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NHL Power Rankings: Each Team's Biggest Surprise One Month In

Things are going to get real from here on out in the NHL power rankings.

With the first month completed, we’re going to see which NHL teams are for real and which ones are the pretenders.

Remember, American Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and historically, it’s been a very good predictor of which teams will make the post-season. In a league with so much parity, banking points early can provide a cushion when the playoff races heat up in the final weeks of the season.

As with all previous seasons, there has been no shortage of surprises. The Penguins, for example, are surprisingly good, while the Blues have been surprisingly bad. In this week’s NHL power rankings, we take a look at which players and storylines have been the most surprising for each team.

1. Colorado Avalanche (8-1-5, +13. PR: 1)

For a team with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, it’s a little shocking they’ve lost three in overtime and twice in the shootout. Their only regulation loss came, surprisingly, against the Bruins, which nearly blew a 3-1 lead and were outshot 33-19. Locking up Martin Necas for eight years quickly was a smart move, and the Avs look poised to make another deep run. 

2. Winnipeg Jets (9-4-0, +12. PR: 3)

It’s deja vu all over again. Excellent goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck and then relying on one line that can score. Perhaps the biggest surprise is how consistent the Jets have been and proving last season was no fluke despite lacking the depth that a lot of other elite teams possess. 

3. Vegas Golden Knights (7-2-3, +8. PR: 4)

Over the past few seasons, the Knights have had one of the most productive bluelines in the league. So far this season, they’ve produced one goal, and you’ll never guess from who… (Kaedan Korczak)

4. Carolina Hurricanes (8-4-0, +12. PR: 6)

Pyotr Kochetkov returned and immediately shut out the Rangers – it’s not hard to do these days – but I think the biggest development has been Logan Stankoven locking down the second-line center spot behind Sebastian Aho. They’ve been looking forever and seem to have finally found someone they like.

5. Montreal Canadiens (9-3-1, +7. PR: 8)

Jakub Dobes has come out of nowhere to go 6-0-0 to start the season, and with Sam Montembeault getting tagged with four goals and another loss Tuesday against the Flyers, it could be Dobes’ net going forward. Another name: Nick Suzuki. At this point, it’d be a travesty if he were left off Team Canada.

6. Utah Mammoth (9-4-0, +9. PR: 9)

The Mammoth were a popular dark horse pick so I don’t think their success is all that surprising, but I didn’t expect their goaltending to be so solid. Karel Vejmelka has an .894 SP, but his quality start percentage is the highest of his career, per hockey-reference.com, and he has become reliable on a nightly basis.

7. New Jersey Devils (9-4-0, +6. PR: 2)

Aside from a brilliant performance from Jacob Markstrom against the Kings, the Devils looked pretty horrible on their four-game roadie, losing three games and allowing 17 goals (!) in those losses. No question, I think the biggest surprise has been Dawson Mercer, who hasn’t looked this good since his first two seasons after scoring just 69 points over the last two seasons.

8. Dallas Stars (7-3-3, -2. PR: 5)

The lack of scoring is a little perplexing. The Stars rank tied for 26th in goals-for per game and hired Glen Gulutzan away from the Oilers to improve their power play, which it has, but they’re also tied for last in goals-for at 5-on-5. 

9. Anaheim Ducks (8-3-1, +11. PR: 15)

The Ducks rattled off three straight wins against some pretty tough teams over the past week and outscoring them 16-6, including a season sweep of the Panthers. They’re the biggest surprise in the West this season.

10. Detroit Red Wings (9-5-0, +2. PR: 7)

They toughed out a road trip with two shootout wins, including a bizarre game against the Kings where they were outshot, blew a lead, seemingly lost in overtime, only to get the call reversed. The biggest surprise is the pieces of the Yzerplan falling into place as the Wings hunt for a playoff spot. 

11. Columbus Blue Jackets (7-5-0, +4. PR: 12)

The goaltending has been very good with Jet Greaves (.916 SP) and Elvis Merzlikins (.917 SP). We knew the Jackets could score (except on the power play), but for the longest time, they couldn’t get any stops consistently. Their record doesn’t look like much now, but don’t be surprised if they go on a run here. A few seasons ago, they couldn’t string two wins together.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs (7-5-1, even. PR: 14)

After ranking eighth in goals allowed per game last season, I thought the Leafs’ problem would be scoring, not defending. Anthony Stolarz’s .896 SP is misleading – he’s been their best player some nights – but I do think they miss Joseph Woll in a big way. 

13. Pittsburgh Penguins (8-4-2, +9. PR: 10)

Pick one. The Pens have been the best feel-good story of the season so far, making one last push in the twilight of the Crosby-Malkin-Letang Era. I do think the biggest surprise, however, is rookie Ben Kindel, who was a bit of a surprise pick at No. 11 this past summer after being ranked 21st among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Penguins' Ben Kindel Is Playing His Way Off The Canadian World Junior TeamPenguins' Ben Kindel Is Playing His Way Off The Canadian World Junior TeamPittsburgh Penguins rookie Ben Kindel continues to strengthen his case to stick around in the NHL, which could be bad news for Canada's world junior squad.

14. Philadelphia Flyers (7-5-1, +3. PR: 17)

I think the Flyers have been better than anyone expected, but not because Matvei Michkov has emerged as their franchise player, with one goal in 13 games. We shouldn’t write them off too early, or even praise them too soon, because it does look like Dan Vladar is coming down to earth after a surprisingly strong start.

15. Los Angeles Kings (6-4-4, -4. PR: 19)

The Kings are 5-1-2 since their horrific start, joining a handful of teams that have managed to turn their season around in the first month. Kevin Fiala has 10 points in 14 games, dispelling previous notions about his slow starts.

16. Washington Capitals (6-5-1, +2. PR: 11)

That’s four straight losses and three games where they scored one goal or fewer. And they’re without Pierre-Luc Dubois for an extended period. Oof. It’s been interesting to see Tom Wilson playing arguably the best hockey of his career right now at 31 years old, especially for a player who plays such a taxing physical style and already has a lengthy injury history. 

