Key Takeaways
- Wednesday’s schedule contained four games, including two Eastern Conference matchups and two Pacific Division contests.
- The Kings produced the largest margin of victory, while Ottawa and Seattle each won by a single goal.
- Los Angeles and Florida combined for 12 of the winning teams’ 16 goals, while Ottawa and Seattle relied on defensive discipline and timely scoring.
- Sandis Vilmanis delivered the most productive performance of his young NHL career as Florida defeated Chicago 5-3 at Amerant Bank Arena.
LOS ANGELES, California, November 5, 2026: Adrian Kempe celebrated his return to the Los Angeles Kings with a hat trick and an assist in a 7-2 demolition of the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night, leading an NHL program that produced 23 goals across four games. Artemi Panarin supplied four assists and Quinton Byfield scored twice as Los Angeles recorded its largest victory of the season. Elsewhere, Michael Amadio scored with 3:09 remaining to give the Ottawa Senators a 2-1 comeback victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Sandis Vilmanis delivered two goals and two assists as the Florida Panthers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3, and Matty Beniers scored just 55 seconds into overtime to lift the Seattle Kraken past the Calgary Flames 2-1.
The results carried immediate consequences across both conferences. Los Angeles improved to 5-7-2 while handing San Jose a third consecutive defeat. Ottawa moved to 10-6-1 and ended Buffalo’s three-game winning streak, while Florida improved to 9-5-2 after surviving Chicago’s third-period comeback attempt. Seattle climbed to 9-5-1 and avenged a 6-2 loss to Calgary six days earlier. Beyond the NHL, the International Ice Hockey Federation reaffirmed its opposition to the immediate reinstatement of Russian national teams despite a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling. The international dispute is separate from NHL competition but adds another significant development to a busy week in ice hockey.
NHL Results November 4, 2026: All Four Games and Final Scores
Wednesday’s schedule contained four games, including two Eastern Conference matchups and two Pacific Division contests.
Story at a glance
NHL Results November 4, 2026: All Four Games and Final Scores
Wednesday’s schedule contained four games, including two Eastern Conference matchups and two Pacific Division contests.
Los Angeles Kings 7-2 San Jose Sharks: Adrian Kempe Returns With a Hat Trick
Adrian Kempe could hardly have scripted a better return to the Los Angeles lineup.
Florida Panthers 5-3 Chicago Blackhawks: Sandis Vilmanis Takes Center Stage
Sandis Vilmanis delivered the most productive performance of his young NHL career as Florida defeated Chicago 5-3 at Amerant Bank Arena.
Ottawa Senators 2-1 Buffalo Sabres: Michael Amadio Wins It With 3:09 Left
Ottawa produced the evening’s clearest regulation-time comeback.
Seattle Kraken 2-1 Calgary Flames: Matty Beniers Wins It in Overtime
The evening’s final game produced its only overtime finish.
Three games ended in regulation. Seattle’s victory over Calgary was the only game requiring overtime.
The Kings produced the largest margin of victory, while Ottawa and Seattle each won by a single goal.
| Away Team | Final Score | Home Team | Decisive Performance | Result Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Senators | 2-1 | Buffalo Sabres | Michael Amadio’s late third-period winner | Regulation |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 3-5 | Florida Panthers | Sandis Vilmanis: two goals, two assists | Regulation |
| San Jose Sharks | 2-7 | Los Angeles Kings | Adrian Kempe: three goals, one assist | Regulation |
| Calgary Flames | 1-2 | Seattle Kraken | Matty Beniers scores 55 seconds into overtime | Overtime |
The four games generated 23 goals, averaging 5.75 per contest.
Los Angeles and Florida combined for 12 of the winning teams’ 16 goals, while Ottawa and Seattle relied on defensive discipline and timely scoring.
The Sports Encounter documented the previous evening’s much larger schedule in its November 3 NHL roundup featuring Winnipeg’s comeback, Jason Robertson and Cutter Gauthier.
Los Angeles Kings 7-2 San Jose Sharks: Adrian Kempe Returns With a Hat Trick
Adrian Kempe could hardly have scripted a better return to the Los Angeles lineup.
