NHL2026-11-13Matt Boldy's Hat Trick Sinks the Maple Leafs, Connor Hellebuyck Improves to 6-0 With the Devils and Sebastian Aho Scores Twice in Helsinki: Thursday NHL Fantasy Notes
By Verdexed NHL Desk
Thursday's NHL slate was overshadowed by the injuries to Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in Ottawa, but the rest of the night produced plenty for fantasy managers. Matt Boldy scored his second hat trick of the season as the Minnesota Wild beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2, Connor Hellebuyck stayed perfect as a New Jersey Devil, Sebastian Aho scored twice in Carolina's Global Series opener in Helsinki, and Montreal ended Boston's seven-game winning streak. Here is the rundown and what it means for your roster.
Thursday's results
| Game | Score | Key performer |
|---|---|---|
| Wild at Maple Leafs | 5-2 MIN | Matt Boldy, 3 G |
| Capitals at Devils | 5-2 NJD | Connor Hellebuyck, 26 saves |
| Hurricanes vs. Kraken (Helsinki) | 4-1 CAR | Sebastian Aho, 2 G |
| Lightning at Blue Jackets | 3-1 TBL | Brandon Hagel, 2 G, 1 A |
| Canadiens at Bruins | 5-2 MTL | Josh Anderson, Jake Evans, G and A each |
| Avalanche at Senators | 4-3 OTT (OT) | Shane Pinto, OT winner |
| Sabres at Blackhawks | 3-2 CHI (OT) | Ryan Donato, OT winner |
| Blues at Mammoth | 1-0 STL (SO) | Eight-round shootout |
Wild 5, Maple Leafs 2
Matt Boldy opened the scoring in the first period, tied the game 2-2 with a power-play goal midway through the second, and completed the hat trick early in the third off a drop pass from Ryan Hartman. It is the sixth hat trick of his career, putting him third in Wild franchise history behind Marian Gaborik and Kirill Kaprizov. Kaprizov had three assists, and Minnesota extended its point streak to 10 games.
Jesper Wallstedt made 26 saves for his league-leading 13th win. He has become one of the most reliable fantasy goalies in the league on the strength of the Wild's play, and he should be started every time he gets the net.
For Toronto, it was a fifth straight loss on a home stand that has gone badly wrong. The Leafs' skaters remain startable on talent, but their goaltending is a fantasy liability until the team stabilizes.
Devils 5, Capitals 2
Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves and has won all six of his starts since New Jersey acquired him. The Devils had held him out of Tuesday's game in Winnipeg, his former home, and he responded in his return to the crease. Vladislav Kolyachonok scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, and Evan Rodrigues, Lenni Hameenaho, Stefan Noesen and Jack Hughes also scored. The Devils have won seven straight at home.
The fantasy note: Lenni Hameenaho and Stefan Noesen, both recalled after Anthony Mantha went on long-term injured reserve, scored in their first game back in the lineup. Hameenaho is a deep-league add while he holds a middle-six role.
These teams meet again Saturday in Washington, the back half of a home-and-home. Hellebuyck had been projected to start both games of the set, and he is a strong fantasy start Saturday if that holds. Confirm the starter before lock, since teams sometimes change plans in a back-to-back setting.
Hurricanes 4, Kraken 1 (Helsinki)
Sebastian Aho scored twice in front of a Finnish crowd to open the Global Series. Brandon Bussi needed only 12 saves for the win, which tells you how thoroughly Carolina controlled play. The Hurricanes' shot dominance makes their goalies strong fantasy plays in any matchup, even if the save totals are low. The Kraken managed little offense, and their skaters are risky starts in the rematch.
Lightning 3, Blue Jackets 1
Brandon Hagel scored twice and added an assist, a reminder that he is a multi-category fantasy asset who contributes in goals, assists, hits and shorthanded situations. The Lightning won without needing a big night from their stars. Columbus has now lost three straight.
Canadiens 5, Bruins 2
Montreal snapped Boston's seven-game winning streak behind Josh Anderson and Jake Evans, who each had a goal and an assist. Anderson's physical game makes him a hits-league asset, and multi-point nights like this push him into streaming consideration. Boston's seven-game run was impressive, and one loss does not change the outlook for the Bruins' top players, who remain weekly starts.
Overtime and shootout results
Ryan Donato scored in overtime to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 win over Buffalo and snap a six-game losing streak. The Blues beat the Utah Mammoth 1-0 in an eight-round shootout, a goaltending duel that rewarded both starters in fantasy formats that count saves and goals-against.
What to do in your league
Add: Lenni Hameenaho in deep leagues; Josh Anderson in hits leagues.
Start: Jesper Wallstedt every time out; Hurricanes goalies in the Helsinki rematch.
Watch: The Devils' goalie decision for Saturday in Washington, and the Avalanche injury news before Saturday in Montreal.
Betting angle: Minnesota's 10-game point streak and road form make the Wild a team the market may still be underrating, and the Devils at home have been nearly automatic. For Verdexed's view on each game, see the daily NHL picks page and /nhl/predictions.
What's next
The Hurricanes and Kraken meet again in Helsinki to close the Global Series. Saturday brings the Devils-Capitals rematch and a road test in Montreal for an Avalanche team that may be without its two best players. Check confirmed starting goalies before lock.