I’ll strive my finest to remain cheerful regardless of sitting to write down this minutes after the Toronto Blue Jays misplaced in Sport 7 of the World Sequence in devastating trend. In fact, I want a distraction. It was both this or sharpening off the 2 large baggage of Doritos (Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese, naturally) which might be at the moment in my cabinet. I’ll nonetheless doubtless do this in some unspecified time in the future.
Anyway, let’s speak hockey. To not throw salt within the wound of Toronto sports activities followers, however we now have to deal with the Montreal Canadiens, who’ve been an absolute wagon this season, going 9-3-0 of their first 12 video games and sitting on high of the Atlantic Division.
The Habs have performed in some very tight and thrilling video games — 9 of their first 12 have been determined by one aim. And there is one explicit participant who is flourishing in these clutch conditions: Cole Caufield has three time beyond regulation game-winning objectives this season. Within the course of, he has set the file for many time beyond regulation objectives in Habs historical past (11, passing Howie Morenz and Max Pacioretty).
“Purpose” Caulfield was one of many extra noticeable names absent from Staff USA’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster final season, and with a begin like this, it is changing into more and more difficult to justify leaving him off the roster for the Olympics.
It is not simply the objectives — Caufield has 10, tied for the league lead — it is the clutch nature of chunk of these objectives. On Oct. 16 towards the Nashville Predators, Caufield took a cross from Lane Hutson (after Hutson saved the puck from moving into on an empty internet), and scored with 19.5 seconds to go within the third interval to ship it to time beyond regulation. Then, with two seconds left within the further body, Caufield referred to as recreation to offer the W for Montreal.
On Frozen Frenzy evening, Caufield notched the primary aim of the sport towards the Seattle Kraken — and was the star once more with the sport winner in OT after the Habs blew a 3-0 lead.
Performances like this have gotten commonplace for Habs followers — and could be a welcome sight for U.S. followers this February in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, too.
Leap forward:
Video games of the week
What I beloved this weekend
Hart Trophy candidates
Social submit of the week
Stick faucets
Greatest video games of the week
Thursday, 7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
For all the explanations above, I am unable to await Habs vs. Devils. It is the primary assembly of the season between two groups with a variety of younger expertise, and pace for days … there’s simply a lot to look at right here.
Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt could be within the operating for a tag-team Hart Trophy if it existed.
Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
This shall be measuring-stick recreation for Buffalo, a kind of “are they legit?” form of litmus checks. Utah has had a … Mammoth begin, going 8-3-0 general, however all three losses have come on the highway.
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu
That is perhaps (?) one of many remaining chapters of the legendary Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby rivalry matchups. “The Drop” with Greg Wyshynski and yours actually could have a particular episode chronicling the historical past of 8 vs. 87 previous to the sport on NHL on ESPN YouTube.
The Caps have but to essentially get rolling, whereas the Pens are 8-3-2. Do not inform Sid this workforce was purported to miss the playoffs in line with all of these preseason predictions!
Different key matchups this week
Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu
Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Thursday, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Saturday, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Themed recreation of the week
Except for co-hosting ESPN’s official Star Wars podcast “By no means Inform Me The Odds” with Ryan McGee and Clinton Yates, I chronicle and doc Star Wars theme nights throughout the hockey world. I take this accountability very critically — “That is the way in which,” some would say.
The following such extravaganza shall be courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers, as they host the Ottawa Senators for a Saturday afternoon showcase that shall be robust with the pressure.
The Flyers have confirmed that every one followers in attendance will obtain a Star Wars poster, and those who splurge for the particular ticket bundle can even get the Flyers-Star Wars mashup t-shirt.
The Flyers have additionally organized for Jedi coaching by the 501st Legion, the native chapter one of many well-liked Star Wars costumed brigades that attend occasions throughout the nation.
Famous Star Wars followers on the workforce embrace Trevor Zegras and Bobby Brink. Each informed ESPN that “Revenge of the Sith” is their favourite Star Wars film; Brink is a Obi-Wan Kenobi fan, whereas Zegras prefers C-3PO. Brink is an avid “Star Wars Battlefront” participant, whereas Zegras enjoys “Lego Star Wars.”
When requested which Star Wars character they might rely on most to attain in a shootout, Brink caught with Obi-Wan, however Zegras landed on Darth Vader: “He might transfer the goalie out of the way in which with the lightsaber.”
What I beloved this weekend
A poignant lesson on life, priorities and the time we now have with our family members. Brad Marchand missed a Panthers recreation this week to attend the funeral of Selah, the 10-year-old daughter of his longtime buddy and coach, J.P. McCallum. Whereas in Halifax, Marchand additionally volunteered as a coach for the workforce McCallum coaches, March & Mill Firm Hunters of the Nova Scotia Underneath-18 Hockey League, a workforce that Marchand co-owns with former Boston Bruins teammate Kevan Miller.
In Marchand’s first recreation again with the Panthers on Saturday, he scored the game-opening aim. Then, he pointed skywards in tribute.
BRAD MARCHAND OPENS THE SCORING!
And he instantly factors to the sky ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WypXIhfFvO
— NHL (@NHL) November 1, 2025
“The hockey gods at all times come by way of,” Marchand stated on the Panthers’ broadcast after the second interval, in an interview that performed in Amerant Area. “It was a extremely, actually powerful week. That is a particular one to get for Selah.”
MVP candidates if the season ended at present
Mark Scheifele, welcome to pole place within the Hart Trophy race. His 20 factors lead the NHL, and his 9 objectives are one away from the league lead. The Winnipeg Jets are proper within the combine atop the Central Division and Scheifele is a giant purpose why.
0:24
Mark Scheifele tallies aim vs. Blackhawks
Mark Scheifele tallies aim vs. Blackhawks
Golden Knights middle Jack Eichel is down a notch this week, however stays within the race. He is some extent again of Scheifele within the race, main the present Pacific Division leaders.
And talking of Central Division powerhouses, Avs middle Nathan MacKinnon is simple; he is tied with Eichel with 19 factors and is main the league with 10 objectives.
Social media posts of the weekend
It will have been an ideal omen had the Blue Jays pulled off the win Saturday evening, however I nonetheless wish to give like to Vlad Guerrero Jr. displaying as much as Sport 7 of the World Sequence in a Staff Canada Marie-Philip Poulin jersey. Generally known as “Captain Clutch,” Poulin has led Canada to 3 Olympic gold medals.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. arrives for Sport 7 in a Marie-Philip Poulin Staff Canada jersey 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/HqRWmSSDhQ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 1, 2025
Additionally, to tie a bow on Frozen Frenzy from final week, this is a glance behind the scenes:
Frozen Frenzy BTS pic.twitter.com/GveKVm3hGr
— ᴀʀᴅᴀ Öᴄᴀʟ (@Arda) October 29, 2025
Stick faucets
Former NWHL champion Tatiana Rafter has began a brand new podcast, “Good Folks In Hockey,” which has now launched six episodes.
It is a enjoyable, upbeat slant on hockey speak, and is refreshing and welcomed within the sports activities house. Visitors have been eclectic and attention-grabbing, together with Courtney Mahoney, who has been with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves for over 30 years and is now their president of operations.