The early days of 2026 bring us a thrilling slate of NHL action, headlined by three marquee matchups that promise to set the ice ablaze. With the Vegas Golden Knights visiting the St. Louis Blues, the New York Rangers clashing with the Florida Panthers, and the Minnesota Wild taking on the Anaheim Ducks, hockey fans are in for a treat.
Vegas Golden Knights at St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues, with a 52% chance of victory according to our model, are poised to edge out the Vegas Golden Knights in what promises to be a tightly contested battle. With a predicted score of 2.9 to 2.6, the Blues hold a slight advantage, bolstered by the stellar play of Robert Thomas. Thomas is projected to notch 1.1 points, potentially tipping the scales in favor of the Blues. On the other side, Jack Eichel of the Golden Knights is set to be a key player, with predictions of 1.2 points through balanced scoring and playmaking.
For more on this clash, check out our detailed game prediction.
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers
Down in the Sunshine State, the Florida Panthers are looking to capitalize on home ice against the New York Rangers. Predicted to win with a 53% probability, the Panthers have the upper hand with a projected score of 3.1 to 2.6. Key to this potential victory is Sam Bennett, expected to contribute significantly with 0.8 points. Meanwhile, the Rangers will rely heavily on the dynamic duo of Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox, both projected to be pivotal in keeping the scoreboard ticking for New York.
Catch every detail of this face-off by visiting our game prediction.
Minnesota Wild at Anaheim Ducks
Over on the West Coast, the Anaheim Ducks are set to entertain the Minnesota Wild in what could be the highest-scoring game of the day. With a projected score of 3.9 to 3.2, the Ducks are favored with a 54% win probability. Anaheim's Leo Carlsson is a player to watch, predicted to rack up an impressive 1.2 points. Not far behind, Troy Terry is also expected to make a significant impact with 1.1 points, ensuring the Ducks have multiple threats on the ice.
For a deep dive into this matchup, head over to our game prediction.
For the hardcore fans and bettors alike, these games aren't just about who wins or loses but how the stars align. Detailed projected player stats for all games are available exclusively to GameSim+ subscribers. Learn more about how you can dive deeper into the data and enhance your game day experience.
