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Blackhawks Vs Kings: Projected Lineup, How To Watch, & More Ahead Of Game 27

The Chicago Blackhawks are taking on the Los Angeles Kings for the second time this season. The first was a 3-1 victory for LA at the United Center on October 26th. Both teams have come a long way since then. 

The Blackhawks dropped their most recent game in a shootout to the Vegas Golden Knights, but this game against the Kings is their chance to make it a three-game point streak. 

The Blackhawks are one point (28) below the playoff line with a record of 11-9-6. Los Angeles is in third place in the Pacific Division with a 12-7-7 record for 31 points. It is tight on the bubble in both Western Conference divisions. 

Scouting Los Angeles 

The Los Angeles Kings have been one of the best teams in the Western Conference over the last handful of years, but they haven’t won a playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014. Like the Blackhawks, they want to end this type of drought soon. 

LA has lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round in each of the last four seasons. This year is all about finding a way to get it done, no matter who is in their way. That includes the Blackhawks on Thursday night.  

Moore - Kopitar - Kempe

Fiala - Byfield - Armia

Kuzmenko - Danault - Laferriere

Malott - Turcotte - Perry

Anderson - Edmundson

Dumoulin - Clarke

Moverare - Ceci

Kuemper

Forsberg

Everything to do with the Los Angeles Kings is centered around their captain, Anze Kopitar. He has been their franchise player for his entire career, which is coming to an end with the conclusion of this season. 

Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield, and Kevin Fiala all have the ceiling of stars in the NHL and can make a difference in any game. Their depth is great, led by former Blackhawks center Philipp Danault, who is one of the best checking centers you’ll find. 

Future Hall of Famer Drew Doughty is injured, which leaves a hole in Los Angeles’ defense, but this group has mostly gotten the job done this year. 

In goal, Darcy Kuemper is their main guy, and he’s been excellent during his entire tenure there. He has a Stanley Cup ring as a starter, so there is plenty of pedigree in his game. Former Hawk Anton Forsberg serves as a decent enough backup. 

Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks have been running with an 11/7 lineup almost all season long. Their 11 forwards have undergone some changes in lines, with certain players coming in and out of the lineup, but their defense has remained mostly the same, consisting of the same 7. 

Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky 

Moore-Nazar-Bertuzzi

Teravainen-Dickinson-Mikheyev 

Dach-Donato

Vlasic-Crevier

Kaiser-Levshunov

Grzelcyk-Murphy

Rinzel

Knight

To say Connor Bedard has been elite this season would be an understatement. He is amongst the league’s leading scorers, and he makes an impact every single day. Having a superstar at the top of the lineup will keep any team in most games, and that has been the case for Chicago with Bedard. 

Multiple forwards will make up for the empty spot on the fourth line, including Bedard. This allows the defenders to be much fresher, as most of them are early in their careers. 

Expect Spencer Knight to be the starter in this one. With the Kings being a playoff-caliber team and no back-to-back situations, it makes more sense to go with the number one goalie.  

How To Watch

The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be streamed on ESPN+ and Hulu. The puck will drop shortly after 9 PM. 

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How 'Real' Are Flyers? Sunday's Test With Avs Will Tell

The Philadelphia Flyers redeemed themselves Wednesday, trouncing the Buffalo Sabres 5-2. 

They set the stage for a statement game Sunday against the Stanley Cup favorite Colorado Avalanche, a team that (gulp) has points in 25 of its 26 games.

In their previous game, the Flyers dropped a 5-1 decision to the arch-rival Pittsburgh Penguins, a defeat made worse because they lost right winger Tyson Foerster, their co-leading goal-scorer, for two to three months because of a suspected shoulder injury.

The Sabres, however, helped cure their frustrations.

The Flyers scored three times in a 59-second span in the first period, erasing a 1-0 deficit and coasting to a win at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Buffalo has been bad forever, so this wasn't a surprising victory.

That said, the Sabres have been playing better lately – six wins in their last nine games before Wednesday. 

But Philly (15-8-3), one of the NHL's most surprising teams, couldn't afford two straight losses heading into Sunday's game against the Avs. They couldn't afford to start a tailspin that could wipe out their impressive start.

And they couldn't get into a woe-is-me feeling because of Foerster's injury.

"He's a tough guy to replace, for sure," Trevor Zegras said, "so we all have to do a little more."

Flyers Officially Decide on Tyson Foerster Injury ReplacementsFlyers Officially Decide on Tyson Foerster Injury ReplacementsThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> are set to be without top forward Tyson Foerster for at least two months, and with the injury confirmed, Foerster's two injury replacements have already been selected.

Here's the thing: even with Foerster and his 10 goals before Wednesday, the Flyers haven't been an offense juggernaut. Au contraire.

They entered the night 26th out of 32 teams, averaging just 2.76 goals-for per game.

And then five different players scored – Travis Konecny, Zegras, Bobby Brink, Noah Cates and Owen Tippett – five players contributed two points apiece, and the Flyers fired 35 shots in their league-leading 11th comeback win of the season. 

