NHL Off the Post: November 19th

As teams across the NHL continue to adjust to their respective challenges, there’s no shortage of drama and excitement. From injuries to goaltending struggles, the season is unfolding with plenty of storylines that will evolve over time. Here's a look at news and notes from around the league as we head into the last third of November.

Oil change in Edmonton

The Edmonton Oilers are grappling with inconsistency this season, and now they face even more challenges with the indefinite absence of key defenseman Darnell Nurse. Nurse was on the receiving end of a vicious hit from Toronto's bruising forward, Ryan Reaves, on Saturday, forcing him out of the lineup for an unspecified amount of time. The Oilers’ defensive struggles have already been well-documented, as they rank 18th in goals allowed per game, and Nurse’s injury only exacerbates these issues. With the coaching staff now tasked with navigating the team through this adversity, Edmonton will need to find a way to improve defensively while maintaining their offensive firepower. With Nurse sidelined, Edmonton’s defense is under further scrutiny, and the Oilers must adapt quickly if they hope to stay competitive in the Pacific Division.

Senators in Session: Defense Under Review

In Ottawa, goaltender Linus Ullmark has been the focus of concern after a highly anticipated trade acquisition has yet to pay dividends. Despite joining the Senators in a bid to stabilize their goaltending situation, Ullmark has posted a lackluster 2.77 goals against average and an .890 save percentage through nine games. While Ottawa's offense has shown promise, these defensive shortcomings, coupled with Ullmark's struggles, have hampered their ability to climb the standings. The Senators are desperate for more consistency in the crease and will need Ullmark to find his form if they hope to make a real push for a playoff spot. The pressure is mounting on the Senators' coaching staff to get this area of the game sorted quickly before they fall too far behind in the race.

Jets Flying High in Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Jets continue to surprise this season with a solid 15-3 record, though they’ve been brought back down to earth with consecutive losses in Florida. Despite these recent setbacks, Winnipeg is still performing at a high level overall, with strong contributions from both their offense and goaltending. The challenge now, however, will be handling the road-heavy schedule that lies ahead. Eight of their next 10 games will be played away from home, which could test the team's ability to maintain their elite status in the Central Division. Winnipeg will need to keep their foot on the gas and find ways to keep performing on the road if they want to stay near the top of the standings as the season progresses.

Red Wings Revving Up?

The Detroit Red Wings have been struggling both offensively and defensively this season. They rank 22nd in goals allowed per game and 29th in shots on goal allowed per contest, indicating weaknesses in their defensive play. Offensively, it’s been even worse, with Detroit ranking 26th in goals per game and dead last in shots on goal per game. This lack of offensive production is making it hard for the Red Wings to fully capitalize on their defensive efforts. Head coach Derek Lalonde will need to find a balance between shoring up defensive gaps while also breathing life into an offense that’s struggling to generate consistent pressure. Without improvement in both areas, Detroit's playoff aspirations may quickly fade.

Kraken the Code on Consistency

The Seattle Kraken continue to struggle with consistency between home and road performances. While they have a solid 6-4-1 record at home, their road woes have been evident, with a 3-5 mark so far this season. With seven of their next 10 games on the road, Seattle faces a critical stretch that could define their season. The Kraken's struggles on the road have come in part due to a lack of scoring and defensive inconsistencies. They’ll need to find a way to step up their game away from home if they hope to stay competitive in the competitive Western Conference. As the schedule ramps up, their ability to perform in tough environments will be key to their playoff hopes.