NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 31, 2025
The Penguins’ strong start continues, Trevor Zegras is settling in well with the Flyers, the Avalanche re-signs Martin Necas, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF THURSDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins’ surprisingly strong start to this season continued with a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild, pushing the Penguins into first place in the overall standings with 18 points (8-2-2). Bryan Rust and Ryan Shea each had a goal and an assist, and Tristan Jarry made 26 saves for the win. Kirill Kaprizov scored for the Wild, who dropped to 3-6-3 in their first 12 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Projected to finish near the bottom of the standings, the Penguins have defied expectations thus far. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has 17 points, sitting second to Gordie Howe for the most points by a 39-or-older player through his first 12 games. Howe had 20 points in his first dozen games of the 1968-69 season.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).
Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras had two goals and an assist to lead his club over the Nashville Predators 4-1. It was Zegras’ second three-point game in his last three contests. Dan Vladar stopped 32 shots for the Flyers (6-3-1) as they extended their home win streak to five games. Rookie Matthew Wood tallied his first NHL goal as his Predators (4-6-2) have lost three straight games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers center Sean Couturier left this game in the first period with an undisclosed injury. Earlier in the day, the Flyers placed goaltender Sam Ersson (lower body) on injured reserve.
The Winnipeg Jets improved to 8-3-0 and moved into first place in the Western Conference with 16 points with a 6-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. Jets center Jonathan Toews had an assist in his first game against his former team, Gabriel Vilardi scored twice and collected an assist, and Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each had three points for the Jets. Connor Bedard and Connor Murphy each had two assists for the 5-4-2 Blackhawks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets winger Gustav Nyquist left this game with an undisclosed injury.
Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood scored an NHL hat trick, and Jake DeBrusk scored the game-winner in a shootout to nip the St. Louis Blues 4-3. Kevin Lankinen kicked out 36 shots for the 6-6-0 Canucks. Pius Suter had a goal and an assist for the 3-6-2 Blues, who are winless in their last six (0-4-2).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks winger Brock Boeser left this game early in the first period after being struck by a puck in the “midsection”, which is a polite way of saying he took a shot in the balls.
The Carolina Hurricanes downed the New York Islanders 6-2. Andrei Svechnikov and Logan Stankoven each had a goal and an assist as the Hurricanes improved their record to 7-3-0. Matthew Schaefer and Simon Holmstrom replied for the Islanders, who are winless in their last three (0-2-1) as their record dropped to 4-5-1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis left the game in the third period after blocking a shot with his left foot. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour said it “doesn’t look great”, and added that Jarvis will be reevaluated on Friday. Meanwhile, Islanders forward Mathew Barzal was a healthy scratch after he was late arriving at the rink.
An overtime goal by Marat Khusnutdinov lifted the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Joonas Korpisalo turned aside 37 shots, David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist, and Morgan Geekie extended his goal streak to six games for the 6-7-0 Bruins. Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin each had a goal and an assist for the Sabres (4-4-0).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins center Elias Lindholm left this game in the second period with an injured left leg following an accidental knee-on-knee collision with Sabres forward Jordan Greenway. Earlier in the day, the Bruins announced that defenseman Jordan Harris underwent surgery on Monday for a right ankle fracture and will be sidelined for the next two months.
The San Jose Sharks scored three straight goals to open the first period as they upset the New Jersey Devils 5-2. Alexander Wennberg and Philipp Kurashev each had a goal and an assist for the 3-6-2 Sharks. Dawson Mercer scored both goals for the 8-3-0 Devils.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Sharks placed forward Adam Gaudette (upper body) on injured reserve.
A shootout goal by Lucas Raymond gave the Detroit Red Wings a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Marco Kasper tallied two goals as the Red Wings took a 3-1 lead, but the Kings rallied to tie it on two goals by Corey Perry. The Red Wings moved into first place in the Atlantic Division with 16 points (8-3-0), while the Kings dropped to 5-3-4.