17. Edmonton Oilers (6-5-4, -2. PR: 13)

I think the most surprising thing, even before the season, was the Oilers’ decision to run it back with their current goaltending tandem. It can be good, but it’s not good enough very often, and we’re stuck asking the same questions over and over again. 

18. Tampa Bay Lightning (6-5-2, +1. PR: 21)

This is definitely the Lightning we know. They’ve gone 5-1-0 after a rough first few weeks, with their only loss coming against the Avalanche. I’m surprised we even talk about the Lightning at all in the first month; they usually like to give the league a head start before showing in late November and December why they should still be feared. 

19. Florida Panthers (6-6-1, -7. PR: 16)

Yes, the two-time defending Cup champions are ranked last in the East, though they’re not ranked as such in the NHL power rankings because we know how good they really are. However, Sam Bennett, who was supposed to fill a significant portion of the void left by Aleksander Barkov, has mostly been invisible, and their top scorer is 37-year-old Brad Marchand. 

20. New York Rangers (6-6-2, -3. PR: 22)

This one’s easy: they can’t score. They’re shockingly 0-5-1 on home ice and were shut out again Tuesday against the Canes. At some point, they should turn it around; Artemi Panarin’s on an unsustainable cold streak, and their expected goals actually aren’t this bad. 

21. Seattle Kraken (6-2-4, even. PR: 18)

A couple bounces, and the Kraken might be on a five-game winning streak, and the conversation would be different, but alas, they’re 3-2-2 in their last seven and 1-0-1 in a quiet week. Their scoring has been a nice surprise; this might be just the second time they’ve had at least two players score 60 points in the same season. 

22. Chicago Blackhawks (5-5-3, +1. PR: 20)

I think the biggest compliment you can give the Hawks is that they’re competitive. In a season where almost every team has a points percentage above .500, the Hawks beating the likes of the Mammoth and Lightning, and hanging with the Oilers, Habs and Panthers, is a testament to how much they’ve improved. It’s especially surprising following a very quiet summer.

NHL's Eastern Conference Has Incredible Historic ParityNHL's Eastern Conference Has Incredible Historic ParityEvery team in the NHL's Eastern Conference is playing at .500 hockey or better entering November. That is anything but normal.

23. Minnesota Wild (5-6-3, -11. PR: 25)

The Wild have been a high-event but not-so-good defensive team for two seasons now, but the biggest difference this season has been the play of Filip Gustavsson. He’s got the bag, and now he has to prove it, and things have been slightly improved lately.

24. Vancouver Canucks (7-7-0, -5. PR: 23)

Kiefer Sherwood has become somewhat of a cult hero. It’s easy to forget that the record setter for hits in a single season was once known as a scorer; he scored 75 points in 57 games in the AHL one season and averaged 0.92 points per game in the AHL throughout his career. He’s clearly never going back.

25. Boston Bruins (8-7-0, -2. PR: 27)

They’ve been incredibly streaky, and Jeremy Swayman is either excellent or in danger of losing his job. He was given a partial pass last season after a contract holdout, but I think he’s very, very far from being a lock to be USA’s No. 3 goalie in February.

26. New York Islanders (6-5-2, -3. PR: 28)

The most surprising thing about the Isles this season is that they’re actually watchable. There’s an understanding that anyone who hurts a hair on Matthew Schaefer’s head is going to get mobbed, and they look far more energized and faster than ever.

27. St. Louis Blues (4-7-2, -16. PR: 24)

Considering how good they were under Jim Montgomery last season, this season has been a total disaster so far. They’re inconsistent, and their goaltending has been horrible; Jordan Binnington is not playing like he wants to be Canada’s No. 1 after a strong showing at the 4 Nations Faceoff. 

28. Ottawa Senators (6-5-2, -3. PR: 26)

Tough to gauge the Sens without their captain, but Linus Ullmark has been really poor this season after a promising first season with his new club. He’s faced 30 or more shots only once (!) this season and allowed two goals or fewer just three times, and in one of those games, he faced only 13 shots.

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29. Buffalo Sabres (5-4-4, -2. PR: 29)

Bad luck or just Sabres luck? They’ve played five straight games that went to extra time and lost four of them in overtime. Obviously, goaltending – what’s going to happen with Devon Levi? – and injuries have been hot topics, but I think the most surprising storyline that’s been developing over multiple seasons is how a club blessed with so much talent seem to attrition itself back into rebuild mode every decade or so.

30. San Jose Sharks (4-6-3, -11. PR: 31)

Take away the horrendous 0-4-2 start, and the Sharks are actually 4-2-1 since then, though three of those wins came in overtime. I think the surprise, albeit a mild one, is how quickly Macklin Celebrini has established himself as a dominant offensive player in the NHL. 

31. Nashville Predators (5-6-4, -12. PR: 30)

The loser point skews things, but the Preds were lucky to earn half the points they did over the past week. They were down 3-1 against the Canucks, and Steven Stamkos scored with 0.3 seconds (!) left against the Wild to force overtime in both games. I think what’s most surprising is the Preds haven’t been mentioned much in the rumor mill, or very active in trying to fix this poorly constructed roster. 

32. Calgary Flames (3-9-2, -17. PR: 32)

It’s a surprise that a borderline playoff team last season is this bad. Like, lottery-bound bad. A lot of it has been the Flames' subpar goaltending, but their offense hasn’t been good, and top defenseman MacKenzie Weegar is minus-12.

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.

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Mammoth Set To Push Maple Leafs in Wild Scoring Frenzy

Wednesday’s NHL schedule features five games filled with marquee matchups, promising fast-paced action, dramatic finishes, and highlight-worthy moments. One of the night’s most intriguing games has the Toronto Maple Leafs coming off a thrilling four-goal comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. They now face one of the league’s hottest teams, the 9-4-0 Utah Mammoth.