The Flyers moved up to third in the Metro, just three points behind division-leading Washington, which has played two more games.

Philadelphia scored four of its goals from the dirty areas near the net. Tim Kerr and Gary Dornhoefer would have been proud.

"It has to be habitual," said coach Rick Tocchet, who had no update on defenseman Cam York after he left the game with an unspecified injury. "You have to do it all the time."

It was good to see the offense erupt, the power play (2-for-5) click and the penalty kill go 1-for-6. 

Tocchet, who continues to push the right buttons, went back to most of the players on his original No. 1 power-play unit – Konecny, Tippett, Matvei Michkov, Zegras and Jamie Drysdale – and it paid dividends.

Owen Tippett, right, says Wednesday's win over the Buffalo Sabres is a good start to bounce back from a blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)

Now the real test comes Sunday afternoon, when the Flyers host a 19-1-6 Colorado team that is averaging 4.08 goals per game and allowing 2.04 goals. Both figures lead the league.

Some of the Flyers didn't yet want to talk about facing the Avs. Tippett wasn't one of them.

He said it was a good primer for Colorado.

"Obviously, we wanted to have a bounce back after last game, and it’s a good start," said Tippett. "Obviously, with a couple days we can fine-tune some stuff in practice, but that was a good start."

Against Colorado, the Flyers will need to be at their best just to be competitive. They can't let down for any stretch as they did for a 21-minute span Wednesday, when Buffalo outshot them 16-6 in parts of the first two periods, but goalie Sam Ersson stood tall.

It will take 60 minutes of excellence on Sunday if the Flyers want to stay in the game.

Wednesday, though not perfect, was a nice building block.

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Canadiens send Florian Xhekaj And Adam Engstrom Back To Laval

After Wednesday night’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, the Montreal Canadiens announced that they had sent Florian Xhekaj and Adam Engstrom back down to the Laval Rocket.

The two players were healthy scratches for the game, and given that the Rocket has a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday against the Belleville Senators, while the Canadiens have a day off on Thursday, sending them down last night made sense. They’ll get to practice with Pascal Vincent’s team on Thursday before taking on Belleville on Friday.

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In five games, Xhekaj put up one point, took four shots, spent seven minutes in the penalty box, had a minus-one differential and landed nine hits. As for Engstrom, he played two games, was held off the scoresheet, took two shots and landed a hit.

This means that Jarred Davidson, who played on Wednesday, remains with the Canadiens for now at least. The 23-year-old has now played six games with the Habs and has yet to register a point, but he has landed 13 hits, spent six minutes in the sin bin and has a minus-two differential.

While the news will no doubt come as a disappointment for Xhekaj and Engstrom, it makes sense to send them back down if they’re not going to play. At this stage of their career, they are still developing and need as much ice time as possible.

It will be interesting to see how things unfold for the Canadiens now. Over the last couple of weeks, there have been so many scouts at the Bell Centre that one can wonder who they might have been observing. Did the Canadiens want to show what Engstrom could do at the NHL level? Or were they taking stock in readiness for the decisions that will no doubt have to be made about the blueline sooner or later?

When everyone is healthy, Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble share the sixth defenseman role, but when youngsters from Laval are ready for the NHL, someone will have to be moved. David Reinbacher and Engstrom are both close to being NHL-ready, and when they are, something will have to give.

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NHL Rumor Roundup: Canucks' Kiefer Sherwood Draws Interest, Plus Islanders Buzz

The Vancouver Canucks' willingness to entertain trade offers for their UFA-eligible players has made Kiefer Sherwood one of the most notable names in the rumor mill.

Before this season, the 30-year-old Sherwood was a little-known checking-line forward. After spending his first six NHL seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators, he enjoyed a career-best 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points last season with the Canucks.

Sherwood currently leads the Canucks with 12 goals, putting him on pace to reach 36 goals this season. He's in the final season of a two-year contract with an affordable $1.5-million cap hit.

Given the limited number of sellers thus far, the NHL trade market is thin on quality talent. That's made Sherwood an enticing trade target for playoff contenders. While his production has cooled lately, his feisty style of play is tailor-made for the physical grind of post-season hockey.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Tuesday the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars were among a long list of teams to inquire about Sherwood. Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon looked at the impact Sherwood could have with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported the Columbus Blue Jackets had contacted the Canucks about Sherwood. Meanwhile, NHL.com's Dan Rosen suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins might be a good fit. The Buffalo Sabres, Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings have also surfaced as potential destinations for Sherwood.

LeBrun indicated that the Canucks aren't in any rush to move Sherwood, preferring to take their time to explore the trade market. He also wondered if any of those interested clubs would want to sign the veteran winger to a contract extension, as that would raise his trade value for the Canucks.

It's understandable why the Canucks would prefer to remain patient, as it could drive up the return for Sherwood. However, that stance also carries the risk of injury or a decline in his production.