Shootout goals by Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle lifted the Ottawa Senators over the Calgary Flames 4-3. Jake Sanderson scored the tying goal late in the third period, and Lars Eller had a goal and an assist for the 6-5-1 Senators. Devin Cooley stopped 35 shots for the 2-8-2 Flames.
An overtime goal by Anthony Cirelli gave the Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. Brandon Hagel also scored for the Lightning, who have won four straight and improved to 5-4-2. Jake Oettinger made 30 saves for the 6-3-2 Stars as they extended their points streak to five games (3-0-2).
New York Rangers captain J.T. Miller scored in overtime to lead his team over the Edmonton Oilers 4-3. Igor Shesterkin made 33 saves for the 5-5-2 Rangers. Darnell Nurse scored twice for the 5-4-3 Oilers.
IN OTHER NEWS…
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Martin Necas agreed to an eight-year contract extension with the Avalanche on Thursday. The 26-year-old winger was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He will earn an average annual value of $11.5 million starting in 2026-27.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having acquired Necas from the Hurricanes in January’s Mikko Rantanen trade, the Avalanche couldn’t risk losing him to free agency next summer. Fortunately for them, he’s proven to be a good fit alongside superstar center Nathan MacKinnon on the Avalanche’s top line with seven goals and 13 points in his first 11 games of this season.
After ponying up $11.5 million annually for Necas, some observers wonder why the Avalanche let Rantanen go in the first place, pointing to the former Avs winger signing with the Dallas Stars for $12 million annually. That’s because he was reportedly seeking a deal comparable to what Leon Draisaitl got from the Edmonton Oilers (eight years, $14 million AAV), which prompted Avalanche management to trade him.
RG.ORG: Sergey Pryahkin examines the cost of winning the Stanley Cup, revealing that frugal clubs rarely end up hoisting hockey’s holy grail.
Championship teams allocate over 93 percent of their salary-cap payroll, with some teams exceeding this amount. The age sweet spot for Cup-winning teams is between 26 and 30, with Cup rosters dedicating one-third of their cap payroll to three players and half toward five players, with elite centers being the most valuable asset.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for a more detailed breakdown of Pryahkin’s findings.
Quick question to all
Is there a rule that doesn’t allow a double minor to be called that would carry into OT?
After the Pens’ game I watched the Oilers/Rangers.
Game was tied very late and Zib high sticked; clearly drawing blood. BUT only a single 2 minute penalty was called?? Play-by-play guys couldn’t understand it either.
Is it a rule that no double minor can be called in regulation that would leave at least 2 minutes bleeding (sorry had to) into OT?
8787 – no, if there blood was drawn from the high stick it should have been a double minor.
In other news…wth is going on with Bouchard? He is never going to be confused with Lidstrom for his defensive game but he has proven in the past to be capable defending, and making smart plays. You can understand a high risk play backfiring now and again but my oh my he has completely unraveled.
And haters will say how bad of a contract and blah blah blah but this version of bouchard is notches below the worse I have seen him play for such a stretch. Even if you dont like the player…he has never been this consistently bad.
Knoblauch needs to just sit him out a game or two. Playing him more to get through thid stretch doesnt seem to work.
Yes, Bouchard has been brutal to start the season. Which has been the case last year and the year before. But ya, this year has been worse.
Can’t see Knoblach scratching him from the lineup 1Oilerfan, but benching him for 5-10 minutes to send a message seems reasonable. He sat Nurse for 5 minutes a couple nights ago, and Nurse was back to very good last night.
It’s weird with Bouchard, struggles with brutal turnovers early in the year, like every year, and then transforms into one of their best players in the spring. Especially the last 2 seasons, he has been great. Driving offence and managing the puck well.
So he can do it at a high level, but for some reason doesn’t in the fall. I can’t explain it.