After missing the Kings’ previous game against Buffalo, the Swedish forward returned to score three times and add an assist against Pacific Division rival San Jose.
His fifth career NHL hat trick helped Los Angeles end the night with seven goals and a five-goal winning margin.
Artemi Panarin contributed four assists, while Quinton Byfield scored twice on the power play.
The Kings improved to 5-7-2, winning for the second time in three games during their seven-game homestand.
Kempe Scores After Just 83 Seconds
The opening goal arrived only 1:23 into the first period.
Panarin found Kempe moving into the attacking zone, and the forward finished past San Jose goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.
Kempe doubled his tally at 16:09, completing a passing movement involving Erik Gustafsson and Brandt Clarke.
Byfield then struck on the power play at 18:38, giving Los Angeles a 3-0 advantage before the first intermission.
The opening period created a difficult position for San Jose, whose defensive structure had already been breached three times.
Celebrini Responds, but Kempe Completes His Hat Trick
Macklin Celebrini scored a power-play goal at 5:07 of the second period, reducing San Jose’s deficit to 3-1.
The Sharks needed another quick goal to restore genuine pressure on Los Angeles.
Instead, Erik Haula scored for the Kings at 11:10, with Kenny Connors providing his first NHL assist.
Kempe then completed his hat trick at 15:51, converting an Alex Laferriere pass on the power play.
Los Angeles led 5-1 after two periods.
Joel Armia extended that advantage early in the third period.
San Jose added another power-play goal before Byfield scored his second of the night to complete the 7-2 result.
Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks: Scoring Timeline
| Period | Time | Scorer | Team | Score After Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1:23 | Adrian Kempe | Los Angeles | 1-0 |
| 1st | 16:09 | Adrian Kempe | Los Angeles | 2-0 |
| 1st | 18:38 | Quinton Byfield (PP) | Los Angeles | 3-0 |
| 2nd | 5:07 | Macklin Celebrini (PP) | San Jose | 3-1 |
| 2nd | 11:10 | Erik Haula | Los Angeles | 4-1 |
| 2nd | 15:51 | Adrian Kempe (PP) | Los Angeles | 5-1 |
| 3rd | 2:12 | Joel Armia | Los Angeles | 6-1 |
| 3rd | 9:41 | San Jose power-play goal | San Jose | 6-2 |
| 3rd | 14:28 | Quinton Byfield | Los Angeles | 7-2 |
The decisive feature was Los Angeles’ ability to turn early pressure into goals.
Kempe scored twice before the first intermission, leaving San Jose chasing the game for almost the entire evening.
His third goal effectively ended any realistic comeback hopes.
He also moved into a tie for ninth in Kings history with five career hat tricks.
The official NHL match recap confirms Kempe’s four-point performance and Panarin’s four assists.
What Does the Defeat Mean for Macklin Celebrini and San Jose?
Celebrini’s power-play goal provided one of San Jose’s few attacking highlights.
However, the Sharks have now lost three consecutive games and five of their previous six.
The defeat also exposed the difficulty of competing when a team concedes three times before the first intermission.
San Jose did generate opportunities, and Los Angeles goaltender Darcy Kuemper needed to make 30 saves.
But the Sharks could not prevent the Kings from repeatedly finding high-quality scoring positions.
The Sports Encounter previously examined San Jose’s ability to win despite Celebrini’s absence and the impact of his return.
Wednesday’s result demonstrated that individual attacking contributions cannot compensate consistently for defensive breakdowns.
Florida Panthers 5-3 Chicago Blackhawks: Sandis Vilmanis Takes Center Stage
Sandis Vilmanis delivered the most productive performance of his young NHL career as Florida defeated Chicago 5-3 at Amerant Bank Arena.
The Panthers forward finished with two goals and two assists, recording his first NHL multipoint game.
Sam Reinhart added a goal and two assists, while Carter Verhaeghe contributed a goal and an assist.
Florida improved to 9-5-2 and recorded its fourth victory in five games.
Chicago dropped to 4-11-1, extending its winless run to four contests.
Vilmanis and Verhaeghe Put Florida in Control
Vilmanis opened the scoring at 4:43 of the first period after Sam Reinhart found him at the back door.