Three Potential Trade Fits For Canucks' Kiefer SherwoodThree Potential Trade Fits For Canucks' Kiefer SherwoodKiefer Sherwood is among the Canucks' top trade candidates, and these three teams should consider trying to acquire the hard-hitting forward.

Turning to the Islanders, they could use someone like Sherwood to offset the loss of right winger Kyle Palmieri to a season-ending knee injury. That would explain why they were mentioned among the clubs linked to the Canucks right winger.

The Hockey News' Russell Macias says the Islanders have a depth-scoring crisis. And Ethan Sears of the New York Postbelieves they could use another scoring forward and some physicality among their checking lines.

Those traits would make Sherwood an enticing option for the Isles.

Sears also felt that they must improve their defense corps, pointing out the loss of left-shot blueliner Alexander Romanov, plus they never fully replaced Noah Dobson on the right side after trading him to Montreal last summer.

However, Sears cautioned that Isles management should avoid hasty decisions that would sacrifice their future first-round picks or top prospects for a short-term replacement for Palmieri.

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'There's No Way': NHL Draft Prospect Records Goalie Goal And Shutout In WHL

The WHL witnessed NHL draft prospect Xavier Wendt score the league's first goalie goal since 2023 on Wednesday night.

With the Tri-City Americans leading the Swift Current Broncos 3-0, Wendt scored from behind his net after picking up the puck from a soft dump-in.

After cradling the puck, he fired it down the center of the ice, going through all the Broncos who were trying to swat at it. Eventually, the puck made its way to the center of the cage on the opposite side of the ice.

Wendt, 17, became the 11th goalie in WHL history to score a goal and the first since Spokane Chiefs netminder Dawson Cowan on Nov. 26, 2023. Other netminders who scored in the WHL include Olaf Kolzig, Chris Osgood, Chris Dreidger and current Edmonton Oilers starter Stuart Skinner.

Wendt's tally gave the Americans a 4-0 lead with a minute remaining.

"There's no way, a goalie goal at the Toyota Center," play-by-play announcer Craig Beauchemin said emphatically on the broadcast.

Aside from this remarkable goalie goal, Wendt was already having a great performance.

He stopped all 23 shots he faced in the game, recording his first career shutout in the WHL. This is also his first season in the WHL.

Wendt has played 15 WHL games, averaging a 2.39 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage.

Among WHL goaltenders who have played at least 40 percent of their team's total minutes, the rookie leads the league in save percentage and is tied for second in goals-against average.

The Plymouth, Minn., native has spent his minor hockey career at Shattuck St. Mary's prep school, which has alumni such as Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews and Zach Parise.

As a member of Shattuck's U-18 team last season, in 29 appearances in the USHS-Prep division, he dominated with a 24-0-1 record, 1.55 GAA and .932 SP.

NHL Central Scouting gave Wendt a 'W' rating for its preliminary players to watch list ahead of the 2026 NHL draft next June. That means it projects him to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round.

With that goalie goal and shutout, Wendt is certainly making a positive impression.

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Mets interested in trading for Twins ace Joe Ryan: report

The Mets' best avenue when it comes to adding a top of the rotation starter this offseason could be the trade market, where Twins ace Joe Ryan and Brewers ace Freddy Peralta are among those who could be available.

And per Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Mets have interest in dealing for Ryan.

Heyman notes that Minnesota is believed to like Jonah Tong.

With Ryan having two years of team control remaining and being set to make just $6 million or so via arbitration in 2026, the cost to acquire him would almost certainly be Tong (or another top prospect) plus a lot more.

Ryan, who is entering his age-30 season, had a 3.42 ERA (3.74 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 194 strikeouts in a career-high 171 innings for the Twins in 2025. He was similarly impressive in 2024, posting a 3.60 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with 147 strikeouts in 135 innings.

Ryan relies heavily on a four-seam fastball (he threw it 51 percent of the time in 2025) that graded out as one of the best pitches in baseball last season. He also utilizes a sweeper, splitter, sinker, slider, and curve. 

The Twins are in the midst of a rebuild after having a fire sale at the 2025 trade deadline as they traded 10 players from the big league roster.

That included Carlos Correa, Griffin Jax, and elite closer Jhoan Duran, who -- like Ryan -- has two more years of arbitration remaining and will be wildly inexpensive in 2026 (he made just $1.3 million this past season).

Along with Ryan, it's possible the Twins entertain the possibility of trading center fielder Byron Buxton. The 31-year-old would be a fit for the Mets, but has a full no-trade clause.

As far as Ryan, he would be a great add atop a Mets rotation that is expected to include Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson. 

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Giants to look at ‘intriguing avenues' to bring in talent, per Zack Minasian

Giants to look at ‘intriguing avenues' to bring in talent, per Zack Minasian originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants have had MLB offseason spending questions swirling for a few years now, only to be eventually outbid by other teams.

The largest deal the Giants made before Willy Adames’ last season was Buster Posey’s nine-year, $167 million contract back in 2013. Now, with Buster at the helm in his sophomore season as President of Baseball Operations, general manager Zack Minasian spoke with KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” show on Thursday about San Francisco’s approach in the 2025 offseason.