If you’re new to our betting challenge, here’s how it works. We start with a modest bankroll and aim to grow it using smart, data-driven wagers. In past runs, we’ve turned just $10 into triple-digit profits. Tonight, our same-game parlay focuses on the Toronto-Utah matchup, providing a great opportunity to rebuild momentum after our recent hot streak came to an end. Our bankroll had climbed to $264.60 before taking a loss in Tuesday’s Golden Knights win over the Red Wings. Now we’re ready to heat back up and continue the climb after going a perfect 3-0 with our picks in last night’s Oilers-Stars game.

All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.

Are The Pittsburgh Penguins For Real?Are The Pittsburgh Penguins For Real?Crosby and Malkin are revitalized, leading league-leading Penguins. Can this aging core sustain a Stanley Cup push with solid goaltending and surprisingly deep support?

Picks: Mammoth +2.5 & Over 5.5 Goals (+115)

The Utah Mammoth have begun their first season under their new identity in impressive fashion, suffering only four losses so far. However, they will look to rebound on Wednesday after dropping two of their last three games. Their recent struggles have come from defensive lapses rather than offensive shortcomings, as they still managed to score five goals despite giving up ten in those two defeats. The defense showed improvement in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres.

Utah now heads to Toronto for the second leg of their road back-to-back. The Maple Leafs feature one of the league’s top offenses this season, ranking third in goals scored, but they have also struggled defensively, ranking fifth-worst in that category. Toronto’s stars William Nylander and Auston Matthews led the way in a 4-3 win over the Penguins on Monday, combining for three of the team’s four goals, while Matthews assisted Bobby McMann on the fourth. The Leafs’ top players appear to be heating up as they try to climb out of an early 7-5-1 start.

Utah should be able to challenge Toronto’s attack with their own strong offense, which sits just inside the league’s top ten. The Mammoth have developed a reputation for competing hard in tough matchups, holding a 6-4 record against the spread over their last ten games. Toronto has faced Utah only twice in franchise history, winning both games by a single goal, with each contest featuring six or more total goals.

A $10 wager on the Mammoth and the over at +115 odds would cashed for a $11.50 profit, pushing the total payout to $21.50 in return. With a loaded NHL slate ahead on Thursday, it’s the perfect time to ride the momentum and keep stacking that bankroll. 

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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.

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Crystal Palace ask Premier League to move Leeds game as Carabao Cup row rumbles on

  • Palace want Leeds game played on 20 December

  • Club have been charged by the FA over Marinakis banner

Crystal Palace have asked the Premier League to move their fixture at Leeds on Sunday 21 December to the previous day to allow them more time to prepare for their rescheduled Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta revealed on Monday that Arsenal had requested their game at Everton on that Sunday be moved to Saturday 20 December after the EFL pushed back the last-eight tie at the Emirates to two days before Christmas.

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Fantasy Basketball Week 3 Injury Report: Trae Young, Zion Williamson join the list

Another week, another list of key players who will miss time due to injury. Atlanta, Charlotte and New Orleans are among the teams forced to navigate the loss of key players, but some are better equipped to offer viable streaming alternatives than others. Let's look at some of the key injuries at the halfway point of Week 3, starting with the Hawks' star point guard.

G Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Injured during the Hawks' October 29 win over Brooklyn, Young will be re-evaluated in four weeks (from November 2) after suffering a sprained right MCL. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (37 percent rostered, Yahoo!) has moved into the starting lineup and is a suitable option for fantasy managers seeking a boost. While his fantasy value has remained low, he's averaged 19.0 points and 32.7 minutes in the three games the Hawks have played since losing Young. Luke Kennard (eight percent) has seen his playing time increase, but only slightly. And in the Hawks' last three games, he's averaged 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 three-pointers.

The player whose fantasy value has received the most significant boost with Young sidelined is Dyson Daniels (98 percent), who got off to a slow start. Over the last three, he's averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals while shooting 70.6 percent from the field. Daniels and Jalen Johnson have, according to Basketball Monster, provided third-round value over the last three games. Managers who have either of those players rostered are in a good spot going into the back end of Week 3.

G LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Ball has missed the Hornets' last two games with a right ankle impingement. That's the same ankle that was operated on in the spring, ending the point guard's 2024-25 season in late March. While Ball did go through pregame shootaround ahead of Tuesday's loss to the Pelicans, one would imagine that the Hornets will exercise caution given the injury history.

Rookie Sion James (three percent) has moved into the starting lineup, with Collin Sexton (34 percent) shifting into the point guard role. In his two starts, James totaled 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers, shooting 58.3 percent from the field. The rookie had his best performance of the season in Charlotte's November 2 win over the Jazz, tallying 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three three-pointers. What works against James and Sexton more than anything is the Hornets' schedule: Week 3 is a two-game week, and the second game (Friday at Miami) is part of an 11-game slate.

G Coby White, Chicago Bulls

Due to a calf injury, White has yet to appear in a game this season, and a status update was expected this week. Before Tuesday's win over the 76ers, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said the hope is that White will be able to play in a couple of weeks. While he has progressed to sprinting and cutting, he still has not played 5-on-5.

Tre Jones (32 percent) has filled in admirably, providing fifth-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats. He's shooting well from the field and the foul line while averaging 11.6 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.3 steals in 29.4 minutes per game. However, the player whose value may have received the most significant boost is Josh Giddey (100 percent), who has been a top-20 player in eight-cat formats. He recorded his second triple-double of the season on Tuesday and is shooting nearly 42 percent from three on 4.4 attempts per game. This version of Giddey is the one many fantasy managers hoped to see earlier in his career. The question: Should managers sell high on Giddey or hold onto him?

G Darius Garland, G Sam Merrill and C Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

Garland could make his season debut on Wednesday when the Cavaliers host Philadelphia. While it was reported on Tuesday that he would play, the point guard was still listed as questionable on the team injury report at the time of publishing. And Garland isn't the only starter on the mend, as Merrill's hot start was derailed by a hip injury that has sidelined him for the last three games. Last but not least is Allen, who has missed the previous two games with a non-displaced fracture of his left ring finger. Like Garland and Merrill, he is also listed as questionable for Tuesday night.

