Tonight's NHL Games

Utah's first NHL season continues with a trip to Boston. The Hockey Club have exceeded expectations in their inaugural campaign, building a competitive culture from scratch. Their young roster plays fearlessly, making them a dangerous opponent for complacent teams.

The Bruins are finding their identity after offseason changes. David Pastrnak continues to terrorize goaltenders, and the team's blue line remains solid. Boston's home record is typically elite, and they rarely overlook opponents.

Experience matters here. Boston's veteran core should handle the expansion team at home, though Utah will compete. The Bruins' structure and home ice advantage makes them the pick.

Connor Bedard brings his prodigious talent to Toronto in a Leafs/Hawks showdown. Chicago's future franchise player has been electric, showcasing why he was the consensus first overall pick. The Hawks are building around him intelligently.

Toronto's quest for a deep playoff run continues. Auston Matthews is shouldering even more offensive load after Mitch Marner was traded to Vegas in July 2025. The Leafs are adjusting to life without Marner, and their depth scoring has been inconsistent.

Toronto's home advantage should carry them, but Bedard can steal any game with his individual brilliance. The Leafs need to contain the young phenom to win comfortably.

Two Original Six franchises clash in Montreal. The Flyers have been surprisingly competitive, with young talent like Matvei Michkov injecting skill into the lineup. Philadelphia's rebuild is ahead of schedule and making playoffs isn't unrealistic.

The Canadiens are building something special around Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Their speed and skill makes them fun to watch, and the Bell Centre atmosphere elevates their game. Montreal's young core is maturing nicely.

This should be an entertaining, up-tempo affair. Both teams can score, and both have defensive vulnerabilities. Home ice gives Montreal the edge in what projects as a back-and-forth contest.

Two teams on the playoff bubble meet in Detroit. The Islanders continue grinding through the season with their blue-collar identity. Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson provide scoring, while the defensive structure remains reliable. They're not flashy but effective.

Detroit's rebuild has transitioned to contending. Dylan Larkin leads by example, and the supporting cast has elevated. Little Caesars Arena will be rocking for a game with playoff implications.

This is a toss-up between evenly matched teams. Detroit's home ice and slightly higher offensive ceiling gives them a small edge, but the Islanders' defensive discipline could steal it.

The Canucks bring their disappointing season to MSG. Vancouver's follow-up to a promising campaign has been brutal, with injuries and inconsistent play derailing hopes. Elias Pettersson needs more help than he's getting.

New York is fighting for playoff positioning and can't afford losses to struggling teams. The Rangers' talent should overwhelm Vancouver if they play with focus. Shesterkin gives them an automatic advantage in close games.

The Rangers should handle this one at home. Vancouver's issues run too deep to solve on the road against a desperate team. New York's talent and home ice advantage makes them clear favorites.

Anaheim continues their surprising run with a trip to Columbus. The Ducks' youth movement has shocked the hockey world, with their speed and skill overwhelming opponents. This isn't the same rebuilding franchise everyone expected.

Columbus remains in the mushy middle, not bad enough to tank, not good enough to contend. Johnny Gaudreau provides star power, but the Blue Jackets lack the depth to compete consistently.

Anaheim's momentum gives them the edge despite playing on the road. The Ducks are playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain, while Columbus has no identity to lean on.

Connor McDavid visits Pittsburgh in a clash of superstars. The Oilers' captain remains the league's most dynamic player, capable of changing games with individual brilliance. Edmonton's been inconsistent but dangerous when clicking.

The Penguins are navigating another season with Sidney Crosby defying age. Crosby's excellence hasn't faded, though the supporting cast has declined. Pittsburgh needs more from their secondary scorers to compete.

McDavid vs. Crosby is appointment viewing. Both teams can score in bunches, making this a potential high-scoring affair. Home ice gives Pittsburgh a slight edge in a toss-up matchup.

Alex Ovechkin's chase of Wayne Gretzky's goal record continues in Minnesota. The Capitals have been solid this season, with Ovechkin still contributing despite his age. Washington's veteran leadership shows in close games.

The Wild are quietly excellent this year. Kirill Kaprizov has emerged as a genuine superstar, and the team's defensive structure under Dean Evason is sound. Minnesota at home is a tough matchup for anyone.

This has the makings of a tight, well-played game. Both teams execute their systems effectively. The Wild's home ice and Kaprizov's brilliance makes them slight favorites in a coin-flip contest.

Two rebuilding Western Conference teams meet in San Jose. Calgary's post-Gaudreau era has been painful, with the Flames struggling to find an identity. Their young players are learning on the job, which leads to inconsistency.

The Sharks are further along in their rebuild than expected. Macklin Celebrini's emergence as the first overall pick has energized the fanbase, and the supporting cast is developing nicely. San Jose plays hard at home.

Neither team is particularly good, but the Sharks' home advantage and better trajectory gives them the edge. Calgary's lacking the talent to win road games consistently right now.

The Avalanche bring their juggernaut to Seattle. Colorado's 23-2-7 start is historically dominant, with Nathan MacKinnon playing at an MVP level and Cale Makar anchoring the defense. This team looks destined for another Cup run.

Seattle is fighting for playoff positioning but faces an impossible task tonight. The Kraken have talent but nothing approaching Colorado's firepower. This is a measuring stick game where the Kraken just try to stay competitive.

This is Colorado's game to lose. The Avalanche's depth and star power overwhelms most opponents, and Seattle doesn't have the horses to keep pace. Expect a comfortable Avs victory.