McDavid stars at MSG as Gauthier fuels Ducks comeback — Pacific Division roundup

Oilers roll at Madison Square Garden

The Edmonton Oilers tightened their grip on top spot in the Pacific Division, improving to 11-2-2 and 24 points with a 4–1 win over the New York Rangers. According to Sportsnet, Connor McDavid sliced through the Rangers’ defence to score in the opening minute, then added an assist to pace Edmonton’s attack.

Daily Faceoff notes that McDavid has become the fastest player in NHL history to reach 30 assists in a season, less than two weeks after setting the mark for 20. In goal, Sportsnet highlights journeyman Matt Tomkins, who earned the win in his first start at Madison Square Garden and was named the game’s first star after a long journey that took him from Indianapolis to New York City.

Daily Faceoff reports that Isaac Howard was out against the Rangers but appears to have avoided a major injury. Off the ice, The Hockey Writers digs into the Oilers’ attendance decline despite their hot start, and revisits the still-divisive McFarlane third jersey from a quarter-century ago.

Gauthier leads Ducks’ big comeback vs. Senators

In Anaheim, the Ducks (6-7-1, 13 points) pulled off a dramatic 6–3 win over the Ottawa Senators after falling behind 3–0. Sportsnet reports that forward Cutter Gauthier recorded a hat trick, finishing it off by scoring twice in just 36 seconds to complete the rally.

Sportsnet also shows Judd Caulfield tipping a point shot to notch Anaheim’s third straight goal, erasing the early deficit. Ottawa had built a big first-period lead, with Michael Amadio sneaking behind the Ducks’ defence to bury a breakaway, according to Sportsnet. Tensions rose when Senators forward Dylan Cozens was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a high hit on AJ Greer. On the roster front, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Ducks defenceman Nick Jensen cleared waivers Sunday after being placed there Saturday.

Kraken shake-up, Canucks and Flames under the microscope

The Shane Wright-for-Matthew Wood trade with Nashville, already reported on our site, continues to draw attention. The Hockey Writers and Daily Faceoff both frame it as a change-of-scenery move involving two former first-round picks.

In Vancouver, The Hockey Writers notes that the Canucks endured a brutal October, winning only twice and finishing the month 2-12-1. That slump has them last in the Pacific at 3-12-1 and 7 points, even if a few individual performances have been bright spots. Two additional pieces from The Hockey Writers look back at Vancouver’s 4–2 loss to Toronto, pointing out positives beyond the final score.

The Calgary Flames (6-8-0, 12 points) face a pivotal stretch, with The Hockey Writers outlining a promising win followed by another setback, as well as the emergence of players like Farabee and Gridin and an upcoming test of the team’s depth. In San Jose, The Hockey Writers suggests the Sharks can afford to be patient in monitoring Detroit defenceman Simon Edvinsson’s situation as the Red Wings’ handling of unhappy players continues to draw league-wide interest.