It has been tough sledding recently for the Hartford Whalers. After opening the week with a win over the Rangers on Monday, the team has fallen in its last two games. On Thursday, they hosted the Montreal Canadiens to kick off 2026. Despite five points from Sebastian Aho and 11 from the top line, they struggled defensively, allowing seven goals in a 7-5 loss on home ice.
This comes just days after allowing five goals to the Penguins on Tuesday to wrap 2025, bringing them to 12 goals against in two games. Against as high-powered an offense as there is in the league, the Whalers can't afford to play the same way on Saturday. If they do, there's no telling how many goals they'll allow.
On the Other Side: Quebec Nordiques
Last meeting: The Whalers visited the Nordiques as the penultimate stop during their State Fair trip in October. They jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first period, chasing Scott Wedgewood before the end of the frame. Quebec fought back to tie the game over the next 40 minutes. Frederik Andersen made 44 stops in 65 minutes and three more in the shootout to help his group steal a 5-4 win.
As we reach the halfway point of the season, the Nordiques are head and shoulders above everyone else in the league. They've lost just twice in regulation in 39 games. No matter how you break down their season, it's simply insane. They haven't suffered a regulation loss since December 4, going 11-0-2 since and winning their last nine games.
Nathan MacKinnon is making a habit of terrifying teams. He's tied for the league lead with 70 points and paces the Rocket race with 34 goals, nine more than anyone else. It's a minor miracle that he only had one assist when these two met in October. Martin Necas is one of seven players with 50+ points, and Cale Makar leads all defensemen in points (45) for the league's highest-scoring team.
The Nordiques aren't just the league's top offense. Mackenzie Blackwood (2.07) and Scott Wedgewood (2.13) are #1 and #2 in GAA and two of the top four in save percentage for the top defensive team in the NHL. During their ongoing nine-game winning streak, the group has allowed just 18 goals, five of which were conceded in a 6-5 shootout win over Vegas.
Nordiques to Watch
Valeri Nichushkin: During their first encounter of the season, Nichushkin scored twice, including the tying goal in the third period that forced overtime. An injury cost him nearly a month of his season, but Nichushkin has returned with a vengeance, scoring 14 points in 14 games last month. He closed 2025 with a hat trick on New Year's Eve against St. Louis.
Cale Makar: There isn't a defender on the planet that is remotely close to being on Makar's level. He's on pace to record his third straight 90-point season, putting him in the driver's seat to win his third Norris trophy in five seasons. In 39 games this season, Makar has only been held off the scoresheet eight times, recording more multi-point efforts (10) than scoreless ones.
Whalers to Watch
Jordan Martinook: Any changes in attitude begins with the leadership group. At the center of it will be the Staal line, who are almost certain to draw the MacKinnon line. I'm looking for Martinook to be right in the middle of it. His group hasn't been particularly effective during the last two losses. The team looks to them to set the tone. That will be especially true tonight.
Alexander Nikishin: Coming off the first multi-point effort of his career, Nikshin is growing with every opportunity. The newest addition to his game has been quarterbacking the top power play. All three points in his last three games have been with the man advantage, including a goal on Thursday. His confidence is growing, and we're seeing him mature into exactly what we hoped he'd become.