LAS VEGAS -- When talking about the numerous players who have helped mold the identity of the Golden Knights during their first eight-plus years in the NHL, many past and current names come to mind.

From the flashy and boisterous, to the popular fan favorites. The Golden Knights have never been short of personalities since arriving in 2017. 

Yet flying under the radar more than anyone else may be defenseman Brayden McNabb.

On Thursday night, the 34-year-old will stand tall among them all, as he's set to do something no other skater has done as a part of the NHL's 31st franchise.

In what will be his 838th career game, it'll be McNabb's 600th as a member of the Knights.

"Being a day-one guy, super proud of that," McNabb said during a conversation with The Hockey News on Tuesday. "That first year was unbelievable. It's a year I'll never forget, for sure, and building the culture, setting the culture of this team that first year, it's a huge thing to do.

"I've been very fortunate, very blessed, to be able to make the NHL and play as long as I have, and look and keep it going."

An unwavering professional who arrives at the team facility prepared to give 100 percent every day, McNabb's work ethic was instilled as a young boy, growing up in a small Canadian town known more for its agricultural roots and its "Big Coffee Pot" monument than its hockey players.

Davidson, Saskatchewan - population 1,200 - is a small, yet prideful town located in central Saskatchewan that embedded character into McNabb's genetic code, alongside a fine upbringing that provided him with a clear understanding of life in its simplest terms.

"Grew up on the farm, helped out on the farm until hockey kind of took over," McNabb explained. "Obviously, I had a great family, parents growing up to help me through all that stuff. But just the work mentality, it's not always going to go great. And when it does, great; when it's not, you kind of get your work boots on and try and fix it the best you can.

"That's kind of been my mentality throughout my career, just keep the work going and try as best as you can."

BACKSEAT TO NO ONE

As of Wednesday, McNabb ranked first in the NHL with 51 blocked shots through the team's first 15 games of the season.

McNabb will not only be the first Knight to 600 games, he is the all-time blocked shots leader with 1,326 since the 2017-18 season, a tally that also leads all NHL skaters over that stretch by more than 40.

While forward Reilly Smith spent a season and a half away from the Knights after they won the Cup in 2023, he knows McNabb as good as anyone else, considering the two were part of the original roster in 2017.

"He's one of the leaders that's been extremely important for the success of this organization, and that's a tribute to him," Smith said. "He does everything for this team, and it's a good thing for him to be acknowledged for what he's done."

And as subdued and even-keeled as his fellow quiet-by-nature teammate can be, Smith said "Nabber" knows when to inflect his tone.

As the headliners have come and gone within the organization, McNabb's presence might have been lost in the shadows of spotlights unintentionally grabbed by others. Yet there is no denying the 14-year veteran is, and always has been, one of the team's original leaders.

"He's got a calming presence," Smith added. "I think he's serious when he needs to be serious (and) he keeps the atmosphere light when it needs to be light.

"He's one of those guys that really gauges the environment and the mood perfectly."

IRONMAN

McNabb will not only reach the franchise-high for games played when the Knights host the Islanders, but he'll extend his own ironman streak, having appeared in 275 consecutive games, including all 82 regular-season games the past three seasons.

"There's a lot that goes into it, I wouldn't say it's one thing," McNabb said. "I'm a very big routine guy, no matter what it is. I like my routine. The health part of it has been big the last seven, eight years of my career. I've really dove deep into that. I think that's benefited, for sure.

"I just try and continue to do what I do, stay with my routine, take care of my body, recover my body, the best I can."

Easier said than done, considering McNabb ranks seventh among all defensemen with 1,944 hits since he entered the league in 2011.

While he has a world-class facility in Summerlin during home games, traveling can be difficult with a grueling schedule that takes the team across North America weeks at a time. So, during the season, he relies on resources available and team trainers to keep his body right.

It's where the farmhand work ethic and diligence chime in, and benefit the respect he has for his craft and career, and what both mean to his teammates, the organization and, most importantly, his family.

Which is why he credits his wife Lelanie as being the backbone in the McNabb household, for both him and their two-year-old son, Laken, who was born between Games 1 and 2 of the first round during the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup run.

