The Week Ahead: Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and Happy Holidays!

The NHL is off three days this week and resumes action Saturday evening with the first game at 6:00 pm EST. That allows all the players a well-deserved break, especially necessary this season with the condensed schedule due to the Olympic break in February.

It's a rare week with no teams playing three games in four nights.

All stats are through Saturday night unless otherwise noted.

Visit RotoWire's NHL Daily Starting Lineups to find out starters for every game on the schedule!

WEEK OF DECEMBER 22-28

3 Games – Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York Islanders, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Toronto

2 Games – Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, Carolina, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Florida, Minnesota, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, San Jose, St. Louis, Vancouver, Vegas, Washington,

1 Game – Utah, Winnipeg

 Los Angeles plays all three games at home.

ANAHEIM

Games this week

vs. Seattle

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

Leo Carlsson continues to impress this season. The 20-year-old has 41 points in 35 games, including a career-high 11 points on the power play... Troy Terry has yet to score a goal on the power play this season but does have seven assists. He is having a career year with 10 goals and 35 points in 35 outings... Mason McTavish has been disappointing offensively this season with only 21 points, after a 52-point performance in 76 games last season.

BOSTON

Games this week

vs. Montreal, @ Buffalo  

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Bruins dropped a 5-4 decision in a shootout to Vancouver on Saturday... Morgan Geekie had a goal and an assist, giving him 25 goals and 39 points in 36 games this season. He has been especially hot in the last month with 13 goals in 15 outings... Charlie McAvoy has three assists in five games since returning from a facial injury that cost him 11 games.

BUFFALO

Games this week

@ Ottawa, vs. Boston

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Sabres are heating up and have won five straight after defeating the Islanders 3-2 in a shootout Saturday. They have moved to within five points of the second wild card, and with a new general manager, former Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen, given wide-ranging powers, the Sabres could be poised to make a run for the playoffs... Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has not started in any of the last five games, as Alex Lyon has taken over as the No. 1 goalie with five consecutive wins.

CALGARY

Games this week

@ Edmonton, vs. Edmonton

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Flames play the Oilers in a home-and-home series this week. The Battle of Alberta could see some decidedly un-festive spirit and if so, look for Adam Klapka to be involved... Klapka scored his third of the season Saturday in a 6-3 win over Vegas... The Flames are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and have risen to the 11th spot in the Western Conference, just three points out of the second wild card... Mikael Backlund had two goals and an assist Saturday, giving him four goals in his last two contests.

CAROLINA

Games this week

vs. Florida, vs. Detroit

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Hurricanes received bad news Friday after Seth Jarvis went flying into the goal post in overtime. He's expected to be out a while with an upper-body injury. Jarvis has 19 goals and 29 points and is in consideration for a spot with Team Canada at the upcoming Olympic Games. This could hurt his cause... Brandon Bussi took the shootout loss Friday, halting a nine-game personal winning streak. He is 11-1-1 with a 2.11 GAA and a .913 save percentage and has claimed the top job in Carolina over Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov.

CHICAGO  

Games this week

vs. Philadelphia, @ Dallas, vs. Pittsburgh

Tired: vs. Pittsburgh (Sunday)

Rested: vs. Philadelphia (Tuesday)

Notes

Chicago's been floundering of late after some early success, and now they are once again in contention for a possible top pick in the 2026 Draft... Frank Nazar (face) was injured Saturday and is expected to miss the next four weeks with an upper-body injury... Combine that with Connor Bedard being out at least another two weeks, and the 'Hawks are down their top two centers.

COLORADO

Games this week

vs. Utah, @ Vegas

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Avalanche continue to be far and away the best team in the NHL. They are 25-2-7, and while they are only four points better than divisional-rival Dallas, Colorado has two games in hand... Nathan MacKinnon is averaging a league-high 1.71 points per game and is tied with Connor McDavid for the NHL lead in league in scoring with 59 points... Scott Wedgewood is 15-1-4 with a 2.10 GAA, third best in the NHL.

COLUMBUS

Games this week

@ Los Angeles, vs. New York Islanders  

Tired: None

Rested: vs. New York Islanders (Sunday)

Notes

The Blue Jackets obtained Mason Marchment from Seattle on Friday, in exchange for 2027 second-round and 2026 fourth-round picks... They are currently sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference, so the timing is a little curious... Zach Werenski has been red-hot with a pair of goals in two straight games heading into Anaheim on Saturday. He managed one goal and one assist in that contest and has 14 goals and 26 assists in 35 games this season, including points in 17 of his last 19 games (10 goals and 19 helpers).

DALLAS

Games this week

@ Detroit, vs. Chicago

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Stars have had a successful week to date by winning all three games, including an 8-3 road win over Anaheim on Friday... Jason Robertson had a goal and two assists Friday, snapping a three-game skid. He has 22 goals and 43 points in 36 games... Mikko Rantanen has been on fire with four goals and 16 assists in his last 12 games. The Finn has 14 goals, 34 assists and 88 shots on goal, and he's tied with Logan Stanley for the NHL in penalty minutes with 69 heading into action Saturday.

