Tonight's NHL Games

What happened to Vancouver? Last season, the Canucks were a playoff team with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations. This year, they sit at 11-17-3, one of the biggest disappointments in the NHL. The defensive structure that made them dangerous has collapsed, goaltending has been inconsistent, and the team looks lost on most nights.

New Jersey at 18-13-1 is quietly putting together a strong season. Jack Hughes has elevated his game to elite status, and the young core that promised so much is finally maturing. The Devils play a fast, aggressive style at home in the Prudential Center, where they've gone 11-5-1 this season. This team knows how to close games.

The contrast between these teams couldn't be starker. Vancouver is bleeding confidence, having lost 5 of their last 7 games with no answers in sight. New Jersey is building momentum, playing with purpose, and stacking wins at home. Sometimes games are decided before the puck drops.

What to Watch

Vancouver's road woes have been particularly concerning - they're 5-9-1 away from Rogers Arena. Can they find any life on this East Coast trip? Hughes will look to exploit Vancouver's struggling defensive pairs, and if the Devils get the first goal, the Canucks tend to collapse. Watch the goaltending battle - whichever netminder is sharper will likely steal this game.

Utah's first season in Salt Lake City has been a study in mediocrity. The former Arizona Coyotes relocated and sit at 15-15-3, a .500 team still searching for identity. Dylan Guenther leads a young core with potential, but they haven't figured out how to win consistently yet. The franchise is building something, but it's going to take time.

Pittsburgh at 14-8-8 tells an interesting story. That record looks decent, but those 8 overtime losses reveal a team that can't close games. Sidney Crosby, at 38, is still producing at an elite level, but the supporting cast has been maddeningly inconsistent. The Penguins are competitive in most games but can't find that extra gear when it matters.

This feels like a toss-up game between two flawed teams. Utah has the younger legs and the hunger of a franchise trying to establish itself. Pittsburgh has the Hall of Famer and the playoff pedigree. PPG Paints Arena gives the Penguins an edge, but their overtime issues suggest they might not capitalize.

What to Watch

Crosby against Utah's defense is the marquee matchup. At 38, he's still one of the smartest players in hockey, and Utah's defensive structure can be exploited by elite playmakers. For Utah, it's about getting contributions from the entire lineup - they can't rely on one or two players to carry them in Pittsburgh.

Carolina at 20-9-2 is one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and playing at home makes them even more dangerous. Rod Brind'Amour's system is suffocating - the Hurricanes control possession, limit shots, and force turnovers at an elite rate. Frederik Andersen has been outstanding in net, and this team rarely beats itself.

Philadelphia at 16-9-5 is one of the league's pleasant surprises this season. Matvei Michkov has been everything the Flyers hoped for and more - the rookie is electric with the puck, creating chances out of nothing. Travis Konecny provides veteran leadership, and the team plays with an energy that's been missing in Philly for years.

The Flyers have given fans hope, but this road trip to Carolina is a serious test. The Hurricanes are 12-3-1 at home, a dominant force in front of their fans. Philadelphia's road record of 7-5-2 is respectable, but Carolina is a different beast. This is the kind of game where you learn what a team is made of.

What to Watch

Michkov against Carolina's checking forwards is a fascinating chess match. The Hurricanes are disciplined and won't let him dance his way through the neutral zone easily. For Philadelphia, limiting transition opportunities is critical - Carolina is lethal when they get the puck going the other way. Whoever controls the pace controls the game.

This is an excellent late-night hockey game between two playoff-caliber teams. Boston at 19-13-0 is fascinating because they have ZERO overtime losses this season. When they lose, they lose in regulation. That tells you this team either dominates or gets beat decisively - there's no in-between with these Bruins.

Minnesota at 18-9-5 has been one of the Western Conference's best stories. Kirill Kaprizov is playing at an MVP level, doing things with the puck that defy explanation. Filip Gustavsson has been steady in net, and the Wild have developed a nasty home-court advantage at Grand Casino Arena. This team is 10-4-2 at home and grinding through opponents.

The travel factor matters here. Boston is coming to the Midwest late on a Saturday, while Minnesota is rested and playing in front of their fans. The Wild play a physical, grinding style that punishes tired legs. This is a potential ambush spot for the Bruins.

What to Watch

Kaprizov against Boston's top defensive pair is must-see hockey. He's one of the few players who can take over a game single-handedly, and the Bruins need to be disciplined or he'll make them pay. David Pastrnak provides Boston's offensive punch, and if he gets going, the Bruins can score with anyone. The goaltending battle between Swayman and Gustavsson could be the difference.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl invade the Bell Centre - it's always an event when the best player in the world comes to Montreal. Edmonton at 15-11-6 hasn't lived up to expectations after reaching the Stanley Cup Finals last year. The goaltending has been inconsistent, and the team has struggled to find the defensive structure that made them so dangerous in the playoffs.

Montreal at 16-11-4 is quietly having a solid season. Cole Caufield has emerged as a legitimate star, scoring at will with one of the quickest releases in hockey. Nick Suzuki runs the show with poise beyond his years, and the Canadiens are playing meaningful December hockey for the first time in years. The Bell Centre will be electric.

This has all the makings of a classic Saturday night in Montreal. The passionate fans, the storied building, and two of the best players in the world on the ice. McDavid and Draisaitl can outscore any defensive problems, but if Edmonton's goaltending falters, Montreal has the firepower to take advantage.

What to Watch

Caufield has 18 goals already and is on pace for a career year. He can score from anywhere in the offensive zone, and Edmonton's defense has been exposed at times this season. For the Oilers, it's about McDavid and Draisaitl controlling the game with their otherworldly skill. If they're clicking, nobody can stop them. The goaltender announcements will be critical here.

Two underachieving teams meet on the West Coast in the nightcap. Buffalo at 13-14-4 continues to disappoint after years of rebuilding. Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin are legitimate stars, but the team can't put it together consistently. The Sabres haven't made the playoffs since 2011, and another season is slipping away.

Seattle at 12-11-6 is in their fourth NHL season and still finding their identity. The Kraken have been better at home (7-5-3) than on the road, but they're not a team that intimidates anyone. Jaden Schwartz and Matty Beniers provide offense, but the overall team structure has been inconsistent.

This is a game between two franchises trying to turn the corner but probably won't make the playoffs. For Buffalo, it's another chapter in their decade-long struggle to become relevant. For Seattle, it's about development and building toward something. Neither team enters this game with confidence.

What to Watch

Thompson is one of the most dangerous scorers in the league when he's engaged. His size and skill make him virtually unguardable when he's feeling it, but he can also disappear for stretches. Seattle needs their home crowd to provide energy because they don't have the star power to match Buffalo's top end. Expect a sloppy game between two inconsistent teams.