The most recent replacements in the starting lineup were Jaylon Tyson (five percent), De'Andre Hunter (30 percent) and Larry Nance Jr. (less than one percent). Despite shooting 38.4 percent from the field and offering limited defensive stats, Hunter is ranked just outside the top-100 in eight-cat formats. Tyson is a few rounds behind him, while Nance's 1-of-9 night against the Hawks on Sunday did not inspire anyone to grab him off the waiver wire before the start of Week 3. Hunter may have some staying power if Garland and Merrill play this week, but he shouldn't be considered a "must-hold."

F Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons

Harris sprained his right ankle during the Pistons' November 1 win over the Mavericks in Mexico City, missing the November 3 win over Memphis as a result. And it was "Beef Stew time" in Detroit, as Isaiah Stewart (22 percent) put up 26 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two three-pointers in 34 minutes. Harris is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Jazz, but it's worth considering whether Stewart should be rostered in more leagues regardless of Harris' availability. Through seven games, he has been a top-100 player despite serving as Jalen Duren's backup on most nights, thanks in part to an average of 2.3 blocks per game.

G Stephen Curry and F Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors

Curry has been playing through an illness recently, and after Tuesday's win over the Suns, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said the guard will not play Wednesday against the Kings. We'll see what Curry's status is for Golden State's final two games of the week, Friday at Denver and Sunday against the Pacers in San Francisco. However, Butler's status is more concerning, as he has been dealing with a lower back injury and played only 14 minutes on Tuesday.

He's officially questionable for Wednesday, but it isn't easy to envision Butler playing the second game of a back-to-back after not returning for the second half of the previous game. Moses Moody (five percent) started the second half and finished with a season-high 24 points. He and Brandin Podziemski (40 percent) are worth streaming for Wednesday's game, and Moody may have added value for the rest of Week 3, depending on Butler's status.

Golden State Warriors v Portland Trail Blazers
Fantasy Basketball Stock Up Stock Down: Jonathan Kuminga taking a leap to begin fifth season
Kuminga is showing signs of growth to begin the season while Raptors center Jakob Poeltl has struggled out of the gate.

G Quenton Jackson, Indiana Pacers

The Pacers can't buy a break when it comes to injuries. Jackson is the most recent guard to go down, as he strained his right hamstring during Monday's loss to Milwaukee. While the Pacers have not provided a definitive timeline, hamstring injuries are ones that teams generally exercise caution with. There aren't any appealing options among the Pacers who could be moved into the starting lineup, including Ben Sheppard (three percent). But this is a time to go "all-in" on Jarace Walker (17 percent) and Aaron Nesmith (27 percent), even if their current fantasy values aren't all that impressive. Also, center Isaiah Jackson (17 percent) has played well recently and is worth a look, despite the inconsistency concerns.

F Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers

Following Friday's win over the Pelicans, Leonard said he was not restricted in any way and planned on playing both games of the Clippers' Monday/Tuesday back-to-back to begin Week 3. Unfortunately, he sprained his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Monday's loss to the Heat, which led to Leonard not playing in Tuesday's loss to the Thunder. Bradley Beal (74 percent) was also held out of the matchup with the reigning champs, but that was due to knee injury management.

Kris Dunn (four percent) and Nicolas Batum (less than one percent) moved into the starting lineup on Tuesday, but neither offered much in the way of streaming value. Derrick Jones Jr. (seven percent), who has been a fixture in the starting lineup, is worth a look in deep leagues, especially if Leonard's ankle injury limits his availability for the Clippers' final two games of Week 3 (at Phoenix on Thursday, host Phoenix on Saturday).

G Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

While Luka Dončić was removed from the Lakers' injury report after sitting out Monday's win over the Trail Blazers - the team's second game in as many nights - Reaves was not. He's questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Spurs due to a sore right groin. His availability impacts Jake LaRavia (31 percent), who logged 36 minutes on Monday and finished with 11 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals. Even if Reaves can play against San Antonio, LaRavia is worth holding onto, at least until LeBron James can return from his case of sciatica.

F Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

On Tuesday, the Pelicans announced that Williamson would be re-evaluated in 7-10 days after suffering a low-grade left hamstring strain. New Orleans was also without starting center Yves Missi for Tuesday's win over the Hornets, leading to Jordan Poole (94 percent) and Kevon Looney (one percent) moving into the starting lineup. Poole isn't available in most leagues, and there isn't much to be gained from rostering Looney. But could this be a time when rookie Derik Queen becomes more valuable?

While he only played 18 minutes against the Hornets, Queen and fellow reserves Jose Alvarado (one percent) and Saddiq Bey (two percent) gave New Orleans a much-needed boost. The Pelicans can't afford to punt on this season, especially after trading their 2026 first-round pick to move up and draft Queen. But, they also can't afford not to play him rotation minutes. There may not be much to gain from rostering Queen in the short term, but keep an eye on him in the Pelicans' final two games of Week 3.

G Jalen Green and F Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns

Green may be closing in on a return to the court, as he has played 5-on-5 as recently as Tuesday morning ahead of the Suns' loss to the Warriors. Could Thursday's game against the Clippers be in play for the guard to make his Suns debut? If so, one would imagine that Green's minutes will be restricted due to the amount of time missed. His availability impacts Grayson Allen (34 percent) the most, and managers who have Allen rostered should not drop him immediately.

Phoenix is also waiting on Brooks, who has missed the last five games with a core muscle strain. Royce O'Neale (25 percent) has been effective as his replacement in the starting lineup, providing top-75 value in eight-cat formats (as has Allen). He's another player to hold onto until Brooks is on the court and able to play without restrictions.

G Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

Harper injured his left calf during Sunday's loss to Phoenix, with the rookie leaving the arena on crutches while wearing a walking boot. He's expected to miss multiple weeks, leaving the Spurs down another rotation guard with De'Aaron Fox still recovering from a hamstring injury. Is there anyone worth targeting behind starters Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell? No. Jordan McLaughlin (less than one percent) played 19 minutes off the bench on Sunday, but that isn't enough time to impact fantasy basketball, and his upside is minimal.

