NHL Tonight: Keys to Blue Jackets-Sabres, Sharks-Wild, Ducks-Flames

• ESPN staffNov 6, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

With 18 games spread out across Saturday and Sunday on the NHL calendar, Friday is the appetizer course with just three games on the menu.

Read on for a look at what you need to know for each game, including betting info and broadcast details.

Odds are provided by DraftKings and subject to change.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Buffalo Sabres

7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | BUF -175, O/U: 6.5

These two teams played way back on Oct. 1, a 6-3 win for the Blue Jackets in Columbus.

That was the season debut for both teams, and the franchise debut for Matthew Knies, acquired on the eve of the regular season in a trade with Toronto. Knies scored two goals and added an assist to earn first star of the game.

Unfortunately, the 24-year-old has gone a bit cold in the time since, with no additional goals (and only two more assists) in the following 12 games. Does he get back on track against Buffalo?

The Sabres are led into this one by Tage Thompson, who has 18 points through 15 games.

Both teams are still looking for some better goaltending, as the Sabres and Blue Jackets are both in the red in goal differential this season.

San Jose Sharks at Minnesota Wild

8 p.m. ET (NHL Network) | MIN -258, O/U: 6.5

Heading into the season, we would consider this showdown a "measuring stick game" for the Sharks, who were considered a team on the rise -- potentially pushing for the playoffs. As of now, the Sharks will take a W in any form, whether it's a good barometer or not.

San Jose enters this one 7-9-1 on the season, with a shocking minus-17 goal differential. They're 29th in goal scoring (2.53 per game), and 26th in goal prevention (3.53). Both must improve to even consider making a postseason run against the likes of the Wild.

Minnesota is atop the mighty Central Division, with an 11-3-3 record and plus-18 goal differential. The Wild are middle of the pack in scoring (3.29 goals per game), but lead the league with a 2.24 team goals-against average.

Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames

8 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | CGY -115, O/U: 6.5

In a Pacific Division showdown, the Sharks' California rivals take on the surprising Flames in the third of four games the clubs will play this season. The road team has won the prior two games by a score of 4-2 in each instance, so should we pencil that in as the final on Friday?

If nothing else, there is a decent chance of some offensive fireworks; both teams are among the bottom seven in the league in allowing goals. Calgary is 24th, at 3.44, while Anaheim is 30th, at 3.81.

With that in mind, keep an eye on the Ducks' Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke as well as the Flames' Joel Farabee, Matt Coronato and Matvei Gridin.

Reminder: Fans can catch all the action in the NHL streaming hub and on the ESPN App.

Jump ahead:
Top NHL stories
Last night's scores
NHL stats leaders
Today in hockey history

Top stories around the NHL

Here's what you need to know:

• The latest NHL Power Rankings include a fantasy hockey surprise for all 32 teams.

• Where will Nikita Kucherov land next? The latest Wysh List column identifies the top contenders.

• The NHL's Hometown Remix jerseys have been revealed. Wyshynski ranks all 32, and investigates the Panthers' unis in depth.

• Wyshynski judges 10 overreactions after one month.

• Brock Faber had his first practice back with the Wild after a skull injury in September.

• Florida's Brad Marchand could be back in six weeks after a knee injury.

• Nikita Kucherov has requested a trade; his coach Jon Cooper says he's "committed" to the Lightning.

Thursday's scoreboard

Montreal Canadiens 5, Utah Mammoth 4 (OT)
Vegas Golden Knights 2, Detroit Red Wings 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Chicago Blackhawks 1
New Jersey Devils 5, St. Louis Blues 4 (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 5, New York Islanders 3
New York Rangers 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2
Boston Bruins 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
Columbus Blue Jackets 2, Dallas Stars 1 (SO)
Winnipeg Jets 6, Vancouver Canucks 2
Anaheim Ducks 5, Edmonton Oilers 4
Nashville Predators 3, Colorado Avalanche 2 (OT)

NHL scoring leaders

Click here for full list of stats leaders.

NHL goaltending leaders

Click here for the full list of goaltender stats.

Today in hockey history

Most NHL officials began their hockey life as players. It's rare that someone makes the NHL as a player then later becomes an official. It's even more rare that someone who played 16 seasons in the NHL dons the stripes.

But such was the case when King Clancy took on his role as an NHL referee for the first time on Nov. 6, 1938.

Clancy played 592 total games for the OG Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. Following a brief stint behind the bench of the Montreal Maroons, he became a referee. He'd spend 11 seasons doing that before taking on a role as a coach and executive with the Maple Leafs from 1953 until his death in 1986.

The NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy -- awarded to the player who demonstrates leadership on and off the ice and has made exceptional humanitarian contributions to the community -- is given out every year in his honor; Marcus Foligno was the winner for 2025-26.