Worldwide Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scouting Detroit 

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

Finnie - Larkin - Raymond

DeBrincat - Compher - Kane

Kasper - Copp - Appleton

van Riemsdyk - Rasmussen - Berggren

Edvinsson - Seider

Chiarot - Sandin-Pellikka

Johansson - Hamonic

Gibson

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

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

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

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

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

Projected Blackhawks Lines, Defense Pairs, and Starting Goalie

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

Greene - Bedard - Burakovsky

Teravainen - Nazar - Bertuzzi

Moore - Donato - Mikheyev

Dach - Foligno - Lafferty

Vlasic - Rinzel

Kaiser - Levshunov

Grzelcyk - Murphy

Crevier

Knight

Söderblom

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

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

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

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

How To Watch

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

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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

The Detroit Red Wings announced Sunday that they have recalled center Nate Danielson from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XUPDATE: The #RedWings have recalled Nate Danielson from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Danielson, the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, has impressed since returning from a preseason injury on Oct. 24. In four games with Grand Rapids this season, the 21-year-old has recorded a goal and four assists for five points along with four penalty minutes and a plus-two rating.

Last season as a rookie with the Griffins, Danielson posted 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 71 games, ranking among the team’s leaders in points (6th), assists (2nd) and goals (6th). He also added one goal and nine penalty minutes in three playoff appearances. Among AHL rookies in 2024–25, he placed tied for ninth in assists, tied for 14th in points, and led the league in shorthanded assists.

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

Since making his professional debut with Grand Rapids in spring 2024, the Red Deer, Alberta, native has totaled 44 points, 37 penalty minutes and a plus-six rating in 75 regular-season games.

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XOK, NATE! 🚨: Danielson 🍎: MBN

Danielson turned heads during Detroit’s training camp and preseason, where he registered one goal and two assists in three exhibition games. Many believed he was close to making the NHL roster out of camp, alongside fellow rookies Emmitt Finnie, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. The group all lived together during the offseason and are all seen as a key part of the Red Wings’ rebuild under general manager Steve Yzerman.

With his recall, Danielson could now get his long-anticipated shot to join that group in Detroit and potentially secure a full-time NHL role this season.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

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

A former Montreal Canadiens first-round pick is heading back to the American Hockey League (AHL).

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have assigned former Canadiens defenseman Logan Mailloux to their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. In addition, the Blues called up Hunter Skinner with the roster spot that opened up from Mailloux's demotion. 

The Canadiens traded Mailloux to the Blues during this summer in exchange for forward Zack Bolduc. Mailloux has struggled during the beginning stages of his Blues tenure, as he has recorded zero points, seven giveaways, and a minus-12 rating.

Overall, Mailloux has had a shaky start with the Blues, so it is understandable that they have assigned him to Springfield. The former Canadiens blueliner will now look to get things back on track with the Thunderbirds from here. If he does, he could land another call-up to the Blues' roster in the near future. 

Mailloux was selected by the Canadiens with the 31st overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in eight games for the Canadiens over two seasons from 2023-24 to 2024-25, where he posted two goals, three assists, five points, 23 hits, and a minus-4 rating. 

In 135 games over two seasons with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, Mailloux posted 26 goals, 54 assists, 80 points, and 165 penalty minutes. 

Two of the NHL’s top teams — and four of its brightest stars — faced off Saturday night as the  Colorado Avalanche met the Edmonton Oilers. But only one side looked like a Stanley Cup contender. The hope was that facing one of the league's best would bring out Edmonton's A-game. It didn't. In fact, the Oilers met the challenge that is Colorado by crumbling, left only to look in the mirror and ask who and what they really are. 

If this was a test, the Oilers failed it miserably. If this was a challenge, the players didn't meet it. If this was a benchmark, this team isn't close. 

After a 9-1 shellacking, head coach Kris Knoblauch said he hoped this was rock bottom. 

Trending Stories:

Oilers Stack Top Line In Major Test vs. Avalanche

Two Defensemen Tagged As Reason For Oilers' Power Rankings Drop

In a strategic plan to counter speed and skill with speed and skill, Edmonton's top line was stacked. Connor McDavid skated alongside Leon Draisaitl and Jack Roslovic to combat Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Nečas, and Artturi Lehkonen. "I thought we were ready to play," said Knoblauch. It didn't take long to realize they weren't. 

“I hope this wakes up a lot of guys and we understand we’ve got a lot of growing to do to become a good hockey team.”

When Cale Makar struck first on a wrist shot at the 13:29 mark, the Oilers might have suffered a setback, but they weren't throwing in the towel. When Makar scored his second, it felt like the team simply gave up.

"There was a lot of deflation, especially after the second one after the faceoff. After that, it was a lot of guys beating themselves up and not playing very well," said Knoblauch. 

Unbelievably, it could have been worse.

After a Gabriel Landeskog goal was called back because of an offside, what could have been a lifeline turned out to be anything but. Before long, it was 3-0, then 4-0. During the television timeout in the second period, Stuart Skinner got the hook, and Calvin Pickard was in. Skinner wasn't great, but this felt a bit like a mercy pull. Who would have guessed it would be Pickard who needed the saving when all was said and done?

He didn't fare much better as Parker Kelly scored to make it 5-0 about two minutes after Pickard took the net. 

The Oilers drew a call when Mattias Ekholm was cross-checked, and McDavid wasted no time and slid one under Scott Wedgewood's pads. That was as close as it ever got.

Edmonton immediately gave up a shorthanded breakaway, and Parker Kelly scored his second of the game. The second period ended 6-1, with the Avs leading on the shot clock by a 21-16 margin. Yes, that's a .714 save percentage between the two netminders. 

