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MacKinnon's Landmark Night Propels Avalanche to 6-3 Win over Rangers

It was an extended break for the Colorado Avalanche after their 4-1 win against the New York Islanders. However, the Rangers are looking to bounce back after a 3-2 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite some pushback throughout the night, it's the Avalanche who come out on top tonight, in a 6-3 win.

Period 1

The period started well with the Avalanche starting quickly, but it quickly subsided as Samuel Girard was called for interference. On the power play, Mika Zibanejad looked like he was ready to blast a one-timer, but quickly switched it to a slap pass to J.T. Miller, who fakes out Scott Wedgwood and Miller is easily able to tap it in, taking the quick 1-0 lead. The Avalanche get a chance of their own on the power play when Vincent Trocheck is called for interference, but they are unable to convert.

Unfortunate sight as Gavin Brindley, who has been a spark plug as of late, leaves the game 10 minutes into the first period. He took a hard check into the boards, but his shoulder went hard and awkwardly first, and he looked in pain. Same Carrick is called for interference, but the Rangers do a good job of killing it off. It's Nathan MacKinnon, in front of the net, who bats in the rebound from Martin Necas’ shot, tying the game 1-1 and ending the period. That goal now pushes him ahead of Peter Stastny for second-most points in franchise history.

Nathan Mackinnon Passes Peter Stastny for Second Most Points in Franchise HistoryNathan Mackinnon Passes Peter Stastny for Second Most Points in Franchise HistoryWith his goal against the New York Rangers, Nathan MacKinnon has surpassed Peter Stastny to move into second place in franchise history for points.

Period 2

Before the period started, Brindley was seen heading onto the ice to get some reps to see how he's feeling, but he was back in the tunnel very shortly and later confirmed a lower-body injury and would not return to the game. Carrick finds Adam Edstrom on a 2-on-1 breakaway, and Edstrom with an excellent re-direct finish to take the lead, 2-1.

Connor Sheary is called for holding, but the Avalanche can’t convert on the power play. Makar completes a great passing play from Necas and MacKinnon as he beats Shesterkin with a wrap-around goal to tie it 2-2.

Period 3

Cuylle is called for tripping early into the period, and the Avalanche gets an early power play opportunity. Sam Malinski sends a great stretch pass to Brock Nelson, who rifles one past Shesterkin to make it 3-2. Notably, Wedgewood first made a great save and passed the puck to Malinski, so Wedgewood is credited on the goal, and it is his first career NHL point.

Carson Soucy is called for hooking, but the Avalanche can’t convert on the opportunity. Jack Drury is called for tripping, and the Avalanche head to the penalty kill for the second time of the night. It's J.T. Miller who deflects Adam Fox’s shot into the net to tie the game 3-3. MacKinnon, right after the faceoff, rebounds and bats in Makar’s shot, which rang off the post, helping the Avalanche retake the lead, 4-3.

Brodzinski is called for holding, but the Avalanche fails to capitalize on the power play once again. Shesterkin is pulled with 1:30 left in the third, but Makar, right as he enters the bench, rips one across the ice and in to make it 5-3. Ross Colton finishes the game with another empty net goal and ends the game 6-3.

The Avalanche is back in action on Saturday, November 22, as they head on the road to face the Nashville Predators.

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Red-Hot Wedgewood to Start in Net Against RangersRed-Hot Wedgewood to Start in Net Against RangersScott Wedgewood looks to remain in top form tonight against the New York Rangers, who have had an up-and-down season.
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Observations From Blues' 3-2 Overtime Loss Vs. Flyers

It feels like a script from Groundhog Day when it comes to the St. Louis Blues.

At least when a game goes beyond 60 minutes.

For the sixth time in as many tries, the Blues can’t hammer down the second point, again falling in overtime, 3-2 against the Philadelphia Flyers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday.

