Tonight's NHL Games

It's a Metropolitan Division clash at the World's Most Famous Arena. The Flyers at 17-10-7 have been one of the surprise stories of the season, playing well above expectations with a balanced attack and solid goaltending. Nobody saw this coming from Philadelphia, but here we are.

The Rangers at 18-15-4 have talent to spare, but they've been inconsistent. Igor Shesterkin is still elite when healthy, and the Garden crowd can swing momentum. New York has struggled to find consistency, but at home against a division rival, expect them to show up.

Rivalry games in the Metro are always intense. Philly plays a physical brand of hockey that can frustrate skill teams. The Rangers need a statement win to get back on track. Expect a tight, scrappy affair with neither team giving an inch.

Two Original Six franchises with proud histories square off in DC. Detroit at 20-13-3 has been rolling, and their young core is finally starting to click. Dylan Larkin leads the way, and the Wings are playing their best hockey in years. This is a team that believes they can compete.

Washington at 19-12-4 still has Alex Ovechkin chasing Gretzky's all-time goal record. Every game feels important now as Ovi inches closer to history. The Caps play with purpose at home, and Capital One Arena has been loud when the Great Eight is on the ice.

This matchup has everything—young guns vs. a legend, playoff positioning on the line, and two fanbases that remember the glory days. Detroit has the momentum, but never count out Ovechkin at home. Should be a fantastic game.

Chicago at 13-16-6 is still in rebuild mode, but they're competitive most nights. Connor Bedard continues to develop into the star everyone expected, even if the wins aren't consistently coming. The Hawks are laying the foundation for something special down the road.

Ottawa at 17-13-4 is a team on the rise. The Senators have been building for years, and now they're starting to see results. Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk lead an energetic group that plays fast and finishes checks. Home games at Canadian Tire Centre have been electric.

The Sens should control this one. They've got more depth, they're playing at home, and their confidence is sky high. Chicago will make it interesting—Bedard can take over shifts—but Ottawa should get the two points.

Here's the marquee matchup of the night. Connor McDavid brings his Edmonton Oilers to Minnesota to face the league's best kept secret. The Wild at 22-9-5 have been absolutely dominant, and they're doing it without the superstar power that most elite teams rely on. It's team hockey at its finest.

Edmonton at 17-13-6 has underperformed relative to their talent level, but they've got McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Those two can take over any game, any time. The Oilers are dangerous when they're clicking, and they've been heating up lately.

Minnesota protects home ice exceptionally well, and their structure should frustrate Edmonton's transition game. But McDavid is McDavid—he can create something from nothing. If he gets loose, watch out. This should be an entertaining clash of styles.

The Islanders at 19-13-4 continue to be one of the most consistent teams in the East. Patrick Roy has this group playing disciplined, structured hockey. They don't beat themselves, they block shots, and they make you earn every goal. Classic Islanders hockey.

Buffalo at 16-14-4 is still searching for that next level. The Sabres have talent—Tage Thompson is a beast—but they can't seem to put it together for a full season. Home games should be opportunities, but Buffalo finds ways to let them slip away.

New York's stingy defense should control this one. The Islanders don't give up many chances, and Buffalo lacks the creativity to break down good structure consistently. Expect a low-scoring affair that New York grinds out.

The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions welcome St. Louis to South Florida. Florida at 19-14-2 knows how to win when it matters, and their experience shows every night. Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk lead a group that's been there and done that. The banner hanging in the rafters isn't a fluke.

St. Louis at 14-15-8 has struggled to find consistency all season. The Blues have veterans who know how to play, but the magic that won them a Cup in 2019 feels distant. This is a team trying to figure out its identity in a loaded Central Division.

Florida at home is a terrible matchup for a struggling Blues team. The Panthers are physical, they're fast, and they don't make mistakes against inferior opponents. Expect Florida to roll here and remind everyone why they're the champs.

Vancouver at 14-17-3 has been disappointing after last year's breakout. The Canucks looked like they'd taken a big step forward, but they've regressed this season. Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes are talented, but the results just aren't there. Something's off with this group.

Boston at 20-15-0 is quietly putting together another solid season. The Bruins do things the right way—they're physical, they're disciplined, and TD Garden is a tough place to play. Boston's experienced group knows how to take care of business at home.

The Bruins should control this matchup. Vancouver has struggled on the road, and Boston's structure will suffocate their top players. Expect a workmanlike effort from the B's that results in a comfortable win.

Sidney Crosby brings his Penguins to the Bell Centre, one of hockey's most legendary buildings. Pittsburgh at 14-10-9 is treading water—not bad enough to tank, not good enough to seriously compete. Crosby is still elite, but the supporting cast has aged out. This might be Sid's last hurrah in black and gold.

Montreal at 18-12-4 is a pleasant surprise. The Canadiens' rebuild is ahead of schedule, and the young talent is exciting. Cole Caufield has become a bona fide star, and the Bell Centre is rocking again. This is a team with momentum and belief.

Home ice advantage matters here. Montreal's crowd will be loud, and their young legs should give them an edge. Pittsburgh will rely on Crosby's brilliance, but the Habs have the energy and depth to pull this out.

Toronto at 15-13-5 has dealt with the Auston Matthews injury, and it shows. The Leafs rely heavily on their stars, and without Matthews at full strength, they've been inconsistent. Mitch Marner's departure to Vegas still stings, and this team is trying to find a new identity.

Nashville at 13-16-4 continues to disappoint. The Predators made big moves in the offseason that haven't panned out. They're below .500 with no clear path forward. Home games have been frustrating for a fanbase that expects more.

Two underperforming teams looking for answers. Toronto has more talent even without Matthews at his best, but Nashville at home can steal games when they're desperate. This feels like a coin flip between two squads that need a spark.

Vegas at 16-6-10 has been solid all season, though the ten overtime losses are a bit concerning. The Golden Knights added Mitch Marner in the offseason, and he's fit seamlessly into their winning culture. Vegas knows how to compete and rarely beats themselves.

Calgary at 14-17-4 is struggling. The Flames are in a weird spot—not good enough to compete, not bad enough to get a top pick. It's the dreaded middle ground that franchises hate. Home games have been sparse, and the Saddledome isn't rocking like it used to.

Vegas should handle this one. The Knights are deeper, more experienced, and play the right way. Calgary might keep it close for a while, but Vegas' structure will wear them down. Take the road favorite here.

Columbus at 14-14-6 is hovering around .500, which is about where they belong. The Blue Jackets have some nice pieces, but they're still building towards something. Johnny Gaudreau's tragic loss still hangs over this organization. They're playing for him every night.

Anaheim at 20-13-2 is the surprise of the Western Conference. The Ducks weren't supposed to be this good, but their young core has developed faster than expected. Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry lead an exciting attack, and the Honda Center has been buzzing. This is a team on the rise.

Anaheim at home should get the job done. The Ducks have been excellent on their own ice, and Columbus lacks the firepower to hang with them in an offensive battle. Trust the home team here.

Seattle at 12-14-6 has been disappointing in year four of the franchise. The Kraken made the playoffs in year two and have regressed since. Injuries haven't helped, but this team expected to be better. Road games in California haven't been kind to them.

San Jose at 17-15-3 is ahead of schedule thanks to Macklin Celebrini. The top pick has been everything advertised and more—he's given this franchise hope for the first time in years. The Sharks are playing meaningful hockey in December, which seemed impossible a year ago.

Celebrini is must-watch TV every night, and he's got the Sharks believing. Seattle has the experience edge, but San Jose has the energy and home crowd behind them. This is a spot where the young Sharks pull out a victory.