Verhaeghe made it 2-0 on the power play at 12:29, finishing a move involving Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.
The goal highlighted Florida’s ability to create opportunities through rapid puck movement.
Seth Jones then scored against his former team during the second period, extending the Panthers’ lead to 3-0.
At that stage, Florida appeared to be heading toward a comfortable victory.
But Chicago responded.
Frank Nazar Brings Chicago Back Into Contention
Roman Kantserov scored late in the second period to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Frank Nazar then converted a shorthanded breakaway at 9:31 of the third period.
The score was suddenly 3-2, and Chicago had an opportunity to complete a comeback.
Florida responded through Vilmanis, whose second goal came at 11:01.
That restored a two-goal advantage, but Chicago refused to surrender.
Nazar scored again at 16:09, bringing the Blackhawks within one goal for the second time.
Reinhart finally secured the result with an empty-net goal at 18:33.
Florida vs Chicago: Major Turning Points
| Time | Event | Score | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st, 4:43 | Sandis Vilmanis scores | Florida 1-0 | Early lead |
| 1st, 12:29 | Carter Verhaeghe power-play goal | 2-0 | Florida doubles advantage |
| 2nd, 13:20 | Seth Jones scores | 3-0 | Panthers take commanding lead |
| 2nd, 16:48 | Roman Kantserov scores | 3-1 | Chicago begins recovery |
| 3rd, 9:31 | Frank Nazar shorthanded goal | 3-2 | Lead reduced to one |
| 3rd, 11:01 | Vilmanis scores again | 4-2 | Florida responds |
| 3rd, 16:09 | Nazar scores again | 4-3 | Chicago threatens late equalizer |
| 3rd, 18:33 | Sam Reinhart empty-net goal | 5-3 | Victory secured |
Florida’s defensive concerns became more apparent during the third period.
The Panthers had led by three but twice allowed Chicago to close within one goal.
The response was positive, particularly from Vilmanis, but the team still needed a late empty-net goal to settle the contest.
Chicago’s defeat was also frustrating because Nazar’s two goals and Connor Bedard’s two assists demonstrated that the Blackhawks could generate meaningful offense.
Florida’s official NHL recap confirms Vilmanis’ four-point night and Chicago’s late comeback attempt.
How Important Is Vilmanis’ Breakthrough for Florida?
Vilmanis’ performance matters because it provides Florida with another attacking contributor beyond its established stars.
His two goals and two assists showed an ability to finish opportunities and create chances for teammates.
One four-point game does not establish that he will maintain this level of production throughout the season.
However, emerging depth can become valuable during periods when injuries or demanding schedules place pressure on established players.
The Sports Encounter covered Florida’s earlier offensive performances during October’s NHL action.
Florida has also faced important personnel challenges this season, including Brad Marchand’s injury and its implications for the Panthers.
Why Chicago’s Fourth Consecutive Loss Raises More Questions
Chicago has now lost four straight games and seven of its last eight.
The Blackhawks remain capable of creating chances, particularly through young players such as Bedard and Nazar.
Yet the team conceded five goals on Wednesday, including two before the opening period ended.
The challenge is not simply finding more goals. It is reducing the defensive mistakes that require the offense to repeatedly chase games.
Chicago’s rebuilding strategy has increasingly centered on Bedard, whose leadership role was examined in The Sports Encounter’s analysis of his appointment as Blackhawks captain.
The team’s wider situation has also been complicated by injuries, including Bowen Byram’s placement on injured reserve.
Ottawa Senators 2-1 Buffalo Sabres: Michael Amadio Wins It With 3:09 Left
Ottawa produced the evening’s clearest regulation-time comeback.
The Senators trailed Buffalo after two periods, but Shane Pinto equalized before Michael Amadio scored the winner late in the third.
Ottawa improved to 10-6-1 and ended a five-game road trip with an important victory.
Buffalo fell to 7-5-3, with its three-game winning streak coming to an end.
Peyton Krebs Gives Buffalo the Lead
Neither team scored during the opening period.
Buffalo eventually broke through at 14:00 of the second period.
Peyton Krebs redirected a Tage Thompson shot past Ottawa goaltender Samuel Ersson.
