Thanksgiving eve video games to look at debated by NHL.com

Winnipeg Jets at Washington Capitals

I’m curious to see if Eric Comrie can step up and fill an enormous void for the Winnipeg Jets (12-9-0) with goalie Connor Hellebuyck out at the least a month after present process knee surgical procedure Saturday. Hellebuyck received the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and the Vezina Trophy as the most effective goalie final season, and determined to cope with a nagging harm. He has an 8-6-0 file in 14 begins with a 2.51 goals-against common and .913 save share. Comrie is an efficient backup with a 4-3-0 file, 2.87 GAA and .899 save share in seven begins. He did not get any offensive assist in a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, making 27 saves, and can be in a troublesome spot once more towards Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (12-9-2) at Capital One Arena (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, SNW). Ovechkin had an help in a 5-1 win towards the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. He has 21 factors (10 objectives, 11 assists) in 23 video games this season. — Derek Van Diest, employees author

New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes

It has been an up-and-down begin for the Rangers, to say the least. They have been nice on the highway and have struggled mightily at dwelling, leading to a file (11-11-2) hovering round a .500 factors share. It’s not what anybody anticipated when Mike Sullivan was named coach earlier than the season, and although we’re simply previous the quarter level of the season, the Rangers want to begin profitable on a extra constant foundation. It will not be straightforward towards the Hurricanes (14-6-2), who’ve the most effective file within the Eastern Conference and are 6-2-1 at dwelling. And they’ve former Rangers defensemen K’Andre Miller serving to lead a protection that’s lacking Jaccob Slavin. I’m positive it will likely be a pleasant, pleasant reunion of those two division foes at Lenovo Center (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, MSG 2) the night time earlier than Thanksgiving. — Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief

Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks (10-8-4) will not be so grateful to have the Wild coming into United Center for a nationally televised pre-Thanksgiving matchup (8:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+). The Wild (12-7-4) have been feasting on the opposition, profitable 5 consecutive video games, the previous two by shutout, and getting factors in eight straight (7-0-1). The Blackhawks have misplaced every of their previous three video games, shedding every in regulation, together with 9-3 to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. But Chicago has been a must-watch this season with Connor Bedard lighting it up with 31 factors (13 objectives, 18 assists) in 22 video games. Nothing adjustments with a mini-slump, particularly with the Wild rolling into the Windy City on a heater led by goalie Jesper Wallstedt, who has three shutouts in his previous 4 begins. — Dan Rosen, senior author

San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche

Two of the highest level producers within the NHL this season — and potential teammates on Canada’s Olympic staff — will go head-to-head when Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks go to Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche at Ball Arena (9 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, ALT). MacKinnon leads the NHL with 37 factors (17 objectives, 20 assists) in 22 video games, serving to propel the Avalanche (16-1-5) to the highest of the League standings. In simply his second NHL season, Celebrini is three behind with 34 factors (14 objectives, 20 assists) in 23 video games for the stunning Sharks (11-9-3), who’re 11-5-1 since an 0-4-2 begin. Celebrini and MacKinnon every scored objectives in San Jose’s 3-2 extra time win of their first assembly of this season on Nov. 1. Colorado has received 9 in a row since then. MacKinnon was already chosen to Canada’s roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Celebrini, 19, is making a robust case to affix MacKinnon on the staff. — Tom Gulitti, Senior Writer