Miles Wood(4) and Denton Mateychuk(3) scored the goals for the visiting CBJ, and Elvis Merzlikins was phenomenal, making 36 saves in a 3-2 loss to the Islanders on Sunday night. 

Columbus allowed two goals in 29 seconds to lose. 

The game was absolutely dominated by the New York Islanders, but Elvis Merzlikins was the singular reason this game was even close down the stretch. He made some huge saves throughout the game to frustrate NYI. 

Many people thought moving Miles Wood up to the second line was a mistake by Dean Evason, but Wood proved them wrong. He scored a goal, a shot, and punished rookie Matthew Schaefer with a huge hit late in the first period. 

In the end, they probably didn't deserve to win this game, but it's frustrating, nonetheless. 

Dean Evason mentioned postgame that Denton Mateychuk is a bit "banged up." 

First Period - 1-0 Islanders - SOG 18-3 Islanders

The first period didn't start too well for the CBJ. They looked slow, sluggish, and lived in their defensive zone for large chunks of the period. When Damon Severson took a penalty early in the first, rookie Matthew Schaefer wasted no time putting the Isles up 1-0. He blasted one past Elvis for his 4th goal of the season. 

By midway through the period, the Jackets were being outshot 13-2 and had no sign of offense. The Jackets, despite not really putting shots on goal, started to get their legs under them and push back a little. 

Jackets forward Miles Wood put a legal hit on Matthew Schaefer late in the period. Jean-Gabriel Pageau of the Isles responded immediately with a hit that probably should've been called for boarding but wasn't. Wood looked very shaken up by the play. 

Elvis Merzlikins stopped 17 of 18 NYI shots to keep the Jackets alive despite being shelled for most of the period. 

Second Period - 1-1 - SOG 28-17 Islanders

The second period didn't start any better for the Jackets. In the first five minutes of the period, they were outshot 4-2. The Jackets even had a power play when Mathew Barzal went off for hooking Kirill Marchenko, but they couldn't muster any good chances. 

Midway through the second period, nothing had changed. The Isles dominated the shot clock and were winning the faceoff battle 68.2% to 31.8%. New York was also punishing the Blue Jackets in Corsi, Fenwick, and all scoring chances. 

Columbus earned another power play when Tony DeAngelo slashed Kirill Marchenko. They couldn't muster any offense once again. 

At 15:19 of the second, the Jackets finally broke through. Miles Wood scored his fourth goal of the season when Adam Fantilli served him up with an amazing pass. Wood was waiting on Rittich's right side to tuck one home to tie the game. The goal was also assisted by Boone Jenner. 

ALL TIED UP! 💥

CBJ x @FanaticsBookpic.twitter.com/Cj8BBetLLH

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 2, 2025

The Jackets drew another penalty with 3:40 left when Anthony Duclair hooked Isac Lundestrom. They again couldn't score on the power play. 

Third Period 

As in the previous two periods, the Islanders came out flying and took it to the Jackets. They outshot Columbus 4-0 in the first 7 minutes of the period, but Elvis stood tall and kept them in it. The Jackets again looked sluggish and tired. 

At 12:10 of the third, all the patience paid off when youngster Denton Mateychuk scored to make it 2-1. It was his third goal of the season. At the time of the goal, the Jackets were being outshot 34-20 and had been pressured the entire period. 

Matthew Schaefer scored his second of the game with 1:07 left in the period to tie it. Just 29 seconds later, Simon Holmstrom scored the game-winner to make it 3-2. An absolute meltdown at the end of the game. 

It's worth noting that the referees called off a goal after saying Charlie Coyle interfered with the Isles' goalie. We will agree to disagree, but no one outside of UBS Arena thought that was goalie interference. 

Final Stats

Player Stats

• Miles Wood scored his 4th goal of the season.
• Denton Mateychuk scored his 3rd goal of the year.
• Adam Fantilli tallied his 4th assist.
• Boone Jenner recorded his 5th assist.
• Kirill Marchenko had an assist, his 7th.
• Sean Monahan got his 5th assist
• Elvis Merzlikins stopped 36 of 39 Islanders shots.

Team Stats

• The CBJ went 0/4 on the power play.
• The Jackets PK went 1/2 on the night.
• Columbus only won 31.9% of the faceoffs.

