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'I'm Just Trying To Enjoy It': Dennis Hildeby’s Confidence Grows In Maple Leafs Net Following First Career NHL Shutout Against Lightning

Dennis Hildeby struck the right balance of confidence and humility after picking up his first career shutout. The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender made 29 saves to help his club defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.

“Could have felt better, honestly, but I mean, it worked out,” Hildeby said. “I think I competed in there and got lucky, and some great effort by our guys out there too, carrying some rebounds and all that. I got away with it.”

Early on, the Lightning peppered Hildeby with shots. One particular chance flipped over the goaltender and appeared to be on its way into an open net, only to have defenseman Troy Stecher snatch it away at the goal line.

“It's a great play. One of those times where I felt a little off,” Hildeby admitted. “Maybe I wasn't doing what I was supposed to, but, I mean, yeah, he got it done there. So I'm very thankful for that.”

Thrust into the spotlight after goaltenders Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll went down with injuries, the Leafs find themselves riding their fourth-round pick from the 2022 NHL Draft. He is expected to hold the fort for the next week or more. That is when Woll is expected to return, although past experience with the goaltender could mean it could take longer.

But with the pressure placed squarely on the goaltender known as the ‘Beast’, he has put forth solid back-to-back performances: first a 2-1 shootout loss on Saturday, and now a shutout against the Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I'm just trying to enjoy it. I mean, it's easier said than done, but at the end of the day, it's like what I've been dreaming of since I started playing hockey,” Hildeby said. “So you just got to remind yourself of that and have a lot of fun in the meanwhile and just compete.”

The confidence in his play since taking over the No. 1 spot hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“That's one big thing I find with goaltending is when they get more comfortable, you can see with their puck play too, and just had another layer of confidence for him,” Jake McCabe said of Hildeby. “He's been rock solid. He put in some work the other night, comes into the third period and shuts the door as well. So, yeah, it's good stuff.”

McCabe was referring to Hildeby coming on in relief of Woll for the third period of the club’s win against the Carolina Hurricanes. It became evident then that it was Hildeby’s net for the time being.

Hildeby was given the game puck at the end for the shutout and said he will give it to his father, who collects them. The one thing that is evident is the Leafs seem to be playing better in front of him, too.

“I think what I see in that is he's trusting his ability and his size and, you know, staying pretty calm and cool in net,” Head Coach Craig Berube said. “That's what I see. You know, his puck play has been good, but overall his mindset is really good.”

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NHL Rumors: 2 Potential Trade Fits For Penguins' Tristan Jarry

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time. It has carried over to this season, and it makes sense with the Penguins having two promising young goalies in Arturs Silovs and Sergei Murashov. 

Jarry is also in the middle of a strong bounce-back season, as he has a 9-2-1 record, a 2.54 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage in 13 games so far this campaign. Due to this, the Penguins could be in a position to sell high on the 10-year veteran.

With this, let's look at two teams that could make sense as landing spots for Jarry if the Penguins decide to move him. 

Edmonton Oilers 

The Oilers have been heavily linked to Jarry this season, and it was recently confirmed by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that Edmonton is interested in the Penguins goalie. It makes sense, as the Oilers need serious help between the pipes, and Jarry would give them that. 

Yet, the big obstacle in a potential Jarry to Edmonton trade is his $5.375 million cap hit until the end of the 2027-28 season. The Penguins and Oilers would need to find a way to make a trade work out financially, but on paper, Edmonton looks like a great fit for Jarry. 

Montreal Canadiens 

The Canadiens could make for an intriguing landing spot for Jarry if they are looking to make an upgrade. Sam Montembeault is in the middle of a nightmare season with the Canadiens, as he has a .861 save percentage and a 3.61 goals-against average in 14 games so far. 

The Canadiens have Jakub Dobes and an exciting prospect in Jacob Fowler, but if they want immediate help between the pipes ahead of the playoffs, Jarry could make for a good addition. 

