This article originally appeared on PGHHockeyNOW.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (14-8-8) set a low-water mark Saturday when they squandered a 5-1 third-period lead and lost in overtime to the rebuilding San Jose Sharks, 6-5. The loss mystified coach Dan Muse and players alike, and Muse stepped forward to point the first finger of blame at himself. The Penguins get another crack at victory this weekend when they host the Utah Mammoth at PPG Paints Arena.

Saturday was a jaw-dropping spectacle of lost leads befitting a spot in a Ripley’s museum. The Penguins led 5-1 with 13 minutes remaining. They led 5-2 with six minutes remaining, yet their extraordinary struggle against the extra attacker was their undoing, and San Jose scored a pair of goals with an empty net to tie the game.

Emergency call-up Sergei Murashov is expected to start Sunday if newly acquired Stuart Skinner is not yet available due to immigration visa issues.

Defenseman Brett Kulak is also awaiting his visa after being acquired with Skinner from Edmonton on Friday.

Click here to read more from PGHHockeyNOW.com.

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PEORIA — Jean-Guy Trudel spelled out a clear message to his Peoria Rivermen team Saturday, and he didn't need any letters to do it.

The four-time SPHL Coach of the Year stripped the leadership letters off his players' jerseys before a rematch against Knoxville.

The Rivermen responded with a 5-0 victory that gave them a split in the weekend series before 3,989 who braved a winter storm to watch inside Carver Arena.

The Rivermen did it, technically, without a captain or two assistants.

Trudel's decision to remove the "C" from veteran captain Alec Baer's jersey and the "A" off Garrett Devine's and Josh Martin's jerseys came overnight, after the Rivermen lost to Knoxville on Friday and slipped into sixth place. But it was something Trudel had been thinking about all week as he assessed his team amid four losses in six outings.

"Leadership has to be above and beyond, it has to be special," Trudel said. "If you don't lead, you don't stay with the Peoria Rivermen. This is who we are, it's how we win, it's our culture to play fast, play heavy and play like this team means everything in the world to us.

"Leaders have to earn it every day. We're going to wait before we put any letters back on any uniforms. We're going to see who responds. We're going to see who steps up. It's a simple message: The Rivermen Way, or the highway."

Devine responded with a two-goal, +4 game in which he imposed his will on the Ice Bears with a high-motor outing from start to finish.

Rivermen linemate and newcomer Khaden Henry? He merely notched a hat trick in his second game with the team, one of them a spectacular skill display. He produced 3 goals on 13 shots and a +4 rating in two games.

"We didn't really have any choice but to receive Jean-Guy Trudel's message," Devine said. "It was a big game for us. A big inflection point. Early in a year you can reach a point where your season goes one of two ways, and I'm really proud of the way the guys responded and did a lot of the right things. The letter stuff is what it is. Guys know who the leaders are and it's everyone's job to lead.

"Everyone stepped up and played as a team effort, on the ice, off the ice, locker room, bench, everywhere. It's a matter of doing this every single night, every single guy.

"That's the biggest thing with our team, the way we're composed right now. Every single guy has to bring it, every single guy has to be a leader, every single guy has to do everything."

This story will be updated with more interviews and information.

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: A challenge: Rivermen team responded with win after coach removed leadership letters

CHICAGO — The Detroit Red Wings were in on Quinn Hughes, but ultimately balked for one major reason.

That the 2024 Norris Trophy winner and former Michigan star would have looked good in red and white – "He  is one of the special players in the league that can, you know, take over a game individually," fellow American Patrick Kane said - is indisputable. The Wings just saw the defenseman earlier on this trip, on Dec. 8 while Hughes was still with the Vancouver Canucks. But on Friday, Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild for a big return: Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium and Liam Öhgren – all recent first-round draft picks – and a 2026 first-round pick.

That's a high price, but the Wings might have paid it had Hughes been willing to commit to re-signing – his current contract runs through 2026-27, so he's eligible to be extended starting July 1, 2026 – but Hughes did not agree to that.

ON A BUDGET? Steve Yzerman's best Red Wings signing might come from bargain bin

So, no Hughes for the Wings – still. They famously passed on him in the 2018 draft, taking Filip Zadina at No. 6 while the Canucks grabbed Hughes at No. 7. He has been a thorn in their side ever since.

