National Hockey League

National Hockey League

We're into December, which means the World Juniors are just around the corner. Team Canada is expected to name its roster in the coming days, while holding a 10-day training camp in Niagara Falls from December 12-22. Daily Faceoff prospect expert Steven Ellis listed Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect Ben Danford in his final roster projection last week, which would be a massive accomplishment for the 2024 first-round pick.

2025-2026 Record: 13-12-2 (7th in Metro)Last week's results: W 3-2 vs STL, W 4-2 @ CAR, W 6-2 @ BOS, L 4-1 vs TBSchedule this week: 12/2 vs DAL, 12/4 @ OTT, 12/6 vs COL, 12/7 vs VGKLast Poll's Results: 3.02 Top stories this week:

It's safe to say Alex Ovechkin is back to being Alex Ovechkin after a slow start to the season, where he scored just three goals in his first 15 games. Ovechkin has 9 goals in his last 11 outings and found the back of the net again Sunday against the New York Islanders. The Capitals captain scored an empty-net goal with 31 seconds remaining in the game, skating through an Adam Pelech poke-check for his 909th career goal.

"Great comeback," said winger Chris Kreider, whose second-period power-play goal got the Ducks started. "A good job of fighting back. It's definitely a confident feeling." Leo Carlsson, who suffered through two dismal losing seasons during the long post-Perry rebuild in Anaheim, had two assists and the game-tying goal with 91 seconds left in regulation for the Ducks, who trailed 4-2 with less than 10 minutes to play.

Per NHL PR, with eight goals and 17 points in his first 25 NHL games, Schaefer has now done something no teenage defenseman had ever done before: he became the first in league history to score eight goals through his first 25 career games, breaking a tie with Orr, who had seven goals in his first 25. When you eclipse one of the greatest defensemen ever, people take notice.

Center Kirby Dach is out of action and on injured reserve with a fractured foot. Center Alex Newhook is out of action with a broken ankle and is also on injured reserve. Left winger Patrik Laine is out with an abdominal issue and defenseman Kaiden Guhle is on injured reserve and will miss 8-10 weeks after adductor muscle surgery. The center depth took a massive hit and so did the offense with the loss of Dach and NEwhook.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz did not travel with the team for the road trip, as he recovers from an upper-body injury, head coach Craig Berube confirmed via Sportsnet's Luke Fox. Stolarz sustained the injury against the Boston Bruins on November 11 and has been out of action since. Joseph Woll will make his sixth consecutive start on Friday, when the Maple Leafs face off against the Washington Capitals. Dennis Hildeby is widely expected to start Saturday's contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Beyond No. 1, there were some major swings this week, with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings making a jump, while the Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks fell. How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday. Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Nov. 21. Points percentages are through Thursday's games.

He is a big guy. He has to be a physical and hard player to play against. He is going to make and score his goals around the net, right? A little more puck touches in the offensive zone from the forecheck, and then getting to the net front and winning those battles there and tipping pucks. He has good hand-eye. He has the capability of putting the puck in the net.

During the festivities, the Rangers recalled defenseman Scott Morrow from Hartford, returning the previously recalled Connor Mackey to Hartford. Morrow was initially recalled for the Rangers road trip out west, but was returned following a few injuries that necessitated roster moves. Space for Morrow was created when the Rangers finally got healthy and waived Juuso Parssinen to create room for Morrow.