Top video games to look at when NHL resumes Saturday

The NHL returns from its vacation break with a blockbuster Saturday that includes a number of high-profile rivalry video games.

There are 13 video games on the schedule, beginning at 6 p.m. ET, and every both encompasses a conventional head-to-head grudge match or a recreation that has ramifications within the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With among the races as tight as they’re, it is by no means too early to start out including a “big game” designation to these video games towards groups shut within the standings.

NHL.com writers will spend Saturday flipping between video games, however listed below are those they’ve recognized as must-watch.

New York mind-set

The final time the Rangers performed the Islanders, they misplaced 5-0 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8. It was their seventh straight dwelling loss to start out the season, the fifth time they’d been shut out at dwelling. That alone ought to make this recreation at UBS Arena (6 p.m. ET, MSGSN, MSG 2) attention-grabbing. The Rangers (19-16-4) will keep in mind that. And this time, the Rangers can be on the street, although they will not be touring too far. It’s baffling, however whereas they’re 5-10-3 at dwelling this season, they’re 14-6-1 away from dwelling. Keep a watch on Bo Horvat, who scored twice at MSG on Nov. 8 and is having a robust season for the Islanders (20-13-4). He may return to this recreation after lacking the previous 5 with a lower-body harm — Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

Top-of-table showdown in Raleigh

The Carolina Hurricanes (22-11-3) and Detroit Red Wings (22-13-3) return from the vacation break for a conflict of division leaders at Lenovo Center (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, FDSNSO). The Red Wings, first within the Atlantic Division, are on a quest to finish a nine-season Stanley Cup Playoffs look drought and a four-game dropping streak in Raleigh (0-4-0) since a 3-0 win April 14, 2022. Carolina rookie goalie Brandon Bussi has been scorching, going 11-1-1 in 13 begins and is third within the NHL with a 2.11 goals-against common and a .913 save share, however veteran Frederik Andersen may get the nod. He received two video games towards the Red Wings final season and is 13-1-1 with a 2.12 GAA, .926 save share and three shutouts in 15 profession begins towards them. — William Douglas, workers author

Defense will not relaxation in Winnipeg

Two of the highest defensemen within the NHL will go head-to-head when Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild go to Josh Morrissey and the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre (7 p.m. ET; SN1, SNW, FDSNNO, FDSNWIX). The Jets (15-17-3) will get their first have a look at the Wild (22-10-6) since they acquired Hughes in a commerce with the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 12. Minnesota had received seven in a row earlier than a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Winnipeg misplaced 4 in a row (0-2-2) heading into the vacation break. The Central Division rivals break up their first two video games this season with Winnipeg profitable 4-3 in time beyond regulation at Minnesota on Oct. 28 and Minnesota profitable 3-0 at Winnipeg on Nov. 23. — Tom Gulitti, senior author

Sunshine rivalry at a boil

Count on there being loads of vacation sneer when these in-state rivals renew acquaintances at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, SCRIPPS). There is a motive it is often called The Battle of Florida, and never simply due to geographic proximity. These groups have been among the many NHL’s elite for greater than a decade and have mixed to win 4 of the previous six Stanley Cup championships and take part in every of the previous six Finals. In the method, they’ve developed a definitive loathing for one another. Aside from the apparent dangerous blood, nevertheless, the sport may function 5 gamers, well being allowing, who suited up for Canada in the course of the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and will do the identical on the OIympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026: forwards Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel of the Lightning (20-13-3), and Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart of the Panthers (20-14-2). — Mike Zeisberger, workers author

Battle of Ontario turns up the warmth

It’s at all times attention-grabbing when the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs meet, however the stakes are a bit greater this time round. Each workforce is outdoors the playoff image within the Eastern Conference because the midpoint of the season approaches. Toronto (16-15-5) received towards the Pittsburgh Penguins going into the break however nonetheless is making an attempt to patch holes in its recreation which have left it one level out of final place within the East. Ottawa (18-13-5) can be sensing blood when it arrives at Scotiabank Arena (7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, CITY, SNE, SNO, SNP), and anticipate Brady Tkachuk and the Senators to attempt to inflict extra distress, and a way of payback, after dropping to Toronto within the first spherical of the playoffs final season. — Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial

Stars look to maintain shining

As nice because the Colorado Avalanche have been this season, the Stars (25-7-5) aren’t far behind. They’ve been clicking in just about each side, from energy play to penalty kill to scoring to being one of many stingiest groups within the NHL in goals-allowed per recreation (2.61). So I’ll be seeking to see if the Stars come out with the identical fireplace after the break once they play the Blackhawks (13-17-6) at American Airlines Center (8 p.m. ET; Victory+, CHSN). While every little thing’s developing roses for the Stars, the Blackhawks, after getting off to a terrific begin this season, have been struggling. It does not assist that they are with out their prime two facilities, Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, till after Jan. 1. — Tracey Myers, workers author

Freeway frenzy in California

The 32-year-old Freeway Face-Off rivalry is heating up once more with the Ducks (21-14-2) and Kings (15-12-9) every among the many prime 4 groups within the Pacific Division. Anaheim is pushing for its first journey to the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2018. The second assembly this season and the 169th regular-season matchup between the Ducks and Kings is at Crypto.com Arena (9 p.m. ET; FDSNW, KTTV, Victory+). If it is something like the primary time they performed it’s going to be a wild environment. The Ducks got here again thrice and finally defeated the Kings 5-4 in a shootout at Honda Center on Nov. 28 to enhance to 77-63-17 (with 11 ties) towards their Southern California counterparts. If the hockey gods have a say, the Ducks and Kings will meet within the playoffs too. The solely Freeway Face-Off postseason collection occurred in 2014, when the Kings dispatched the Ducks in seven video games within the second spherical earlier than happening to win the Stanley Cup. — Dan Rosen, senior author

McDavid focus in newest Battle of Alberta

I am unable to consider a greater option to get again into the NHL swing after the vacation break than with one other instalment of the Battle of Alberta. The Edmonton Oilers (19-13-6) journey to face the Calgary Flames (15-18-4) at Scotiabank Sadledome (10 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SNE, SNO, SNW) within the second recreation of a home-and-home collection. On Tuesday, the Oilers received 5-1 with Leon Draisaitl scoring a hat trick and Connor McDavid including 5 assists. McDavid, who leads the NHL scoring race with 67 factors (23 objectives, 44 assists) in 38 video games, has 31 factors (12 objectives, 19 assists) throughout an 11-game level streak. Regardless of the place these two groups are within the standings, nevertheless, the video games between the provincial rivals are at all times intense, significantly right now of yr. — Derek Van Diest, workers author

Avalanche-Golden Knights in West showdown

I really feel like I may cease right here: Colorado Avalanche. Vegas Golden Knights. There, that is all you want. But, after all, I’ll proceed. When the Avalanche and Golden Knights face off at T-Mobile Arena (10 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, ALT), will probably be a matchup of two of the perfect groups within the Western Conference, two of the perfect groups within the League, even, with the Avalanche blazing via the primary half of the season on an unbelievable tempo, seemingly unstoppable at 27-2-7. Nathan MacKinnon seems on a mission, main the NHL with 30 objectives earlier than Christmas, and Cale Makar is tops amongst defensemen with 43 factors (11 objectives, 32 assists). But if anybody can cease them — and I’m unsure anybody can — it might be the Golden Knights, who’re positive to rise up for this recreation after a current pre-Christmas downturn, with out Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore. I’ll tune in anytime the Avalanche are taking part in, however getting an opportunity to see them towards a workforce that is of their caliber? That’s a cannot miss. — Amalie Benjamin, senior author