"You really start to appreciate the home life and your wife; she basically takes care of you as another kid," McNabb said with a chuckle. "It's amazing, and it's basically a big reason I've been where I am. The recovery aspect is a lot of credit to her, too. She's great with cooking and everything. She's the rock of the family."

From family man to hockey player to teammate to assistant captain, an entire organization has benefitted far beyond 599 games - soon to be 600 - from Brayden Luke McNabb.

"Pillar in the organization," star forward Jack Eichel said. "An unbelievable teammate and guy. He's maybe quiet around you guys, but he's a big part of our group and the personality and the culture that's here.

"It's been a privilege to be his teammate and play with him and get to know him."

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The Edmonton Oilers started their seven-game road trip in Philadelphia, hoping to find some rhythm and consistency — and while the game was anything but perfect, they somehow found a way to walk out of Xfinity Mobile Arena with two points. Jack Roslovic played the hero for the second straight night, burying the overtime winner after Edmonton nearly let another one slip away.

It was a night that showed both the promise and the problems that continue to define the Oilers’ season — flashes of dominance, stretches of sloppiness, and just enough pushback to make up for both.

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A Strong Start That Looked Promising

The first period was one of the Oilers’ better opening frames in weeks. Both teams traded chances early — Owen Tippett had a dangerous look for the Flyers, while Vasily Podkolzin tested Dan Vladar at the other end. Despite the even shot count midway through the period, Philadelphia had the better scoring opportunities, capitalizing on a few careless Oilers turnovers during clearing attempts.

Momentum began to swing when Nick Seeler was called for a questionable hooking penalty. Edmonton’s power play didn’t convert, but the ice started to tilt. Connor McDavid, who missed the start of the man advantage to fix some equipment, jumped on late and gave the Oilers an energy boost.

Curtis Lazar drove the net hard, crashing into Vladar, who stayed in the game after being shaken up. That sequence seemed to flip a switch for Edmonton. Eventually, Evan Bouchard broke through. McDavid chased down a loose puck off a bank-shot attempt and found Bouchard creeping down from the blue line. The defenseman hammered home a one-timer to make it 1–0.

By the end of the first, the Oilers had completely taken control of the pace and the puck.

Edmonton Dominates — Then Lets Up

The second period was more of the same — mostly. Edmonton continued to dictate play, spending long stretches in the Flyers’ zone. Vasily Podkolzin was noticeable again, throwing his weight around and driving the net. McDavid got dumped by Seeler at one point, and the Oilers made sure to let the Flyers know they didn’t appreciate it.

Roslovic looked sharp all night, moving with confidence and creating opportunities almost every shift. But for all that pressure, the Oilers couldn’t extend their lead — and that left the door open.

Late in the period, Philadelphia capitalized. Rookie Matvei Michkov tied it up on the power play, walking off the wall and firing through traffic. The game was tied, and the momentum started to turn.

At that point, you could feel the sense of déjà vu. Edmonton had dominated but failed to capitalize, and there was a real fear that all those missed chances would come back to haunt them.

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Flyers Push Back, Oilers Hang On

The third period was all Philadelphia. Edmonton’s energy disappeared, and the Flyers went to work, winning battles and outskating the Oilers in every zone. McDavid drew a high stick from Noah Cates — more like a cross-check to the face — but the ensuing power play came up empty.

The Oilers took an iffy penalty of their own when Ty Emberson got called for a hold, and the ice tilted even more in Philadelphia’s favor. By the time Frederic ran over Vladar and took a goaltender interference penalty, Edmonton looked gassed.

Then, disaster — or so it seemed.

With just 23.5 seconds left, Travis Sanheim threw a puck toward the net that was redirected by Travis Konecny to seemingly give the Flyers the win. But a video review saved Edmonton: the Oilers challenged for offside, and it turned out Owen Tippett had crossed the blue line just a split second early. The goal was waved off, and Edmonton lived to try to take a point, then earn the extra in overtime. 

