NHL Preview: The Biggest Games and Storylines to Watch This Week

Published:Oct 10, 2026Oct 10, 20263 min read

Updated:Oct 10, 2026Oct 10, 2026

Malcolm DarnleySenior Writer

Brian Deschamps

Fact Checker

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After only four games, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard has six goals and five assists, for 11 points.

Bobby Orr holds the NHL record for points by a defenseman in a single season with 139.
Paul Coffey holds the Oilers record with 138 points.

Currently, Bouchard is on pace for a tidy 234 points, including 124 goals.

DraftKings currently lists Bouchard and Cale Makar as the betting favorites (+300 each) to win this year’s Norris Trophy as the league’s best D-man.

This week, Bouchard and his Oilers play three times, and their high-flying offense is now considered must-watch TV.

Edmonton Upcoming Schedule:

Tuesday, October 13th @ Los Angeles Kings
Thursday, October 15th – vs. Utah Mammoth
Saturday, October 17th – @ Utah Mammoth

Clear Your Calendar: 32 teams. 16 games. NHL Goes All-In Tuesday Night

The opening two days of the March Madness basketball tournament bring non-stop action, turning even the most casual college fan into a passionate one.

On Tuesday, October 13th, the NHL will have their own version of “The Madness” called Frozen Frenzy. (shown live on ESPN)

All 32 teams will be in action this coming Tuesday, giving hockey fans 16 different games to watch.

That means over 600 NHL players will take the ice Tuesday night, giving NHL Player Prop bettors a huge opportunity to find value.

Action starts at 6pm EST, and games begin every 15 minutes after the first puck drops.

Top Frozen Frenzy Games to Watch

6pm – New Jersey at Detroit – The Dylan Larkin trade watch continues.

Red Wings fans booed Larkin in his first game, but those boos turned to cheers after the Wings’ ex-captain scored his first goal.

830pm – Colorado at Dallas – Two of the best Western Conference teams renew their rivalry, with Ex-Av, Mikko Rantanen, battling old friends Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

Elite offense (Colorado) vs Elite defense (Dallas). When these teams face off, good things always happen.

1030pm – Edmonton at Los Angeles – Evan Bouchard has 11 points through Edmonton’s first four games.

The Oilers’ top three offensive stars (McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard) have combined for 32 points in their first four games.

If you enjoy playing NHL same-game parlays, a wager on McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard to all record a point vs. LA might make sense.

Connor Hellebuyck Trade Saga: Can Carolina End the Drama

If you’re not up to date on the Connor Hellebuyck stalemate in Winnipeg, here’s the recap.

Early Summer 2026 – Hellebuyck privately tells the Jets he wants to be traded but isn’t prepared to waive his no-trade clause, giving him leverage in where he is traded.

August 2026 – Hellebuyck goes public with his trade demands out of Winnipeg.

September 2026 – The 3-time Vezina Trophy Winner doesn’t report to training camp, and the Jets eventually suspend him without pay.

As of this writing, the Jets still haven’t traded their once-beloved goalie, but that could all change Saturday night against defending Cup Champs, the Carolina Hurricanes.

If the Hurricanes pump current Jets goalie Stuart Skinner for a ton of goals, it might convince Hellebuyck that Carolina is an ideal destination for his services.

More importantly, it might convince Winnipeg Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff that now is the time to end the stalemate and make the best deal available.

Something you won’t find in the Manitoba Travel and Tourism brochures is that Hellebuyck is turning down $39,000 per day by choosing not to work in Winnipeg.

Understanding Canadian Winters can be tough; $39,000 per day buys a lot of warm clothes and hot chocolate.

About the Author: Malcolm Darnley

Malcolm loves to watch all kinds of different sports. He also writes about them.