Tonight's NHL Games

Connor McDavid brings his extraordinary talents to TD Garden for a clash with the Bruins. Edmonton's inconsistency has been frustrating, but McDavid remains capable of taking over any game with his otherworldly skill set. The Oilers have the firepower to compete with anyone when they're clicking, and McDavid plus Leon Draisaitl is still the most dangerous duo in hockey.

Boston's structure and veteran leadership makes them tough to beat at home. David Pastrnak continues his elite production, and the Bruins' defensive pairings limit high-danger chances effectively. The B's have been solid at TD Garden all season, relying on their system and goaltending to grind out wins against talented opponents.

The Bruins' home ice and defensive discipline gives them the edge. McDavid can steal any game, but Boston's system should limit his impact enough to prevail. Expect a tight, physical affair where the team that makes fewer mistakes wins.

Connor Bedard's Hawks head north to face the Canadiens. Chicago's rebuild centers on their generational talent, and every game is an opportunity for Bedard to showcase his elite skill. The supporting cast is developing around him, but the Hawks remain a work in progress as they build toward future contention.

Montreal's young core of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield has the Bell Centre buzzing. The Canadiens are playing exciting hockey and their home atmosphere elevates their game against any opponent. The Habs have found a nice rhythm with their youthful roster and are ahead of schedule in their development.

Montreal should win this one at home. Their young core is slightly more developed than Chicago's, and the passionate fans give them an emotional boost. Bedard makes it interesting, but the Habs should prevail in front of their raucous home crowd.

Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins into Ottawa for an entertaining matchup. Pittsburgh's veteran core keeps defying expectations, with Crosby's leadership as valuable as ever. Their experience shows in close games, and the Penguins have been remarkably competitive despite an aging roster that many expected to decline.

Ottawa's talented young roster is pushing for the playoffs. Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle provide skill and energy, and the Canadian Tire Centre has great atmosphere for meaningful games. The Senators are building something special with their core and are ready to take the next step.

This is a toss-up between veteran excellence and youthful energy. Ottawa's home ice gives them a slight edge, but Crosby has won these battles for two decades. Should be an entertaining, high-event game with both teams capable of producing offense.

LA's overtime loss problem continues as they face Tampa Bay. The Kings are a solid team that can't close out games, with Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty still providing veteran leadership. They need to figure out extra time scenarios, as their nine OT losses reflect a team that competes but struggles to finish.

The Lightning are chasing another Cup run with their proven core. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point remain elite offensive threats, while Andrei Vasilevskiy anchors the defense. Tampa at home is always dangerous, and this team knows what it takes to win when the stakes are high.

Tampa's home ice and offensive firepower makes them favorites. The Kings will compete defensively, but the Lightning should exploit LA's finishing issues and pull away in the third period. Kucherov in particular should feast against a Kings team that can be vulnerable on the rush.

The Leafs head to Washington to face the Capitals. Toronto is adjusting to life without Mitch Marner, who was traded to Vegas in July 2025. Auston Matthews shoulders more of the offensive burden now, and the team's identity is shifting. The Leafs remain talented but are still finding their rhythm with the new roster construction.

Washington continues riding Alex Ovechkin's goal-scoring brilliance. His chase of Wayne Gretzky's all-time record energizes the fanbase, and the veteran core still knows how to win games. The Caps are dangerous at home, where they've been particularly effective this season.

Washington's home ice and veteran leadership gives them the edge. Toronto's transition without Marner is still ongoing, making them vulnerable on the road against experienced teams. Ovechkin and the Caps should capitalize on the Leafs' growing pains.

The Wild continue their excellent season with a trip to Columbus. Kirill Kaprizov has been otherworldly, producing at a Hart Trophy pace that has Minnesota fans dreaming of a deep playoff run. The team defense under Dean Evason is among the league's best, making this a complete squad built for success.

Columbus exists in mediocrity, not bad enough to tank or good enough to compete. The Blue Jackets have some talented pieces but lack the depth and structure to consistently compete with the league's best. Every game is essentially meaningless for their playoff aspirations.

Minnesota should handle this comfortably. The Wild are too well-structured and talented to lose to a rudderless Columbus team. Kaprizov's brilliance ensures the margin of victory, and the Wild should cruise to two points on the road.

Philadelphia's surprising competitiveness continues with a trip to Buffalo. The Flyers' young talent, including Matvei Michkov, has injected energy into a franchise that expected to rebuild. They're playing meaningful games instead, and the early returns on their youth movement have been encouraging.

Buffalo's endless rebuild continues with mixed results. Tage Thompson provides scoring punch, but the Sabres haven't put together a complete team around him. The playoff drought extends indefinitely, and frustration in Western New York continues to mount.

The Flyers should win this one. Their momentum and better structure gives them the edge over a Sabres team still searching for an identity. Philadelphia continues to exceed expectations and should leave Buffalo with two points.

The Rangers head to St. Louis looking to right the ship. New York's season has been disappointing given their talent level, with consistency issues plaguing them all year. Igor Shesterkin can only steal so many games, and the Blueshirts need their skaters to start carrying their weight.

The Blues are equally troubled, with no clear identity or direction. St. Louis needs their young players to step up while the veterans find their form. Neither team trusts their structure right now, making this a battle between two underachieving squads.

This is a coin flip between two underperforming teams. The Rangers' goaltending edge with Shesterkin makes them slight favorites, but neither team inspires confidence in this matchup. Expect a sloppy affair where the team that makes fewer mistakes comes out on top.

Seattle visits Calgary for a battle between Pacific Division teams. The Kraken are finding their identity in their fourth NHL season, with young players developing and the system becoming clearer. They're competitive but not elite, still working toward establishing themselves as a consistent playoff team.

Calgary's post-Johnny Gaudreau decline has been painful. The Flames are in full rebuild mode now, prioritizing development over wins. Nazem Kadri provides veteran leadership, but the talent around him is thin and the growing pains are evident on most nights.

This is a toss-up between mediocre teams. Seattle's slightly better trajectory gives them an edge, but neither team is particularly impressive. The under feels safest in a low-event affair between two offensively challenged squads.

The elite Stars head to San Jose as heavy favorites. Dallas' 22-7-5 record reflects a team playing at championship caliber. Jason Robertson's goal-scoring and Jake Oettinger's goaltending have been exceptional, making the Stars the team to beat in the Western Conference.

The Sharks are further along in their rebuild thanks to Macklin Celebrini's impact as the first overall pick. San Jose plays hard at home but lacks the firepower to compete with elite teams. Celebrini has been impressive, but one player can't close the gap against a complete team like Dallas.

Dallas should win comfortably. The Stars are simply too talented and well-coached to struggle against a rebuilding team. Robertson's production continues against the Sharks' defense, and Dallas rolls to another convincing victory on their California road trip.