"We saw firsthand how tough he is to defend the other night at the blue line, the way he moves, the way he kind of buys time, shakes and bakes up there," Kane said.

"You hear a lot of rumors and Red Wings were part of that too, so I was definitely following to see what was going to happen."

Wings coach Todd McLellan said he and general manager Steve Yzerman talk daily about various aspects of the team.

"Steve and I talk every day multiple times throughout the days and a lot of it spent talking about our team," McLellan said. "Our jobs as a coaching staff is to get the most out of the players that we have. It's working for some. Others, we haven't got enough out of it.

"The one thing I've learned in this league, especially around Christmas, everybody's like Santa Claus. They all have a wish list, but it doesn't exist."

The Wings haven't had a Norris Trophy winner in their lineup since seven-time winner Nicklas Lidström retired in 2012.

"How much impact did Nick Lidstrom have on the Red Wings?" McLellan said. "He won multiple Norris trophies. But you don't have to win [a Norris trophy] to have an impact on the team. I think [Moritz] Seider and Simon [Edvinsson] and Benny [Chiarot] and even Axe [Axel Sandin-Pellikka] in the now and in the future are going to have an impact on our team without winning the trophy. There's a lot of good defensemen in the league."

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.

Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings were in on Quinn Hughes. Here's why they balked

Is Quinn Hughes playing today? When new Wild star from Canucks trade will debut originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Minnesota Wild stunned the NHL world with a blockbuster trade for superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes on Friday night.

Hughes had the potential to come right into the spotlight on Saturday. The Wild are taking on the Ottawa Senators in an afternoon clash.

It's actually a busy stretch. The Wild then play again on Sunday against the Boston Bruins.

So when will Hughes play? Here's what we know.

Is Quinn Hughes playing today?

No, Quinn Hughes isn't playing in the Saturday, Dec. 13 afternoon game for the Wild against the Senators.

The Athletic's Michael Russo has reported that Hughes will make his Wild debut on Sunday against the Bruins.

Hughes has 23 points in 26 games so far this season.

He was acquired for Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren and a first-round pick.

Hughes is under contract through the end of the 2026-27 season.

And on Sunday, he'll get to start proving why the Wild wanted him so badly.

MORE: Connor Bedard with a bad injury for the Blackhawks

The Florida Panthers have played a whopping 68 games over the last three playoffs while advancing to three straight Stanley Cups. It seems to have taken a toll.

The Colorado Avalanche ran roughshod over Florida Thursday night, and on Saturday the Panthers play their seventh game in twelve nights when they face the Dallas Stars.

The Stars rank second in the league in points and are coming off a loss.

Read on to see why I think Dallas takes care of business in my Panthers vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, December 13.

Panthers vs Stars prediction

Panthers vs Stars best bet: Stars moneyline (-145)

Can the Dallas Stars exit their zone cleanly and with speed against the Florida Panthers’ forecheck? Tonight’s game hinges on this question.

The Panthers are predictable. They are going to dump it in, seal the walls, and try to force the Stars to pass through the middle of the ice and make the extra pass. When the Panthers’ defensemen pinch, expect the Stars’ wings to try to stretch the zone as is their wont.

The way to neutralize the Panthers’ stellar forecheck is with speed. If the Stars can use their speed in transition, they know how to find the seams and use center drive to open up prime looks off the rush.

Losing Roope Hintz to injury is a big blow for the Stars. But coach Glen Gulutzan should find a workable solution, as demonstrated by his use of depth player Sam Steel. Mikko Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston and Steel are +16 in high-danger chances differential in 124:58 minutes together at 5-on-5.

One final reason to believe in the Stars is their goaltending. Perhaps surprisingly, the delta between these teams’ netminders is large.

Dallas’ Jake Oettinger ranks on the fringe of the top ten in Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) while Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky has the third worst GSAx among goaltenders with 20 or more games played.

Panthers vs Stars same-game parlay

Wyatt Johnston hit the ground running to start his NHL career, but he hasn’t yet produced a season where he’s averaged a point per game or notched 35 or more goals. Folks, the wait is over.

Playing alongside Mikko Rantanen and operating out of the bumper on the power play, Johnston has chances galore. He ranks 17th in the NHL in individual expected goals and ninth in high-danger chances at all strengths.

