NHL February 3, 2026

A Metropolitan Division clash opens the night as the Blue Jackets visit the Devils at the Prudential Center. New Jersey at 28-25-2 has been hovering around .500 all season, never quite bad enough to fall out of the playoff picture but never good enough to establish themselves as a serious contender. The Devils' firepower is undeniable when they're clicking, but consistency has been their Achilles heel.

Columbus at 27-20-7 has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season. The Blue Jackets have exceeded expectations with a balanced attack and improved defensive structure. They come in with a winning percentage of 48% in moneyline underdog situations, showing they can compete with anyone on any given night. The over has hit in 3 of their last 5 games as favorites.

The spread here is essentially a pick'em, with the Devils at -120 as slight home favorites. Computer models give Columbus a 48% win probability, making this one of the closer matchups on the board. The 6.5 total suggests oddsmakers expect a high-scoring affair, though both teams have shown they can tighten up defensively when needed. This feels like a game that could go either way.

The Flyers host the Capitals in a matchup of two teams heading in opposite directions. Washington at 28-22-7 has found some momentum lately, winning their last two games including a convincing 4-1 victory over the Islanders. Alex Ovechkin continues his march toward history, and the Capitals are positioned well for a playoff push in what looks like a wide-open Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia at 24-21-10 has been struggling mightily, posting a dismal 2-8 record in their last ten games. The Flyers find themselves nine points out of a playoff spot, and the wheels appear to be coming off their season. Their home ice advantage has been nonexistent lately, and the defensive breakdowns have been glaring. This is a team in crisis mode heading into the Olympic break.

Despite the Flyers' struggles, they're home favorites here at -133. Historical trends favor Washington, who is 7-3 in moneyline bets against Philadelphia in their last meetings and 6-4 on the puck line. The Capitals catching plus-money on the road against a reeling team presents intriguing value. The 6.0 total is the lowest on the board tonight, reflecting expectations of a more defensive contest.

A Metropolitan Division rivalry takes center stage as the Penguins visit the Islanders at UBS Arena. Pittsburgh at 28-15-11 sits second in the Metro, coming off a narrow 3-2 loss to Ottawa but having shown strong form recently with a 6-5 victory over the Rangers. Under head coach Dan Muse, the Penguins have found a solid balance between their veteran leadership and emerging young talent.

The Islanders at 30-21-5 hold third place in the Metro and have a strong home record at UBS Arena. Patrick Roy's squad has faced some challenges lately with losses to the Capitals and Predators, but they've shown the ability to bounce back throughout the season. Home ice has been a significant factor for the Islanders, who play a physical, grinding style that wears opponents down.

This is essentially a coin-flip game, with the Penguins at +106 as slight underdogs and computer models giving them a 51.3% win probability. The Islanders are -128 at home, but Pittsburgh has shown the ability to win road games this season. The 6.5 total with the over at +116 suggests books expect this to be a relatively high-scoring affair despite both teams' defensive capabilities. This should be a tight, competitive game befitting a divisional rivalry.

The nightcap brings us a Pacific Division clash as the Kraken visit the Ducks at Honda Center. Anaheim at 29-23-3 has been a pleasant surprise this season, led by breakout star Cutter Gauthier who has tallied 24 goals and 24 assists. The Ducks won the previous meeting between these teams 4-2 and have shown they can compete in the Pacific Division playoff race.

Seattle at 26-19-9 is riding a four-game win streak and has shown resilience despite missing all-time leading scorer Jared McCann for a substantial part of the season. Jordan Eberle has stepped up with 19 goals and 18 assists, providing the offensive punch the Kraken have needed. The Kraken's recent form has been impressive, and they come in with momentum on their side.

The Ducks are home favorites at -145, but the Kraken at +123 present intriguing value given their hot streak. Anaheim is dealing with injuries to Leo Carlsson and Frank Vatrano, which could impact their offensive depth. Computer projections favor the Ducks 4-2, but the Kraken's recent form suggests this could be closer than the line indicates. The 6.5 total reflects both teams' ability to score, though the under has been the trend in recent meetings.