It was Krebs’ first goal of the season.
Buffalo carried the 1-0 advantage into the third period.
Goaltender Colten Ellis had been outstanding, stopping 23 shots during the first two periods.
However, Ottawa continued generating chances rather than allowing Buffalo to dictate the closing stages.
Shane Pinto Equalizes Before Amadio Strikes
Pinto tied the score at 11:33 of the third period.
After Ellis stopped a Philip Tomasino attempt, the rebound fell into a dangerous position and Pinto finished with a backhand.
The goal restored parity and shifted pressure onto Buffalo.
With the game seemingly heading toward overtime, Amadio produced the decisive moment.
Tim Stützle supplied a pass across the attacking zone, and Amadio converted a one-timer at 16:51.
That left Buffalo just 3:09 to find an equalizer.
The Sabres removed their goaltender for an additional attacker but could not beat Ersson again.
Senators vs Sabres: Third-Period Comeback Timeline
| Period | Time | Scorer | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 14:00 | Peyton Krebs, Buffalo | Sabres 1-0 |
| 3rd | 11:33 | Shane Pinto, Ottawa | 1-1 |
| 3rd | 16:51 | Michael Amadio, Ottawa | Senators 2-1 |
Ersson finished with 24 saves, while Ellis stopped 28 shots for Buffalo.
Neither team converted either of its two power-play opportunities.
The result was therefore decided at even strength and through Ottawa’s greater finishing efficiency during the final period.
What Does Ottawa’s Win Mean in the Atlantic Division?
The Senators reached 21 points through 17 games.
Buffalo remained on 17 points after 15 games.
That four-point difference is meaningful, although Buffalo has played two fewer games.
Ottawa’s victory also highlights the importance of collecting regulation wins against divisional opponents.
Those games directly affect competitors battling for similar playoff positions.
The Sports Encounter previously examined Ottawa and Buffalo’s performances in its October 21 NHL roundup.
The changing fortunes of both teams were also covered in the October 12 NHL results and injury report.
Seattle Kraken 2-1 Calgary Flames: Matty Beniers Wins It in Overtime
The evening’s final game produced its only overtime finish.
Matty Beniers scored just 55 seconds into the extra period to give Seattle a 2-1 victory over Calgary at Climate Pledge Arena.
The goal completed a comeback after the Kraken had fallen behind in the first period.
Seattle improved to 9-5-1, while Calgary moved to 7-8-1 after collecting an overtime-loss point.
Sharangovich Scores First, but Seattle Responds
Yegor Sharangovich opened the scoring for Calgary with 7:45 remaining in the first period.
He redirected a Zach Whitecloud shot past Seattle goaltender Joey Daccord.
Morgan Frost also contributed an assist on the play, reaching 200 career NHL points.
Seattle appeared to equalize later in the opening period through Berkly Catton.
However, Calgary successfully challenged the play for offside, and the goal was overturned.
The decision kept Calgary ahead 1-0.
Berkly Catton Makes Up for Disallowed Goal
Catton eventually scored the tying goal with 6:51 remaining in the second period.
His wrist shot beat Dustin Wolf and extended his scoring streak to seven games.
The goal was assisted by Mackie Samoskevich, whose arrival followed a recent trade involving Shane Wright.
Neither side scored during the third period.
Daccord maintained Seattle’s position with several important saves, while Wolf also prevented the Kraken from taking a regulation-time lead.
Beniers Scores on the Breakaway
Seattle needed less than one minute of overtime.
Brandon Montour intercepted a pass and sent the puck ahead to Beniers.
The Kraken center converted the breakaway 55 seconds into overtime.
Daccord finished with 25 saves, while Wolf made 27.
Seattle’s victory also provided a measure of revenge after Calgary had won 6-2 in their previous meeting on October 30.
Seattle vs Calgary: Four Decisive Moments
| Stage | Event | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| First period | Sharangovich redirects Whitecloud’s shot | Calgary leads 1-0 |
| First period | Catton’s apparent goal overturned | Calgary preserves lead |
| Second period | Catton scores legitimate equalizer | Game tied 1-1 |
| Overtime, 0:55 | Beniers scores on breakaway | Seattle wins 2-1 |
The disallowed goal and subsequent equalizer provide a clear example of how video review can change the course of a close hockey game without deciding its eventual winner.