“I certainly want us to be an organization that closes deals…”, Minasian shared, “… And certainly feel like there are some intriguing avenues now that we’ll continue to explore and see where they go.”

His comments came hours after it was reported that the Giants are bringing in former Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington for an infield coaching position.

One big-name free agent Minasian was asked about specifically is Japanese star pitcher Tatsuya Imai

“Some possibilities are going to open up more and more as players start to sign, and yeah, hopefully we can add talent, that’s always the goal”, he continued.

Minasian further referenced San Francisco’s experience in snagging talent from the Korean Baseball League and Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, specifically Jung Hoo Lee.

“It’s obviously very well known our activity on other players that have come over from those countries, and we’re going to continue to be active with players that have a chance to make the team better.”

The Giants made history by hiring Tony Vitello as their new manager, and bringing back Bruce Bochy as a special advisor will surely give a veteran presence to the front office. Until then, Zack Minasian is “continuing to really look at all avenues for bringing in talent”.

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Fans Calling For Oilers To Give Red-Hot Prospect An NHL Look

"I’ve seen enough time to get the call to The Show," said one fan after watching a video of Quinn Hutson scoring another beauty goal for the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL this week. The red-hot Oilers prospect -- and older brother of Montreal Canadiens' superstar Lane Hutson -- is on a tear and making a case that he might be ready for some NHL action. 

Does that mean the Edmonton Oilers should give Hutson a closer look?

Hutson now sits atop the AHL rookie leaderboard with his 12 goals season. Hutson has 10-8-18/+11 in the last nine games played. He is playing really well and showing Edmonton that they have a lot to look forward to. 

It's unlikely that he keeps up his pace, but amazingly, he's on a 144-point pace, and a plus-minus +96. 

The Arguments For and Against Calling Up Hutson

For the Oilers, it might be tempting to give Hutson a look. At the same time, the last thing Edmonton wants to do is rush a solid prospect and ruin his momentum. Ideally, letting him continue to dominate the AHL is a solid strategy. He'll have all the confidence in the world when he ultimately makes his regular season debut. It's called over-ripening, and it's a plan many NHL clubs use.

Quinn Hutson Edmonton Oilers prospect © Perry Nelson Imagn Images

On the other hand, Edmonton is in need for additional scoring. Without Jack Roslovic and Kasperi Kapanen, they are short on the wings and shuffling pieces around trying to find the right mix. The Oilers lost 1-0 to the Minnesota Wild in a game where, clearly, the Oilers only needed one goal and couldn't get it. They are lacking for offense this season, in the middle of the NHL standings in terms of goals for. 

Edmonton could use the depth scoring. 

There isn't arguably room to move Hutson up without moving someone else down or out. Hutson's game is best utilized in a top-six role and that means demoting someone like Matt Savoie. Some fans would say that's fine, given that Savoie is struggling offensively, but the need to get him going might be as imperative as anything. 

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Ryan Rollins, Deni Avdija among most impressive breakthroughs to start the 2025-26 NBA season

With most teams having played at least 20 games, the NBA season has reached its quarter mark, so it’s time to take stock of what we’re seeing. Yesterday, we covered seven teams that stood outwith surprising starts to the 2025-26 NBA season. Some for better reasons than others. Today, we're going to look at which individual players have provided some of the most impressive breakouts of the early season.

Austin Reaves - Guard, Los Angeles Lakers

Entering this season, Austin Reaves and the Lakers had to figure something out heading into his free agency next summer: Could he thrive and be the No. 2 offensive option they needed next to Luka Doncic? Twenty games into the season, the only question is how much the Lakers will have to pay Reaves next summer to keep him. He is averaging 28.1 points and 6.6 assists a game, has shown he can work next to Doncic when the Slovenian is healthy, and more importantly, showed he can take over the offense when Doncic is out — and even hit a game-winner.

"There's a cadence right now to his game," Lakers coach J.J. Redick said of Reaves. "He's got a great understanding of when he has a good matchup. He's got a great understanding of how to play with Luca [Doncic]. And so the flow state that every athlete kind of searches for. He's just in that right now."

Reaves should be an All-Star this season and will be in the All-NBA conversation as well. All of which is going to earn him a massive pay raise this summer.

Jalen Duren - Center, Detroit Pistons

Last summer, when the Pistons and Jalen Duren talked about an extension to his rookie contract, Duren and his agent threw a big number on the table. Detroit balked. The Pistons had questions about how well Duren fit with Cade Cunningham and if he could defend the paint well enough as a big man.

Looking back, the Pistons probably should have taken Duren's offer, because his play so far this season has earned him an even bigger payday. Duren is averaging 19.6 points a game on 66% shooting, plus he's pulling down 11.8 rebounds a game. However, the raw numbers don’t begin to tell the story of how he fits on offense. Duren has become Cunningham’s best pick-and-roll partner: Detroit scores a league-best 1.45 points per possession when he is the pick-and-roll screener, and he is shooting 83.3% when he gets the ball back on the roll (stats via Basketball University).