DETROIT

Games this week

vs. Dallas, @ Carolina, vs. Toronto   

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Red Wings are getting another great season from Moritz Seider. The defenseman had a goal and an assist Saturday in a 5-2 win over Washington, giving the 24-year-old five goals and 21 assists in 36 games. His production is down in hits and blocked shots, but his offensive game has been terrific, especially after a slow start in which he had just two assists in his first nine games... John Leonard opened the scoring Saturday with his first NHL goal.

EDMONTON

Games this week

vs. Calgary, @ Calgary

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Oilers play a home-and-home series against their Alberta counterparts this week... Darnell Nurse and/or Trent Frederic should be involved if there is any rough stuff... Connor McDavid is on a tear. The 28-year-old superstar has 11 goals and 23 points during a nine-game scoring streak. There was some concern that McDavid was turning into just a playmaker as he only scored 26 goals in 67 games last season, but he already has 21 markers in 36 contests.

FLORIDA

Games this week

@ Carolina, vs. Tampa Bay

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Panthers saw their four-game winning streak snapped Saturday... Sergei Bobrovsky has won five straight games, but his peripherals aren't great as he has a 2.74 GAA and an .895 save percentage in those five contests... Brad Marchand continues to confound me. He is having a tremendous season at age 37, scoring 20 times and adding 20 assists in 34 games, including four goals and five helpers during his current five-game scoring streak.

LOS ANGELES

Games this week

vs. Columbus, vs. Seattle, vs. Anaheim

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Kings gave Phillip Danault his wish Friday and dealt him back to Montreal for a second-round pick... Darcy Kuemper was injured Monday and placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. There is no timetable for his return, and the Kings recalled Pheonix Copley to back up Anton Forsberg in the interim... Anze Kopitar is in his 21st and final season in the NHL. He is having a mediocre fantasy season with only six goals and 17 points in 30 games.

MINNESOTA

Games this week

vs. Nashville, @ Winnipeg

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Wild are on a seven-game winning streak and have gotten outstanding goaltending from both Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt... The Wild have seven shutouts in 36 games, three better than the second-place Islanders... It's going to be some battle in the Central Division between Minnesota, Colorado and Dallas, and it's a shame that at least one of those teams will be eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs.

MONTREAL

Games this week

@ Boston, @ Tampa Bay

Tired: None

Rested: @ Tampa Bay (Sunday)

Notes

The Canadiens acquired Phillip Danault from Los Angeles on Friday as the former Hab returns to his home province... Cole Caufield has gone five games without a goal, but does have three helpers. Overall, the 24-year-old has 17 goals and 35 points in 35 games... Nick Suzuki has 10 goals and 40 points to lead the Habs.

NASHVILLE

Games this week

@ Minnesota, @ St. Louis

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

Nashville could be looking to make some trades after the Christmas break, as they are tied with Chicago for last place in the NHL... They managed to beat the reeling Maple Leafs though, 5-3 on Saturday... Filip Forsberg had an assist Saturday, bumping him to 15 goals and 12 assists in 34 games. More was expected from the veteran winger, who had 94 and 76 points in the last two seasons.  

NEW JERSEY

Games this week

@ New York Islanders, vs. Washington

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Devils put future star Simon Nemec (lower body) on injured reserve Tuesday... Jack Hughes is set to return Sunday after a freak dinner injury to his finger required surgery. He has been sadly missed by linemate Jesper Bratt, who has a goal and two assists in his last nine games... It's been a tough season for Jacob Markstrom, but the netminder could be snapping out of it as he allowed one goal on 33 shots in a 2-1 win in Utah on Friday.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Games this week

vs. New Jersey, vs. New York Rangers, @ Columbus

Tired: @ Columbus (Sunday)

Rested: None

Notes

The Islanders are looking to deal for Kiefer Sherwood and have inquired about the cost with the Canucks... Rookie Matthew Schaefer picked up an assist Saturday and has 24 points in 36 games. He is on pace for 54 points, which would be second-best all-time by a teenager defenseman behind only Phil Housley, who had 66 with Buffalo during the 1982-83 season.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Games this week

@ Washington, @ New York Islanders

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Rangers lost J.T. Miller to an upper-body injury (likely his shoulder) Saturday and he could be out a while... Igor Shesterkin is 15-11-3 with a 2.54 GAA an a .908 save percentage. He leads all goaltenders in TOI with 1750:03, 124:06 ahead of second-place Karel Vejmelka... Adam Fox has missed the last 10 games with an upper-body injury and is eligible to come off injured reserve Dec. 27, but may still need more time.

OTTAWA 

Games this week

vs. Buffalo, @ Toronto

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

Tim Stutzle has been on a tear of late with five goals and eight assists during a six-game scoring streak. He has 16 goals and 37 points in 34 contests... Brady Tkachuk has four goals in his last three games, as well as five goals and 11 points in 11 appearances since missing 20 games with a thumb injury.

PHILADELPHIA

Games this week

vs. Vancouver, @ Chicago, @ Seattle

Tired: @ Chicago (Tuesday)

Rested: None

Notes

The Flyers continue to get great production from Trevor Zegras. The former Duck is on a seven-game point streak and has 14 goals and 20 assists in 34 games. That's three points better than in his disastrous 2024-25 campaign, when he played 57 contests... Matvei Michkov has not lit the lamp in his last 10 games, though he does have five assists.