Entering Saturday, Johnston will have gone six games without a goal, which for him rarely happens. I expect Johnston to find the back of the net at least once.

Not long ago, Jason Robertson’s name was bandied about in trade rumors. How things have changed. Now, Robertson ranks third in the NHL in goals and second in the NHL in shots on goal.

Even if the Hintz injury saps Robertson’s potency off the rush, he should still get looks off faceoff wins. Dallas ranks in the top half of the league in goals off faceoff wins, and the Panthers are a bottom-five team in faceoffs.

Florida ranks sixth in the NHL in penalties taken per 60 minutes. If Dallas gets several man-advantage looks, I expect Robertson to be featured coming down hill off the flank.

Robertson has put four or more shots on net in six of the Stars’ last eleven games. I think he does it again tonight.

Panthers vs Stars SGP

• Stars moneyline
• Wyatt Johnston anytime goalscorer
• Jason Robertson 4.5 shots on goal

Panthers vs Stars odds

• Moneyline: Florida +120 | Dallas -145
• Puck Line: Florida +1.5 (-210) | Dallas -1.5 (+175)
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)

Panthers vs Stars trend

The Dallas Stars have hit the Moneyline in 63 of their last 104 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Stars.

How to watch Panthers vs Stars

Panthers vs Stars latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The New York Rangers are taking on the Montreal Canadiens inside Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Here's how to watch the Rangers game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens game on today? Time, TV schedule

Cable/Network TV: MSG (for fans in the Rangers local broadcast area)

Start time: 7 p.m.

Where to watch Rangers vs Canadiens on livestream

You can stream the game on The Gotham Sports App.

Gotham Sports App is available with a cable or satellite login and also has options for non-cable subscribers and for individual games.

You can also stream if you have subscriptions to Spectrum, Optimum, Verizon Fios, DirecTV Stream or fuboTV. Nationally televised games may be available on ESPN+ (if broadcast on ABC, ESPN or carried by ESPN+), Hulu (ESPN+ broadcasts) or MAX (TNT/TBS/TruTV broadcasts).

NY Rangers 2025-26 schedule: See full slate of regular-season games here

New York Rangers remaining December 2025 schedule

• Saturday, Dec. 13 vs Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 15 vs Anaheim Ducks, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 16 vs Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 18 at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 20 vs Philadelphia Flyers, 12:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 21 at Nashville Predators, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 27 at New York Islanders, 6 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 29 at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Washington Capitals, 12:30 p.m.

Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Watch Rangers vs Canadiens game today: Channel, time, streaming

The St. Louis Blues host the Chicago Blackhawks in the opening game of Friday’s NHL doubleheader.

St. Louis has dominated this matchup recently, and my Blackhawks vs. Blues predictions expect this trend to continue.

Read on for my NHL picks for Friday, December 12.

Blackhawks vs Blues prediction

Blackhawks vs Blues best bet: Blues moneyline (-125)

The St. Louis Blues enter this contest on the second half of a back-to-back, which is the only reason its moneyline price is this short. That said, the Blues have dominated the Chicago Blackhawks over the past couple of seasons.

They have won five of the past six meetings between these two teams, a trend that is likely to continue on home ice Friday evening. Not only does St. Louis boast home-ice advantage, but it is also the superior team.

This season, the Blues outrank the Hawks in expected goal share, which is primarily a product of their strong defensive play. Entering this matchup, St. Louis ranks 12th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

On the other hand, Chicago ranks 26th in the same category. In fact, the Hawks are the only team this year to rank in the bottom seven in both expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and xGA/60.

The Blues will also have the extra motivation of avenging their embarrassing loss to Chicago on national TV earlier this season.

Blackhawks vs Blues same-game parlay

If St. Louis is to win this game, it will need some goal production. There may not be a better candidate than Robert Thomas, who has scored three goals over the past two games.

A strong correlation exists between Thomas scoring and Pavel Buchnevich recording an assist, considering they skate alongside each other on both the first line and the first power play unit. Buchnevich has assisted on two of Thomas’ past three goals.