Then there is the key reason Duren looks like a first-time All-Star (and is maybe the frontrunner for Most Improved Player) — his defense. He has transformed from the guy teams tried to isolate against into a solid, physical defender that helps anchor the Pistons' second-ranked defense. Duren is going to get paid this summer, and he will have earned it.

Alex Sarr - Center, Washington Wizards

Another big man who deserves to be getting more attention is Wizards center Alex Sarr. Yes, the Wizards are bad, but Sarr is part of an exciting future they have there (along with Kyshawn George,who Eric interviewed earlier in the season).

Last season, Sarr was the 2nd overall pick in the NBA Draft but looked overmatched as a 19-year-old. He averaged 13 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game but shot just 39.4% from the field and was taking over five three-pointers a game, despite shooting a 30% clip from deep. This season, he has become a far more efficient and effective scorer, averaging 19.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks on 51.5% shooting.

Sarr is now taking almost six shots per game in the restricted area and shooting 74% on those looks after taking just 2.9 shots per game from that close last year and shooting 63.5%. He’s also being used as a pick-and-roll screener 24% of the time with the team scoring 1.05 points per possession on those looks, which is up from the 0.79 points per possession they scored on his 26.3% pick-and-roll usage last year. He’s also become a strong rim protector, as his 50.8% block rate ranks seventh among all NBA starters, and his 11.0 contested shots per game rank 2nd among all centers. Considering he’s only 20 years old, the ceiling is getting considerably higher for Sarr.

Ryan Rollins - Guard, Milwaukee Bucks

There is perhaps no better story in basketball this year than Ryan Rollins. The Bucks guard has taken the long and winding road to get to this point. He was a second-round pick in 2022 out of Toledo and barely played for a veteran-led Warriors team. He was then traded in 2023 with Jordan Poole to Washington, where he played 10 games before being released because he was caught shoplifting. The Bucks then signed him to a two-way deal in 2024 when he had averaged about 5.5 minutes per game in 25 career games over two years. He wasn’t asked to do much last year, but played well in limited opportunities when Damian Lillard was injured, so the Bucks re-signed him to a three-year, $12 million deal. Bucks general manager Jon Horst said at the time that Rollins could outplay that deal, and boy has he ever.

With Kevin Porter Jr. hurt to start the year, Rollins was given a chance to start at point guard, and he hasn’t looked back. The 23-year-old is averaging 17.9 points, 5.9 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. He’s shooting 48.5% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc on 6.0 three-point attempts per game. He has earned the admiration of his teammates, like Giannis Antetokounmpo, and looks ot be a real part of the Bucks’ future, whether that future contains Giannis or not.

Deni Avdija - Forward, Portland Trail Blazers

There are a few front office people around the league watching this breakout season from Deni Avdija in Portland and cringing, thinking about how their team had a chance to land him while Washington didn’t realize what they had, but their teams chose another direction.

Portland did, and now they are benefiting from a physical 6’8” forward who can run the floor, run the offense, and is leading the surprising Trail Blazers by averaging 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists a game, all while shooting 38% from 3-point range. He leads the league in drives, averaging 19.4 a game — that’s more than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — and he’s shooting 50% when he does put his head down and go hard to the rim. On the other end of the court, he has fit in well with one of the high-pressure defense-into-offense teams around the league, and he’s been asked to guard bigger wings and has thrived in that role.

Even in the deep West, Avdija has to be a first-time All-Star this season. On a Portland team starting to build something serious, Avdija has become a cornerstone.

Keyonte George - Guard, Utah Jazz

It’s a bit of a lost season in Utah with Walker Kessler out for the season, and Lauri Markkanen the subject of plenty of trade rumors. However, the Jazz have to be happy about what they’ve seen from third-year guard Keyonte George. The 22-year-old has become a far more effective scorer on his drives and mid-range, which has led to him upping his scoring from 16.8 points per game to 22.8 points per game on 44.6% from the field, which is up from an identical 39.1% in each of his first two seasons. He’s also getting to the free-throw line far more often, averaging 7.0 attempts per game after being at 4.3 last season.

A big component of that is his newfound aggression. George is averaging 10.7 drives per game and shooting 47.1% on those drives. Last season, he averaged just 8.6 drives per game and shot 42.8% on them. What’s more, 76.5% of his drives end in points this year, which is a big increase from a 62.2% mark last year. George is now taking 5.5 shots per game in the paint after taking just 3.4 last year. He’s also connecting on 50.9% this year after making just 41% of those last year. We’ve also seen growth in his mid-range game, with him now taking 2.4 mid-range shots a game and connecting at 43.8%, which is a huge step up from last year, when he took just 1.2 mid-range shots a game at a 35.4% clip. Yes, George remains a subpar defender, and that will likely always be a component of his game, but his offensive improvements can’t be denied, and that’s at least something for Jazz fans to be excited about.

