of ice time, serving as a depth defenseman. His minutes are limited, but that doesn't mean they are easy, as any player or coach can speak to the challenges of waiting long periods in between shifts. 

"It is extremely hard to play (limited minutes)," Andy Greene previously told The Hockey News. "They are sitting there for 15 minutes at a time, and all of a sudden they get their shift, and it is, 'Oh my God, what do I do?' 

"The guys that can do that and can figure it out, they are usually always around," Greene continued. "There is always a job for them." 

Understanding the disadvantages and struggles of filling a depth role makes White's numbers even more impressive. 

In many defensive-zone metrics, White's numbers rank first or second among the Devils' defense. Of course, it is a small sample size, but he is playing hard minutes. With the team on the road, he is not getting the desired matchups. He has played with multiple defensive partners, including Dennis Cholowski, Brenden Dillon, and Simon Nemec. He has also spent most of his time playing on his off-side. It is for these reasons that MSG Networks Devils Analyst Bryce Salvador has called White's contributions invaluable. 

A Long-Awaited Return To The NHL 

940 days. 

It took 940 days of commitment, hard work, persistence, and having the right attitude to lead White to this moment and opportunity. 

After a short stint with the Anaheim Ducks organization, White contacted the Devils and showed interest in returning to the organization that drafted him in 2015. In July 2024, he signed a two-year, two-way contract, reuniting him with the Devils. In the first year of his contract, he spent the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Comets. He was quickly named an alternate captain, getting an 'A' stitched to the front of his jersey, an honor he has this season as well.  

Utica Comets General Manager Dan MacKinnon had a simple message for White: if he was going to be with the Comets, he needed to take hold and own that leadership and mentor role, not just for the younger defensemen, but for every player in that room. 

Well, he has done that in spades. His teammates will be the first to tell you that White is among the first to congratulate someone on a call-up or check in to see how they are doing. One player he specifically took under his wing was defenseman Seamus Casey, who began his professional career last season. 

"(White) is the best," Casey previously told The Hockey News. "He is such a good person, first and foremost. I think he is definitely someone who constantly looks out for me here. One of my favorite guys that I have played with, for sure."

Even during this current stint with the Devils, White is keeping a close eye on the Comets. In addition to checking the box scores, he is keeping in contact with those in Utica. 

"When I am with New Jersey, I keep track of how the team is doing, and I talk to a lot of the guys, some almost every day," White told The Hockey News. "It is asking how games are, but also seeing how things are going with them off the ice as well." 

Part of what makes him a favorite among his teammates is his approach and positive energy, regardless of where the team is in the standings. 

"His attitude day in and day out is always incredible," Casey said. "When things are going good for the team or if they are going bad, he has got that unwavering positivity, and his work ethic matches it and his consistency. It is no surprise he is thriving in an NHL lineup."

Doing What Is Asked 

When the organization recalled White, Devils' head coach Sheldon Keefe knew precisely what type of defenseman he would be inserting into this lineup, as he first met White when he was a teenager. 

"He is a more mature version of who I have always known," head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "I coached him as a 16-year-old kid coming into junior hockey. And at that time, you really appreciated his demeanor. He is a very genuine person, works hard, is a good teammate, and has a good skill set-a broad skill set. I don't think he's ever had one thing that he has really latched onto. He is good at a lot of things. A very solid defenseman. He can skate, move the puck, but is also smart enough to defend. And again, that's what we need from him here."

The thing with White is that he is not a flashy player; most of his contributions won't show up on a stats sheet or scoreboard. Still, he has received praise from those around the game, from Keefe to goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who, when asked explicitly about Simon Nemec's performance post-game, also said that White is not getting enough credit for his contributions. 

The question becomes: what is it about White's game that does not necessarily get recognized by fans but is praised by those around the game? 

"He is such a good skater and plays with a lot of skill, but also plays a very smart and patient game and rarely makes mistakes," Casey explained. "Guys will always appreciate someone who is a constant driver of the puck, making their jobs easier. He can play pretty much every role on the backend as well." 

"He puts a lot of value in the defensive side (of the game), but when you put him in the position where he gets a call-up, he knows exactly what he needs to do to stay and be impactful for the team," Comets' head coach Ryan Parent said. "He essentially puts all of his focus into making sure he's sharp on all those details. That is what his priority is. That is what he believes he has to do to help the team out. It is about the way you are preparing for the game and what your expectations of a good game are." 

One person who has been an asset to White is Devils' assistant coach Brad Shaw, who has given the Ontario native attention he didn't necessarily get in the past.

"Brad has been really helpful," he said. "He is very detailed, always communicates, and is very patient with me. In games, practice days, or video sessions, he takes his time with everyone, and that is something I haven't had before, usually being the extra defenseman. Just little tidbits of information to help my game and play to my strengths." 

Any Day In The NHL Is A Good Day 

White is usually one of the last players off the ice on practice days, and among the first to arrive on game days. Not a participant in the team's overly competitive sewer ball game, he opts to find a quiet place to go through his own routine before he hits the ice for warmups wearing no. 45. 

A quiet and polite individual, White will never be the center of attention, nor is that something he strives for. Being a good teammate and a good person is enough, and for now, he is just soaking in the moment, his return to the NHL. 

"Any day in the NHL is a good day," he said. "It is a privilege to be here. It takes a lot of work to stay here. I am just doing my best day-by-day, whether it's in a practice or in a game, just doing what's asked of me and try to contribute any way I can." 

It is unclear how long White will remain with the Devils, but two things are clear. The first, is he has done an excellent job playing hard minutes. The second, he is valued and respected by those around him in both the AHL and NHL. 

"At the end of the day, everyone wants to get to the NHL; that is everyone's dream," Angus Crookshank said. "He deserves to be up there, and I couldn't be happier for him, seeing the success he is having."