PITTSBURGH

Games this week

@ Toronto, @ Chicago

Tired: None

Rested: @ Chicago (Sunday)

Notes

Thomas Novak has four goals and 10 points in 12 games since Thanksgiving, and has moved up to the top line alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust... Evgeni Malkin has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury and is not eligible to return until Dec. 30... Erik Karlsson, who could be dealt by the trade deadline if the Penguins fall out of playoff contention, has three goals and 22 assists in 34 games.

SAN JOSE

Games this week

@ Vegas, @ Vancouver

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

Collin Graf has been outstanding. The 23-year-old has excelled of late with six goals and nine points in his last eight games, giving him nine goals and 19 points in 35 outings. He is seeing first-line minutes alongside Macklin Celebrini, and that can't hurt... Rookie Igor Chernyshov is playing on the other side of Celebrini and has three assists in his first three NHL games.

SEATTLE

Games this week

@ Anaheim, @ Los Angeles, vs. Philadelphia

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Kraken finish a four-game road trip in Los Angeles before Christmas... Joey Daccord has strung together four good games in a row. He is 2-2-0, allowing nine goals on 129 shots, and he should get the vast majority of the starts the rest of the way... Vince Dunn has five goals and 14 assists in 33 games, including 10 points on the power play. More was expected out of him this season by poolies.

ST. LOUIS

Games this week

@ Tampa Bay, vs. Nashville

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Blues came up with a big 6-2 win in Florida on Saturday with Robert Thomas leading the way, as he scored twice and added an assist. Thomas has 27 points in 33 appearances... Otto Stenberg, the Blues' first-round pick in 2023 and 25th overall, made his NHL debut this past week and had a pair of assists Saturday, playing on the second line with Brayden Schenn and Jake Neighbours.  

TAMPA BAY

Games this week

vs. St. Louis, @ Florida, vs. Montreal

Tired: vs. Montreal (Sunday)

Rested: None

Notes

The Lightning have to be impressed by rookie defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous, who has three goals and eight assists in 28 games, including a pair of helpers Saturday in a 6-4 win over Carolina. He has 29 PIM as well... Nikita Kucherov returned to action Saturday after missing one game with an illness. He had an assist, giving him 13 goals and 43 points in 31 games in 2025-26.

TORONTO

Games this week

vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Ottawa, @ Detroit  

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Maple Leafs continue to flounder, and it would not be a surprise to see a coaching change as Craig Berube seems to have lost the team... A 5-3 loss to Nashville followed a 4-0 whitewash Thursday in Washington... Auston Matthews looks like a merely good hockey player right now, rather than one of the top five players in the NHL. He has 14 goals and 23 points in 29 games, well below expectations for Matthews... William Nylander looks out of sorts as well. The 29-year-old has just four assists in nine December matches.

UTAH

Games this week

@ Colorado

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Mammoth only play once as they get a five-day Christmas break... Dylan Guenther continues to be their top offensive threat of late. He has eight goals and five assists in his last 15 appearances, including two goals and four points with the man advantage... Sean Durzi has put together a four-game point streak with a goal and three helpers... Daniil But scored his first career NHL goal Friday in a 2-1 loss to New Jersey.

VANCOUVER

Games this week

@ Philadelphia, vs. Colorado

Tired:  None

Rested: None

Notes

The Canucks have been getting plenty of inquiries about Kiefer Sherwood. The pending UFA has not come to a new agreement with Vancouver, and the team would be remiss if they don't explore getting as much as they can for the forward. Sherwood had a hat trick Friday against the Islanders, one of the interested teams, giving him 16 goals this season. He is also second in the NHL in hits with 148.

VEGAS

Games this week

vs. San Jose, vs. Colorado

Tired: None

Rested: None

The Golden Knights lost Shea Theodore to an upper-body injury this past week and he is listed as week-to-week at this time... Jack Eichel is also out with a lower-body injury, but he could return this week... Carter Hart has solidified the Golden Knights goaltending situation with Adin Hill (lower body) out of action the past month. Hart is 3-0-2 with a 2.26 GAA and a .917 save percentage across five starts since he was activated at the start of December.

WASHINGTON  

Games this week

vs. New York Rangers, @ New Jersey

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Capitals are in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 42 points but are just two points away from missing a playoff spot. That's how close the standings are in the Eastern Conference... Alex Ovechkin has been slumping of late. He has no goals and only two assists in his last seven games... Jakob Chychrun leads all blueliners with 14 goals in 35 games this season. He also has 14 assists and a plus-25 rating.

WINNIPEG

Games this week

vs. Minnesota

Tired: None

Rested: None

Notes

The Jets continue to struggle, as they are 15-17-2 and in 11th place in the Western Conference standings. The Jets were the Presidents' Trophy winner last season with 116 points. They may not make the playoffs this season... Jonathan Toews has not performed the way the Jets likely hoped for when they signed him in the offseason. He has one assist in his last 18 games and has three goals and nine points in 34 appearances.