Thursday’s NHL slate features 12 games packed with intense matchups, key playoff implications, and standout individual performances. Coming off the Olympic break, every point is crucial, and teams will be fighting hard to secure or improve their spot in the standings. From top contenders defending their momentum to underdogs hunting for upsets, tonight’s schedule is loaded with storylines that could have a major impact on the playoff race. In this preview, we’ll break down each game, examine recent team trends, spotlight players to watch, and offer a pick for every matchup based on form, head-to-head history, and current performance. All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook [https://www.on.betmgm.ca/en/sports/hockey-12/betting/usa-9/nhl-34] and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. Sign up with BetMGM [https://www.on.betmgm.ca/en/p/promotions/sports/first-bet-offer], make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS AT FLORIDA PANTHERS Spread: +1.5 (−182) | -1.5 (+150) Over/Under: 6.5 Goals The Panthers will be playing their first game since the Olympic break, and while many expect the Maple Leafs to bounce back, Florida will be eager to start strong after losing five of their last six games before the break. The two teams have already met twice this season, with Toronto taking both victories. On home ice, the Panthers should be motivated to even the season series and claim a win. Pick: Panthers ML (-161) ✅ COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS AT BOSTON BRUINS Spread: +1.5 (−250) | -1.5 (+200) Over/Under: 6.5 Goals The Bruins were one of the NHL’s hottest teams heading into the Olympic break, going 12-2-3 over their last 17 games. They’ll face a stiff challenge against a Blue Jackets squad that has been even hotter, winning 11 of their last 12 contests. Offense has been the trend on both sides as Boston has averaged 4.18 goals per game over their 17-game stretch, the best in the league, while Columbus has the sixth-best scoring pace in the NHL during their 12-game run, putting up 3.83 goals per game. Pick: Over 6.5 goals (-102)❌ TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING AT CAROLINA HURRICANES Spread: +1.5 (−186) | -1.5 (+155) Over/Under: 6.0 Goals Winning both games of a back-to-back is never easy, and the Lightning had to pour everything they had into their first matchup to get past the Maple Leafs. Even with multiple goals called back, Tampa Bay managed a 4-2 victory over Toronto. However, after expending so much energy and offensive firepower in one night, generating another high-scoring performance will be a tall order. The Hurricanes have been nearly unstoppable lately, going 12-1-3 over their last 16 games while boasting the league’s second-best defense, allowing just 2.19 goals per game in that span. And the team leading the league in defensive goals allowed during that stretch? The Lightning themselves. Pick: Under 6.0 Goals (-102)❌ NEW YORK ISLANDERS AT MONTREAL CANADIENS Spread: +1.5 (−186) | -1.5 (+155) Over/Under: 6.0 Goals The Canadiens have been red hot recently, going 10-4-2 over their last 16 games. Their road form this season has been even more impressive, with a 16-6-7 record. Montreal could also snap a long losing streak on Long Island, having not won at UBS Arena since February 2022 and dropping their last five visits. Their last three trips to New York have all gone to overtime, and this matchup looks like it could follow the same pattern. Pick: Overtime (+300)✅ Are The New York Islanders For Real? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2c941e7a-cd4a-4901-b2ac-388121f828d3.jpeg] Are The New York Islanders For Real? A revitalized roster, elite goaltending, and a favorable schedule fuel a surprising playoff push. Can the Islanders maintain this surge? [https://thehockeynews.com/betting/futures/are-the-new-york-islanders-for-real-1] DETROIT RED WINGS AT OTTAWA SENATORS Spread: +1.5 (−178) | -1.5 (+145) Over/Under: 6.0 Goals Ottawa got a major boost on the international stage during the Olympics, thanks to a breakout performance from Tim Stützle. For those who don’t watch the Senators regularly, the German winger’s talent is a big reason why Ottawa’s offense is so difficult to contain. The team was red hot heading into the break, scoring 48 goals over their final 12 games, averaging 4.00 goals per game and ranking among the top three in the NHL during that span. Detroit, meanwhile, lost five of their last seven games before the break, and if they hope to stay competitive, they’ll need to generate some offense of their own. Pick: Over 6.0 Goals (-110)❌ NEW JERSEY DEVILS AT PITTSBURGH PENGUINS Spread: +1.5 (−182) | -1.5 (+150) Over/Under: 6.0 Goals The Devils will aim to bounce back from a narrow loss on Wednesday as they return to action against