Travis Sanheim’s goal at 3:50 of overtime enabled the Flyers (10-6-3) to erase a two-goal deficit, their third two-goal deficit erased against the Blues (6-9-6) this season. The Flyers won 6-5 in a shootout on Nov. 14, erasing 3-1 and 5-3 deficits in that game.

Justin Faulk scored both Blues goals, his first multi-goal game since Oct. 19, 2022, and Joel Hofer was sharp in goal despite the loss, stopping 25 shots.

Let’s look at Thursday’s game observations:

* No killer instinct – It’s built into an alarming trend this team doesn’t seem to know how to get out of, what winning teams don’t do.

As mentioned above, the Blues have led the Flyers three times in two games by two goals – and lost, albeit in extra time.

Where is the killer instinct? Where was the putting the foot on the throat and extending a 2-0 lead into 3-0, 4-0, like the New York Islanders – who by the way happen to be the next opponent on Saturday afternoon – did against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, winning 5-0.

There were several opportunities with quality chances to not only score, but to get pucks on net.

And for a capper, Jordan Kyrou had a glorious chance in OT to win the game but was denied on the doorstep by Dan Vladar with 2:19 to play.

Jake Neighbours, who returned after missing 12 games and played really well, was denied on a first-period breakaway, and Alexey Toropchenko, whose forecheck helped set up Faulk’s first goal, backhanded a shot wide of the net on a break-in in the second period.

Brayden Schenn, who had eight(!) shots on goal in the game (10 attempts), and Pavel Buchnevich combined for 11 shots on goal in this game; they actually looked good together throughout the game creating opportunities, but consolation prizes aren’t mattering anymore. These two veterans, making a combined $14.5 million in cap space, have combined for four goals in 21 games. It’s just not good enough.

Schenn is a heart-and-soul guy, and you can’t question his grit and determination, and we all know Buchnevich simply isn’t getting the job done offensively, were very noticeable playing with Dalibor Dvorsky Thursday, with a Corsi-for of 22-8. Those are great numbers, but pucks have got to start going into the net. It was probably the best line of the night for the Blues, but the bottom line is results, and finishing was an issue.

And Kyrou, making plays in the game again, had four shots on goal but there was a backhand in front of decided for whatever reason not to sling at the net in the second, and had that glorious chance from Robert Thomas in OT. You have to start finishing.

It’s no wonder the leading scorer on the Blues (Kyrou, Faulk and Neighbours) this season only has six goals in 21 games.

Sure, you credit Vladar for making some quality saves himself, but this group isn’t closing out games and extending leads, and that’s a big reason why their record is what it is.

It started Oct. 25 against the Red Wings, when a 4-0 lead turned into a 6-4 loss; a 2-0 lead against the Seattle Kraken on Nov. 8 turned into a 4-3 OT loss; the 3-1 and 5-3 leads against the Flyers turned into a 6-5 shootout loss and again on Thursday, 2-0 turns into only one point. Just there alone that’s five precious points lost from the bank.

Remember these if this team gets on a run and happens to fall short in the end.

* It was the perfect road game, then a first goal allowed broke a bad seal – Sure, as we mentioned about having the killer instinct to extend a 2-0 lead, but the Blues were getting the kind of road game they wanted for the most part and needed.

That game should have been at the least, 2-0 going into the third period, but there was the breakdown, late in the second period – the Kryptonite period – for the Blues, that gave the Flyers life.

Trevor Zegras, who killed the Blues last week as part of a line with Owen Tippett and Christian Dvorsk, was able to keep a puck alive with Pius Suter, who wasn’t able to kill it initially, and get it down low after Tyler Tucker, who did not have a good game, inexplicably left protecting the ice he needed to try and jump in to help Suter and in essence, left the low slot open for Tippett to quickly tip a puck to Rogrigo Abols, who came in with a whopping two goals in his career, to beat Hofer with 2:03 left in the period and make it a 2-1 game and now it’s a one-shot game:

* Tying goal came off a turnover – Even at 2-1, the Blues were still in good position, but the tying goal came off the stick of Tyson Foerster, off an initial giveaway by Tucker.