Seattle was denied one scoring opportunity through the review but later found another.
The team’s ability to remain disciplined in a one-goal contest allowed Beniers to decide the result in overtime.
What Does the Result Mean for Seattle and Calgary?
Seattle now has 19 standings points from 15 games.
Calgary has 15 points from 16 games.
The result strengthened Seattle’s early position in the Pacific Division while leaving the Flames with only one point from the contest.
Calgary’s overtime defeat also ended a period in which the team had recovered significantly from a difficult start to the season.
Both sides remain early in an extended regular-season schedule, so their playoff prospects should not be judged from this result alone.
The Sports Encounter previously examined Brandon Montour’s influence and other decisive performances in its October 28 NHL roundup.
NHL November 4 Statistical Analysis: How the Four Games Compared
Wednesday’s matches demonstrated several different approaches to winning.
Los Angeles relied on a dominant opening period and sustained attacking production.
Florida built a three-goal lead before responding to Chicago’s comeback attempt.
Ottawa needed two third-period goals, while Seattle required overtime.
Four NHL Games: Scoring and Goaltending Comparison
| Winning Team | Goals Scored | Goals Allowed | Goaltender | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Kings | 7 | 2 | Darcy Kuemper | 30 |
| Florida Panthers | 5 | 3 | Jacob Markstrom | 17 |
| Ottawa Senators | 2 | 1 | Samuel Ersson | 24 |
| Seattle Kraken | 2 | 1 | Joey Daccord | 25 |
The four winning goaltenders made a combined 96 saves.
Kuemper recorded the highest individual total with 30.
Markstrom made the fewest saves among the winning goaltenders, reflecting Chicago’s lower shot volume rather than necessarily proving an easier game.
Three of the four winning teams allowed two goals or fewer.
Florida was the exception, conceding three while scoring five.
Nightly Statistical Leaders
| Category | Player or Team | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Most goals | Adrian Kempe | 3 |
| Most assists | Artemi Panarin | 4 |
| Four-point performers | Kempe, Panarin, Sandis Vilmanis | 4 points each |
| Most goals by a team | Los Angeles Kings | 7 |
| Largest winning margin | Los Angeles Kings | 5 goals |
| Most saves by a winning goalie | Darcy Kuemper | 30 |
| Only overtime winner | Matty Beniers | 0:55 into overtime |
| Winning teams | Ottawa, Florida, Los Angeles, Seattle | 4 |
Kempe and Vilmanis were the night’s two most productive goalscorers in multi-point performances, while Panarin was the leading playmaker.
The Kings’ seven-goal total accounted for approximately 30.4% of all goals scored across Wednesday’s four games.
The Kings-Sharks contest alone generated nine goals, representing approximately 39.1% of the evening’s total.
Those percentages illustrate how heavily one game influenced the overall scoring average.
Excluding the Los Angeles-San Jose match, the other three games produced 14 goals, averaging approximately 4.67 per contest.
The Sports Encounter’s analysis of early-season NHL goal differential explains why winning margins can reveal weaknesses that a team’s basic win-loss record may conceal.
International Hockey News: IIHF Maintains Opposition to Russia’s Reinstatement
Beyond Wednesday’s NHL games, a significant dispute continued over Russia’s proposed return to international ice hockey.
The International Ice Hockey Federation reiterated its opposition to the immediate reinstatement of Russian national teams.
The federation’s response followed a Court of Arbitration for Sport decision overturning the exclusion imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The IIHF maintained that reinstatement presents major practical and sporting difficulties.
These include visa requirements, security arrangements, travel logistics and potential disruptions to tournament formats.
The issue is distinct from the NHL, where individual Russian players can compete under league rules.
The dispute concerns participation by national teams in international tournaments governed by the IIHF.
Which Countries Have Refused to Face Russia?
Several European hockey federations have stated that their national teams will not play Russia at the 2027 Men’s World Championship in Germany.
Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Czech Republic have announced refusals.
Finland and Latvia have also indicated that they will not compete against Russia.