What's Next: They head out to Western Canada to take on the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, Nov. 5th, the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, Nov. 8th, and then the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, Nov. 10th. They will wrap up their Western swing with a matchup against the Seattle Kraken.

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Just days following a sudden prospect swap, forward Samu Tuomaala has evened the score after the Philadelphia Flyers traded him away.

Tuomaala, 22, was never going to make it with the Flyers after being surpassed by players like Alexis Gendron, Devin Kaplan, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey, as well as the recent draft additions of Porter Martone, Shane Vansaghi, and Jack Murtagh.

The Flyers' former second-round pick had managed to produce 26 goals and 75 points over the last two seasons, but struggled with injuries that severely limited his availability to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

As a result, and after three scoreless games to start the season and numerous healthy scratches, the Flyers decided to pull the plug, trading Tuomaala to the Dallas Stars for Christian Kyrou.

Kyrou, 22, has been a pleasant surprise early in his tenure with the Flyers organization, already tallying a goal and three points in just two games with the Phantoms.

Flyers Already Have Their Logan Stankoven in Bobby BrinkThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> used to get a lot of heat for passing on forward Logan Stankoven in the 2021 NHL Draft, but it's time to put that narrative to bed for good. They already have their own in Bobby Brink.

As for Tuomaala?

The Finn made his season debut for the AHL Texas Stars on Sunday, opening the scoring with his first goal for his new club early in the second period against the Manitoba Moose.

Tuomaala raced to a puck along the left wall, executed a feint to create space, then attempted to feed a pass into the crease for his teammate.

Fortunately for him, the puck was inadvertently deflected into the net by a Moose defender, giving Tuomaala his first goal for the Stars organization in his first game.

Kyrou's points with the Flyers organization have been a little less lucky, but they all count equally on the scoreboard at the end of the day.

Why Flyers Sent Emil Andrae Back to AHL AgainA roster "puzzle" unfolds as the Philadelphia Flyers prioritize center depth, sending Emil Andrae back to the AHL temporarily.

So far, though, it seems that both players are enjoying the change in scenery, but we'll have to give the edge to Kyrou and the Flyers for the time being.

Sharks' key to playing winning hockey after shootout loss to Red Wings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

Maybe last year, and certainly the season before, a 3-2 comeback shootout loss, complete with a first NHL goal from a top prospect, would be okay for the Sharks.

But head coach Ryan Warsofsky is trying to set a higher standard, and just maybe, the Sharks are getting there soon.

San Jose is 4-4-1 in its last nine and has been competitive in every single game in this stretch.

Sam Dickinson scored his first NHL goal off a brilliant Will Smith pass, and the Sharks tied it late, before falling in the shootout to the Detroit Red Wings.

But postgame, the discussion with Warsofsky wasn’t about a moral victory, it was about real wins.

Read The Full Story At San Jose Hockey Now

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Fantasy hockey managers looking to tinker with their rosters will benefit from zeroing in on specific categories. Whether you are looking for long-term fits or short-term options, there should be a plethora of potential pickups to help your squads. 

Let's get into this week's suggestions for your consideration.

Anthony Cirelli, C, Lightning (37% rostered)

Category Coverage: Goals/Points/Shots/Blocks/Faceoffs

Cirelli is off to a red-hot start this season, amassing seven goals and 11 points through 12 games. He hasn't gone more than two games without reaching the scoresheet. Cirelli is currently riding a three-game point streak, picking up two goals and two helpers. He also has nine blocked shots, eight hits and 20 shots on net for additional category coverage. Finally, Cirelli ranks 15th in the league with 120 faceoff wins, though his 49.8% success rate leaves some room for improvement. He has been productive in a top-six role and appears poised to reach new career highs offensively in 2025-26. Tampa Bay plays three times this week, and Cirelli has plenty of long-term value. 

Will Cuylle, LW/RW, Rangers (37% rostered)

Category Coverage: Assists/Points/Shots/Hits

Following a sluggish start to the season, Cuylle has one goal on 12 shots and four assists during a four-game point streak. He has also provided five blocked shots and 10 hits during that period. Cuylle had a great deal of fantasy potential going into the 2025-26 campaign after posting 45 points and 301 hits in 82 games last season. His emergence on the scoresheet is an encouraging sign for banger league managers ahead of a three-game week for the Rangers. 

