Listen to the episode on nhlwraparound.com
Published on November 13, 2026, this new Short Shifts episode of the NHL Wraparound podcast comes as the season nears its quarter mark and teams are starting to show who they really are, for better and for worse. Neil Smith and Vic Morren go through the highs and lows around the league.
On the show
- Both Avalanche superstars, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, left Thursday's game in Ottawa with lower-body injuries. Both are traveling with the team to Montreal, and their status for Saturday against the
Canadiens is uncertain. - The
Maple Leafs, whose off-season managerial moves appear to be finding their level, in Neil and Vic's view. - A pair of star goalies who did not finish their respective games on Thursday night, for a different reason.
Why it matters for poolers
MacKinnon and Makar are the two most important players on the Avalanche: MacKinnon leads his team with 30 points in 20 games, Makar has 23 points in 19 games. If you own them, do not panic and do not drop them: both are traveling with the team and coach Jared Bednar gave no definitive update after the game. Check their status on Saturday morning before you set your lineup, and keep an eye on who steps into their spots on the top line and the first power play unit if either one has to sit out.