RJ Barrett drops 20 points in preseason contest - NBC Sports

Published: October 15, 2026 at 10:44p.m. EDTNEW YORK — Scottie Barnes led the way with 23 points, Canadian RJ Barrett had 21 but the Toronto Raptors narrowly lost 122-120 to the New York Knicks on Thursday in NBA pre-season action. Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors’ star off-season acquisition, had just six points on 2-of-5 shooting in 22 minutes. Leonard, who had a game-high 21 points in his debut on Tuesday, exited the game with 4:42 left in the third quarter and did not come back in. Reigning NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson led New York with 20 points, with Karl-Anthony Towns adding 13 points along with a game-high 15 rebounds and nine assists. It was the second game of a home-and-home series between the teams. The Raptors beat New York 148-98 in Toronto on Tuesday, with the Knicks sitting all their starters. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026. The Canadian Press

Connor Hellebuyck's suspension will come to an end on Friday. Elliotte Friedman has the story.

The Edmonton Oilers have only surrendered nine goals in the last five games, which speaks to their quality goaltending, structured five-on-five play, and consistent forecheck. The issue with that number is that five of those nine goals are against the Oilers’ penalty kill, which was a point of emphasis for new associate coach DJ Smith after the whipping that PK took in the postseason. That category has been tough sledding overall for the team, which sits at 68.2 per cent for the season, fifth worst in the NHL. The opposition has scored on the power play in five of seven games, and the Utah Mammoth made it happen twice, punishing Josh Samanski’s double-minor for high-sticking and the team’s bench minor on Thursday. The Mammoth PP bumped up to first in the league at 37.5 per cent, and have scored multiple goals on the man advantage in a game a league-best five times. “I think we’re just attacking,” said Barrett Hayton on the power play’s success. He extended his point streak to five games. “Obviously that first unit’s been so good snapping around, they’re so dangerous, and I think they’ve done a great job kind of keeping that mindset.

How can I not go with Auston Matthews after he's cashed this play for us in two straight games? He's clearly on another level now that he's healthy, and his shooting percentage (40%) is among the league's best on the man advantage. When Matthews is shooting, he's hitting twine - he has four goals across his last three games as a result. Let's pot one more against this stingy Islanders defense. I'm loving William Nylander's shot volume right now, as the Leafs winger has registered at least three shots on goal in four consecutive games. He's averaging 6.5 shot attempts per contest, the 23rd-highest mark in the NHL, giving us plenty of reason to believe his hot streak can continue. With the Islanders playing an undisciplined brand of hockey, watch for Willy on the power play to drive us over the line.