Sit him in a film room for 10 hours watching his defensive gaffs on a loop
Just kidding
For sure he needs to be counciled
I think a game watching from the press box is more valuable than benching in-game for long stretches
He knows he’s making mistakes
Viewing from up on high (and/or film review) just may give him a better vantage point for self assessment
The skill set is there
He’s just pushing the low percentage/high risk/high payoff envelope.
We’ve got a former Norris winner (costing us $10 M in Cap), that makes similar low percentage/high risk/high payoff plays. This year, on average; they are working. Last couple of years; not, and costly outcomes.
I wouldn’t be concerned about Oilers’ season start
The aim is to get into playoffs; then go on a tear
I have full confidence that Oilers make the playoffs
Oddly enough; despite being 1st OA in the league; we all know there will be at least one “slide” and how long that is (or they are) could be devastating; leading me to think , that weirdly enough; Oilers as at now; just might have a higher probability of playoffs than Penguins.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m over the moon re where Penguins are. I’m just not counting my chickens right now.
Very tough two road games coming up.
Win both in reg (very low odds of that); then things are really stoking for Pens
Lose both in reg (most likely situation); parlayed with other Metro wins in next few days; and standings picture much much different.
I am cautiously optomistic
@ 8787 We are both Penguins fans except I have stuck by the Penguins and Dubas while you have torched them.
How do you like them and me now !! LOL
8-2-2
playing faster they are infusion younger talent everyday with Tristan Broz and Murashev will be Penguins soon
They have been blown out once.
I have said they will be better you George and others oh you are a homer you are delusional yad yad yada.
If Dubas makes one good trade or move this team will be a playoff team.
Koivunen Pickering Kindel Brunicke all young Penguins in the NHL and more is coming.
I don’t torch Pens as a whole
I am against having some particular players in the line-up (such as Kevin Hayes; he absolutely should go to WBS)
I do like a few of the adds Dubas got (the big boys in line 2 and Silovs).
Overall, I still believe Dubas failed at not moving one of the 3 (Karllsson, Rust, Rackell) over the summer; to bring in youth
Read Kangerski’s recent take that suggests Dubas is looking to trade for s 36 year old just sent down for waivers. Not a good move
I am very happy with where Penguins are right now.
I’m just tempering my expectations.
In no way will this pace continue until April
We will have a dowturn
How long is TBD; but more importantly; how they handle it is the big thing
I’ve never accused you of being a homer (or was that directed at George)
I’m a “homer” in that I cheer for the Penguins, Pirates; and Steelers
That doesn’t mean I can’t at times look at any of them with a skeptic’s lens
I know your a big Broz fan. He’s fine; I just see Avery Hayes as better.
Brunicke and Pickering a must to stay
I’d give Kendal another year in Jrs just to give him a year of putting on muscle/weight
I am so completely fed up with Bouchard. Did he forget how to hockey?????
I get that he’s never been the most dependable in his own zone, but he’s been absolute garbage since the start of the season! How many opposition goals has he assisted on?
Doesn’t he make a ton of Money?
That Sergey Pryahkin article has some good meat on the bone in his article. So refreshing to see numbers and facts regarding team building and cap allowance and no opinion or speculation.
I wasn’t surprised by much as he reiterated things I believed as well but was surprised at how close things were as well as give good, although could use more expanding on it, regarding the outliers.
Recommend reading it.
Yes, Ron, and others, it is a good article, probably the most detailed I have read.
What is missing is why teams who fit the profile fail repeatedly in their “window years” to win. Only one team can win of course, but if a cap of 93.4% cuts out nearly half the teams it leaves in more than half. For example: the overall analysis shows the Leafs should have won the Cup at least once during the Marner years. It also suggests Dubas was on to something. Yet …
Not suggesting the article is flawed, it is thought provoking. But there are a few ingredients to the secret sauce not identified. In fairness to the article, I will suggest one: luck, particularly in the form of injuries.
Anyone else want to bite?