Mammoth routed in Edmonton as Hellebuyck saga heats up — Central Division roundup

The Central Division leaders took their lumps on the scoreboard Saturday, and one of its top goalies remained at the heart of the league’s biggest off-ice storyline.

Mammoth hammered in Edmonton but still first

In Edmonton, the Utah Mammoth were overwhelmed 6-2 by the Oilers. According to Sportsnet, Connor McDavid led the way with a five-point night and opened the scoring in the first minute by skating down the wing and beating goaltender Karel Vejmelka. Sportsnet also highlights Zach Hyman’s return to the Oilers’ lineup, noting he scored a trademark net-front power-play goal to extend the lead. Jack McBain made his presence felt physically for Utah, dropping the gloves with Trent Frederic in a spirited first-period fight, per Sportsnet.

Even with the lopsided loss, Utah remains atop the Central Division with 12 points in 9 games (6-3-0), one point clear of both Colorado and Minnesota.

Jets edged by Canes as Hellebuyck drama dominates

In Winnipeg, the Jets dropped a tight 3-2 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hockey Writers notes that Nikolaj Ehlers scored the game-winning goal on the power play, helping Carolina extend its winning streak to seven games. Sportsnet shows Ehlers beating Clay Stevenson with a booming slap shot midway through the third period.

Around the Jets, almost everything else revolves around Connor Hellebuyck. Daily Faceoff reports that Winnipeg suspended Hellebuyck without pay after he failed to report to training camp and that the suspension is set to end on Oct. 23. Sportsnet describes his future as uncertain, while Daily Faceoff relays captain Adam Lowry’s comment that “there’s gonna have to be conversations” regarding what comes next. After the loss to Carolina, head coach Scott Arniel downplayed the immediate importance of the Hellebuyck situation, according to Sportsnet. The Hockey News portrays the relationship between team and player as effectively beyond repair, exploring mock trade scenarios and emphasizing that general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff still holds the leverage for now.

Despite the defeat, Winnipeg sits fourth in the Central at 10 points through 8 games (4-2-2). Daily Faceoff also points to a promising start for Viggo Bjorck, who is averaging more than 14 minutes per game in his first seven NHL outings even though he has yet to record a point.

Stars surge, Predators climb, Blues stumble

The Dallas Stars earned a convincing 4-0 shutout win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Daily Faceoff notes the return of Wyatt Johnston after a two-game absence; he is looking to start a new ironman streak after seeing his 333-game run end. Dallas moves to 9 points in 8 games (4-3-1), right behind Winnipeg, while Chicago remains last in the Central with 6 points in 9 games (3-6-0).

In Nashville, the Predators doubled up the St. Louis Blues 5-2. St. Louis, coming off the road swing previewed by The Hockey Writers, drops to seventh in the division with 7 points (3-4-1). The Predators join Dallas at 9 points (3-2-3), firmly in the middle of a crowded Central race.

The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild were idle but remain just one point back of Utah at 11 points each in 8 games (5-2-1), ready to pounce on any slip from the division leaders.