Chris Kreider, LW, Ducks (34% rostered)

Category Coverage: Goals/Points/Shots/Hits/PP

Kreider had four goals and one assist in five games before missing four straight contests because of hand-foot-and-mouth disease. He has netted two goals, including one on the power play, on seven shots in two appearances since returning to the lineup. He has a team-leading four markers with the man advantage and skates on the top line. Kreider also racks up hits and shots, making him worthy of more fantasy attention. The Ducks play four times this week. 

Jonathan Huberdeau, Flames, C/LW (31% rostered)

Category Coverage: Goals/Points/Shots 

After being absent for the opening five games of the season because of an undisclosed injury, Huberdeau has been firing on all cylinders of late. He has three goals on eight shots and three assists during a five-game point spree. The 32-year-old forward has averaged a career-high 19:34 of ice time per game. He notched 28 goals and 62 points last campaign after topping the 50-point plateau in each of the previous two seasons. Huberdeau's injury and Calgary's offensive struggles probably contributed to him flying under the radar. However, his proven track record and productive play make him a more than serviceable addition for scoring leagues. 

Marco Rossi, C, Wild (29% rostered)

Category Coverage: Assists/Points/Shots/PP

Rossi has compiled three goals and nine assists over 12 games this season. He has added 22 shots on net, seven blocked shots and nine hits during that span while averaging a career-high 18:21 of ice time per outing. Rossi has two tallies and five helpers over his five-game point streak. He has been productive on the top line and could easily surpass his previous best of 60 points from the 2024-25 regular season if he continues to click alongside a healthy Kirill Kaprizov this campaign. We featured the 24-year-old Rossi as a pickup option before, but he should be rostered in more leagues. He is a solid addition for fantasy managers ahead of a busy Minnesota slate that includes four games this week. 

Philipp Kurashev, C/RW, Sharks (19% rostered)

Category Coverage: Goals/Points/Shots

Kurashev didn't have a point in five straight appearances, while sitting as a healthy scratch for two games, before logging just 11:21 of ice time in his return to the lineup against New Jersey on Oct. 24. However, his role has increased substantially since then. He's topped 20 minutes of playing time in three of his last five outings while piling up four goals, 17 shots and four helpers during a five-game point streak. Kurashev's consistency could become a problem again, but he is worthy of at least a short-term pickup during a three-game week for San Jose. 

Jaden Schwartz, Kraken, C/LW (25% rostered)

Category Coverage: Assists/Points/Shots/Hits 

Schwartz has registered at least one point in eight of his first 11 outings this season. He has accumulated four goals, six assists, 21 shots on target, 10 blocked shots and 18 hits. Schwartz was one point away from returning to 50, a mark he has reached five times before, including having a career high of 63 in 2014-15. He is on pace to shatter that this campaign, but the likelihood that he slows down offensively is fairly high. Still, Schwartz is a valuable top-six forward for Seattle, and he should be a useful player for fantasy squads. The Kraken play four times this week, giving him plenty of short-term appeal. 

Artem Zub, D, Senators (14% rostered)

Category Coverage: Assists/Points/Shots/Blocks 

Zub has topped 20 points in a season on only two occasions in the NHL, but he has been productive since the end of October. He has one goal and five assists in his last six contests while adding six shots on net, five blocked shots and eight hits. He has one goal and two helpers across his three-game point streak. While his offensive contributions are likely to decrease in the long run, his category coverage makes him an intriguing option at the moment. Ottawa is in action three times this week. 

Vitek Vanecek, G, Mammoth (2% rostered)

Category Coverage: Starts/Saves/Wins 

Vanecek has performed well this season despite being used sparingly behind Karel Vejmelka. The 29-year-old Vanecek has posted a 2-1-0 record with a 2.00 GAA and a .913 save percentage in his first three appearances with Utah. The Mammoth have two back-to-back situations this week, which could result in two starts for Vanecek.  

Nicholas Robertson, RW, Maple Leafs (3% rostered)

Category Coverage: Goals/Points/Shots/Hits 

Robertson generated three goals and five points in his last four appearances. He was a healthy scratch for a game before his recent offensive explosion, which includes two straight multipoint efforts consisting of one goal and one assist. Robertson's ice time was 17:22 and 15:20 during that stretch, and he saw playing time in Toronto's top-six forward group. Locking down a consistent role in the lineup has been an issue for him in the past, but skating alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies will give Robertson's fantasy upside a significant boost for as long as it lasts. Toronto plays four times at home this week.