As the NHL approaches its break for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, teams are fiercely competing to build momentum. On Wednesday, several squads strive to extend winning streaks and set records with 10 games scheduled across North America, including key matchups involving playoff contenders and star players.
Boston Bruins Seek to Maintain Momentum Against Florida Panthers
The Boston Bruins (32-20-4) look to continue their strong form ahead of the Olympic pause as they face the Florida Panthers (28-24-3) at Amerant Bank Arena. Currently holding points in six consecutive games with a 4-0-2 record, Boston aims to protect its position as the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Forward Morgan Geekie has been a significant contributor, tallying 11 points in the last seven games, while defenseman Charlie McAvoy also extends his point streak to six contests. The Panthers, meanwhile, face a challenging task to halt a four-game losing skid and remain competitive in the playoff race, trailing Boston by nine points for the second wild card spot.
Dallas Stars Push for Sixth Consecutive Victory at Home
The Dallas Stars (33-14-9) are chasing a season-best sixth straight win as they host the struggling St. Louis Blues (20-27-9) at American Airlines Center. Dallas holds a solid 6-1-0 record over their past seven games, narrowing the gap behind the Minnesota Wild for second place in the Central Division. Key goalie Jake Oettinger, heading to the Olympics with Team USA, has secured five consecutive victories and ranks among elite U.S.-born goaltenders for multiple winning streaks. The Stars’ offense is firing well, with Jason Robertson nearing 200 career goals and Matt Duchene contributing points in five straight outings. The Blues look to break a nine-game road losing streak, with rookie Jimmy Snuggerud aiming to join a select group of St. Louis players achieving a six-game scoring streak, while goalie Jordan Binnington prepares to add to his shutout total as he represents Team Canada.
Leading NHL Players Prepare for the Olympics
Numerous NHL stars are transitioning from intense league play to representing their countries on the Olympic stage. This season, a substantial number of players participating in the league will compete in Milano Cortina, adding pressure to finish strong before the break. Fans can explore in-depth coverage at NHL.com to follow their Olympic journeys.
Minnesota Wild Target Extended Winning and Assist Records
The Minnesota Wild (33-14-10) enter their contest against the Nashville Predators (26-23-6) with aspirations to build on a four-game winning streak and a six-game point streak. Defenseman Quinn Hughes, representing Team USA in the Olympics, has been a driving force with an impressive nine-game point streak, including the opportunity to surpass Kirill Kaprizov’s franchise assist record. The Predators, who have earned points in their last four games, rely heavily on Filip Forsberg, Sweden’s Olympic representative, who has a three-game scoring streak including recent multi-point performances. This clash at Bridgestone Arena promises to have significant implications for both teams’ playoff positioning.
Anze Kopitar Poised to Climb Los Angeles Kings’ All-Time Scoring List
Los Angeles Kings’ veteran Anze Kopitar is on the cusp of reaching a major career milestone as the team hosts the Seattle Kraken at Crypto.com Arena. With 1,299 career points, Kopitar needs only one more to edge closer to Marcel Dionne’s franchise scoring record of 1,307 points. The 15-season NHL veteran, who plans to retire after this campaign, has remained productive this season with 21 points in 39 games. The Kraken are striving to recover from a recent loss which snapped their four-game win streak. Forward Jared McCann, riding a four-game point streak, is pivotal in Seattle’s efforts to maintain its wild card standing in the Western Conference.
Intense “Battle of Alberta” Marks Last Match Before Olympic Hiatus
The Edmonton Oilers (28-21-8) and Calgary Flames (22-27-6) renew their heated rivalry in the final Battle of Alberta matchup before the Olympic break. Played at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome, the Flames look for their fourth straight victory in the series after narrowly winning the previous encounter. The Oilers, tied atop the Pacific Division with the Vegas Golden Knights, aim for key contributions from Olympic-bound stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Both players ended recent point streaks but remain statistical leaders in the league. The Flames, struggling with losses in six of their past seven games, seek to reverse their fortunes against a divisional rival on the postseason cusp.
Comprehensive NHL Schedule Highlights Key Matchups
Wednesday’s slate features a mix of critical contests as postseason battles intensify across both conferences. The full schedule includes:
Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS)
Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, CHSN)
Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets (7 p.m. ET; RDS, SN)
Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators (8 p.m. ET; FDSNWIX, FDSNNO, FDSNSO)
San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, ALT)
Detroit Red Wings at Utah Mammoth (9 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, Utah 16)
St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars (9:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT)
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames (10 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN, SN360)
Vancouver Canucks at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, SNP)
Seattle Kraken at Los Angeles Kings (10 p.m. ET; FDSNW, KHN/Prime, KING 5, KONG)
With the Olympic Winter Games imminent, these matchups represent crucial moments for teams and players alike to solidify status and gather momentum before the pause in NHL action.