The defenseman, who was minus-2 in 11:19 of ice time, was being pressured from behind by Noah Cates, and he was looking for an option on the opposite side, but instead of perhaps protecting the puck in the corner and get help or even slamming it hard on a rim off the boards, he softly throws it behind and around that was picked off and back behind the Blues net. Cates then wins the battle with Tucker behind the net and Travis Konecny is able to win a puck away from Thomas to the point to Emil Andrae, who quickly pivots a pass to Foerster and he one-times a slap shot by Hofer, who was screened by Faulk, to the near side at 11:49 and it was a 2-2 game:

* Hofer gave the Blues a chance – Hofer was strong. He made a number of quality saves and, all you ask of your goalie, is to give you a chance, and he certainly did.

His best save of the game was a highlight reel stop with his glove on a Zegras one-timer on a Philadelphia power play at 8:15 of the third that kept it a 2-1 game:

* Faulk came ready – Faulk had just four goals in 78 games last season and already in his 21st this season and 1,001st NHL game in his career, he now has six and is just one off the NHL lead for defensemen.

He gave the Blues a 1-0 lead at 5:31 of the first period after a solid forecheck by Toropchenko separating Andrae from the puck behind the net to Oskar Sundqvist, who found the D-man at the right point and his shot found its way through with Toropchenko and Nathan Walker at the net providing traffic:

It was a great shift by the fourth line setting the tone.

And on his power-play goal at 12:08 of the first that made it 2-0, Neighbours did what he always does, gets gritty along the wall, does enough to keep a puck free for it to get back to Kyrou, who finds Neighbours low, and the forward’s seam pass to Faulk just inside the top of the left circle gave him a chance for a one-timer:

* Neighbours affect, especially early – Neighbours played 14:13 in his first game since Oct. 25 and you come to appreciate the little things he does that others don’t do on a consistent basis.

He’s always in on the forecheck, making smart decisions with the puck on chips, working, trying to free his linemates up for good ice, things that seem to go unnoticed to go with three hits in the game but was a minus-1.

* Suter, Thomas lines did not generate nearly enough – The reason the Blues had Schenn, Dvorsky and Buchnevich on the ice is because they were creating. The line with Dylan Holloway, Suter and Kyrou, along with Neighbours, Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud did not.

Suter’s line was 3-13 Corsi-against, and Thomas’ line was 5-13. Suter and Holloway combined for one shot on goal, and Thomas, Neighbours and Snuggerud each had one shot on goal.

* Costly miscommunication leads to OT goal – The Blues had an offensive zone draw in Philadelphia’s zone, but Schenn lost it to Sean Couturier, and the two of them were tied up for a bit as the puck was being rimmed around the left. But Cam Fowler made a read to stay with his guy, which was Konecny on a pinch, who easily got to the puck and fed Sanheim for what amounted to be a 2-on-0 with Samheim keeping and wristing the winner past Hofer from the inner slot. The problem was Buchnevich, instead of staying with Sanheim, also went to Konecny and gave Sanheim an open lane to get the pass and move up ice with an odd-man break. Buchnevich could not catch Sanheim, and there’s your game, and another frittered away point:

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Connor Bedard's Late Unsportsmanlike Penalty Allows Kraken To Complete Comeback

After losing to the Seattle Kraken earlier this month on the road, the Chicago Blackhawks came into this next matchup looking to return the favor. 

Through the first 40 minutes of the game, the Blackhawks were playing some of the best hockey that they've played in years. 

Early in the second, Tyler Bertuzzi, fresh off his injury return, scored to make it 1-0. This beautiful play started with a stretch pass by Alex Vlasic to Frank Nazar, who sent it to Teuvo Teravainen before he passed it to Bertuzzi for the goal.  

About halfway through the middle frame, Teuvo Teravainen scored a goal of his own.  After being the first to a dump-in on the power play, Bertuzzi made a neat swat pass to Teravainen, who made it 2-0. 

