NHL January 29, 2026

Philadelphia's rough stretch continued with that 4-0 shutout loss to the Islanders, and now they face a Boston team at TD Garden that has been nearly impossible to beat at home. The Bruins are 19-5 on their home ice this season, and Jeremy Swayman has been spectacular in net, posting a 2.31 GAA that ranks among the league's elite. Boston's defensive structure under Jim Montgomery is suffocating, and visiting teams struggle to generate quality chances against them.

The Flyers' season has been a tale of inconsistency. They flash potential some nights and look completely overmatched others, and that inconsistency has them hovering around the playoff bubble. Daniel Vladar draws the start in net, and he'll need to steal this one for Philadelphia to have any chance. The Flyers' power play has cratered to 18.2%, 24th in the league, and their inability to convert with the man advantage has cost them countless games.

Boston's penalty kill (84.6%, 3rd in NHL) is elite, and the Bruins rarely give opponents free goals on the power play. David Pastrnak continues his MVP-caliber campaign with 61 points, and the Czech sniper finds space against even the tightest defensive schemes. The 5.5 total might look low, but both teams prioritize structure over run-and-gun offense. Expect a methodical game where Boston's superior depth eventually wears down the Flyers.

Los Angeles hits the road as slight favorites in Buffalo, and the Kings continue their quietly impressive season. Darcy Kuemper has been solid in net, and LA's defensive structure under Todd McLellan limits chances against. The Kings don't blow anyone away, but they consistently find ways to win close games. Anze Kopitar remains productive at 36, and the veteran leadership throughout the roster has been invaluable during a transitional period.

Buffalo's playoff drought continues into its 14th season, and there's no end in sight. The Sabres have talented pieces, particularly Tage Thompson (48 points) and Rasmus Dahlin, but they can't put together consistent stretches of winning hockey. Alex Lyon gets the start in net, and while he's been serviceable, he lacks the game-stealing ability that bottom-half teams need from their goaltenders. Buffalo's power play (19.8%) has improved, but their penalty kill (76.2%) remains a liability.

The Kings' road record (14-12) isn't spectacular, but they matchup well against teams that struggle defensively. Buffalo has allowed 3.24 goals per game, providing plenty of opportunities for LA's opportunistic offense. This is a game where the Kings' experience and structure should prevail, though the Sabres' home crowd will keep them in it. Expect a competitive game that LA wins by a goal or two in the third.

Two Original Six franchises meet in Pittsburgh, though neither is playing at the level their storied histories suggest. The Blackhawks' rebuild is in full swing with Connor Bedard (52 points) serving as the cornerstone of their future. Bedard's elite vision and playmaking ability have been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season, and his development remains on track despite the team's struggles. Spencer Knight draws the start in net, and the 24-year-old has shown flashes of becoming a reliable NHL starter.

Pittsburgh's situation is more complicated. Sidney Crosby (49 points) continues to defy Father Time at 38, but the supporting cast has deteriorated around him. Stuart Skinner gets the nod in goal, a trade acquisition who has stabilized the position but hasn't been spectacular. The Penguins are fighting for a wild card spot, and every game against teams below them in the standings becomes a must-win scenario. Their power play (21.4%) keeps them in games, but their 3.18 goals against suggests defensive concerns.

The 6.0 total reflects both teams' defensive issues. Chicago has allowed the third-most goals in the NHL this season, while Pittsburgh hasn't been much better. Expect an open, entertaining game where offensive talent shines. Crosby vs. Bedard is a passing-of-the-torch moment worth watching, even in a game between two teams fighting for different outcomes. Pittsburgh should win at home, but the Blackhawks have the firepower to keep it close.

Washington travels to Detroit as slight road favorites, and the Capitals have been one of the better stories in the Metro Division this season. Logan Thompson has emerged as a reliable starting goaltender, and his .916 save percentage has stabilized a position that was uncertain entering the year. Alex Ovechkin continues his chase of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, sitting at 879 career tallies. Every game brings him closer to hockey immortality, and the anticipation builds with each shift.

Detroit's rebuild under Steve Yzerman has stalled, and this season has been a disappointment for a fan base expecting progress. John Gibson gets the start in net, another trade acquisition who has been inconsistent in Motor City. The Red Wings have talented young forwards, but their defensive play remains a concern. Lucas Raymond and Mo Seider represent the future, but the present has been difficult, particularly against veteran teams like Washington who capitalize on mistakes.

The Capitals' road record (15-10) suggests they travel well, and their experience should matter against a young Detroit team prone to mental lapses. The 5.5 total is appropriate for two teams that play structured hockey most nights, though Detroit's defensive breakdowns could open this game up. Washington's power play (23.8%) will be tested against Detroit's penalty kill (78.4%), and that special teams battle could determine the outcome.