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Takeaways: Flyers Collect High-Event, High-Emotion Win Over Sabres

If the Philadelphia Flyers needed a game to reset their rhythm after a flat showing against Pittsburgh, they delivered the loudest possible answer.

Their 5–2 win over the Buffalo Sabres wasn’t always clean, calm, or particularly orderly — but it was effective, explosive in all the right moments, and full of the kind of layered performances that show how this team generates offense by committee.

It was also emotional, bordering on volatile at times. A combined 12 penalties, a Dahlin boarding call that ejected Buffalo’s No. 1 defenseman, and a concerning exit for Cam York all shaped the energy of the night. But beneath the commotion, the Flyers put together exactly the kind of performance they needed to get back to winning ways.

1. The Flyers’ Three-Goal Avalanche.

The Flyers scored three goals in 59 seconds, the second-fastest three-goal burst by any NHL team this season — and they also hold first place on that list.

The burst wasn’t random. It reflected the Flyers’ best strengths when they’re playing connected hockey: They attacked off clean exits instead of forcing plays through the neutral zone, layered bodies in transition, allowing the forwards to hit the offensive blue line with speed, and turned puck recoveries into instant second chances instead of resetting passively.

The Flyers are now 13–0–1 when scoring at least three goals, which isn't just about goal quantity — it’s about the way they attack in waves when they’re on their game. When they combine quick-support puck movement with early off-puck motion, their forward depth overwhelms.

This was one of those nights. Buffalo never quite refound their footing after that 59-second avalanche, and the Flyers didn’t give them a chance to breathe.

2. Sam Ersson Did Exactly What He Needed to Do.

There were parts of this game where things got weird. Wild scrambles, broken coverage, flashes of open ice, and even a play where Sam Ersson found himself stickless in the crease.

And yet, he was excellent.

Ersson stopped 26 of 28 shots, but the quality matters more than the quantity—multiple pad saves through traffic, crucial stops after defensive-zone breakdowns, controlled rebounds on Buffalo’s rush looks, and poise during the mid-scrum scrambles that could have easily tilted momentum.

"He was fantastic," Travis Konecny said of Ersson's performance. "I didn't realize one of the big pad saves he made—I saw it on the Jumbotron; it was unbelievable. I've been saying it all year—we love both our [goalies] and he just proved us right again that we can trust these guys, play hard for them and...have these good starts and let these guys get into the game and shut the door for us."

The best version of the Flyers includes stable, composed goaltending from both halves of their tandem. This was a meaningful step for Ersson, particularly after some uneven performances earlier in the season.

He didn’t just hold down the fort. He allowed the Flyers to lean into the high-event nature of the game without getting punished for it.

Sam Ersson (33). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)

3. You Get a Goal, You Get a Goal...Everybody Gets a Goal!

The consistent through-line was that this team’s scoring is coming from everywhere. Top line, middle six, depth wingers, defensemen. That’s how you survive injuries. That’s how you handle high-event games. And that’s how you stay competitive on nights when things get messy.

Travis Konecny

A goal and an assist, now with 26 points in 29 career games vs. Buffalo. He’s looked sharper over the last week — quicker decisions, tighter puck protection, more assertive shot selection.

Trevor Zegras

His 10th goal of the season, tying Tyson Foerster for the team lead, and extending a four-game point streak (3g, 2a). He’s evolving into a steady producer rather than a high-risk, high-reward playmaker, which is exactly what this team needs from him.

How Trevor Zegras Is Rebuilding His Game—and His Reputation—with Flyers How Trevor Zegras Is Rebuilding His Game—and His Reputation—with Flyers There's a moment from the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a>' shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday that sums up everything you need to know about <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/what-every-flyer-needs-this-season-in-one-sentence">Trevor Zegras</a> right now.

Owen Tippett

Another goal — his ninth of the season, and now four points in his last three games.

Travis Sanheim

Two assists, another multi-point night, and continued evidence that his puck-moving impact is essential to the Flyers’ transition game.

Bobby Brink

A goal and an assist, giving him four multi-point games this season and another against Buffalo (he now has nine points in nine career games vs. the Sabres). Brink’s reads in tight spaces and his ability to extend possessions continue to be extremely effective against teams with looser defensive gaps.

Noah Cates

A goal and an assist, bringing him to 15 points on the season and 12 points in 11 career matchups with Buffalo. Cates looked fully in control of his two-way game — winning small-area battles, organizing line structure, and driving play with a level of confidence he didn’t have earlier in the year.

Matvei Michkov

Two primary assists and now six points (3g, 3a) in his last five games. What stands out isn’t just production — it’s how he’s producing. He’s reading pressure better, manipulating defenders with pace changes, and generating controlled entries that tilt the ice in the Flyers’ favor.

"It's fun," Trevor Zegras said of having so many hot hands on offense. "We all love each other in there, so it's cool that everyone's finding the net."

4. The Physical Temperature Rose — and the Flyers Leaned Into It.

This game got messy, and quickly.