After the middle frame ended, the Kraken took over. At one point, the Blackhawks went on a 14-minute run without a shot on goal. With two goals in two minutes before the third period was halfway over, it was a brand new game. 

The game-changing play came in the final five minutes, when Connor Bedard was hooked on a breakaway, but there was no call. Bedard, as angry as he's ever been on the ice in his NHL career, showed up the referee and earned an unsportsmanlike penalty. 

On the ensuing power play, Jaden Schwartz scored to make it 3-2 Kraken. From there, that stood as the final score as the Blackhawks were unable to tie it with Spencer Knight on the bench. 

After the game was over, Connor Bedard took full responsibility for the loss. He wouldn't comment on what he said to the official, but he did say he can't let that happen again. 

“I’ve got to control my emotions in a better way." Bedard said. "I put our team in a vulnerable spot.” 

Jeff Blashill was not happy with the officiating at all, but he also acknowledged that Bedard knows better. It's a lousy way to lose a game if you're the Blackhawks, but it is a learning experience for a young superstar. 

"It better have been really personal to be that sensitive about it, because you're deciding games," Blashill said of the official making the call on Bedard. "So if it was super personal, I wasn't there, I don't know, but it better have been really personal if you're not going to have enough thick skin to just keep playing through."

In the loss, Spencer Knight made 24 saves on 27 shots. It's three goals against, but redirects and a power play goal against are more of a reflection of the team than Knight. Expect Arvid Soderblom to play in the second half of a back to back, and Knight to get the nod again on Sunday.

Burakovsky Injury

During the first period, Andre Burakovsky left the game after being hit in the head by Ryan Lindgren. Jeff Blashill also ruled him out for Friday's game but is unclear about the future beyond that. 

Watch Every Blackhawks Goal

Up Next For Chicago

For the first time in 2025-26, the Chicago Blackhawks have a back-to-back situation. They are flying to New York to take on the Buffalo Sabres. This will be a one game trip, as they are coming back to Chicago for a tilt against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. 

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2025-26 NBA Power Rankings: Timberwolves, Raptors, Rockets, and Pistons rise up! Bucks, Heat drop down

Week 5 in the NBA is underway, and much like the first month, the Oklahoma City Thunder claim the top spot with the Denver Nuggets right behind. The West claims by top four spots and two new squads make my top 10 as Miami and Milwaukee get bumped!

All Championship odds are courtesy of DraftKings.

Vaughn Dalzell‘s Week 5 NBA Power Rankings

Oklahoma City Thunder Primary Logo
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-1)
NBA Finals odds: +185
Points Leader: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.0)
Rebound Leader: Isaiah Hartentstein (11.0)
Assist Leader: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6.5)

Since the first two games of the season went to 2 OT, Oklahoma City has won by an average of 20.3 points and 10 straight games by double-digits. Their 15-1 mark has been an incredible start to the season and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a top two favorite for MVP.

After a Friday night road trip to Utah, Oklahoma City has a three-game home stand against Portland, Minnesota, and Phoenix as arguably their toughest three-game stretch since the season started.

Denver Nuggets Primary Logo
2. Denver Nuggets (11-3)
NBA Finals odds: +500
Points Leader: Nikola Jokic (29.1)
Rebound Leader: Nikola Jokic (13.2)
Assist Leader: Nikola Jokic (11.1)

Denver was on a nasty seven-game winning streak before the Chicago Bulls on the second night of a back-to-back snapped it. The Nuggets are now 8-1 in the last nine games and rank top three overall in offensive and defensive efficiency on the year.

Nikola Jokic has triple-doubled in nine out of 14 games this season and has 30 or more points in six of his past nine contests to become the latest MVP favorite.

Los Angeles Lakers Primary Logo
3. Los Angeles Lakers (11-4)
NBA Finals odds: +1500
Points Leader: Luka Doncic (34.6)
Rebound Leader: Luka Doncic (8.8)
Assist Leader: Luka Doncic (9.0)

The Lakers are on a three-game winning streak and 4-1 over the last five games as they welcomed LeBron James back to the mix this week. The Lakers trailed the Jazz in his return, but turned up the heat and won 140-126.