San Antonio's overall depth could be boosted soon, as Jeremy Sochan, Kelly Olynyk and Lindy Waters III are all questionable for Wednesday's game against the Lakers. However, none are likely to get the run needed to impact fantasy basketball immediately.

C Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

Kessler has missed Utah's last two games with left shoulder bursitis and will miss at least two more, as the team sent him home early for further evaluation. Utah ends its four-game road trip with games against Detroit (Wednesday) and Minnesota (Friday), then begins Week 4 with a Monday/Tuesday home back-to-back against the Timberwolves and Pacers. The concern is that Kessler also dealt with left shoulder bursitis during the preseason, missing all but one exhibition.

Jusuf Nurkić (11 percent) has started the last two games, totaling 14 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, two steals and one blocked shot. While the scoring can be inconsistent, the rebounding production is what makes Nurkić an appealing streamer for Utah's final two games of Week 3. Also, Isaiah Collier (hamstring) was available for Monday's win over the Celtics but did not play, possibly a byproduct of how well Keyonte George (63 percent) has played to start the season. Walter Clayton Jr. (two percent) will likely take the more significant hit to his playing time once Collier begins to play in games.

F Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards

Wednesday's game against the Celtics will be Middleton's second missed game, this one due to a sore right knee. Justin Champagnie (less than one percent) started Monday's loss to the Knicks, finishing with four points, one rebound and one assist in 17 minutes. Rookie Tre Johnson (12 percent) played 21 minutes off the bench and was reasonably productive, tallying 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, one block and two three-pointers. He's a better streaming option than Champagnie, especially for fantasy managers who have the room to consider holding onto Johnson for the long haul once Middleton is cleared to return.

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MLS suspends Luis Suárez for Inter Miami playoff decider after off-ball kick

  • Suárez banned for off-ball kick in Game 2

  • Inter Miami star to miss playoff decider

  • Forward has history of violent conduct

Major League Soccer suspended Inter Miami star forward Luis Suárez for Saturday’s key playoff match against Nashville SC.

Suárez received the one-match suspension from the MLS Disciplinary Committee for an off-ball incident in Game 2 of the first-round series. Suárez kicked at Nashville defender Andy Najar in the 71st minute of the match, which Nashville won 2-1. Game 3 of the best-of-three series is Saturday.

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Main Street Sports RSNs Renew Deals With Brewers, Reds, Royals

Fresh off an MLB season in which its RSNs averaged 1.5 million viewers per night, Main Street Sports Group has inked media rights renewals with the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals.

In exercising the options to extend their in-market deals with the owner/operator of the FanDuel Sports Network-branded RSNs, the three clubs have given Main Street a vote of confidence—one that ensures the company will begin the 2026 MLB campaign with the same roster that suited up for this past season.

The renewals arrive in the wake of a local-TV ratings boom, as FDSN enjoyed an 18% improvement in MLB deliveries over the course of the regular season. The overall audience gains coincided with a 101% uptick in streaming impressions, as more than 2.5 billion minutes of live action were consumed by fans in Main Street’s nine local baseball markets.

The Brewers, which finished an MLB-best 97-65 this past season, were Main Street’s biggest draws in 2025, as their RSN put up baseball’s second highest local-market ratings, trailing only the Phillies’ showing on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Among Milwaukee’s highest-rated telecasts was the latter half of an Aug. 19 Brewers-Cubs doubleheader, which averaged over 110,000 households on FDSN Wisconsin—a figure that represents 12% of the market’s TV homes.

The Brewers’ success was particularly gratifying for Main Street, as the franchise’s local ratings effectively ratified an earlier decision to remain in the RSN pool. After having announced its intentions last fall to quit the model for a spot under the MLB Media umbrella, Milwaukee backtracked on its decision, signing a one-year deal with Main Street in January.

“This past season’s surge in viewership is a reflection of our fans’ passion and the growing accessibility of Brewers baseball,” Brewers president of business operations Rick Schlesinger said in a statement. While cord-cutting continues to erode the national pay-TV base, local sports has managed to offset any losses in linear reach with a rapidly expanding streaming audience. Fans this past season streamed more than 400 million minutes of Brewers games, good for a year-over-year gain of over 30%.

The Brew Crew’s streaming boost was in keeping with the rest of Main Street’s MLB portfolio, which also includes the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays. More than 900,000 unique users tuned in to Brewers games through the FDSN app, with total streaming up nearly 70% compared to 2024.

Main Street’s MLB renewals follow last month’s extensions with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild. Representatives from the teams that have re-upped with their legacy RSNs within the last several weeks cited overall accessibility and the unique proposition afforded by a local media partnership as the primary factors in their respective renewals.

The nimbleness with which Main Street has rolled out its direct-to-consumer platform has gone a long way toward ensuring that younger fans aren’t being shut out of the action as the traditional pay-TV bundle continues to shrink. Main Street says it remains on pace to sign on 1 million DTC subscribers at year’s end, a tally that would mark a considerable gain over the 650,000 customers that were onboard when the company issued its latest head count in early May.

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Venus Williams, 45, to open 33rd straight professional season at Auckland Classic

  • Williams to play 33rd WTA season at age 45

  • US star given wildcard for January’s ASB Classic

  • Former champ joins Osaka in Auckland field

Tennis great Venus Williams plans to play for a 33rd straight season on the WTA Tour, starting in Auckland in January.

Organizers of the ASB Classic in New Zealand said Wednesday that the 45-year-old Williams would feature at their 5-11 January event.

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Why The Islanders Need An Enforcer To Keep The Flies Off Matthew Schaefer

By now, the highlights of rookie Matthew Schaefer doing something special in a game are becoming a nightly occurrence.

Unfortunately for the New York Islanders defenseman, so too are the attempts from opponents to physically knock him off his game.

There was the game against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 25, when Mason Appleton went after Schaefer in the dying seconds of a 7-2 blowout win for the Islanders. Two nights later, Schaefer picked up his first roughing penalty after getting tangled up with Philadelphia Flyers winger Nikita Grebenkin. 