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NHL Rumors: 3 Potential Trade Fits For Blackhawks' Ilya Mikheyev

The Chicago Blackhawks have many pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) this season. Because of this, the Blackhawks could be active as sellers if they find themselves out of a playoff spot as we get closer to the 2025 NHL trade deadline.

Among their most notable pending UFAs is forward Ilya Mikheyev. If the Blackhawks make him available this season, he would likely generate interest, as he is a solid forward who can score and kill penalties. He also just had a 20-goal and 34-point season in 2024-25. 

Due to this, let's look at three teams that could target Mikheyev if the Blackhawks shop him this season. 

Washington Capitals 

The Capitals could be an interesting landing spot for Mikheyev if the Blackhawks shop him. He would offer them another solid option for their third line and could give them a bit more secondary offensive production if brought in. 

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning will likely be on the hunt for forward depth this season, as their bottom six could use a boost. As a result of this, Mikheyev could fit in nicely in their bottom six if acquired. He would also give them another option to work with on their penalty kill, which would not be a bad thing for the Bolts. 

Detroit Red Wings 

The Red Wings could also be a team to watch when it comes to Mikheyev. When looking at their roster, it is clear that they could use some help on the wing, and Mikheyev could provide them with just that if acquired. 

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Columbus Blue Jackets (32 pts) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (36 pts) Game Preview

  The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the road to take on the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center. 

Carolina Hurricanes - 17-9-2 - 36 Points - 5-4-1 in last 10 - 2nd in the Metro

Columbus Blue Jackets - 13-10-6 - 32 Points - 3-3-4 in the last 10 - 8th in the Metro

Blue Jackets Stats

  • Power Play - 18.3% - 20th in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill -72.2% - 29th in the NHL
  • Goals For - 86 - 16th in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 98 - 28th in the NHL

Hurricanes Stats

  • Power Play - 15.3% - 27th in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 79.0% - 23rd in the NHL
  • Goals For - 93 - 8th in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 81 - 12th in the NHL

Series History vs. TheHurricanes

  • Columbus is 29-30-0-5 all-time, and 13-16-0-3 on the road vs. Carolina.
  • The Jackets are 0-6-0 in their last six games in Lenovo Center.
  • The CBJ went 2-2 vs. the Canes last season.

Who To Watch For The Hurricanes

  • Seth Jarvis leads the Canes with 16 goals.
  • Sebastian Aho leads Carolina with 26 points.
  • Goalie Brandon Bussi is 8-1-0 with a SV% of .903. His last start was on December 6th.
  • Pyotr Kochetkov is 4-1-0 with a SV% of .915. His last start was on December 7th.

CBJ Player Notes vs. Hurricanes 

  • Zach Werenski has 16 points in 31 career games against Carolina.
  • Kirill Marchenko has 11 points in 10 games, which includes 9 goals.
  • Sean Monahan has 16 points in 19 games vs. the Canes.

Injuries 

  • Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 21 Games - IR - No timeline for a return
  • Boone Jenner - Upper Body - Missed 13 Games - IR - Could return this week
  • Mathieu Olivier - Upper Body - Missed 6 Games - IR- No timeline for a return

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 56

How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on ESPN+ & HULU. Bob Wischusen will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 93.3 THE BUS, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story. 

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Islanders Netminder Ilya Sorokin Named NHL's First Start Of The Week

The NHL has named New York Islanders No. 1 netminder Ilya Sorokin their first star of the week ending Dec. 7.  

In three starts, Sorokin went 3-0-0, with a 1.33 GAA and a .960 SV%, which includes a 32-save shutout against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, a 2-0 win:

This is the second time Sorokin has won the award, last doing so the week of Feb. 1, 2025.

Ironically, he posted a 3-0-0 record with a 1.33 GAA. The difference was a .953 SV%. 

Expect Sorokin to be in between the pipes against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night at UBS Arena. 

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Former Mets closer Edwin Diaz joins Dodgers with record 3-year deal, $69M: Report

Former Mets closer Edwin Diaz joins Dodgers with record 3-year deal, $69M: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The rich have gotten richer, again.

In what’s seemingly become an annual offseason tradition, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed one of the top free agents on the market.

