After a typically busy Saturday in the NHL — with 13 games — Sunday is quite a bit more manageable, with just five games and an afternoon tilt to break things up.
The marquee matchup is Utah Mammoth–New York Rangers, an interconference matchup pitting two teams that made a significant trade this offseason.
But that’s not all, as a handful of other legit Stanley Cup contenders take the ice. Here’s what to watch in each game:
Odds are provided by DraftKings and subject to change.
Winnipeg Jets at Detroit Red Wings
1 p.m. ET (NHL Network) | DET -125, O/U: 5.5
Is it the trade request contest? Detroit’s Dylan Larkin indicated that he wanted out this spring, and the fans at Detroit’s home opener let him know how they feel about that. Larkin’s Olympic teammate Connor Hellebuyck has requested a trade from the Jets, and that has also gone unconsummated to this point. On the ice, both teams fell short in their season openers Friday, so they’ll both be chasing important points in this one.
Utah Mammoth at New York Rangers
6 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | NYR -135, O/U: 5.5
The Vincent Trocheck trade finally happened this summer, as the Mammoth landed the veteran center from the Rangers for defenseman Sean Durzi, forward Cole Beaudoin and a 2027 third-round pick. This will be Trocheck’s first trip back to Madison Square Garden since the swap, hoping to earn a critical two points to stay near the top of the Central Division meat grinder. The Rangers won’t be in a charitable mood either, as the Metro Division is shaping up to be just as competitive, and Durzi will continue to play a critical role for the Blueshirts.
Florida Panthers at Anaheim Ducks
8 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | FLA -130, O/U: 6.5
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Ducks named Radko Gudas captain, the ninth in franchise history. But after a couple of seasons in the role, he was traded to the Panthers this past offseason. Sunday will be his first trip back to the Honda Center with his new feline pals. The Panthers will be without Aleksander Barkov in this one, as Florida’s captain has been placed on LTIR, meaning he will miss at least 10 games.
Calgary Flames at Seattle Kraken
8 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | SEA -135, O/U: 5.5
The first matchup in these teams’ season series was a fun one — if you’re a Kraken fan. Vince Dunn had a goal and two assists to lead Seattle to a 6-1 win over Calgary. This will also be the second leg of a back-to-back set for both teams, as the Kraken visited Edmonton on Saturday, and the Flames paid a visit to the Canucks; so, there might be some tired legs out there.
Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks
9 p.m. ET (ESPN+) | VGK -230, O/U: 6.5
On paper, this would appear to be a bit of a lopsided matchup (and DraftKings apparently agrees). But the Canucks have been frisky this season, beating the fellow Cup favorite Oilers 6-5 in OT on opening night, and then going just about blow-for-blow in a 9-7 loss to Edmonton on Thursday. Don’t sleep on the Canucks!
Reminder: Fans can catch all of the action in the NHL streaming hub and on the ESPN App.
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Last night’s scores
NHL stats leaders
Today in hockey history
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Here’s what you need to know:
Saturday’s scoreboard
Buffalo Sabres 4, Chicago Blackhawks 3
Pittsburgh Penguins 6, Montreal Canadiens 5 (OT)
Tampa Bay Lightning3, Washington Capitals 1
Ottawa Senators 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 2
Carolina Hurricanes 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 (OT)
Utah Mammoth 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 1
Edmonton Oilers 3, Seattle Kraken 1
New York Islanders 6, New Jersey Devils 0
Minnesota Wild 4, Boston Bruins 1
Nashville Predators 2, Dallas Stars 1
Colorado Avalanche 6, St. Louis Blues 1
Vancouver Canucks 4, Calgary Flames 1
San Jose Sharks 5, Los Angeles Kings 4 (OT)
NHL scoring leaders
Click here for full list of stats leaders.
NHL goaltending leaders
Click here for the full list of goaltender stats.
Today in hockey history
Thirty-five years ago today, the Edmonton Oilers completed a trade that would alter the course of modern hockey history.
No, it wasn’t the deal that sent Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings; it was the Oct. 4, 1991, swap that sent Mark Messier to the New York Rangers for forwards Louie DeBrusk, Bernie Nicholls and Steven Rice.
To put it mildly, Messier made quite the impact on Broadway, winning the Hart Trophy as MVP in 1992, guiding the Rangers to the Presidents’ Trophy in 1991-92 and 1993-94, and of course, playing a major role in the Blueshirts winning the Stanley Cup in 1994.