And on Tuesday night, the Boston Bruins once again targeted the youngster with defenseman Nikita Zadorov cross-checking Schaefer to the ground and then delivering a cheap shot to Schaefer's face as he was on the ice.

To the Islanders' credit, Schaefer's teammates came to his defense, with Anthony Duclair and Anders Lee literally jumping on top of the 6-foot-7 and 255-pound Zadorov.

"We're a family here… I know they always have my back, and they know I will always have their backs," Schaefer told reporters post-game.

That's the kind of response you love to see. But at the same time, the message isn't exactly being delivered in a way that prevents this from happening again.

Following the game, Zadorov basically laughed off the response from the Islanders and their fans, who flooded his Instagram with nasty direct messages.

"Get out of my DMs and go to the rink to cheer for your team," Zadorov replied. "That place was a library tonight."

Nikita Zadorov Trolls Islanders & Fans After Schaefer ScrumNikita Zadorov Trolls Islanders & Fans After Schaefer ScrumThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins">Boston Bruins</a> found a way to win another hockey game last night, toppling the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders">New York Islanders</a> 4-3 in a shootout.

In other words, Schaefer is not off-limits. Not by a long shot.

One month in, it is clear that the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, who has five goals and 11 points in 13 games, is skating with a target on his back. It's also clear that despite the Islanders' best intentions, Schaefer keeps getting attacked.

Some might argue that this is a rite of passage for any young player. After all, Sidney Crosby picked up 110 penalty minutes as a rookie in the NHL, while Connor McDavid missed almost half his rookie season after fracturing his clavicle on a dirty hit from Philadelphia's Brandon Manning.

That is the path that Schaefer is on. 

The more games he plays, the more teams are going to target him. Eventually, he's going to either have to fight back (like Crosby) or risk a major injury (like McDavid), unless Islanders management steps up and does something.

“Teams are starting to see how good he really is,” Duclair told reporters. “Obviously, you want to be hard on good players. We try to do the same with their star players, so he definitely is going to have a target on his back all year. We’re here to protect him.”

It's one thing for the players to have his back. But it's now time for GM Mathieu Darche to do the same.

Which raises the question: how much more can Schaefer take before the Islanders get an enforcer to protect their most valuable asset?

Remember, this is not a veteran. Schaefer, who is 18 years old, is basically a kid. Last year, he was playing in major junior against other teenagers. Now, he's getting roughed up by a hulking man in Zadorov who weighs 255 pounds.

When Auston Matthews was a rookie, the Leafs signed Matt Martin to "keep the flies off", as then-coach Mike Babcock said. The San Jose Sharks took a similar approach this season by trading for heavyweight Ryan Reaves as protection for Macklin Celebrini.

Martin, who happens to be Schaefer's landlord this season, is no longer playing. But after watching Schaefer get continually roughed up, the Islanders might want to bring back Martin or at least trade for an enforcer who can act as a bodyguard.

Perhaps they already have the answer on their team in defense partner Scott Mayfield. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound blueliner has 488 career penalty minutes and has fought tough guys Garnet Hathaway, Kurtis MacDermid, Ryan Lindgren and Andreas Englund in the past two years. But he's only had one fight per season in the past four, according to hockeyfights.com.

If they don't find someone to answer the bell more often, this could be a long — and painful — season for the Islanders rookie. 

"Eventually, he’s going to have the same protection that the star players get,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy told reporters. “I hope (the wait for that is) not too long.”

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Bo Bichette Free Agent Profile: Contract prediction, best fits, stats

Coming off a strong bounceback season which culminated in the Blue Jays' first trip to the World Series since 1993, two-time All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette is hitting the open market this winter.

The Blue Jays extended Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a 14-year, $500 million contract earlier this year, but can they afford to keep their other homegrown star?

MLB: Wildcard-San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs
MLB Free Agent Rankings 2025-26: Kyle Tucker, Dylan Cease, Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman headline Top 100 list
Stars like Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and Cody Bellinger join headliners Kyle Tucker, Dylan Cease, and Bo Bichette in a 2025–26 MLB free agent class loaded with impact bats and arms.

Don’t forget: Check out theRotoworld player news feed for all the latest news, rumors, and transactions as MLB’s Hot Stove gets underway!

Bichette in Review

Bichette was limited to 81 games in 2024 due to a calf strain and a fractured finger, and his production suffered along the way, as he hit just .225 with a .598 OPS. It would stand to reason that Bichette would bounce back with improved health, and that’s exactly what we saw this past season, as he rebounded with a .311 batting average to go along with 18 homers and 94 RBI across 139 games.

If it wasn’t for a left knee sprain on September 6, Bichette likely would have led the AL in hits in addition to surpassing 100 RBI for the second time in his career. Still, the 27-year-old was just one of seven qualified hitters to hit .300 while also posting the highest contact rate of his career.

SeasonStrikeout rateContact rate
202419 percent80.4 percent
202514.5 percent83.1 percent
Career average19.4 percent80.5 percent

Bichette is a .294 career hitter through 748 games. Only five players (min. 500 games played) have a higher batting average since Bichette made his MLB debut in 2019.

Then there’s the downside. While Bichette’s offense is a strength, his defense at shortstop will be a topic of conversation. He ranked last among shortstops in defensive runs saved (-12) in 2025 and also ranked near the bottom in the outs above average (OAA) metric. He's also shown a steady decline in sprint speed, impacting his range, and he ranked in the 12th percentile in terms of bat speed in 2025. How could that impact him as he moves into his 30s?

Market Outlook

Bichette is the clear No. 1 shortstop option on the market. Full stop. That’s a good thing to be. However, most of the big-spending teams already have players firmly-entrenched at shortstop. Things could look different if the Yankees have run out of patience with Anthony Volpe or the Dodgers decide to make a play and move Mookie Betts back to the outfield. Both scenarios are possible, but just not likely as of today.

Of course, Bichette played second base when he returned for the World Series. It was his first time playing the position in the majors, but it also underscores the possibility of a position change in his future. That willingness would greatly expand his market this offseason.

