Pittsburgh Penguins 2-4 New Jersey Devils
The New Year’s Eve showdown at PPG Paints Arena carried high stakes for two teams quietly jockeying for position in the early playoff picture. Both Pittsburgh and New Jersey were showing flashes of high-end play alongside stretches of inconsistency, making this game a pivotal moment for the season’s trajectory in the Atlantic-Division context.
Pittsburgh entered on a rough run, with three straight losses and just one win in their last five. New Jersey had its own bumps, dropping two straight and enduring a nine-game stretch with only one win as head coach Lindy Ruff guided a group of young, hungry players. Momentum hung in the balance, and the game offered a clear turning point for both clubs.
New Jersey started strong, grabbing the advantage early. A defining moment came when Evgeni Malkin intercepts at the blue line, skates toward Vitek Vanecek, and fires a precise top-shelf shot. It was Malkin’s 12th goal of the season and his 1180th NHL point (456 goals, 724 assists), moving him past Sergei Fedorov for sole possession of second place on the all-time list of Russian scorers. Only Alexander Ovechkin sits higher among Russian snipers, continuing to chase Wayne Gretzky’s record as the career totals grow with each game.
Early in the second period, Jack Hughes, the Devils’ rising star, evened the score with a power-play strike, but Jeff Carter answered for Pittsburgh to restore the Penguins’ lead. Mike Sullivan’s squad had lately shown a tendency to slip once a lead is established, a pattern highlighted by a 4-0 collapse in Detroit that ended in a 4-5 overtime defeat.
New Jersey capitalized on special-teams chances, fueling their rally. Pittsburgh’s nine chances on the power play yielded no goals, and a late second-period penalty left the Devils with a 5-on-4 moment for 38 seconds. The turning point arrived as Dougie Hamilton delivered a cross-ice feed that Hughes converted just before the period’s end, briefly tilting the momentum in New Jersey’s favor. Hamilton, who helped set up the Devils’ first goal, recorded his 400th career assist with the helper and added a point for 401 total on the night.
The game stayed tight into the late going, with Hughes delivering an empty-net double to seal the victory and cap a night where New Jersey seized momentum and withstood Pittsburgh’s late push. The result underscored the Devils’ ability to ride confidence and keep pressure on as the clock wound down.
Carolina Hurricanes 4-0 Florida Panthers
Carolina has established itself as a formidable threat in the early going, riding a strong surge that keeps them atop standings and sets the pace in the league. Florida, despite a storied season, faced a stern test against the Hurricanes, who push the pace with relentless pressure and disciplined defense.
In this matchup, Carolina extended its winning ways with poise, converting opportunities and maintaining control. The Panthers entered with a 15-game stretch of steady scoring, a streak that Carolina’s defense and goaltending repeatedly stifled. The Hurricanes’ performance signaled their continued push toward conference supremacy.
Netminder Antti Raanta earned the shutout after stepping in for Petr Kochetkov, contributing to a growing narrative of solid goaltending and dependable defensive play in Carolina. The Hurricanes joined a select group of teams enjoying early-season momentum while keeping opponents off the scoreboard.
Raanta’s shutout came on the back of a stout team effort, with timely goals and relentless pressure limiting Florida’s chances. Florida’s defense faced a difficult night, unable to solve the Hurricanes’ structured game plan. Carolina extended the lead late, reinforcing its status as a top-tier contender.
Spencer Knight faced a heavy workload for Florida, stopping 30 shots, but the Hurricanes found the balance they needed. Andrey Svechnikov struck in the second period with a wrist shot for his 19th goal of the season, further establishing his role as a primary offensive driver for Carolina.
Seattle Kraken 2-7 Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton delivered a commanding road performance, overwhelming Seattle and effectively eliminating the Kraken from playoff contention with a balanced attack and standout performances across the board. The Oilers seized control early and maintained it through the night, showcasing the depth of their lineup.
Russian forward Klim Kostin continued his strong season with a pair of goals, anchoring Edmonton’s scoring punch as the night wore on. Kostin’s contributions helped drive a multi-point effort from the visitors, including key plays from Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who added a goal and four assists respectively. Connor McDavid led the charge with a goal and four assists, reaching 70 points in 37 games for the season. His pace echoes the historic output achieved by legends such as Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Adam Oates, and Wayne Gretzky during earlier eras.
Edmonton secured the win without Leon Draisaitl, who missed the game due to injury, underscoring the resilience and depth of the Oilers’ roster as they pressed toward a strong standing finish.
Anaheim Ducks 1-6 Nashville Predators
Yakov Vrana’s teammate Yakov Trenin continued to contribute offensively, tallying four goals on the season and delivering strong performances in varied circumstances. Nashville’s pressure overwhelmed Anaheim as the game wore on, and the Predators pulled away in the late stages to clinch the road win.
Trenin showed why he remains a meaningful option for Nashville, his shot from an angled position helping seal the victory. The Predators controlled the remaining minutes, leaving little room for a Ducks comeback and handing Anaheim a tough defeat on their road schedule.