the Buffalo Sabres. Pittsburgh has been a tough team to beat this season, but morale is likely low without captain Sidney Crosby, who will miss the next month with a lower body injury, and breakout goaltender Stuart Skinner reportedly surfacing in trade rumors. New Jersey is looking for a response, and they have a strong chance to get the win. Pick: Devils ML (+135)❌ CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS AT NASHVILLE PREDATORS Spread: +1.5 (−169) | -1.5 (+140) Over/Under: 6.0 Goals Both teams are seeking a much-needed win as they return from the break, having struggled in recent games. The Blackhawks have lost nine of their last 12 matchups, while the Predators have dropped seven of their last ten. A victory would be significant for either team, with Nashville holding a slight advantage at home with a 15-12-3 record compared to Chicago’s 10-12-4 road record. However, the Blackhawks have performed better against the spread on the road this season, posting a 16-10 mark. Pick: Blackhawks +1.5 (-169)❌ PHILADELPHIA FLYERS AT NEW YORK RANGERS Spread: +1.5 (−208) | -1.5 (+170) Over/Under: 6.0 Goals New York has endured a tougher season than most expected with almost all the damage coming from teams within their own division as they own a brutal 6-10-1 record against teams in the Metro but the Rangers did take down the Flyers 6-3 in their last meeting and marked the third loss in their last four meeting with the Rangers. Philadephia has mixed results when playing in the Big Apple as they've come away with two wins in their last six trips to New York however the Rangers will be entering Thursday with a four-game losing streak. Each side will look to contend for a win and could make this one high-scoring. Pick: Over 6.0 Goals (-117)❌ SEATTLE KRAKEN AT ST. LOUIS BLUES Spread: +1.5 (−200) | -1.5 (+165) Over/Under: 6.0 Goals The Kraken entered the break red hot, winning six of their final eight games, but were stunned 4-1 by the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. They’ll need a strong bounce-back performance, and a matchup against the Blues presents that opportunity. Seattle edged St. Louis 3-2 in overtime in their last meeting this season, though the Blues have historically dominated this series, winning nine of 13 all-time matchups. The line is close, but the Kraken, currently holding the second wild card spot in the West with just a three-point cushion, will be playing with urgency and are favored to come out on top in a tight contest. Pick: Kraken ML (+118)❌ MINNESOTA WILD AT COLORADO AVALANCHE Spread: +1.5 (−186) | -1.5 (+155) Over/Under: 6.5 Goals One of the most exciting matchups of the season pits two of the league’s top five teams against each other. The Wild enter Thursday riding a five-game winning streak, while the Avalanche, currently the top seed, have shown some vulnerability, losing seven of their last 12 games. Minnesota edged Colorado 3-2 in a shootout in their first meeting this season, but the Avalanche dominated the second matchup with a 5-1 win. Facing Colorado for the first time this season, the Avalanche’s 21-3-4 home record is impressive, but Minnesota’s 17-8-3 road record and Colorado’s struggles in recent home games, winning just two of their last seven, suggest the Wild should be able to keep it close, likely within one goal. Pick: Wild +1.5 (-186)✅ CALGARY FLAMES AT SAN JOSE SHARKS Spread: +1.5 (−225) | -1.5 (+185) Over/Under: 6.5 Goals The Sharks’ defense has struggled recently, allowing 3.48 goals per game over their last 11 contests, which could open the door for the Flames. San Jose has dropped four straight and seven of their last 11 games. Calgary hasn’t been much better, losing six of their last eight, but they ended the break with two wins in their last three games. The betting odds are close for a reason, and this should be a tight matchup, with the Flames likely finding opportunities against the Sharks while San Jose counters with contributions from Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (+100)❌ EDMONTON OILERS AT LOS ANGELES KINGS Spread: -1.5 (+200) | +1.5 (−250) Over/Under: 6.0 Goals The Ducks narrowly defeated the Oilers in an 11-goal thriller on Wednesday, raising the question of how much energy they have left. With Edmonton putting up five goals, the Ducks will need to fire up their offense again against one of the NHL’s toughest defensive teams in the Kings. Los Angeles also comes in with a high-scoring game the night before, dropping a 6-4 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Both teams have already taxed their offenses, suggesting Thursday’s matchup could be a slower-paced affair. Pick: Under 6.0 Goals (-105)❌ Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7580a307-e387-4cc9-86ee-6eeb7a5cf1a7.jpeg] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
