The NHL Doesn't Play On Christmas, But It Used To For Decades

Dec 25, 2025

Unlike the NBA and NFL, the NHL doesn't have games on Christmas Day. However, there was a time when there was NHL action on Dec. 25.

In the first three years of the NHL's existence, there were no games on Christmas Day, but that changed in 1920. The Toronto St. Pat's defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in the league's first-ever game on Christmas.

For the following three years, the NHL didn't schedule a game on Dec. 25.

The NHL had games on Christmas Day for 47 years but hasn't had one in more than half a decade.

thehockeynews.comThe NHL Doesn't Play On Christmas, But It Used To For DecadesThe NHL had games on Christmas Day for 47 years but hasn't had one in more than half a decade.

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