The position creates uncertainty for tournament organizers because a competition cannot operate normally when teams refuse scheduled opponents.
Russia’s International Hockey Reinstatement: Main Issues
| Issue | Confirmed Development | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| CAS ruling | Russia’s exclusion overturned | Requires clarification of implementation |
| IIHF response | Maintains opposition to immediate reinstatement | Further consultations required |
| European opposition | Six countries have announced refusals | Possible fixture and tournament complications |
| 2027 World Championship | Scheduled in Germany | Participation uncertainty |
| 2028 World Junior Championship | Turku has raised hosting concerns | Potential venue implications |
| Canadian position | Russia and Belarus barred from upcoming junior tournament in Alberta | Separate tournament participation dispute |
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also stated that Russia and Belarus would not participate in the upcoming World Junior Championship in Alberta.
Russian officials criticized Canada’s position, arguing that the decision introduces politics into international hockey.
The IIHF, meanwhile, emphasized that it is consulting national federations, host authorities and tournament organizers.
No final, comprehensive settlement of the participation dispute was confirmed in Wednesday’s statement.
The Reuters report on the IIHF’s November 4 position documents the federation’s response and the objections raised by participating countries.
Continue the NHL Story
Why the CAS Decision Does Not Automatically Settle the World Championship Dispute
The arbitration decision and the practical arrangements for international competition are related but distinct matters.
A ruling concerning eligibility does not automatically resolve travel requirements, security arrangements, hosting obligations or the willingness of other teams to participate.
That is the central problem now facing the IIHF.
Russia’s return could require revised arrangements involving national federations and tournament organizers.
However, it would be premature to declare that specific competitions have been canceled or that Russia’s participation has been definitively restored.
The Sports Encounter examined the original arbitration development in its report on the CAS ruling and Russia’s hockey ban.
Further opposition was documented in the November 3 report on Norway’s refusal to face Russia at the 2027 World Championship.
Does Russia’s International Hockey Dispute Affect NHL Players?
Individual Russian players continue to represent NHL franchises under the league’s existing arrangements.
That situation should not be confused with international eligibility for Russian national teams.
The NHL and IIHF are separate organizations operating different competitions.
The main consequences of the current dispute concern international tournaments, squad selection, host arrangements and participation rules.
NHL players could become relevant to those discussions when national-team eligibility and international release arrangements are considered.
However, Wednesday’s IIHF statement did not announce a new blanket NHL restriction on Russian players.
Any suggestion that Russian NHL players have suddenly become ineligible for their clubs would therefore be inaccurate.
What Do Wednesday’s NHL Results Mean for the Early Playoff Race?
The season is still in its early stages, but the four games affected the competitive position of several teams.
Ottawa strengthened its standing in the Atlantic Division by winning a direct matchup against Buffalo.
Florida continued its recovery with a fourth victory in five games.
Los Angeles improved a difficult early-season record but still has work to do to become consistently competitive.
Seattle moved further above the .500 mark in traditional wins and losses, while Calgary received an overtime-loss point that could become important later in the campaign.
Records of All Eight Teams After November 4
| Team | Record (W-L-OTL) | Points | Wednesday’s Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Senators | 10-6-1 | 21 | Won 2-1 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 7-5-3 | 17 | Lost 1-2 |
| Florida Panthers | 9-5-2 | 20 | Won 5-3 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 4-11-1 | 9 | Lost 3-5 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 5-7-2 | 12 | Won 7-2 |
| San Jose Sharks | 7-9-1 | 15 | Lost 2-7 |
| Seattle Kraken | 9-5-1 | 19 | Won 2-1 (OT) |
| Calgary Flames | 7-8-1 | 15 | Lost 1-2 (OT) |
The standings points are calculated under the NHL’s system of two points for a victory and one for an overtime or shootout defeat.
Chicago’s 9 points and Los Angeles’ 12 show that the two teams face different challenges despite Wednesday’s one-sided result.
The Kings need sustained improvement, while the Blackhawks must reverse a losing stretch that has already created a substantial deficit.
Ottawa and Florida, meanwhile, have positioned themselves among the Atlantic Division’s leading challengers.
No team has secured or lost a playoff place at this stage.