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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Macklin Celebrini is a generational star, but even players of his caliber can’t drag a franchise forward on sheer brilliance alone.

The San Jose Sharks haven’t reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2019, and if they hope to break that skid, their supporting cast must rise to the occasion. The numbers make that reality painfully clear: when Celebrini registers at least one point, San Jose wins nearly twice as often as it loses. When he’s held quiet, not only have the Sharks failed to secure a single victory this season, but their offense all but evaporates.

That dynamic resurfaced Friday in a 4–1 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Sharks’ top line was effectively neutralized, and although the third line offered a flicker of life—Collin Graf hammered home his fourth of the season in the second period—it proved insufficient. San Jose’s fifth straight road loss was sealed well before the final horn.

Yet, even amid the setbacks, this remains a team moving in the right direction. After finishing dead last in each of the previous two seasons and hovering just above the basement the year before, the Sharks are beginning to show legitimate, sustainable progress.

If you're getting praised by one of the best hockey players of this generation in Sidney Crosby, you're probably doing things right.

"He’s definitely proved he’s one of the best in the league."

Sidney Crosby talks about Macklin Celebrini's season, #SJSharks star's case to make the Canadian Olympic team & Mack's golf game.

Full interview only at SJHN Instagram --> https://t.co/2KtIl2gzuTpic.twitter.com/mR3VygRSMI

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 6, 2025

A Goal Wiped Away

Late in regulation, Celebrini briefly appeared to breathe life into San Jose’s push. He uncorked a blistering one-timer past Jake Oettinger with 2:20 remaining, seemingly trimming the deficit to 3–2. But the celebration was short-lived. Following a Stars coach’s challenge, officials determined that Philipp Kurashev had entered the zone offside—24 seconds before the shot—nullifying what could have been a pivotal moment.

The Blueprint Ahead

If the Sharks want to follow a trajectory similar to the Colorado Avalanche of five or so years ago, the next step is clear: strategic, meaningful roster upgrades. Depth wins in the modern NHL, and San Jose remains a few well-chosen pieces away from turning competitive flashes into consistent success. Celebrini’s continued ascent only amplifies the urgency—and the opportunity.

At just 19, he sits third in the NHL scoring race with 40 points, trailing only Connor McDavid (42) and Nathan MacKinnon (48). His 26 assists rank second in the league, again behind McDavid’s 28. He’s not merely living up to expectations; he’s expanding them.

The Sharks face the Carolina Hurricanes today, carrying one of the starkest statistical contrasts in the league. When Celebrini goes pointless, they’re 0-6-2 with just eight goals to show for it. When he factors into the scoring, they surge to 13-7-1.

San Jose’s future hinges on one truth: Celebrini can be the engine, but the rest of the machine must keep pace.

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Belleville Senators' Phillipe Daoust has put up 23 points in 25 games, the seventh-highest in the AHL and the best numbers for an unrestricted free agent prospect in the league.

This has also eclipsed his previous best of 22 points scored in MORE THAN TWICE the games at 52 from the 2024-25 season.

The 24-year-old was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2020 Draft and signed to a $2.47M entry-level contract in 2022 that expired this past off-season because of poor showing.

With the dramatic improvement in performance, this is the golden window for the Barrie, Ontario native to get another NHL deal. He just needs to keep up the scoring. Of course, it is easier said than done.

The Nashville Predators penalty kill has been a staple to the franchise. 

Embracing a "Smashville" identity, where the Predators play a more physical style of hockey, it only makes sense that year in and year out, the team is effective on the penalty kill. When their opponent thinks they have a leg up on the power play, Nashville immediately shuts it down. 

Those numbers have held strong this season, as the Predators' penalty kill has been among the top 10 in the NHL. In their win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday, the Predators' PK killed off 6-of-6 and was awarded the locker room's player of the game award. 

The Predators' penalty kill is efficient and is a weapon in their arsenal. However, by itself, it's not going to turn around their season. 

Their 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday was an example of the Predators' need to stay out of the box and stop forcing so much on their penalty killing unit.

Carolina's power play, which ranks 27th in the league, scored twice on a whopping six power plays. It's the second straight game that Nashville has given its opponent six opportunities with the man-advantage.

While it is good that the Predators are able to kill off these penalties, as a team still ranked last in the league, they are spending more time defending than attacking. Short-handed goals can be factored in, but Nashville has only scored once while playing 4-on-5. 

The Predators' penalty minutes are down from the previous season, ranking 18th in the NHL with 246 PIM. In their last five games, Nashville has committed 73 minutes in penalties, averaging at least 14 minutes per game.

That's nearly 75% of one period playing a man down. 

Looking at the Predators' season as a whole, they are averaging 3.94 penalties per game, which suddenly puts them at 11th. In generating offense, Nashville is averaging 27.6 shots per game (17th in NHL) and 2.61 goals per game (29th in NHL). 

The penalty kill should be used when needed, but it cannot be the sole factor in giving the Predators a chance to win. Nashville cannot expect to rise in the standings when it's spending so much time playing with one arm tied behind its back. 

Two power-play goals allowed in a game isn't the end-all of a final result, but taking those off the board gave Nashville a better chance to win in a game where it got its offense going late. 

It would've been 4-3, with the Predators scoring all three of their goals in the third period. Even in the 2-1 overtime win over the Panthers, if Nashville hadn't been in and out of the box, it could've had a chance to blow open the game and maybe not give a point to Florida. 

The Predators' penalty killing unit has customized hoodies this season. It's a sled being pulled by four dogs and the hoodie says "DO NOT PET." 

If anything, the Predators are currently asking those dogs to sprint the Iditarod.