NHL January 26, 2026

Utah's franchise continues to establish itself in the NHL, and road trips to Tampa Bay are never easy. The Lightning remain one of the Eastern Conference's more dangerous teams, and Nikita Kucherov's offensive brilliance continues to terrify opposing defenses. Kucherov leads the team in points and his ability to create scoring chances out of nothing makes Tampa's power play a constant threat. Brayden Point's two-way play has been exceptional, and Andrei Vasilevskiy remains an elite goaltender when locked in.

Utah is still finding its identity in its second NHL season. The franchise, formerly the Arizona Coyotes, has been competitive but inconsistent. Their goaltending situation has been a question mark all year, and the defensive corps is still developing chemistry. Road games against veteran-laden teams like Tampa present the toughest test for a young roster that can be prone to turnovers in the neutral zone.

Tampa Bay at -175 reflects their home-ice advantage and the talent disparity. The Lightning's home record has been strong, and their power play can exploit Utah's penalty kill, which has been below average this season. The 6.5 total is standard for a game featuring Tampa's offensive firepower against a Utah team that can struggle to generate consistent offense on the road. Expect the Lightning to control this one, though Utah's competitiveness could keep it within the puck line.

Two Metropolitan Division teams battling for playoff positioning meet in what should be a grinding, physical affair. Philadelphia's slight home favorite status at -115 reflects the home-ice advantage more than any significant talent gap. The Flyers' rebuild has produced some exciting young talent, with Matvei Michkov emerging as a dynamic offensive threat and Travis Konecny continuing to provide veteran leadership. Their blue line has been inconsistent but competitive, and goaltending improvements have been the biggest factor in their improved results.

The Islanders bring their trademark defensive structure to this matchup. Mathew Barzal remains the engine that drives their offense, and his ability to create in transition is vital against a Flyers team that can be vulnerable on the rush. Ilya Sorokin's goaltending has been excellent when healthy, giving the Islanders a chance in every game. Their system under Patrick Roy focuses on limiting high-danger chances, and they rank among the league's better teams at suppressing shots from the slot.

The moneyline is essentially a pick'em (PHI -115 / NYI -105), which is fitting for a Metropolitan Division game between evenly matched teams. The 6.5 total feels slightly high for a game that could become a defensive struggle. Both teams play a tight-checking style, and games between the Islanders and Flyers have trended under this season. This is a game where special teams and goaltending could determine the winner, and the team that gets the first power play goal might ride it to a 3-2 victory.

Columbus as a slight home favorite over the Kings is an interesting market assessment. The Blue Jackets have been competitive at Nationwide Arena, where the crowd energy gives them a noticeable boost. Their young core has taken steps forward, and the additions from recent drafts are starting to bear fruit. The goaltending tandem has been serviceable, and Columbus plays with an aggression at home that can catch traveling teams off guard, especially Western Conference opponents who rarely visit.

Los Angeles remains one of the steadier teams in the Pacific Division, led by the ageless Anze Kopitar and the goal-scoring prowess of Adrian Kempe. The Kings' defensive system is one of the league's best at limiting zone entries, and their goaltending has been a strength all season. LA's experience and structure make them a tough out in any building, and this cross-conference matchup eliminates any familiarity advantage. Drew Doughty's leadership on the blue line, while past his prime, still provides valuable minutes in key situations.

The line tells you these teams are separated by the thinnest of margins. Columbus at -118 gets the home-ice edge, while LA at -102 represents value for a team with more playoff experience and structural discipline. The 6.5 total accounts for two teams that can score when their power plays click. LA's road game has been one of their strengths this season, and they won't be intimidated by a trip to Nationwide Arena. This is a toss-up that could come down to the final minutes.