by Sean Murphy
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025As we prepare to ring in 2026, here's a look at some news and notes from around the NHL to assist with your daily hockey handicapping.
Stuck in the middle with you
Pittsburgh got off to a surprisingly strong start this season but the wheels have come off since as it has lost nine of its last 11 games to fall out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. That's not to say the Penguins season is a write-off, however, far from it as they're just three points back of a Wild Card spot. That leaves management in a difficult position - as often seems to be the case in the Steel City. Do the Pens tear it down and begin a much-needed rebuild or try to eke out a playoff spot and give Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang one more run? It certainly doesn't appear that Pittsburgh is ready to throw in the towel after it acquired Yegor Chinakhov from the Blue Jackets on Monday. The Pens will play seven of their next 10 games at home and that stretch might just tell the tale as to how the franchise proceeds this season.
Good Hab-its
The Canadiens picked up right where they left off last season by getting off to a hot start to the campaign but it looked like they might get derailed during a frustrating month of November. Instead of crumbling, the young Habs have righted the ship, winning consistently over the last month-plus. They're currently in the midst of a long seven-game road trip that hasn't gotten off to a great start (1-2) but I don't think this is a team you want to bet against on the highway as they're 10-3-5 and have outscored the opposition by an average margin of 0.3 goals away from home. A key clash with the defending Stanley Cup champions in Sunrise awaits on Tuesday.
Sens-ing trouble
This was supposed to be the year that Ottawa made the jump to true contender in the Eastern Conference. While there's still a lot of hockey to be played, the Senators currently sit in 14th place in the East, ahead of only the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets. Injuries have certainly played a role - not having captain Brady Tkachuk for an extended stretch hurt - but it seems like very time Ottawa has looked like it's about to turn things around, another losing streak has followed. The Sens are currently mired in a three-game slide with all three defeats coming against conference opponents. The good news is, they'll get their next three games at home but the bad news is, they're a middling 8-7-3 on home ice.
Heating up
The Flames were a train-wreck out of the gate this season and as a result they've faced an uphill battle to claw their way back into the Western Conference playoff picture. While few have been paying much attention, they have managed to right the ship, going 12-5-1 over their last 18 games. They might still have room to run as they'll play their next three games at home before heading out on a lengthy eastern road swing. While Calgary is still looking up at three teams between it and the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, it sits just three points back of eighth-place San Jose.
A royal pain
Los Angeles has been one of the league's biggest disappointments so far this season, sporting a 16-13-9 record after suffering a 5-2 loss against the mighty Avalanche in Colorado on Monday. There's whispers of changes afoot with the Kings already dealing away a key piece in face-off specialist Phillip Danault to Montreal. Unless the Kings can get an influx of offensive talent, wins will continue to be hard to come by as they've produced two goals or less in eight of their last nine games. Of course, that doesn't mean the season is a total write-off - in fact, Los Angeles still holds down a Wild Card position in the West. However, if it can't find a way to win the close games in the coming weeks and months, it is likely to get caught and end up on the outside looking in come April.
Stuck in the middle with you
Pittsburgh got off to a surprisingly strong start this season but the wheels have come off since as it has lost nine of its last 11 games to fall out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. That's not to say the Penguins season is a write-off, however, far from it as they're just three points back of a Wild Card spot. That leaves management in a difficult position - as often seems to be the case in the Steel City. Do the Pens tear it down and begin a much-needed rebuild or try to eke out a playoff spot and give Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang one more run? It certainly doesn't appear that Pittsburgh is ready to throw in the towel after it acquired Yegor Chinakhov from the Blue Jackets on Monday. The Pens will play seven of their next 10 games at home and that stretch might just tell the tale as to how the franchise proceeds this season.
Good Hab-its
The Canadiens picked up right where they left off last season by getting off to a hot start to the campaign but it looked like they might get derailed during a frustrating month of November. Instead of crumbling, the young Habs have righted the ship, winning consistently over the last month-plus. They're currently in the midst of a long seven-game road trip that hasn't gotten off to a great start (1-2) but I don't think this is a team you want to bet against on the highway as they're 10-3-5 and have outscored the opposition by an average margin of 0.3 goals away from home. A key clash with the defending Stanley Cup champions in Sunrise awaits on Tuesday.
Sens-ing trouble
This was supposed to be the year that Ottawa made the jump to true contender in the Eastern Conference. While there's still a lot of hockey to be played, the Senators currently sit in 14th place in the East, ahead of only the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets. Injuries have certainly played a role - not having captain Brady Tkachuk for an extended stretch hurt - but it seems like very time Ottawa has looked like it's about to turn things around, another losing streak has followed. The Sens are currently mired in a three-game slide with all three defeats coming against conference opponents. The good news is, they'll get their next three games at home but the bad news is, they're a middling 8-7-3 on home ice.
Heating up
The Flames were a train-wreck out of the gate this season and as a result they've faced an uphill battle to claw their way back into the Western Conference playoff picture. While few have been paying much attention, they have managed to right the ship, going 12-5-1 over their last 18 games. They might still have room to run as they'll play their next three games at home before heading out on a lengthy eastern road swing. While Calgary is still looking up at three teams between it and the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, it sits just three points back of eighth-place San Jose.
A royal pain
Los Angeles has been one of the league's biggest disappointments so far this season, sporting a 16-13-9 record after suffering a 5-2 loss against the mighty Avalanche in Colorado on Monday. There's whispers of changes afoot with the Kings already dealing away a key piece in face-off specialist Phillip Danault to Montreal. Unless the Kings can get an influx of offensive talent, wins will continue to be hard to come by as they've produced two goals or less in eight of their last nine games. Of course, that doesn't mean the season is a total write-off - in fact, Los Angeles still holds down a Wild Card position in the West. However, if it can't find a way to win the close games in the coming weeks and months, it is likely to get caught and end up on the outside looking in come April.
