NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 6, 2025
Stars winger Mikko Rantanen reaches a scoring milestone, Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke takes over the lead in the rookie scoring race, the Kings aren’t considering a coach change, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists as the Dallas Stars defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-1, extending their points streak to nine games. Wyatt Johnston collected two assists as the Stars have won six of their last seven games, improving to 19-5-5. Collin Graf replied for the 13-13-3 Sharks.
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rantanen recorded his 200th career regular-season multipoint game. He’s the fourth Finnish player in NHL history to do so, joining Jari Kurri (385), Teemu Selanne (382), and Aleksander Barkov (209).
The Anaheim Ducks nipped the Washington Capitals 4-3 on a shootout goal by Mason McTavish, snapping the latter’s six-game winning streak. Beckett Sennecke and Ross Johnston each had a goal and an assist as the Ducks (17-10-1) remain perched atop the Pacific Division with 35 points. Logan Thompson made 35 saves for the Capitals (17-9-3), who remain in first place in the Eastern Conference with 37 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sennecke took over the lead in the NHL rookie scoring race with 22 points. His teammate, Mikael Granlund, returned to action following a 10-game absence with a lower-body injury.
Capitals rookie Ryan Leonard left this game in the first period following a high hit by Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba, who was initially assessed a five-minute major penalty but that was overturned upon review.
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid made 24 saves to shut out the New Jersey Devils 3-0. Shea Theodore, Tomas Hertl, and Ivan Barbashev were the goal scorers, while Jack Eichel picked up two assists for the 13-6-8 Golden Knights, who picked up their third straight victory. Jacob Markstrom made 22 saves for the Devils, who have lost four straight and dropped to 16-11-1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart missed this game as he’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury. They also placed center William Karlsson (lower body) on long-term injury reserve.
The Winnipeg Jets got a goal and an assist from Kyle Connor in a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Connor extended his goal streak to four games, Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Koepke also had a goal and an assist each, and Eric Comrie made 34 saves for the 14-12-1 Jets. Jason Zucker scored for the Sabres, who dropped to 11-13-4.
Utah Mammoth goalie Karel Vejmelka stopped 31 shots as his club beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1. Mikhail Sergachev and Kevin Stenlund each had a goal and an assist for the 14-12-3 Mammoth. Arshdeep Bains scored for the Canucks (10-15-3) as their losing skid extended for four games.
IN OTHER NEWS…
TSN: Pierre LeBrun contacted Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland regarding rumors that head coach Jim Hiller might be replaced. Holland said there was “zero truth” to the speculation, which arose because the Kings are mired in an extended slump.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have won twice in their last eight games (2-3-3). They are 29th in scoring, averaging 2.56 goals per game.
THE ATHLETIC: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy said he’s dropped almost 20 pounds since suffering a fractured jaw when he was struck in the face on Nov. 15 by a slapshot by Montreal Canadiens blueliner Noah Dobson.
McAvoy underwent surgery and is on a liquid diet during his recovery. It will take six weeks from the date of his surgery until his jaw is healed. He cannot eat solid food until then. Head coach Marco Sturm said they won’t rush McAvoy back into the lineup, preferring to wait until he’s fully recovered physically and mentally.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No date has been set yet for McAvoy’s return, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it is sometime in early January.
OTTAWA SUN: Senators center Shane Pinto (lower-body injury) will miss Saturday’s game with the St. Louis Blues. It remains unknown as to how much longer he’ll be out of the lineup.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Nashville Predators placed forward Ozzy Wiesblatt and defenseman Justin Barron on injured reserve with upper-body injuries.
Is that the Beckett Sennecke those geniuses at Hockey Canada deemed unworthy of playing for Canada at last year’s World Juniors? If I recall, their explanation was that they were looking for “players with character” or some such BS.
20 pounds is what I think you intended to say
Lyle, re McAvoy I think you meant to write “dropped almost 20 pounds” …
As long as Boston stays in the playoff hunt I would hold out Mcavoy for as long as possible. Looks like this cluster in the East will go down to the wire.I would like the team to add a defensemen to the team. Anaheim has young defensemen that can t get into the lineup regularly.
Yes, it was, thank you
With Pinto and Eller both out, Halliday will likely stay up as the 4th line C with Greig moving to C on the 3rd line to replace Pinto. Not ideal, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. At least we finally see in print an acknowledgement of the impressive play at Belleville of winger Arthur Kaliyev (23 points in 21gp), and his likely recall. In Garrioch’s column this morning in the Ottawa Sun he quotes assistant coach Stefan Legein who said “It’s pretty impressive … there are guys you watch through the game, and you watch them because they score, and (Kaliyev) has worked himself into that category. He has a great knack for getting lost on the backside, and when he gets a chance, it’s automatic, it’s going in. He has to continue to find a way to get those looks. They’re not always going to present themselves, so he’s got to get to the inside of the ice. He’s done a good job of that.”
However, as Fergy22 pointed out in here a couple pf days ago, “if and when Ottawa calls up Kaliyev they should plan for him to stay. He would have to clear waivers to go back to Belleville and chances are another team will claim him.” So, what it boils down to is, if recalled, they need to give him the ice-time where it becomes make or break time for Kaliyev at the NHL level. At least here in Ottawa.