Neil's Nuggets November 15, 2025

New Jersey suffered a "self-inflicted" wound this week when leading scorer Jack Hughes fell onto a broken glass, badly cutting his finger to the point where surgery was necessary. The dazzling center will be absent from the lineup for up to two months.

Matthew Schaefer continues to make a major impact for the New York Islanders. He leads all rookies in points with 15 and all defensemen in the league in goals with 7. He also leads all rookies in ice time, averaging 22:37 per game. He also leads all NHL defensemen in power-play goals with 4. Did someone say "Calder"?

The NJ Devils, 7-0-1 and the Colorado Avalanche, 6-0-2, are the only two teams that have not lost a regulation home game. Meanwhile, the NY Rangers are a horrible 1-6-1 at home, and a sparkling 8-1-1 on the road, go figure. Colorado is already +28 goal differential, while St. Louis is already -19. Buffalo, of course, isn't much better at -14.

Trevor Zegras is actually helping the Flyers in the standings. Philly has already gained 4 pts via the Shoot Out where Zegras is almost impossible to stop.