The Lakers rank 11th and 17th in offensive and defensive ratings to start the year, so LeBron can clearly assist in that department. After a road game at Utah, Los Angeles has a four-game home stand that includes a meeting with the Clippers on NBC and Peacock.

Houston Rockets Primary Logo
4. Houston Rockets (10-3)
NBA Finals odds: +850
Points Leader: Kevin Durant (25.5)
Rebound Leader: Alperen Snegun (10.4)
Assist Leader: Alperen Snegun (7.4)

Houston is on their second five-game winning streak of the season! The Rockets are a streaky team, but showing major signs of potential with wins over Cleveland, Orlando, Portland, Washington, and Milwaukee in the past five games.

The Rockets have the NBA's highest rated offensive efficiency and with all their length and youth, Houston is seventh on defense. We all knew Houston would be good, but all three losses have come to top 10 teams in the NBA (Thunder, Pistons, Spurs).

Cleveland Cavaliers Primary Logo
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-6)
NBA Finals odds: +900
Points Leader: Donovan Mitchell (30.2)
Rebound Leader: Evan Mobley (8.6)
Assist Leader: Donovan Mitchell (5.3)

Cleveland is 7-3 to start November with wins over Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee to name a few. The Cavaliers are eighth in offensive rating and 13th in defensive rating during that span. Cleveland is four games through a six-game home stand that has started 2-2. Nine of the next 13 games at home for Cleveland, so I expect this team to continue climbing the rankings.

Detroit Pistons Primary Logo
6. Detroit Pistons (13-2)
NBA Finals odds: +3500
Points Leader: Cade Cunningham (27.3)
Rebound Leader: Jalen Duren (11.9)
Assist Leader: Cade Cunningam (9.9)

Detroit has now won 11 straight games and continues to move up in the top 10! The Pistons won back-to-back games with no rest over the Pacers and Hawks to reach double-digits on this winning streak. During this streak, Detroit owns the third-best defensive rating and the seventh-ranked offense.

New York Knicks Primary Logo
7. New York Knicks (9-5)
NBA Finals odds: +1600
Points Leader: Jalen Brunson (28.0)
Rebound Leader: Karl-Anthony Towns (12.8)
Assist Leader: Jalen Brunson (6.4)

The Knicks got Jalen Brunson back for Dallas and earned a much-needed 113-111 win. New York is 2-2 in the past four games and went 1-1 versus Miami without him. New York has nine wins, but only three have come against teams with winning records so far (Minnesota, Cleveland, Miami).

Minnesota Timberwolves Primary Logo
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-5)
NBA Finals odds: +1400
Points Leader: Anthony Edwards (25.2)
Rebound Leader: Rudy Gobert (9.9)
Assist Leader: Julius Randle (6.1)

Anthony Edwards is back and Minnesota is rolling! Since Nov. 5, when Edwards returned, Minnesota ranks sixth in offensive and defensive efficiency. The Timberwolves are 6-1 in the last seven games and 6-2 since his return. Edwards is averaging 25.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over 32.8 minutes per game in that span.

San Antonio Spurs Primary Logo
9. San Antonio Spurs (11-4)
NBA Finals odds: +5000
Points Leader: Victor Wembanyama (26.2)
Rebound Leader: Victor Wembanyama (12.9)
Assist Leader: Stephon Castle (7.5)

San Antonio followed up its back-to-back losses to Golden State with three straight wins all by nine or more points. Without Victor Wembanyama, this team has to be dropped a spot or two. While San Antonio is 3-0 without Wembanyama following wins over Sacramento, Memphis, and Atlanta — who are a combined 17-31.

