The New York Rangers managed just 10 shots in a 2–1 loss to the Ottawa Senators, who also lost Thomas Chabot and Lassi Thomson to injury, further thinning an already strained blue line ahead of a must-win against Detroit Red Wings, while the Rangers look like a team that’s checked out. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers face Utah sitting third in the Pacific but sliding after two straight losses, with Connor McDavid having to clarify comments he made praising Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, comments that felt like a subtle critique of his own staff. Ray suggests this version of the Oilers simply isn’t as strong as recent years. In Tampa, Nikita Kucherov is on a tear and making a serious push for the Hart Trophy, with his intensity often misunderstood despite a strong bond with Jon Cooper and elite offseason work. And finally, AJ Greer received a three-game suspension for boarding Connor Zary of the Calgary Flames, a ruling Ray argues was far too lenient—suggesting it should have been closer to 10 games—and adding to ongoing concerns about consistency and player safety standards across the league.