The Buffalo Sabres are the hottest team in the NHL. Coming into the 2025-26 season nobody expected those words but it is in fact true. The Sabres have climbed back into the playoff conversation, riding a league-high nine-game winning streak. This comes at a great time as the Atlantic Division is up for grabs this season. Buffalo is no longer at the bottom of the Atlantic Division and now sits fifth place.
Eklund was the Sharks' second-leading scorer through the first 12 games of the season but had been bothered by an injury for about a week before he finally had to sit out the team's game against the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 2. Eklund had to miss the last four games in total and was placed on injured reserve on Friday, but he is eligible to return to face the Wild as San Jose looks to extend their winning streak to four games.