Toronto Raptors Primary Logo
10. Toronto Raptors (10-5)
NBA Finals odds: +10000
Points Leader: Brandon Ingram (20.9)
Rebound Leader: Scottie Barnes (7.8)
Assist Leader: Immanuel Quickley (6.1)

How did this happen? Sure, I could put the Warriors, Bucks, Suns or Trail Blazers on this list at No. 10, or maybe another team, but the Raptors have surprised with two over the Cavaliers, and 76ers each, plus the Bucks this month.

Toronto is on a five-game winning streak and is 9-1 over the last 10 games following a 1-4 start. The Raptors were being slept on, but people are awake now. With Washington, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Indiana and Charlotte one the next five games— I like the chances the Raptors keep their heater going.

Out of the Top 10

Miami Heat Primary Logo
10. Miami Heat (9-6)
NBA Finals odds: +15000
Points Leader: Norman Powell (25.4)
Rebound Leader: Kel’el Ware (10.0)
Assist Leader: Daivon Mitchell (7.3)

The Miami Heat are on a two-game winning streak, but dropped two straight before that and is 6-5 over the last 11 games. The Heat split contests with the Cavaliers and Knicks over the past few weeks, so this team is still staying afloat as a 11-20 ranked squad.

Milwaukee Bucks Primary Logo
6. Milwaukee Bucks (8-8)
NBA Finals odds: +5500
Points Leader: Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.2)
Rebound Leader: Giannis Antetokounmpo (10.8)
Assist Leader: Giannis Antetokounmpo (6.8)

Is the fall off happening for Milwaukee? The bucks have dropped three consrucigve games and four of the past five. For the first time all season, Milwaukee is .500 with eight wins and eight losses. Next up is the hottest team in the NBA — the Pistons, then Portland, Miami, and New York. I don't like it.

New to the Top 10:

Minnesota Timberwolves Primary Logo
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-5)
NBA Finals odds: +1400
Points Leader: Anthony Edwards (25.2)
Rebound Leader: Rudy Gobert (9.9)
Assist Leader: Julius Randle (6.1)

The Timberwolves are 4-2 in the last six games and 6-2 since Anthony Edwards return. While the record is impressive, Minnesota has beaten Washington, Dallas, Sacramento twice, and Utah twice with losses to Denver and New York. Minnesota actually hasn't beaten a team with a winning record yet and can with a road game at Phoenix next.

Toronto Raptors Primary Logo
10. Toronto Raptors (10-5)
NBA Finals odds: +10000
Points Leader: Brandon Ingram (20.9)
Rebound Leader: Scottie Barnes (7.8)
Assist Leader: Immanuel Quickley (6.1)

Toronto has put together four-game and five-game winning streaks so far this season as one of the biggest surprises. The Raptors have a top 10 rated offense and in the middle of the pack for defense through 15 games. Let's see how long this lasts!

How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones. Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

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Sloppy Red Wings Blanked 5-0 By Islanders On Home Ice

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On a night where the Detroit Red Wings were hoping to avenge their 7-2 setback against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena last month, the visiting Islanders instead gave Detroit more of the same on Thursday evening. 

The Red Wings were completely shut down by goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who stopped all 29 shots that he faced as part of New York's 5-0 victory at Little Caesars Arena. It was his second shutout of the season. 

Meanwhile, the statistics of Red Wings goaltender John Gibson took another hit, as he allowed five goals on 27 shots, though more than a few of them were deflections. 

The Islanders have now outscored the Red Wings in both games they've played by a 12-2 margin. 

The game overall was a complete reversal of their previous two victories over the New York Rangers and Seattle Kraken, in which they were completely dialed in defensively. 

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The Islanders took a 2-0 lead in the first period thanks to goals from Calum Ritchie and Maxim Shabanov. Ritchie's goal was the result of a defensive breakdown by Detroit, while Shabanov's was after Detroit lost a defensive zone faceoff. 

Early in the second period, Detroit's Lucas Raymond had a golden opportunity to cut the lead in half when he broke in alone on Sorokin, only to have his five-hole attempt stopped.