Former New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz reportedly agreed to a three-year, $69 million deal with the two-time defending World Series champions, The Athletic’s Will Sammon first reported and ESPN’s Jeff Passan confirmed Tuesday.

The average annual value of $23 million is a new record for MLB relievers, Passan added.

Diaz, 31, has been one of the game’s best closers since making his first All-Star appearance in 2018. The three-time Reliever of the Year (2018, 2022, 2025) has 253 career saves, which is tied for fourth among active players.

Bullpen was the Dodgers’ biggest weakness in 2025, but the issue was solved during the postseason — largely thanks to rookie Roki Sasaki. The Japanese sensation could move back to the starting rotation in 2026 with Diaz now able to handle closing duties.

As for the Mets, the team signed reliever Devin Williams away from the New York Yankees last week. The right-hander is now expected to fill Diaz’s role as the Mets’ closer in 2026.

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Michael van Gerwen: ‘Of course I love darts, but I love my kids much more’

The former world No 1 shares how a traumatic year has shaped him as a darts player and a father and insists he can recapture his glory days at the world championship

“I can be a miserable bastard sometimes,” Michael van Gerwen says with a grin and a shrug as he tries to explain his new burst of optimism after a horribly testing year. “But I can also be quite positive. If you asked me this question a month ago, and we did this interview then, you would find me a bit different to today. But I feel good now even if, 100%, this has been a very tough year for me both on and off the oche.”

Rather than being miserable, the 36-year-old is amiable company – which seems remarkable as in 2025 he has been through a divorce after 17 years with his wife, Daphne, witnessed the devastating effect of cancer on his father, endured intense scrutiny in the Dutch media, and struggled to regain his once imperious form with the arrows.

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Phillies, Schwarber agree to new deal as slugger stays put

Phillies, Schwarber agree to new deal as slugger stays put originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Kyle Schwarber is back in Philly.

The designated hitter is returning to the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

The 32-year-old slugger is coming off a season that ranks among the best in franchise history. He hit .240 with a league-leading 56 home runs and 132 RBIs in 2025, posting a .928 OPS. Since joining the Phillies in 2022, Schwarber has launched 187 homers, the most in the National League during that stretch.

President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski called re-signing Schwarber “a priority” at the club’s end-of-season press conference, noting, “We’d love to bring Kyle Schwarber back … He’s a huge part of what we do.”

Manager Rob Thomson echoed the sentiment, praising Schwarber’s leadership and professionalism: “He brings a lot — his calmness, his experience, how he talks to younger players when they’re scuffling. He’s a huge piece in that clubhouse.”

Beyond the numbers, Schwarber has become the heartbeat of the Phillies’ lineup. His power and steady presence have helped define the club’s four consecutive postseason runs.

He’s also left an imprint off the field — his “Neighborhood Heroes” foundation continues to support first responders and military families across the Philadelphia region.

Originally signed to a four-year, $79 million contract before the 2022 season, Schwarber will remain the team’s primary designated hitter as the Phillies look to extend their playoff window into 2026 and beyond.

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Sporticast 508: College Football Playoff Selections Stoke Ire

On the latest Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss some of the biggest sports business stories of the week, including the controversy surrounding the College Football Playoff selection process. The final rankings were unveiled on Sunday, and Notre Dame and Texas were among those left out. First, however, they talk about Sportico‘s …

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Macklin Celebrini micro-stats detail Sharks star's 2025-26 NHL Hart Trophy case

Macklin Celebrini micro-stats detail Sharks star's 2025-26 NHL Hart Trophy case originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

PHILADELPHIA — Macklin Celebrini might not want to hear it, but he’s having a season for the ages.

The 19-year-old is on pace for 41 goals and 118 points. The last teenager to score that many points in a year was 19-year-old Sidney Crosby with 120 points in 2006-07.

Celebrini literally means everything to the Sharks. He has 43 points, meaning he’s been directly involved in 50.6 percent of the team’s 85 goals. Just in comparison, Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the NHL with 49 points, is credited for 42.6 percent of the league-leading Colorado Avalanche’s offense.