Roslovic Delivers Again

In OT, the Oilers made good on the opportunity handed to them. Jake Walman forced a turnover at center ice with a good stick, which went to Roslovic. He tipped the puck to Savoie on a slick passing play —and Savoie gave it back to Roslovic, who ended it with his second straight overtime winner.

Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) on XJACKpOT 🎰 #LetsGoOilers

Outside of the end of the first and the second period, the game wasn’t pretty, but it was a win. After the game, when asked about waiting to see if the Flyers were offside: "That's twice in a row, obviously we've got to sharpen up a little better. Obviously, we get the two points, which is big for us. Great challenge by the guys in our room." When asked about the assist by Savoie, "What a great pass, it was an easy bury." When asked about him dragging his skate to stay onside on the play, "PTSD from them," he responded. On scoring back-to-back overtime winners, "It's fun, anything to help the team."

A Game Of Inches

The Oilers were outplayed for most of the third period and nearly handed away a game they controlled for two. But good teams — or at least teams trying to become good again — find ways to win when they’re not at their best.

It may not have been the kind of performance head coach Kris Knoblauch drew up on the whiteboard, but there were positives from the win. He noted the Flyers don't give up very much, and the team remained patient, which was a positive.  "It's a game of inches. They got a goal taken away just being offside by a couple of inches. We were able to get the overtime goal just because we were just onside by a couple of inches."

Oilers will take the result — and the momentum — thanking Roslovic for being the difference-maker in the final moments of the past two games. 

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Will Cuylle and Vincent Trocheck each had two goals, and the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-3 on Wednesday night for their second straight win.

J.T. Miller, Alexis Lafrenière and Will Borgen also scored for the Rangers, and Artemi Panarin had four assists. Igor Shesterkin finished with 31 saves as New York improved to 8-1-1 on the road.

Scott Sabourin, Zemgus Girgensons and Jake Guentzel scored for the Lightning, who had won six of their previous seven games. Andrei Vasilevskiy gave up five goals on 13 shots through two periods and Jonas Johansson had six saves in the third.

The Rangers, coming off a 6-3 win against Nashville on Monday night for their first home win, finished with their highest scoring total of the season.

Trocheck pushed New York's lead to 5-3 with 1:41 remaining in the second period as he got a cross-ice pass from Panarin and fired it in from the right circle after Vasilevskiy fell while sliding from his right to his left.

Trocheck scored again at 5:03 of the third from the slot to give the Rangers a three-goal lead, and Cuylle added an empty-netter with 2:11 remaining to cap the scoring.

Cuylle got the Rangers on the scoreboard with a power-play goal at 1:08. Adam Fox's shot from above the inside edge of the left circle deflected off Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak and then the end boards right to Cuylle on the left doorstep for a quick goal.

The Rangers doubled the Lead at 3:31 when Mika Zibanejad's pass went off Miller's skate and in.

Sabourin pulled the Lightning to 2-1 as he beat Shesterkin from the left circle at 6:04 for his first, and Lafrenière scored from the right circle 1:04 later to restore New York's two-goal lead.

Girgensons pulled Tampa Bay back within one with 6:01 left in the first. Oliver Bjoristrand's shot from the slot hit Yanni Gourde in front and Girgensons put the loose puck in.

Borgen capped the Rangers' four-goal opening period with 3:40 remaining and Guentzel scored a short-handed goal 1:12 later to pull the Lightning to 4-3.

Up next

Rangers: Play at Columbus on Saturday.

Lightning: Visit Florida on Saturday.

Last night, during the Vancouver Canucks’ 5–3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, forward Conor Garland played in his 500th career NHL game. Garland is the seventh current Canuck to play 500+ games in the NHL, with only one other reaching the 1000-game mark throughout their career. 

The seven players who have played in 500+ NHL games throughout their career are Conor Garland (500), Marcus Pettersson (540), Derek Forbort (552), Jake DeBrusk (565), Brock Boeser (570), Evander Kane (948), and Tyler Myers (1084). The only player of these three who have spent every NHL game with the Canucks is Boeser, who has done so throughout a decade within the organization. 