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Just seconds later, the Islanders increased their lead to 3-0 after Mat Barzal's shot from the top of the slot deflected past Gibson. Bo Horvat then made it 4-0, capping a passing play with a one-time shot past Gibson from the face-off circle.

Not long after Nate Danielson was denied his second goal in as many games on a breakaway attempt of his own in the third period, Shabanov cut through both Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson to score his second goal of the night, making the score 5-0 for the Islanders.

Despite the loss, the Red Wings remain in first place in the Atlantic Division standings thanks to the 8-4 loss by the Montreal Canadiens as well as the 4-3 loss by the Boston Bruins on Wednesday evening. 

The Red Wings will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday afternoon. 

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Max Shabanov scores twice as Islanders blank Red Wings, 5-0, for second straight win

DETROIT (AP) — Max Shabanov had two goals and an assist, and Ilya Sorokin stopped 29 shots for his second shutout of the season as the New York Islanders beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-0 on Thursday night.

Calum Ritchie had a goal and an assist, Matthew Barzal and Bo Horvat also scored, and Casey Cizikas had two assists as the Islanders finished 6-1-0 on a seven-game road trip. It marked the second time in franchise history New York won six or more games on a trip — first since Feb. 19 to March 6, 2016.

Sorokin had five saves in the first period, 15 in the second and nine in the third to get his 24th career shutout.

John Gibson finished with 21 saves as Detroit snapped a four-game point streak (3-0-1).

The Islanders’ fourth line of Shabanov, Ritchie and Cizikas accounted for three goals and four assists. Shabanov, playing in his ninth career game, had one goal and two assists prior to Thursday’s outburst. The 20-year-old Ritchie scored his second goal of the season and third of his career.

Horvat scored his team-high 14th goal in the second period. He has eight goals and six assists in his last 11 games.

The teams combined for 58 penalty minutes, including three 10-minute misconduct infractions — Detroit’s Marco Kasper late in the 2nd period, and the Red Wings’ Ben Chiarot and the Islanders’ Scott Mayfield at 9:04 of the third.

Ritchie and Shabanov staked the Islanders to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Barzal and Horvat scored during the first six minutes of the second for a four-goal advantage. Shabanov converted a backhander for his second goal at 6:52 of the third.

Up next

Islanders: Host St. Louis on Saturday night to open a seven-game homestand.

Red Wings: Host Columbus on Saturday night.

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Islanders Dominate Red Wings 5-0 To Climb To Third In Metropolitan Division

The New York Islanders steamrolled the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night, beating the Atlantic Division's No. 1 team 5-0. They go 6-1-0 on their seven-game road trip and now sit alone in third place in the Metropolitan Division as they gear up for a seven-game homestand. 

Ilya Sorokin turned aside all 29 shots that came his way for his second shutout of the season and second in five starts. He stopped 33 shots in a 5-0 shutout of the New York Rangers to begin the road trip. 

It was domination early by the Islanders, via the fourth line. 

Calum Ritchie scored his second goal in as many days after a nifty, quick feed from Maxim Shababov at 6:46 of the first:

Then, off a Ritchie offensive-zone face-off win, Casey Cizikas taps the puck to Shabanov, who roofed the puck high blocker side to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead at 14:54 of the first:

The surge continued in the second period. At 3:19 of the middle frame, just after Ritchie left the ice after being high-sticked, Mathew Barzal jumped on a loose puck in the high slot, before he beat Gibson high glove side, with the shot getting deflected to extend the Islanders' lead to 3-0:

Bo Horvat got in on the fun at 5:04 of the second. Off a set play, Horvat won the offensive zone draw to Ryan Pulock before opening up for a one-time finish inside the right dot for his 14th goal of the season:

With his 14th goal of the season, Horvat now sits in a three-way tie with Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draistaitl, and Morgan Geekie for the NHL lead. 

