Scout's Analysis: How Ivar Stenberg has started with the Sharks - Sportsnet.ca

Rising stars more focused on getting Maple Leafs, Sharks untracked than personal battle TORONTO -- Gavin McKenna wants to make one thing clear about how he views his first game against Ivar Stenberg.

Monday marks the first meeting between the top two picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Toronto Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna is "excited" for his showdown with San Jose Sharks forward Ivar Stenberg, Luke Fox writes.

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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.

If this start to the Edmonton Oilers season were a Tom Cruise movie, it would be Top Gun. Sitting first in the NHL in points percentage and winning five in a row, the Oilers’ top guns have had the need — the need for speed. It’s fresh and doesn’t feel like a sequel, as a familiar cast has avoided their October Groundhog Day, the movie Oilers fans have watched this team play like déjà vu. One has to think the extended off-season break has helped the leaders in Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and Mattias Ekholm begin so strongly, but their combined attention to detail defensively is noticeable to the naked eye. The known quantities pulling off the performances of a lifetime. Box office draws delivering. But the overall style in which Edmonton is winning these games, except for Vancouver, which I’m willing to chalk up as pre-season extended hockey, is decidedly uncinematic. Yes, the Oilers’ top line is dominating, but it’s not always pretty when they’re off the ice. The cast listed in minuscule font on the poster are trading standout performances and are giving Oilers fans some legitimate optimism.

The 2026 Heritage Classic will be a sight to see.