New Jersey visits Bridgestone Arena as road favorites, and the Devils are playing like a team determined to prove last season's playoff exit was a fluke. Jack Hughes (62 points) has been spectacular, cementing himself as one of the league's premier offensive talents. Jesper Bratt provides elite secondary scoring, and the Devils' forward depth allows them to roll four lines without losing offensive punch. Their 3.45 goals per game ranks 6th in the NHL.

Nashville's season has been a struggle. The Predators invested heavily in free agency over the past few years, but the results haven't matched the payroll. Filip Forsberg remains productive, but the team around him has underperformed. Their 2.89 goals per game ranks 20th, and the offense has lacked creativity against disciplined defensive teams. Juuse Saros keeps them in games with his stellar goaltending, but even the Finnish netminder can only do so much when the offense goes cold.

The Devils have been dominant on the road (17-8), playing with a swagger that suggests championship aspirations. Nashville's home crowd is electric, but atmosphere alone can't overcome talent gaps. New Jersey's speed will test the Predators' aging defensive corps, and Hughes' ability to create off the rush should generate multiple high-danger chances. Expect the Devils to control this game and win comfortably.

Toronto's post-their former winger era continues as they visit Seattle, and the Maple Leafs have handled the transition better than expected. Auston Matthews (58 points) remains one of the league's most dangerous goal scorers, and his chemistry with William Nylander continues to produce results. Anthony Stolarz has been a revelation in net, providing the stability Toronto desperately needed after years of goaltending uncertainty. His .919 save percentage has quieted critics who questioned the team's ability to compete without Marner's playmaking.

Seattle's young franchise continues to build, but they're not yet at the level of the league's elite. Joey Daccord has been solid in net, giving the Kraken competitive goaltending, and Matty Beniers leads a forward group with plenty of potential. Their 2.91 goals per game suggests an offense that's still developing, and they struggle to generate consistent scoring against structured defensive teams. Climate Pledge Arena provides a tough atmosphere for visitors, but Toronto has the experience to handle it.

The Maple Leafs' road record (15-11) shows they can win away from Scotiabank Arena, though they've been inconsistent against Western Conference opponents. Seattle's home record (13-10) is respectable but not elite, and they'll need a big game from Daccord to hang with Toronto's firepower. The 5.5 total suggests a modest-scoring game, which tends to happen when two teams focus on structure. Expect Toronto to control possession and win a tight, well-played game.

Minnesota visits Calgary as slight road favorites in a Central Division battle with playoff implications for both teams. The Wild have been one of the league's pleasant surprises, built on elite goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury (yes, he's still playing at 41) and a defense-first approach that limits high-danger chances. Kirill Kaprizov (59 points) provides the offensive star power, and his ability to create something from nothing keeps defenses honest. Minnesota's structure makes them incredibly difficult to play against.

Calgary's rebuild is progressing slower than hoped, and the Flames hover around the playoff bubble without looking like a serious contender. The Saddledome remains a tough place to play, but Calgary's roster lacks the high-end talent to compete with the league's best. Their 2.78 goals per game ranks 24th, and the offense has struggled to generate consistent scoring. Young players like Connor Zary show promise, but the Flames need more production from their veteran core.

The Wild's road record (14-11) suggests they can win in hostile environments, and Calgary's home record (13-11) isn't intimidating. The 5.5 total reflects Minnesota's defensive identity; they grind teams into dust and win low-scoring affairs. Calgary will need a perfect game from their goaltender to hang with the Wild's suffocating defense. Expect a tight, physical game where Minnesota's structure ultimately prevails.

Anaheim's rebuild continues as they visit a Vancouver team fighting for playoff positioning. The Ducks are playing for draft lottery odds at this point, and their roster reflects that reality. Trevor Zegras and Leo Carlsson represent the future, but the present has been difficult. Anaheim's 2.54 goals per game ranks 27th, and their inability to generate offense makes every game an uphill battle. The road record (8-17) tells the story of a team that struggles away from Honda Center.

Vancouver at home is a completely different animal. Rogers Arena has been electric this season, and the Canucks feed off that energy. Elias Pettersson continues his ascent into superstardom, and J.T. Miller provides the secondary scoring Vancouver needs. Their 3.38 goals per game ranks 8th in the NHL, and the Canucks can light up teams that don't defend well. Anaheim falls squarely into that category.

The -225 moneyline on Vancouver is steep, but it accurately reflects the talent gap. The Canucks at home (18-6) have been nearly unbeatable, and Anaheim's defensive struggles make them an attractive opponent for a team looking to pad their goal differential. The 5.5 total might go over if Vancouver's offense gets rolling early. This has all the makings of a one-sided affair where the Canucks control possession and score in bunches.