Perhaps the best recent comp for Bichette’s situation is what the Giants did last season in signing Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract. Each player has different strengths, but Bichette is two years younger than Adames, so he’ll likely get eight or maybe nine years from someone. Corey Seager was close to the same age Bichette is now when he signed his 10-year, $325 million deal with the Rangers in November of 2021. Somewhere in the middle of those deals is where Bichette is likely to settle in.

Best Fits

Blue Jays: Home sweet home. There’s obviously appeal for both sides, as Bichette is a proven performer in Toronto and one of the key pieces of their lineup. He's also stated plainly that he'd like to return, so a reunion is logical. If Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins decide to spread out the team's spending, one alternative in free agency is Ha-Seong Kim, who just opted out of returning to the Braves. They could also look to the trade market or simply use Andrés Giménez there, which they did throughout the playoffs.

Braves: Speaking of the Braves, Bichette would be a perfect fit at shortstop. Atlanta was last in the majors with a 59 wRC+ at the position in 2025. Nick Allen saw the bulk of the playing time and played fantastic defense, but that’s just not going to work. It would sting for Blue Jays fans if their former general manager Alex Anthopoulos was able to pry him away. Still, it’s not really the Braves’ style to sign big-ticket free agents. The franchise record guarantee for a free agent contract remains B.J. Upton’s five-year, $75.25M contract from November of 2012.

Tigers: As noted above, Gleyber Torres is a free agent, so the Tigers have a hole at second base and Bichette could certainly play shortstop for now, as Javier Báez and Trey Sweeney are the only internal options at the moment. Of course, the Tigers have prospect shortstop Kevin McGonigle on the way, but there's questions about his future defensive home as well.

Angels: The Angels are a hot mess in more ways than one, but signing a good player in his prime can help shift the narrative somewhat. This would only happen if Bichette accepts a role at second base, as Zach Neto is already in the fold at shortstop. Still, Bichette and Neto would make for a fun middle-of-the-infield for the next few years. Fun fact: Bichette's father, Dante Bichette, was originally drafted by the Angels and played his first three MLB seasons with the club before being traded to the Brewers for Dave Parker in 1991.

Contract Prediction

Given Bichette’s age — he'll be 28 in March — look for him to secure a long contract. My guess is eight years, but he could get a ninth year if there’s enough interest. His knee injury from late in the season is not expected to require surgery, so that shouldn't impact his market. The most likely scenario is that Bichette will eventually find his way back to the Blue Jays, which seems like the best fit for all parties after an emotional postseason run. Everyone should feel like they have a job to finish.

Blue Jays: Eight years, $224 million

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Ja Morant trade value, interest low but Kings, Timberwolves reportedly monitoring situation

Memphis has stumbled out of the gate to a 3-5 record with a bottom-10 offense and defense. Then came the reality-TV level unnecessary drama: Star Ja Morant had a low-effort game against the Lakers (check out the video), new Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo believes in being direct and calling out players letting the team down and did so with Morant in the locker room, Morant responded by throwingthe coaches under the bus, which led to him being suspended for one game for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Things have not looked much better since.

In the NBA, an unhappy star inevitably leads to trade speculation. That has happened here. However, there is not much of a market around the league in trading for Morant, multiple front office sources told NBC Sports. There are concerns about whether he is still an All-Star-level player, and how his personality and ball-dominant style would fit on a lot of rosters. That said, there is always some level of interest in picking up a player — especially a popular one, someone a team's marketing arm can sell and boost ticket sales — on a lowball offer, or a team open to trading a problem star for a problem star. The challenge becomes that if Memphis is ever going to consider parting with the face of the franchise, it will want a massive haul in return, and that market is not out there.

Teams are at least keeping their eye on what is happening in Memphis, reports Sam Amick at The Athletic.

"There is still no shortage of teams that will continue monitoring his situation. The Minnesota Timberwolves, per a team source, are one. Ditto for the Sacramento Kings. The Grizzlies' next opponent, the Houston Rockets, need a point guard after losing Fred Van Vleet to a torn ACL in the preseason but, per a team source, are unlikely to pursue him."

Morant's contract is not the issue. He is making $39.5 million this season and has two years, $87.1 million remaining after this season, reasonable numbers if a team still considers Morant an All-Star. Morant can still put up numbers, averaging 20.4 points and 7.1 assists a game this season.

Memphis would be wise to wait until they get healthy — center Zach Edey is near a return, and this team badly misses Scottie Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome for spacing — before making any decisions. Give Iisalo a chance as he starts to get back key players who better fit his system. Then, if that doesn't work, there will be hard conversations to have about him, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the rest of the roster.

For right now, Memphis is just trying to get itself right, and the rest of the league is watching this play out. As we get closer to the trade deadline in February, the situation may change, but this is more likely an offseason kind of move. If we see a change at all.

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Three takeaways: Undisciplined Panthers struggle keeping up with speedy Ducks

The road has not been a friendly place for the Florida Panthers so far this season.

Florida began a four-game trip on Tuesday night in Anaheim and to say it did not go well would be a bit of an understatement.

While the Cats were able to erase multiple deficits, the overwhelming Ducks proved to be too much for Florida to handle and ultimately pulled away late, prevailing 7-3.

Considering the game was tightly contested for the majority, there are some positives that can be plucked from this one, but overall, it was another stinker.

Let’s get to Tuesday’s takeaways:

GAME GOT AWAY FROM THEM

Florida was down 1-0 and 2-1 before eventually clawing their way to a 3-2 lead midway through the game.

Unfortunately, between taking too many penalties and allowing an uncharacteristic amount of rush opportunities, the Panthers saw the game slip from their grasp.

It’s troubling when a team that generally plays a very structured game starts to come apart at the seams, and that’s what we saw from the Cats in Anaheim.

“I think at 3-3, it's a game,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “It was probably even at that point, but we wouldn't like very much what happened after 3-3 in the manner that it happened. We were into some pretty simple reads, or simple one-on-one plays, that we weren’t anywhere near to a standard that we would have, and we spent too much time in the penalty box on soft penalties.”