It started with heavy forecheck pressure on both sides, then turned sharper when Rasmus Dahlin boarded Trevor Zegras, earning a five-minute major and a game misconduct. The ensuing scrum pulled in multiple Flyers skaters — including Cam York, who took the worst of it and did not return to the game in the third period.

There’s no official update yet, but Rick Tocchet acknowledged postgame that he “thinks” it could be an upper-body issue.

The response from the bench was telling. The Flyers didn’t collapse defensively after losing one of their top back end pieces and channeled the emotional spike into structured pressure.

Nikita Grebenkin, in particular, made his presence felt — five hits, the most of his young career, and all of them with purpose. This wasn’t a game where he floated on the outside. He skated, he pressured, and he supported plays down low.

In a chippy environment, the Flyers weren't short on penalties, but they were able to also channel that emotion and electric energy and turned it into goals.

Sean Couturier (14). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t the Flyers’ most controlled performance, but it was also exactly the kind of game they needed to get back in the win column, and back into that take-no-prisoners mindset. They won a chaotic game by exploding offensively in organized waves, getting stabilizing, composed goaltending, relying on real scoring depth, matching the physical temperature without leaning into reckless decisions, and staying connected after losing a major defensive piece in Cam York.

There’s concern around York, and rightly so. But the Flyers showed that the underlying structure they’ve built can withstand absences and disorder. A high-event game doesn’t always show maturity, but the way the Flyers managed this one absolutely did.

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Zack Minasian doesn't view any Giants player as ‘untouchable' in trade talks

Zack Minasian doesn't view any Giants player as ‘untouchable' in trade talks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

General manager Zack Minasian completed one of the biggest trades in Giants franchise history last season by acquiring Rafael Devers.

To do so, Minasian and the Giants sent a player package including Kyle Harrison and 2024 first-round draft pick James Tibbs. Not often do teams part ways with young pitchers they evaluate highly, nor do they typically trade their first-round pick from the year before.

So, are there any players that the front office deems untouchable? Minasian joined KNBR’s “Murph and Markus” to discuss his position.

“I think you try to enter all of these things being open-minded,” Minasian explained. “I’m not one to say there are untouchables in any scenario.”

Beyond their core of proven major league players, the Giants have a plethora of intriguing prospects that could be used as trading chips.

Minasian pointed to an example during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, saying that the team considered giving up Ryan Braun to acquire Rich Harden.

“I think there are certain players that it’s very hard to imagine trading them, both in terms of fit and ability,” Minasian said. “So, you try to stay open-minded as to not limit your player pool of who you can potentially access. 

“But obviously, there are certain players who are very difficult to move because of the fit, because of their ability, what you think they will be at the major league level.” 

Bryce Eldridge, the Giants’ top prospect, comes to mind as a potential asset if San Francisco were to attempt to trade for a star player. However, considering the anticipation of Eldridge playing at the major league level, coupled with how highly the organization evaluates him, he would be one of those players that is hard to imagine the Giants parting ways with. 

Nevertheless, there are no “untouchables” on the Giants. 

“I’m not one that’s going to shut down any avenues,” Minasian said, reaffirming his open-mindedness. “But, the likelihood it obviously varies from player to player.” 

In a follow-up question, Minasian was asked if the Giants would consider moving either Eldridge or Devers, considering that the two are both left-handed, power-hitting first basemen. 

The Giants GM reaffirmed that they try to keep an open mind, but he also added that there’s a difference between being receptive and trades actually taking place. 

“There are some players where – is it realistic?” Minasian posited. “And it’s tough to say this is a realistic thing to happen.” 

It’s not realistic that the Giants would move a star they recently acquired or their most-anticipated prospect in recent history.  

But that doesn’t mean the Giants aren’t listening. 

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Who should Mets' third baseman be in 2026? Breaking down internal and external options

As the Mets continue to reshape the team following the Brandon Nimmo trade and signing of Devin Williams, their needs are obvious.

There's the need to re-sign Edwin Diaz, which would give New York perhaps the best 1-2 late-game punch in baseball, or add another high-leverage reliever.

The starting rotation has to be addressed in a big way, with a trade for a top-of-the-rotation starter possibly the best way to go about it.

Power must be added to the lineup, whether it's with the return of Pete Alonso or the addition of someone else.

And with Nimmo on the Rangers, there are now holes in both left field and center field.

Taking the above into account, the third base situation seems pretty settled, with Brett Baty penciled in as the starter.

But if Alonso isn't retained, upgrading the offense by adding a third baseman could make a lot of sense.

Even if Alonso is back, addressing third base with a legitimate bat could still be in the cards in the event the Mets go internal or short-term at one or both vacant outfield spots.

Let's break it down...

The Internal Candidates

In 432 plate appearances spanning 130 games last season, Baty hit .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs and 13 doubles. His .748 OPS dwarfed his previous career-best OPS of .633, his OPS+ of 111 was solidly above league average, and his defense at third base was smooth and reliable.