The Islanders weren't done just yet. Shabanov scored his second of the game, recording his fourth point, as he split the seas before he beat Gibson low glove side at 6:52 of the third to give the Islanders a 5-0 lead:

The Islanders played the final 10:56 with just five defenseman following a scrum that saw Mayfield receive two minor penalties and a 10-minute misconduct. 

Long Island is back at it on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues for the first of a back-to-back, and the first of a seven-game homestand. 

Puck drop against the Blues is slated for 3:30 PM ET. 

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Devils outshoot Panthers but fall, 1-0, for second straight loss

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 shots, Sam Reinhart scored in the opening period and the Florida Panthers beat the New Jersey Devils 1-0 on Thursday night.

It was Florida’s first 1-0 regulation win in the regular season since Dec. 23, 2017, against Ottawa. The Panthers had a 1-0 overtime win at Columbus last season.

Bobrovsky has 51 shutouts, tied for 28th in NHL history. The Devils were blanked for the first time this season, wasting a 23-save effort from Jake Allen.

Reinhart collected the puck around the blue line, got around New Jersey’s Luke Hughes before beating Allen over the shoulder. It was Reinhart’s 11th goal of the season, and Bobrovsky made it stand up — staving off a flurry in the final minute to seal the win.

It marked the second time this season New Jersey failed to get a standings point in back-to-back games. The Devils lost at Tampa Bay on Tuesday; they also had consecutive regulation losses in Colorado and San Jose on Oct. 28 and 30.

The Panthers celebrated defenseman Jeff Petry’s 1,000th game — a milestone reached earlier this week — in a pregame ceremony.

Petry’s four children wore the sweaters of his four previous teams, Edmonton, Montreal, Pittsburgh and Detroit, and the family was presented with a number of gifts from both the Panthers and the NHL. Every player on the Panthers warmed up for the game wearing a sweater bearing Petry’s No. 2 on the back instead of their own; those will be auctioned for charity.

The game was the NHL debut for Panthers rookie Jack Devine, a two-time national champion at Denver, who was called up with Florida now missing seven would-be regulars in the lineup because of injuries.

Up next

Devils: At Philadelphia on Saturday night.

Panthers: Host Edmonton on Saturday night in a rematch of the last two Stanley Cup Finals.

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Bobrovsky, Panthers shut down Devils to earn gritty 1-0 victory

The Florida Panthers welcomed the high-flying New Jersey Devils to Sunrise on Thursday night.

What turned out to be a battle of two strong goaltenders went the Panthers way, as they squeaked by the Devils 1-0.

Despite being outshot 9-2 over the game’s first 12 minutes, it was the Panthers that scored the game’s opening goal.

It started with Sam Reinhart picking up the puck and flying down the right side boards into the Devils zone, with Luke Hughes covering him close.

Reinhart made a quick backhand-forehand move through Hughes’ stick and snapped a shot over the shoulder of Jake Allen to put the Cats up 1-0 with 7:02 to go in the first period.

That’s how the score would remain for much of the game, as Sergei Bobrovsky for Florida and Allen for the Devils continued to come up with big save after big save.

Credit to New Jersey for putting on a valiant attempt to tie the game down the stretch, but they failed to get one past the Cats’ tendie.

Bobrovsky finished with 31 saves, including all nine of the high danger shots sent his way by New Jersey, to earn his second shutout of the season.

On to the Oilers.

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Photo caption: Nov 20, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against New Jersey Devils center Juho Lammikko (83) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

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Bryce Hopkins scores 20 as No. 14 St. John’s routs Bucknell 97-49

Bryce Hopkins scored 20 points in 17 minutes for his highest-scoring game in nearly two years, and No. 14 St. John’s routed Bucknell 97-49 on Thursday night. Hopkins who tore his ACL in January of 2024 and played only three games for Providence last season due to continued knee trouble, made 7 of 9 shots and has scored in double figures in each game this season. Hopkins scored 13 points in the first half and hit two 3s in the final 11 1/2 minutes of the period, when coach Rick Pitino's Red Storm (3-1) began asserting themselves after missing 11 of their first 14 shots.