Kaprizov hits 20 points for 7-1-2 Wild

On By Littum

Through Friday’s matches. Last week’s rankings in parentheses.

1. Winnipeg Jets. A 10-1 start and doubling the opponents in goals of 52-26. (1)

2. Minnesota Wild. Kaprizov is first to 20 points. (2)

3. Carolina Hurricanes. Sunday showdown with the Caps after finishing October with five straight wins. (9)

4. Florida Panthers. Four-point game, huge reception for Barkov in the first game in Finland. (8)







Wild Lightning Hockey

The Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, left, celebrates with Mats Zuccarello after scoring a goal Oct. 24 against the Lightning in Tampa, Fla.


Associated Press


5. Washington capitals. Ovechkin’s 10 points in nine games is pretty good for a 39-year-old. (6)

6. New York Rangers. Zibanejad unhappy with cut ice age. (4)

People also read…

7. Vegas Golden Knights. Stone’s 19 points are tops among NHL forwards. (5)

8. Dallas stars. The showdown looms next Saturday in Winnipeg. (3)

9. Tampa Bay Lightning. Put on a good show for Stamkos’ return. (11)


Inside the NHL: The Sabers among the group remain in the playoffs in the opening month of the season

November is a massive month for the Sabers because 10 of their 14 games are against teams that didn’t make the playoffs last season, and nine of those 14 opponents don’t enter this month in a spot this year.

10. Vancouver Canucks. Pettersson’s struggles are an important conversation. (10)

11. Toronto Maple Leafs. The win in Winnipeg was the best of the season for any team so far. (19)

12. Los Angeles Kings. Kopitar with just one goal in 10 games since the season-opening hat trick in Buffalo. (12)

13. Calgary Flames. Vladar shuts the Devils out. (7)

14. New Jersey Devils. Hischier with league goal scoring share of 10. (18)

15. Utah Hockey Club. Acquired Maatta from Detroit to bolster defense. (20)

16. Edmonton Oilers. It’s Draisaitl’s team with McDavid on the shelf. (26)

17. Columbus blue jackets. Open four-game western trip Tuesday at San Jose. (23)

18. Ottawa Senators. Had 25 goals in five games but only went 3-2. (15)

19. Seattle Kraken. Scored eight in Montreal but only one in Toronto. (16)


Sabers takeaways: Confusing mistakes give Isles spark to leave town with a win

The Sabers (4-6-1) dropped too many coverages in their defensive zone and were simply left unaware of too many plays. They were outscored, 36-35, by a team that entered the Eastern Conference standings last.

20. Anaheim Ducks. Flyers fans laugh at Gauthier’s 10-game scoreless streak.(22)

21. Colorado avalanche. Add Colton (six weeks) to the injury-plagued forward group. (21)

22. St. Louis Blues. Saturday’s visit from the Leafs opened a five-game homestand. (13)

23. Detroit Red Wings. Kane, Tarasenko with two goals each in the first 10 games. (14)

24. New York Islanders. Horvat drove the Sabers crazy low. (17)

25. Philadelphia Flyers. Brutal roadie this week in Carolina, Tampa, Florida. (31)

26. Buffalo Sabres. No excuse for a home loss to beleaguered islanders. (24)


Dylan Cozens shifts to the wing as Lindy Ruff tries to unlock the Sabres' offense

Cozens hasn’t played right wing full-time since 2020-21, when former coach Ralph Kreuger used Cozens with Eric Staal and Taylor Hall, but Ruff wants to get him scoring again.

27. Montreal Canadiens. Kicked 14 goals in loss to Kraken, Caps. (28)

28. Boston Bruins. Montgomery on thin ice after 8-2 loss in Carolina. (25)

29. Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby beats the Ducks with the OT winner, just like he did to the Sabres. (27)

30. Nashville Predators. Expect more from Saros than 3.04/.896. (30)

31. San Jose Sharks. Three wins in four days after an 0-7-2 start. (32)

32. Chicago Blackhawks. Feels like the Eichel-era Sabres: Where’s the improvement? (29)