In addition to Baty's standard offensive numbers, his advanced metrics also told a nice story in 2025.

New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Brett Baty (7) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citi Field.
New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Brett Baty (7) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images

While his 51.0 percent groundball rate was improved from 2024 (54.5 percent), it was still well above the MLB average of 44.2 percent. Baty also strikes out at a pretty high clip for someone who doesn't hit for a lot of power. And he won't make an impact on the bases.

But Baty's above average offensive performance last season, strong defense, age (26 for all of next season), cost, and team control are all pluses. He won't become arbitration-eligible until after the 2026 season, is under team control through 2029, and made just $774,000 in 2025.

Following a down 2025, Mark Vientos is an option at third base as well. 

While Vientos struggled this past season, he continued to hit the ball incredibly hard and barrel it up at a well above average rate. There's also the fact that despite an overall down year, Vientos helped drive the offense for about a month, when he hit .304/.385/.759 with 10 homers and six doubles in 22 games from Aug. 17 to Sept. 9. 

But given Vientos' defensive struggles, it's hard to imagine him being given a starting role at the hot corner. His fit would be better at DH, and it's also a possibility he'll get traded.

Ronny Mauricio remains intriguing, due largely to his power potential and ability to hit the ball incredibly hard. Mauricio is also a versatile defender, able to handle third base, second base, and shortstop. But he's struggled offensively in the majors, slashing just .234/.295/.369.

The External Candidates

A possibility exists that the Red Sox sign Alonso, which would theoretically open the door for the Mets to turn to Alex Bregman.

In 114 games last season for Boston, Bregman slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 homers and 28 doubles -- in a year that was interrupted by a quad strain. The 128 OPS+ he put up was his best since 2022, and he continued to be elite when it came to making contact.

Defensively, Bregman was strong at third base, where he was in the 83rd percentile and worth 3 OAA. And in Boston's dugout and in the clubhouse, Bregman had a huge impact -- something that has been the case throughout his career. 

Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (2) plays third base during the game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park
Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (2) plays third base during the game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park / Troy Taormina - Imagn Images

Put it all together and it feels like Bregman checks all of the Mets' boxes: Right-handed, above average hitter, strong defense, and great in the clubhouse. But it's fair to wonder if New York will want to pay up for a player entering his age-32 season. 

A wild card could be Bo Bichette, as unlikely as a potential signing might be. But if the Blue Jays sign Kyle Tucker, a return to Toronto could be a lot less likely for Bichette. 

Before acquiring Marcus Semien in the Nimmo trade, Bichette -- who played second base during the World Series for the Blue Jays -- would've been a strong fit for New York there.

For the Mets to add him now, Bichette would have to be willing to move to third base -- a position he's never played in the majors. 

But most shortstops are able to handle third base, and Bichette is a special hitter the Mets would be wise to pursue. He's also entering his age-28 season, meaning a long-term deal might be more palatable. 

If the Mets want a short-term option, Eugenio Suarez could make sense -- especially if they're trying to add right-handed power in a world without Alonso. 

Suarez mashed 49 homers last season for the Diamondbacks and Mariners, tying the career-high he set in 2019. 

On the negative side, Suarez had a sub-.300 OBP and was a poor defender, grading out in the ninth percentile. So if the Mets sign him, he'd make much more sense as a DH. 

Then there's Japanese stars Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto, who are able to play both first base and third base.

When it comes to Murakami, most experts have him pegged as a first baseman only. And there are huge questions about whether he'll make enough contact in the majors for his offense and insane power to properly translate.

Okamoto is a plus defender, and could fit at third base for New York in certain scenarios. But the guess here is that he'd be viewed as a first base option if the Mets pursue him. 

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Jimmy Butler ruled out vs. 76ers as Warriors begin three-game road trip

Jimmy Butler ruled out vs. 76ers as Warriors begin three-game road trip originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

In addition to Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler also will be out for the start of the Warriors’ three-game road trip.

Golden State ruled Butler out of Thursday’s contest against the Philadelphia 76ers due to left knee soreness.

Butler was seen limping after the Warriors’ 104-96 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday and was listed as questionable entering Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He wound up playing and starting the game but exited early and didn’t return in the second half.

After Golden State’s loss to the defending champs, Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters he didn’t know “anything more” regarding the severity of Butler’s injury. However, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported Wednesday, citing sources, that Butler’s injury isn’t believed to be serious, adding that if Butler misses any time, it won’t be much.

It appears the Warriors are playing things safe with the six-time NBA All-Star.

Steph Curry (left quad contusion) didn’t join the team on the road trip while he continues his recovery in the Bay.

Alex Toohey (knee) also was ruled out. Al Horford (nerve irritation), Jonathan Kuminga (ankle soreness) and Quinten Post (ankle sprain) all are questionable for the 4 p.m. PT tip at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Trayce-Jackson Davis, who missed the last three games with knee tendonitis, will be available against the 76ers.

After Philadelphia, the Warriors will head to Cleveland on Saturday and then to Chicago on Sunday.

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