With Myers having hit the 1000-game mark on October 19, 2024, the next Canuck to hit this milestone will be Kane. The forward has 52 games left until he gets to 1000, which is definitely achievable during the 2025–26 season if he stays healthy. If he were to play every game from now, Kane’s 1000th game would be March 26 against the Los Angeles Kings in Vancouver. 

The Canuck who is most likely to hit the 500-game mark next is center Elias Pettersson, who is currently sitting on 489 NHL games played. If he remains healthy, he’ll complete this milestone during Vancouver’s home game against the Minnesota Wild on December 6. After Pettersson is Filip Hronek with 469 NHL games played, with Hronek’s projected 500th NHL game taking place on January 19 against the New York Islanders. Quinn Hughes (447) and Teddy Blueger (420) round out the rest of the Canucks who have played 400+ games in the NHL. 

Filip Chytil is the only Canuck looking to reach the 400-game mark in the NHL this year, though whether he hits this milestone this season or not will depend on his injury status throughout the year. After him on the list of NHL games played is Nils Höglander, who has 293. Hitting 300 NHL games is very doable for Höglander this year, though this will also depend on his injury status. As he is expected to be back anywhere from late November to mid-December, it’s very likely that the forward will hit this milestone during the 2025–26 season.

Forwards Kiefer Sherwood (283) and Drew O’Connor (259) are also looking to hit the 300-game mark this season, with both doable depending on how injuries shake out during the remainder of the year. Pierre-Olivier Joseph rounds out the group of players with 200+ NHL games played with 202.  

Three current members of the Canucks are currently sitting on 100+ games while waiting to play in their 200th. Lukas Reichel (184) is the most likely to hit this milestone first. Nils Åman (132) and MacKenzie MacEachern (126) follow him on the list, though the former is currently with the Abbotsford Canucks and the latter will likely join once more players start returning from injury. 

10 players who have played for the Canucks this season currently have less than 100 NHL games played. Of these 10, Aatu Räty leads the way with 64 games played, followed by defenceman Elias Pettersson (45), Max Sasson (44), Linus Karlsson (42), Arshdeep Bains (39), Victor Mancini (36), Jonathan Lekkerimäki (28), Joseph LaBate (20), Tom Willander (8), and Braeden Cootes (3). With 64 games remaining in the 2025–26 season, only Räty, Pettersson, Sasson, Karlsson, and Bains have a shot at playing in their 100th NHL game this year. Mancini could hypothetically do so as well, but would have to return to play on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes and take part in every game until the end of the season. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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The Los Angeles Kings seem to be trending in the right direction, with two straight victories to kick off a six-game road trip.

Not only were those wins huge for the team’s record and place in the standings, but it was also against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had a hot start to the campaign, and the Atlantic Division leaders Montreal Canadiens.

In this week’s edition of The Hockey News’ power rankings by Jason Chen, the Kings were recognized for their recent performances and made a big jump compared to their previous ranking. 

In this week’s ranking, Los Angeles has climbed their way into the top 10, taking seventh place. They stand between the Canadiens in eighth place and the Dallas Stars in sixth.

There were several question marks surrounding head coach Jim Hiller and his Kings in the early stages of this campaign. However, Los Angeles has been on a nice little run over the last 20 days or so.

“There was a little concern early in the season, but they’ve gone 7-2-2 since,” Chen wrote.

He also highlighted the team’s last two victories over Pittsburgh and Montreal. Against the Pens, the Kings soared in a third-period push, and solid goaltending from Darcy Kuemper along the way.

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When they faced the Habs in the Bell Centre, it was a tidy performance with the help of an explosive middle frame. Joel Edmundson, Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala each scored a goal in the opening six minutes of the second period. They didn’t give the Canadiens a sniffing chance after that.

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Thanks to these results, the Kings jumped from 15th place to seventh in the matter of a week. This is the highest they’ve ever been ranked so far this season.

In the real NHL standings, Los Angeles controls the second spot in the Pacific Division with 20 points in 17 outings. With that, the team owns an 8-5-4 record and three points off from the division leaders, the Anaheim Ducks.

The Kings will look to continue their road dominance in their next game against the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. 

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