NHL Today: Wild Clean House, Desperate Islanders, Changes Coming To All-Star Game

Good morning, my name is Andrew Fantucchio. It’s Tuesday, November 28, and here’s what’s happening around the NHL today.

Wild Clean House:

The Minnesota Wild are making a change behind the bench.

Two points out of the basement in the Central Division and amid a seven-game losing streak, the Wild (5-10-4) parted way with head coach Dean Evason and assistant coach Bob Woods on Monday evening.

Dean Evason and Bob Woods have been relieved of their coaching duties.

More » https://t.co/6YrsgmDFBc

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) November 27, 2023

The Wild made the playoffs in each of its first three seasons under Evason but never made it past the first round. With their season taking a nose dive for the last two weeks, Wild GM Bill Guerin ultimately decided enough was enough.

To replace Evanon, the Wild hired former New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators head coach Jon Hynes.

The first game of the Hynes era in Minnesota is tonight when the Wild host the St. Louis Blues.

Islanders Desperately Need Reilly; Add Aho To IR:

The New York Islanders welcomed defenseman Mike Reilly to practice for the first time on Monday. In dire need of reinforcements on the blue line, the Islanders need Reilly to step up as quickly as possible.

Reilly quarterbacked the Islanders’ second power-play unit in practice on Monday. A position normally occupied by Sebastian Aho, the latest addition to the team’s injured reserve list.

All-Star Draft Coming Back:

The NHL is bringing back the player draft for this season’s all-star game in Toronto.

According to a release from the league, “Celebrities will be paired with captains, who will pick the teams for the NHL All-Star Game from a pool of players selected by the NHL and the fans” to decide the teams.

The player draft format was last used back in 2011.

Yesterday’s Scoreboard:

Blue Jackets: 5, Bruins: 2

Sabres: 5, Rangers: 1

Panthers: 5, Senators: 0

Avalanche: 4, Lightning: 1

Flames: 2, Golden Knights: 1 (OT)

Sharks: 2, Capitals: 1

Today’s Schedule:

All Times EST

New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.

Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 7:30 p.m.

St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.

Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.

Seattle Kraken vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 8: 30 p.m.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Arizona Coyotes, 9 p.m.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.

More From National Hockey Now:

Philadelphia: The grades are in. Here’s how each member of the Philadelphia Flyers has performed so far.

Pittsburgh: Evgeni Malkin is doing everything he can to stay on top of his game at age 37. Even if it means laying off the sweets.

Florida: A good old-fashioned barn burner between the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators saw 10 players handed game misconducts.

Montreal: Sure, the Montreal Canadiens are at the bottom of the league again, but it’s not all bad.

Chicago: Nick Foligno is using his wit and wisdom to help the Chicago Blackhawks through their rebuild.

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche keep on winning behind one of the best starts of the season for Alexander Georgiev.

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