Blackhawks vs Blues SGP

• Blues moneyline
• Robert Thomas Over 0.5 goals scored
• Pavel Buchnevich Over 0.5 assists

Blackhawks vs Blues odds

• Moneyline: Chicago +125 | St. Louis -150
• Puck Line: Chicago +1.5 (-190) | St. Louis -1.5 (+155)
• Over/Under: Over 6 (-105) | Under 6 (-115)

Blackhawks vs Blues trend

St. Louis has won five of the past six meetings between these two teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs. Blues.

How to watch Blackhawks vs Blues

Blackhawks vs Blues latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Detroit Red Wings have gotten sizable contributions from their youngsters this season. But at the end of the day, even that group was no match for one player: Edmonton’s Connor McDavid.

The three-time MVP assisted on all four of the Oilers’ goals — one in the first period, two in the second, and an empty-netter in the third — in a 4-1 loss for the Wings on Thursday, Dec. 11 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, snapping a three-game win streak.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL? Detroit Red Wings the favorite to trade for Canucks D Quinn Hughes

The loss, combined with Thursday wins by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins, dropped the Wings (17-12-3) into third place in the Atlantic Division, two points clear of Montreal in the division race and a point up on Eastern wild-card leader Philadelphia (which also lost Thursday).

Simon scores

The Wings’ lone goal came from defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who wasn’t sure he’d be able to play after suffering an undisclosed injury and missing all of Wednesday’s third period in Calgary. He wristed home a feed from rookie Nate Danielson 5:41 into the second period.

Former 50-goal scorer (and Michigan alumnus) Zach Hyman was the major beneficiary of McDavid’s largesse – which included a behind-the-back, between-the-legs pass in the second – with a goal in each period for a hat trick, bringing him to five goals on the season. The game was McDavid's 43rd career four-point game.

Mattias Ekholm scored the Oilers’ second goal, 2:46 into the second period.

Wings forward Patrick Kane was held scoreless for the third straight game, keeping him at 497 career goals in his quest to become the NHL's 50th 500-goal scorer (and the fifth U.S.-born skater to do so).

On the road … again?

The Red Wings wrap up their six-game, 10-day road trip with a stop at Kane's home arena for 16 seasons, hitting Chicago to face the Blackhawks on Saturday (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit). The Blackhawks (13-11-6) might be just as road-weary as the Wings, as they play Friday night in St. Louis before returning to the United Center for an Original Six tribute game Saturday.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings 3-game win streak ends with 4-1 loss to Oilers

The Detroit Red Wings have gotten sizable contributions from their youngsters this season. But at the end of the day, even that group was no match for one player: Edmonton’s Connor McDavid.

The three-time MVP assisted on all four of the Oilers’ goals — one in the first period, two in the second, and an empty-netter in the third — in a 4-1 loss for the Wings on Thursday, Dec. 11 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, snapping a three-game win streak.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL? Detroit Red Wings the favorite to trade for Canucks D Quinn Hughes

The loss, combined with Thursday wins by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins, dropped the Wings (17-12-3) into third place in the Atlantic Division, two points clear of Montreal in the division race and a point up on Eastern wild-card leader Philadelphia (which also lost Thursday).

Simon scores

The Wings’ lone goal came from defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who wasn’t sure he’d be able to play after suffering an undisclosed injury and missing all of Wednesday’s third period in Calgary. He wristed home a feed from rookie Nate Danielson 5:41 into the second period.

Former 50-goal scorer (and Michigan alumnus) Zach Hyman was the major beneficiary of McDavid’s largesse – which included a behind-the-back, between-the-legs pass in the second – with a goal in each period for a hat trick, bringing him to five goals on the season. The game was McDavid's 43rd career four-point game.

Mattias Ekholm scored the Oilers’ second goal, 2:46 into the second period.

Wings forward Patrick Kane was held scoreless for the third straight game, keeping him at 497 career goals in his quest to become the NHL's 50th 500-goal scorer (and the fifth U.S.-born skater to do so).

On the road … again?

The Red Wings wrap up their six-game, 10-day road trip with a stop at Kane's home arena for 16 seasons, hitting Chicago to face the Blackhawks on Saturday (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit). The Blackhawks (13-11-6) might be just as road-weary as the Wings, as they play Friday night in St. Louis before returning to the United Center for an Original Six tribute game Saturday.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings 3-game win streak ends with 4-1 loss to Oilers

Steven Stamkos has scored four goals for the Nashville Predators, tying a franchise record for goals in a single game, against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 11.

