Tonight's NHL Games

The Devils roll into Scotiabank Arena riding some serious momentum, and this matchup has all the makings of a high-scoring affair. New Jersey's been on a tear lately, but they've also been inconsistent on the back end - their goaltending has been shaky, and that's a problem against a Toronto team that can light the lamp in bunches. Jack Hughes continues to be electric, but the Devils need more consistent performances from the supporting cast.

Toronto's had a frustrating season by their standards. The Leafs dropped seven places in the power rankings recently and have been searching for consistency. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner's absence (Marner now in Vegas) has changed the dynamic, but William Nylander has stepped up big time with 24 goals already. The home crowd at Scotiabank Arena will be hungry for a statement win.

Here's the thing - the Devils have struggled against quality opponents on the road, and Sheldon Keefe has them playing disjointed hockey at times. Toronto needs to make a push in the second half, and home games against divisional rivals are must-wins. Look for the Maple Leafs to control the pace and Matthews to feast on a Devils defense that's given up too many chances. Take Toronto at home - they're due for a bounce-back performance.

The defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions host a young Canadiens team that's still trying to find its identity. Florida's been rolling lately with a 9-4-1 run over their last 14 games, and Sergei Bobrovsky looks like the Vezina-caliber goalie we saw in the playoffs. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart continue to be the heart of this offense - they've combined for 67 points and are nearly impossible to contain when clicking.

Montreal is in full rebuild mode, and it shows. The Habs are 14-17-5 and firmly in the lottery race. Cole Caufield has been their bright spot with 18 goals, but the roster around him lacks the depth to compete night in and night out. Sam Montembeault has been solid but not spectacular in net, and facing Florida's relentless attack is a tall order for any goaltender.

I don't see an upset here. The Panthers have too much firepower, too much experience, and too much to prove after a slow start to their title defense. Florida scored five straight to beat Carolina before the holiday break - they showed they can flip the switch when it matters. The price is steep at -225, but this feels like a comfortable home win for the champs. Panthers roll.

This is a fascinating matchup between a perennial contender and a team desperately trying to squeeze a few more years out of its aging core. The Hurricanes have been their usual selves - relentless, disciplined, and suffocating defensively. Sebastian Aho is having another stellar campaign, and Andrei Svechnikov has rediscovered his game after last year's struggles. Carolina's system works because everyone buys in, and that's a testament to Rod Brind'Amour's coaching.

Pittsburgh's in a weird spot. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are still producing, but the roster around them has significant holes. The Penguins are 15-17-5 and sitting outside the playoff picture - not where this franchise expects to be. Tristan Jarry has been inconsistent in net, and the defensive breakdowns have been alarming. They've lost 4 of their last 6 at home, which is uncharacteristic for PPG Paints Arena.

The Hurricanes are built for games like this. They'll forecheck Pittsburgh into oblivion, force turnovers, and generate scoring chances in transition. Carolina has owned this matchup recently - they've won 6 of the last 8 meetings. The Penguins simply don't have the legs to keep up with Carolina's pace. Take the Hurricanes - they're one of the best road teams in hockey and should handle business.

Two teams heading in opposite directions meet at the United Center. The Islanders are clinging to playoff hopes with a 16-14-7 record, playing that trademark stingy defense that's kept them competitive for years. Ilya Sorokin has been excellent when healthy, and Mathew Barzal is driving the offense with 38 points. New York isn't flashy, but they grind you down and make games ugly - exactly what they want.

Chicago is in full tank mode and not hiding it. The Blackhawks are 12-22-4 and firmly in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes - wait, they already have him. Bedard has been the lone bright spot with 42 points, showing flashes of generational talent every night. But one player can't carry a team, and the supporting cast just isn't ready to compete. Petr Mrazek has been solid but faces a barrage of shots nightly.

Look, the Islanders aren't going to blow anyone out, but they're too experienced and too well-coached to lose to a rebuilding team like Chicago. The Blackhawks have won just 3 of their last 14 at home - they're not even competitive in the United Center. New York should control this game from start to finish. Take the Islanders and the Under - both teams play slow, methodical hockey, and this won't be a track meet.

Here's a West Coast late-night special between two underperforming teams. The Flyers have been surprisingly competitive this year - they're 16-16-5 and hanging around the wild card race. Travis Konecny has been excellent with 21 goals, and the young core is developing faster than expected. Samuel Ersson has emerged as a legit starting goaltender, and there's genuine optimism in Philadelphia for the first time in years.

Vancouver has been a massive disappointment. After reaching the second round of the playoffs last spring, the Canucks are 15-19-3 and staring at a lottery pick. Elias Pettersson has been inconsistent, J.T. Miller's been the subject of trade rumors, and the vibes are completely off. They've lost 5 of their last 7 and show no signs of turning it around. What happened to this team?

Even though Vancouver's at home, I'm not sure they deserve to be favored here. The Canucks have been a mess, and the Flyers are actually playing meaningful hockey. Philadelphia has won 3 straight on the road and covered in 5 of their last 7 away games. Vancouver's home struggles continue - they're just 7-10-2 at Rogers Arena. Give me the Flyers plus the points, and don't be shocked if they steal a win outright. The Canucks are broken right now.