If the question heading into the third period was how much worse could it get, the Avs answered that one early. MacKinnon scored on a 2-on-1 break with Necas. He scored again as he came out of the penalty box, going high on Pickard with a quick release to make it 8-1. A clearly frustrated Walman took a two-minute penalty for hooking, then another for unsportsmanlike. 

Adam Henrique got a short-handed breakaway but couldn't score. Jack Drury then scored his second of the night to make it 9-1. 

Who And What Are The Oilers... Other Than Pretty Bad Right Now?

Walman spoke after the game, and said, "We deserved this tonight. Not really trending in the right direction for a while, they kicked our ass tonight." He added, "It's just frustrating. To a guy, we owe it to everybody in here to figure out, kinda what our role is, what everybody's role on the team is, and do it, cause we're not right now." Walman was confident they would get out of it, but it's going to take some tough talk from some of the guys in the room. "It's not acceptable right now." He added, "I've got to be better, everybody's got to be better. To a man, we've got to figure out what that looks like."

Colorado's Demolition Job Should Finally Wake Up the OilersColorado's dominant 9-1 win exposes Oilers' flaws. MacKinnon, Makar lead a terrifying, deep Avalanche squad.

That could take the Oilers stepping out of their comfort zone. Andrew Mangiapane was questioned about his willingness to be an agitating, in-your-face type of player. He said he needs to go out there and be a hard worker and tenacious. "If that comes, that comes," said Mangipane. 

Trent Frederic was asked why he's not been more physical. He responded that he's trying to get people to fight him, but no one wants to accept a fight from a guy who only has one goal in 15 games. He wouldn't accept a fight either if the shoe were on the other foot.

Both players seemed to miss the point Knoblauch was making. After the game, the coach suggested they couldn't wait for the game to come to them—the Oilers need to force their game onto others. Saturday night was a clear indication that this team is reacting rather than acting.

They lost 9-1, and that's with the Avalanche going 0-for-7 on their power play.

When asked in the morning what to expect of the game later that night, Knoblauch had said, "It will be exciting for the fans." Little did he know he would be speaking on behalf of Avalanche fans.  

What Oilers fans got was a reality check. Edmonton's ability to squeak out points in games they hadn't played well in was a luxury they can no longer afford. This was a total team loss, and addressing it has to start now. 

That means asking questions and finding answers. It's time to hunker down and work their way out of this. Knoblauch said they want to make it fun, but playing good hockey matters more. They do that first, they can worry about it being fun later. 

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.

Canadian left winger Brendan Leipsic, 31, has signed a contract to play the remainder of the current season with SKA St. Petersburg, the KHL club announced on Sunday.

A former NHLer, Lepsic has played in the KHL since 2020 but has been without a contract since the end of last season. This will be his second tour of duty in St. Petersburg, having previously played there during the 2023-24 season.

Leipsic, who hails from Winnipeg, played junior hockey for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks and was chosen in the third round, 89th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. From 2014 until 2020, he recorded 59 points and 53 penalty minutes in 187 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals.

In May 2020, the Capitals terminated Leipsic’s contract after his misogynistic comments in an online chat group were leaked to the public.

Former Shark, Canuck Claimed Off Waivers In KHL Russian winger Nikolai Goldobin, 29, has been claimed off KHL waivers by SKA St. Petersburg, the KHL website announced on Monday. He had been waived by Spartak Moscow, the club for which he’d played the past two seasons.

Leipsic has played in the KHL continuously since 2020 for CSKA Moscow, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, SKA, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg and Sibir Novosibirsk, recording 170 points in 286 regular-season and playoff games. During the 2024-25 season, he was traded from Avtomobilist to Sibir and had 24 points across 61 games with both teams.

Leipsic joins an SKA team that currently sits eighth in the KHL’s 11-team Western Conference with 10 wins in 23 games. The team’s roster includes ex-NHLers Nikita Zaitsev, Rocco Grimaldi and Nikolai Goldobin and is coached by Hall-of-Famer Igor Larionov.

Igor Larionov Jr. To Play For Father In KHL American-Russian center Igor Larionov Jr., 26, has signed a one-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg, the KHL club announced on social media on Wednesday.

New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin put forth one of the best performances we've seen from him in quite some time when he stopped all 33 shots that came his way in their 5-0 shutout win over the New York Rangers. 

pic.twitter.com/k3RwRivhhb

— NHL (@NHL) November 9, 2025

"I felt focused in all three periods. I just played minute by minute. I could see it in my head all game," Sorokin shared postgame. 

With the shutout, Sorokin broke a tie with Billy Smith for the second-most shutouts in franchise history with 23. Glenn "Chico" Resch is first with 25.

"I feel like he's playing with a lot of confidence," head coach Patrick Roy said postgame. "I mean, we made the goalie coach change, and I think he's very comfortable with Sergei (Naumovs). They seemed to connect really well, and it's good for the team, it's good for him, and I like to see him play with that confidence and that focus. He seemed really big in front of the net, and that's what you want for your team."

#Isles Morning After: @stefen_rosner dives into the new D-pairs, the role they played in their 5-0 victory over #NYR & how key they are in this club finding consistency going forward: pic.twitter.com/0DJxLZxAO8

— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) November 9, 2025

 "He was unbelievable," Islanders forward Bo Horvat said. "I mean, he made unbelievable saves at great times of the game. And when you have that confidence back there in your goaltender, it's fun to play in front of them. He was phenomenal."

Sorokin got off to a tough start this season, but he's turned his season around as of late. 

Over his last three games (2-0-1), Sorokin owns a 1.30 GAA and .952 SV%. That's the best save percentage of any NHL goalie who has made at least three appearances in that span, per Islanders statistician Eric Hornick. 

In six games since Naumovs became the goalie coach (2-1-2), Sorokin owns a 2.14 GAA with a .915 SV%.