DUCKS’ SPEED MADE IT TOUGH

Despite the several areas that Florida struggled, credit must go to the Ducks for sensing a weakness and pouncing.

Anaheim kept their foot on the gas all night, constantly putting the Panthers on their heels and keeping them wondering where the next rush would be coming from.

Overall, yes, Florida played a decent game at even strength, there were still several holes in the Cats’ D that the Ducks exploited on several occasions.

“They play a fast, skilled game, and they really try to beat us up the ice,” said Panthers forward Noah Gregor. “We try and play a really tight gap game, and sometimes, if guys aren't in the right spots, they get breaks.”

FACING EVERYONE’S BEST

Not that this is anything new, but no matter which building the Panthers are lacing up their skates to go to battle, they know they’ll be facing the best their opponent has to offer.

That’s what happens when you’re the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Last season, Florida was better equipped to handle the challenge based solely on the fact that they were a healthier squad.

Now they’re facing those same difficult tests, night after night, but doing so without some of their most important players.

It is what it is, and you’re not going to hear the Panthers complaining, but that doesn’t make it any easier to endure.

At some point, the Cats will need to start finding results if they’re going to keep pace in the standings until the injured list starts to shrink.

“Everybody has factors that they deal with at the start of each year, and we know what ours are,” Maurice said. “Some of them are earned, and we're proud of them, so we expect to get everybody's best.”

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Photo caption: Jan 21, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends the goal as defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) plays for the puck against Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) during the second period at Honda Center. (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)

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Canadiens Call Up Defenseman From AHL

Marc Del Gaizo (© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

The Montreal Canadiens have made a roster move, as they have recalled defenseman Marc Del Gaizo from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket. 

With this roster move, the Canadiens will now have an extra defenseman on their roster for their road game against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 6. 

Del Gaizo joined the Canadiens this off-season after signing a one-year, two-way contract with them in free agency. This was after he recorded two goals, seven assists, nine points, and a minus-3 rating in 46 games this past season with the Nashville Predators. He also posted eight goals, 12 points, and a plus-10 rating in 30 AHL games with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2024-25.

Del Gaizo has played in six games this season with Laval, where he has recorded one assist, four penalty minutes, and a plus-2 rating. 

In 55 career NHL games over two seasons, Del Gaizo has recorded two goals, 10 assists, 12 points, 23 penalty minutes, 63 blocks, and 91 hits. 

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Malkin’s Slash On Jets' Logan Stanley Fined Quietly Sunday, Penguins Still Feeling the Heat

Earlier this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins faced the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night. During the game, Pittsburgh legend Evgeni Malkin took an aggressive slash at Winnipeg defenseman Logan Stanley. It was quietly announced on Sunday that Malkin would be fined $5,000 for his actions.

The incident occurred late in the first period as the two players battled behind the Jets’ net. Malkin appeared to feel that Stanley was being too rough, and in retaliation, he two-handed Stanley on his left side. Malkin received a minor penalty on the play for slashing. The $5,000 fine, the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Malkin has a long history of supplemental discipline throughout his 19-plus years in the NHL, including multiple fines and suspensions. Most recently, he was fined $5,000 last November for slashing Boston’s Nikita Zadorov and has previously served suspensions for various stick-related incidents. 

Jets Captain Adam Lowry ‘Super Motivated’ to Finalize Long-Term ExtensionJets Captain Adam Lowry ‘Super Motivated’ to Finalize Long-Term ExtensionJets captain Adam Lowry returns, driven to ink a long-term deal. Prospects are bright as Winnipeg aims to secure its cornerstone player.

Despite the penalty, Malkin recorded his 15th assist of the season on a Sidney Crosby goal. The Jets went on to win the game 5-2. The Penguins carried that frustration into Monday’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where they blew a 3-0 lead. They allowed four unanswered goals in the third period to lose 4-3, dropping their third game in their last four contests. 

Stanley was back in action Tuesday as the Jets suffered a surprising 3-0 shutout loss to the LA Kings, though none of the goals came during his shifts. The 27-year-old defenseman has seen bright spots this season, being relied upon for 17-20 minutes a night while adding more point production than he ever has before in his career. So far this season, Stanley has a career-high two goals with four assists for six points in 13 games, including two multi-point games.

Kings Blank Jets 3-0 in Lowry’s ReturnKings Blank Jets 3-0 in Lowry’s ReturnKings dominate Jets 3-0 in a physical contest. Kuemper shines with a shutout, while Lowry’s return sparks no offense for Winnipeg.
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Sabres Overtime Woes Continue In Loss To Mammoth

The Buffalo Sabres entered their match against the Utah Mammoth with a short-handed roster, as illnesses to winger Jason Zucker and center Jiri Kulich necessitated the recall of center Noah Ostlund. The 21-year-old Ostlund combined with countryman and Rochester linemate Isak Rosen for his first NHL goal in the third period, but the Sabres registered only an anemic 18 shots and lost 2-1 in overtime at KeyBank Center on Tuesday. 

Alex Lyon was the standout performer for Buffalo, stopping 33 shots and keeping the game scoreless through 40 minutes and allowing only Nick Schmaltz’s goal in regulation, but for the fifth straight contest, the Sabres went to extra time. In those five games, the club has lost four in overtime to Toronto, Columbus, Boston, and Utah, and won only against Washington in a shootout on Saturday. Clayton Keller’s game-winner extended the Sabres consecutive point streak to seven, but handed them their fourth loss in five games. 

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“(Lyon) played great. You need your goalie to play great. The number of bodies and pieces we had to move around, we needed our goalie to play well and he did that for us.” Ruff said after the game. “(Playing) three-on-three is about winning one-on-one battles. We had our chance, (Alex) Tuch went down, but our coverage wasn’t good enough, we lost coverage on the high cycle and let Keller in.”  

In a tightly compacted Eastern Conference, the lost points early in the season have the Sabres outside of a playoff spot. Had they earned the extra point in half of their overtime losses, they would be in third place in the Atlantic Division. Instead, they are one point out of last place playing mostly on home ice the first five weeks of the season. 

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