Stamkos scored two goals in the first period to put the Predators up 2-0, then finished off the hat trick at the 12:06 mark of the second period. Then he made it four goals with 4:27 let in the period, putting home a rebound to put the Predators up 6-2.

It's the 15th hat trick of Stamkos' NHL career and his second with the Predators. He scored his first hat trick for Nashville on March 8 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

It's the second time in Stamkos' career that he's scored four goals. The first was on Dec. 14, 2023 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the first 16 seasons of his career.

It also ties a franchise record for goals in a game. Previously, Filip Forsberg, Rocco Grimaldi, and Eric Nystrom scored four goals in a game for the Predators.

QUIET ICE: Why Steven Stamkos needs 'quiet ice' to thrive for Nashville Predators

Stamkos now has 12 goals on the season. He needs six more goals to reach 600 in his career.

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Steven Stamkos ties Predators record with four goals against Blues

Steven Stamkos has scored four goals for the Nashville Predators, tying a franchise record for goals in a single game, against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 11.

Stamkos scored two goals in the first period to put the Predators up 2-0, then finished off the hat trick at the 12:06 mark of the second period. Then he made it four goals with 4:27 let in the period, putting home a rebound to put the Predators up 6-2.

It's the 15th hat trick of Stamkos' NHL career and his second with the Predators. He scored his first hat trick for Nashville on March 8 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

It's the second time in Stamkos' career that he's scored four goals. The first was on Dec. 14, 2023 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the first 16 seasons of his career.

It also ties a franchise record for goals in a game. Previously, Filip Forsberg, Rocco Grimaldi, and Eric Nystrom scored four goals in a game for the Predators.

QUIET ICE: Why Steven Stamkos needs 'quiet ice' to thrive for Nashville Predators

Stamkos now has 12 goals on the season. He needs six more goals to reach 600 in his career.

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Steven Stamkos ties Predators record with four goals against Blues

The Vegas Golden Knights continue their road trip as they visit the Philadelphia Flyers tonight. ESPN has the coverage at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Vegas saw its four-game winning streak come to an end vs. the Isles on Tuesday, while Philly got back on track with a 4-1 win over the Sharks.

My Golden Knights vs. Flyers predictions are expecting a low-scoring game at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Check out my NHL picks for Thursday, December 11.

Golden Knights vs Flyers prediction

Golden Knights vs Flyers Best bet: Under 5.5 (-105)

Rick Tocchet has had two months to implement his systems behind the Philadelphia Flyers’ bench, and Philly is looking strong defensively. The Flyers have been smothering the opposition to the tune of 26 shots against per game and 2.79 goals against per contest.

The Flyers have also been helped by newcomer Dan Vladar between the pipes. The former Flames netminder has gone 11-5-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .908 SV% in Philadelphia.

It will be Akira Schmid for the Vegas Golden Knights tonight. He’s gone 10-2-4 with a 2.35 GAA and .903 SV% this season.

The Under is 8-4-2 in Vegas’ road games this season, and 9-7-1 when the Flyers are at home. This should be another low-scoring game in Philadelphia. 

Golden Knights vs Flyers same-game parlay

Travis Konecny has 17 assists in 28 games this season and has been hot as of late. He has five assists and eight points during his five-game point streak, and 10 of his 17 assists have come at home.

Mark Stone is back and healthy for the Knights, and he’s putting up points on the board. He’s up to 18 assists in 13 games this season, with seven assists during his five-game streak.

Golden Knights vs Flyers SGP

• Under 5.5
• Travis Konecny 1+ assist
• Mark Stone 1+ assist

Golden Knights vs Flyers odds

• Moneyline: Golden Knights -155 | Flyers +130
• Puck Line: Golden Knights -1.5 (+165) | Flyers +1.5 (-200)
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-120) | Under 5.5 (+100)

Golden Knights vs Flyers trend

The Golden Knights have hit the Under in 51 of their last 94 games (+8.80 Units / 9% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Flyers.

How to watch Golden Knights vs Flyers

Golden Knights vs Flyers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here