Written by Scott on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
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Well that was a nice break. Maybe a bit too long but at least we are back.
Team USA won gold in both Men’s and Women’s hockey and both were in overtime and against Canada. Great games to watch and although I wanted the opposite teams to win it just didn’t come through and as overtime showed us each game could have gone either way.
Glad to have the NHL back and it’s crunch time for teams fighting to get in to the playoff picture or staying in. There was rumors that some players weren’t at 100% before but would tough it out to not miss an opportunity to play for their country and deal with it afterwards. Curious to see if that was true or just a shitty rumor. Time will give us the answer.
8 games for us tonight.
Sabres vs Devils
Last played in December with the Sabres winning 3-1. Players returning from the Olympics: Sabres 2, Devils 7.
The Sabres were on a 2 game losing skid heading in to the Olympic Break, the Devils were on a 3 game skid.
The Sabres are in the first wild card spot and have a 1 point lead over the Bruins. The Devils are in 15th place in the East and ahead of only the Rangers.
The Devils Jack Hughes scored the winning goal for his country so he should be riding the momentum but who knows how the rest of his team will play. They are on a 3 game losing skid and are in 7th in the Metro.
Not sure who to pick here as both on skids before the break.
Flyers vs Capitals
Last played at the start of February and the Flyers won that 4-2. Players returning from Olympics: Flyers 3, Capitals 3.
The Flyers are in 13th place in the and 8 points back of the Bruins who are currently in the 8th and final wild card spot. The break will probably help them as they weren’t playing great heading into it going 3-4-3 last 10.
The Caps are in 10th in the East and only 4 points back of the wild card spots. They were 5-4-1 heading into the break.
Just wasn’t really feeling either team before the break so I find this even harder.
Leafs vs Lightning
Last played in December with the Leafs winning 2-0. Players returning from Olympics: Leafs 3, Lightning 8.
Yeah not sure what to think of the Leafs. Their captain Matthews was also captain of the American team that won gold so I’m sure that experience will help him going forward. They are on a 3 game win streak and are in 12th in the East.
The Lightning went 8-1-1 in last 10 and have won their last 5 straight. They are the top ranked team in the East and 5 points behind the Avalanche who are 1st overall.
The Lightning are heavy favourites so much so that I have to pass.
Kraken vs Stars
Players returning from Olympics: Kraken 4, Stars 7.
The Kraken have been playing well and find themselves in 3rd place in the Pacific, 1 point behind the 2nd place Oilers and tied with the 4th place Ducks. This division is still wide open.
The Stars are in 3rd in the Central and went 7-3-0 in last 10 before the break including winning 6 in a row and are only 1 point behind the 2nd place Wild. They are going to be without Rantanen for at least the first game back as he was hurt in the Olympics he said.
I would like to take the Stars here but they have 7 players returning so jet lag may mess with them and it would have to be in regulation so not for me.
Avalanche vs Mammoth
Last played just before Christmas with the Avalanche sneaking out the 1-0 win. Players returning from Olympics: Avalanche 8, Mammoth 4.
Avalanche didn’t have the best results heading into the break but thanks to their play overall this season they still sit in 1st place in the Central and the league. They have gone 8-1-4 against teams from the Central.
The Mammoth went 7-3-0 in last 10 heading into the break. They are in 4th in the Central and 13 behind the 3rd place Stars. They’ve gone 9-7-0 against Central division teams.
I would lean towards a Avalanche win but it would have to be in regulation and with it being the first game back I’m passing.
Jets vs Canucks
Players returning from Olympics: Jets 4, Canucks 5.
Jets lost last 2 before the break and went 3-4-3 in last 10. They are 25 points behind the Stars who are in 3rd. On the road they’ve gone 10-15-3.
The Canuck lost the 3 games before the break and were 2-7-1 last 10. They are in last place in the Pacific and 21 behind the 3rd place Kraken.
Easy pass here.
Knights vs Kings
Last played on February 5th with the Knights winning 5-1. Players returning from Olympics: Knights 8, Kings 5.
The Knights are in 1st in the Pacific, won last 2 but went 3-5-2 in last 10. They have gone 9-4-4 against teams from the Pacific.
The Kings are in 5th in the Pacific. They are only 3 points behind the Ducks who are in 8th in the West. They lost their last 3 heading into the break. Against teams from the Pacific they are 5-3-8.
Looking at the Knights road record of 13-8-7 vs the Kings home record of 8-11-7 I do like the Knights here.
Knights win incl OT/SO
Ontario: 2.30 Odds at Sports Interaction
Rest of Canada: 2.30 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: +125 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 2.25 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2026/02/25 8:06:32 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Oilers vs Ducks
Last played on January 26th with the Oilers winning 7-4. Players returning from Olympics: Oilers 3, Ducks 4.
The Oilers are in 2nd place in the Pacific but are on a 3 game losing skid. They are 4 points back of the leading Knights and 1 point ahead of the Kraken. Have gone 13-12-4 on the road so not the best results away from Edmonton. They have gone 8-3-3 against teams from the Pacific.
The Ducks were rolling before the break going 8-2-0 heading into it. They are tied with the Kraken for points but are in 4th place thanks to the tiebreaker. They have gone 10-7-0 against Pacific Division teams and 17-8-1 at home.
This game could go either way and they are separated by only a single point in the standings.
I liked the knights a lot today at those odds but apparently they will be missing half their team including eichel cause of something to do with the gold medal
Marner, stone, eichel, Hanfin, Theodore all out
Avs – Mammoth
Colorado leads the West in a way that leaves no doubt about their quality. They’re a team with a point lead and a plan. Their situation is relatively comfortable until the end of the regular season.
The Mammoth is feeling very comfortable on home ice. Two consecutive wins in front of their home crowd are a sign of the team’s positive vibe.
Several the Avs players have just returned from the Olympics (seven to be exact), so fatigue will play a significant role. I believe the Denver team will have a calm start, but will the home team be able to capitalize on this…..
Tie after regular time
GL