If Celebrini keeps this kind of involvement up, it will be literal history.

But Celebrini is doing so much more than producing offense.

He’s second in the NHL with those 43 points, and according to Stathletes, he also is among the league leaders in a variety of two-way statistics.

“You see all the offensive production, how good he is there,” Alex Wennberg said. “You kind of forget how good of a job he does defensively as well.”

That’s why, in the opinion of this awards voter, if Celebrini can sustain his elite two-way play and drag the surprising Sharks into the playoffs, he would be a deserving Hart Trophy winner. As of Dec. 8, San Jose is tied for the last wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

Simply put, is there any player more valuable to his team than Celebrini?

Most stats are from Stathletes and rankings are among NHL forwards in All Situations.

Turnovers Created

Celebrini has forced 67 turnovers this season, sixth among NHL forwards. Turnovers Created are the sum of steals and pass interceptions.

Puck Deflections

Related, Celebrini has 75 Puck Deflections this season, fourth in the league. These are deflected opposition passes, suggesting that Celebrini’s stick is very active, defensively, in all three zones.

Puck Battles

Celebrini has 58 Puck Battle Wins this season, best among NHL forwards.

This might be Celebrini’s most impressive micro-stat. He’s 19, taking the puck from his often much-older peers, as if he were the veteran.

“He’s not afraid. Doesn’t matter who it is. Ultra-competitiveness is probably the best word for that. He wants to win the puck like it’s life or death,” head coach Ryan Warsofsky said, also noting that Celebrini added some size over the summer. “I know that’s a very drastic and dramatic comment, but the great players in every sport [do it]. Tom Brady wanted the ball in his hand. Steph Curry wants the ball in his hand [and is going] to do whatever he can to get it back. I think [that’s] what make great players great.”

“His competitiveness and his full compete is just different from the rest of us,” Wennberg admitted.

There’s a reason why, no less, than Brad Marchand called Celebrini “a dog” because of his compete.

Recoveries

Celebrini has 495 puck recoveries this season, fifth among NHL forwards. Recoveries are loose puck and shot recoveries.

That’s a testament to Celebrini’s quickness and ability to read where the puck is going.

Closer Carries

Celebrini has 511 Closer Carries, ninth in the league. Closer Carries are carries that bring the puck closer to the net.

Successful Zone Entries

Celebrini has 186 Successful Zone Entries, tied with Kirill Kaprizov for sixth in the NHL.

These puck-carrying stats mirror those of the most puck-dominant superstars in the league, your MacKinnon and Connor McDavids.

Penalties Drawn

Celebrini leads all forwards, per Evolving Hockey, with 19 Penalties Drawn and is tied for the lead with a +9 Penalty Differential.

Slot Passes

Celebrini has 71 Slot Passes and 21 Inner Slot Passes, both seventh in the league.

Assisted Chances

Related, Celebrini has 55 Assisted Chances, ninth among NHL forwards. Assisted Chances are passes that lead directly to scoring chances.

Total Chances

Celebrini has 113 Total Scoring Chances, eighth in the league. That’s a combination of shooting and assisted chances.

So shoot, pass, carry, battle, and defend, what can’t Celebrini do?

In baseball, the five-tool player is the ideal, someone who can hit for contact and power, and has speed, a strong arm, and a good glove.

A hockey comp might be a six-tool player who can skate, shoot, pass, stickhandle, is physical, and has hockey IQ at an elite level.

That already appears to be Celebrini, at just 19, in the best league in the world.

Granted, we’re just 30 games into the season, but MVP isn’t a stretch.

“He does everything in all three zones. He’s in on half our points. He plays hard in the D-zone. He plays big minutes. He plays against top lines. He’s a key part of the power play. He’s becoming a leader in the room,” Ryan Reaves said. “He’s doing everything that you want. He’s getting better every day. So I think he’s got a strong case.”

“He’s done a really good job of not letting all the outside noise affect his game, for the most part,” Warsofsky said. “He deserves to be in that conversation, but we got a long way to go.”

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