NHL December 13, 2025

Saturday matinee in DC as the Flyers visit Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals. Philadelphia's been a pleasant surprise this season - their young core is developing ahead of schedule, and John Tortorella has this group playing hard every night. They're not Cup contenders, but they're competitive and never an easy out.

Washington's season revolves around Ovechkin's chase for Gretzky's all-time goals record. At 40, Ovi continues to defy Father Time, and every home game is a potential historic moment. The Capitals have surrounded him with enough talent to stay in the playoff hunt, and Capital One Arena is electric when goals are on the line.

The Caps are rightful home favorites at -145. Their power play remains lethal, and Philadelphia struggles to stay out of the box. The 6.0 total could go either way - both teams can score, but both also have the defensive capability to lock things down. Lean Washington, but this one could be tighter than the line suggests.

The greatest rivalry in hockey. Bruins-Canadiens at TD Garden on a Saturday night - it doesn't get much better than this. Boston's been solid all season, playing their trademark physical style and grinding out wins. They may not have the flashiest roster, but the Bruins find ways to win, especially at home.

Montreal's young core is gaining experience with every game. Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and the emerging talent make the Habs entertaining to watch, even if they're not quite playoff-ready. Martin St. Louis has instilled a compete level that makes them dangerous against anyone, and rivalry games bring out the best in this group.

Boston at -175 is steep, but they own this matchup at home. TD Garden is hostile territory for the Canadiens, and the Bruins take extra pride in beating their historic rivals. The 5.5 under is worth a look - both teams play tight defensively, and goaltending could steal the show. Expect a physical, low-scoring affair.

Western Conference clash as Minnesota brings their suffocating defense to LA. The Wild have been one of the league's best stories - their system is airtight, Kirill Kaprizov is an MVP candidate, and their goaltending tandem has been stellar. Minnesota doesn't make mistakes, and they capitalize on their opponents' errors.

Los Angeles has quietly built a contender. Anze Kopitar is still effective, Drew Doughty anchors the blueline, and their depth scoring has improved. The Kings play a patient, structured game that matches up well against Minnesota's style. This should be a chess match between two well-coached teams.

The Kings as slight -120 home favorites reflects how evenly matched these teams are. The 5.5 total is appropriate - both teams prioritize defense and limit high-danger chances. This could easily be a 2-1 or 3-2 game decided by a special teams goal or a late-period mistake. Under is the play.

Tampa Bay's dynasty core meets New Jersey's young guns. The Lightning are still dangerous with Stamkos, Kucherov, and Point, but the wear from deep playoff runs is showing. Vasilevskiy remains elite, but this team isn't the juggernaut it was a few years ago. They're fighting to stay relevant in the East.

The Devils are built to win now. Jack Hughes has become a legitimate superstar, Nico Hischier provides two-way excellence, and their depth is impressive. Jacob Markstrom has given them the goaltending stability they needed. Prudential Center has become a tough place for opponents, and this roster feeds off the energy.

New Jersey as -140 home favorites feels right. Tampa can compete, but the Devils' speed and youth will wear them down. The 6.5 total should hit - both teams have offensive firepower and can trade goals. Expect an entertaining, back-and-forth affair with New Jersey pulling ahead in the third.

Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche roll into Chicago looking for an easy two points. Colorado's loaded - MacKinnon, Rantanen, and their supporting cast form one of the league's most dangerous offenses. When they're clicking, they're virtually unstoppable. The only question is whether they bring their A-game or mail it in against a rebuilding opponent.

Chicago's rebuild is in full swing with Connor Bedard as the centerpiece. The young star is electric and gives Hawks fans hope for the future, but the present is painful. The roster around Bedard is thin, the defense is inexperienced, and the goaltending has been inconsistent. They're playing for development, not wins.

Colorado at -220 is heavy chalk, but it's justified. The talent gap is enormous, and the Avs should control this game from start to finish. The 6.5 over is tempting because Chicago's defense gives up chances at an alarming rate. MacKinnon could have a four-point night if he's feeling it. Blowout potential here.

Canadian showdown in Edmonton as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl host the Jets. The Oilers are built around the best player in the world, and when McDavid is on, there's no stopping him. Rogers Place is one of the toughest buildings to play in, and the Oilers feed off their passionate fanbase.

Winnipeg's been quietly solid all season. Kyle Connor provides elite goal-scoring, Mark Scheifele is still productive, and their team defense has improved. Connor Hellebuyck, when healthy, gives them a chance every night. The Jets might not have Edmonton's star power, but they're well-coached and competitive.

Edmonton at -155 at home makes sense. McDavid in his building is tough to bet against, and the Oilers' home record speaks for itself. The 6.5 total should hit - both teams have offensive firepower and play an up-tempo style. This has the makings of a 5-4 or 6-3 type of game. Over is the lean.