Who Were the Best NHL Players on November 4?
Kempe produced the night’s standout scoring display, but several other players influenced results in different ways.
Panarin provided the creativity behind Los Angeles’ seven-goal attack.
Vilmanis supplied Florida’s most productive individual performance.
Amadio scored the decisive late regulation goal, while Beniers settled the only overtime match.
The Sports Encounter’s Five Standout Performers
| Player | Team | Performance | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Kempe | Los Angeles Kings | 3 goals, 1 assist | Led five-goal victory |
| Sandis Vilmanis | Florida Panthers | 2 goals, 2 assists | First NHL multipoint performance |
| Artemi Panarin | Los Angeles Kings | 4 assists | Created repeated scoring opportunities |
| Michael Amadio | Ottawa Senators | Winning goal | Completed third-period comeback |
| Matty Beniers | Seattle Kraken | OT winner at 0:55 | Secured additional standings point |
Kempe ranks first for his hat trick and the importance of his goals to Los Angeles’ dominant opening two periods.
Vilmanis receives special recognition because his four-point performance came during a closer contest in which Florida repeatedly needed to respond to Chicago.
Panarin’s four assists were equally important to the Kings’ attacking structure.
Amadio and Beniers demonstrated the value of decisive scoring even when a player does not produce the largest point total.
Wednesday Night NHL Verdict: Kempe Dominates as Close Games Deliver Late Drama
Wednesday’s four games produced contrasting stories.
Los Angeles turned Kempe’s early scoring burst into a dominant five-goal victory.
Florida built a major advantage but still needed an empty-net goal after Chicago fought back.
Ottawa recovered from a third-period deficit to defeat Buffalo, while Seattle completed its own comeback through Beniers’ overtime winner.
The results reinforced an important difference between producing goals and controlling games.
The Kings combined both qualities, overwhelming San Jose from the opening period.
Florida generated sufficient offense but also exposed itself to a late comeback.
Ottawa and Seattle showed that patience, goaltending and well-timed chances can be just as valuable as sustained attacking pressure.
Beyond the NHL, the IIHF’s opposition to immediate Russian reinstatement demonstrated that international ice hockey continues to face difficult political, legal and logistical questions.
Those questions will require separate decisions from the organizations involved and should not be confused with the regular NHL season.
For now, the clearest individual story of November 4 belongs to Kempe. Three goals, four points and a decisive return to the Kings lineup made his performance the night’s defining achievement.
NHL Results November 4, 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
How many NHL games were played on Wednesday, November 4?
Four NHL games were played on Wednesday night in the United States.
What were all the NHL results on November 4?
Ottawa beat Buffalo 2-1, Florida defeated Chicago 5-3, Los Angeles beat San Jose 7-2, and Seattle defeated Calgary 2-1 in overtime.
Who scored a hat trick for the Los Angeles Kings?
Adrian Kempe scored three goals and added an assist against the San Jose Sharks.
How many points did Artemi Panarin score?
Panarin recorded four assists during Los Angeles’ 7-2 victory.
Who scored Florida’s most points against Chicago?
Sandis Vilmanis produced two goals and two assists for four points.
Did Connor Bedard score against the Panthers?
Bedard recorded two assists, but did not score a goal in Chicago’s 5-3 defeat.
Who scored Ottawa’s winning goal against Buffalo?
Michael Amadio scored with 3:09 remaining in the third period.
Who won the Calgary Flames vs Seattle Kraken game?
Seattle won 2-1 in overtime through a Matty Beniers breakaway goal.
How quickly did Beniers score in overtime?
He scored 55 seconds into the extra period.
How many goals were scored across the four NHL games?
The four matches produced 23 goals, averaging 5.75 goals per game.
Which team recorded the biggest victory?
Los Angeles defeated San Jose by five goals, winning 7-2.
Has Russia been reinstated in international ice hockey?
A Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling overturned Russia’s exclusion, but the IIHF maintains opposition to immediate reinstatement and has identified unresolved practical and sporting problems.
Does the IIHF dispute prevent Russian players from playing in the NHL?
No. The international national-team dispute is separate from the NHL’s arrangements for individual players.
