By: Damon Horton

The NHL’s Frozen Frenzy returns, giving us the rare opportunity to watch every single team play on the same day, a tradition that enters its 4th year this Tuesday, October 13th. As we all prepare to grab a cold one and enjoy a full slate of NHL action, we will go over every single matchup and talk about the major storylines for each one.

New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings

Can the Devils capitalize on a captain-less Red Wings team?

It is no secret that the Wings’ offseason has been tumultuous and chaotic. The Dylan Larkin trade request and Steve Yzerman’s removal as GM have been the biggest headlines perhaps in the entire NHL this summer. On the other hand, the Devils are looking to break into the NHL playoffs behind a talented forward core. The Devils have been a tough team to properly gauge in the early season, but one thing is for certain. They need to learn to get ahead early. The Devils have yet to have the first goal of the game and have had to fight back in every game so far this season (as of this writing, they have not played the Senators just yet). The Devils will have to find it within themselves to come out of the gate hot against a Red Wings team that is still reeling from their awful summer.

Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Can Florida find their footing against a middling Columbus squad?

The Panthers have had an incredibly rough start to the season, finding themselves in the bottom half of every major offensive statistical category out of the gate. The loss of Barkov and Marchand, coupled with a slow start for Brady Tkachuk, has stifled the Panthers right out of the gate. The major question for them is: can their offense find their footing? The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, find themselves in a similar situation on the offensive side, but have not found success on the defensive side compared to their opponent. The question remains: who will win? A stoppable force or a moveable object?

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens

Which underwhelming team will win this Eastern Conference Playoff Rematch?

In what was perhaps the best series of the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs, the upstart Canadiens got the better of the Sabres in overtime, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of Sabres faithful. Buffalo and Montreal have both had less-than-great starts to the season, and both are undoubtedly looking to right the ship before things get too deep into the year. The curse of expectations may be weighing on the two squads, as neither has been able to gain much momentum at this point in the season. Both teams are undoubtedly expected to make the playoffs, but these matchups early on will surely have a playoff atmosphere for each party involved.

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Two Eastern Conference favorites battle for the first time this season

Another marquee heavyweight matchup will be taking place in Raleigh, pitting the defending Stanley Cup Champs up against a team that is hardly the same squad as last year. The Capitals boast one of, if not the best forward groups in the NHL, and have the added pressure of Ovechkin’s last ride on their shoulders. The Hurricanes seemingly drank their electrolytes, forgoing the dreaded Stanley Cup hangover and getting right back to business. While it is still very early in the season, you can expect many eyes to be glued to this one, as we all ask the same question: are the Capitals legit? This will be the last time these two teams see each other until January 14th, so we will surely be using this as a measuring stick for Washington. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and the Caps are currently 0-1 against the Canes this season.

Seattle Kraken vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Can Philly right the ship against the overachieving Seattle Kraken?

The faceoff between Seattle and Philadelphia is a tale of two teams that find themselves on the opposite sides of the same coin. The Kraken find themselves 4-2-0 on the season, albeit wins have come against teams like Calgary and Detroit, while the Flyers have found themselves in a deep hole to start the year. Philadelphia has lost 7 straight to start the season, the worst start in franchise history, and have been outscored 28-8 in that stretch. The Flyers have not scored more than a single goal in a game in the last 4 matchups, and haven’t scored more than twice in a game once. The Flyers will be desperate to right the ship, and the Kraken will be looking to continue taking care of business.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers

The Lightning look to surge past the Igor-less Rangers

A few nights ago, the hockey world saw the Elliotte Friedman tweet. Igor Shesterkin will miss the remainder of the season with a lower body injury. The Vezina-caliber tender was playing like his hair was on fire to begin the year, leading the charge for a team with little to no expectations heading into the season. With Shesterkin gone, the team will no doubt be looking for ways to keep the train a-moving, and the very stout Tampa Bay Lightning may have something to say about that. One thing of note: the Lightning have not been lighting it up on offense. The team ranks T-14th in the league in Goals per Game and “boasts” only a 10% Power Play. They will have to find ways to overcome that as they face a squad that has perhaps the biggest chip in the league on their shoulder heading into the game.

St. Louis Blues vs. Ottawa Senators

Two banged-up teams square off; can Ottawa keep the momentum going?

The Ottawa Senators are a team that I had circled before the season started to supersede expectations after very publicly losing their captain to the state-side Florida Panthers. As of right now, it seems like Ottawa is winning the trade by virtue of winning games. Brady Tkachuk has yet to register a single point at the time of this writing, and Ottawa sits at 4-1-0. The Sens recently lost William Eklund, and the Blues recently lost Dillon Dube after Dube went very hard into the boards head-first, injuring his neck in the process. With both teams reeling from tough injuries, which one will be able to overcome said injuries and keep the ball rolling in the right direction this season?

Vancouver Canucks vs. New York Islanders

Can the Islanders keep the ship afloat without Barzal and Romanov?

The Islanders find themselves with reason for optimism this year under new Head Coach Pete DeBoer. They have the makings of a team that could make some noise with young star Matthew Schaefer and Vezina-hopeful Ilya Sorokin leading the charge. The Isles have run into injury troubles, however, most notably defenseman Alexander Romanov going out for the next 6-8 months with a torn ACL. An absolutely brutal streak of luck after working to return from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the majority of last season, too. To make things worse, Matt Barzal is out with an undisclosed knee injury and has no timetable for a return. Hockey is a brutal sport, and it is moments like these that show you what a team is made of. Can the Isles find a way to win in a crowded Metropolitan division without some of their best players?

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Are the Penguins a legitimate contender in the Metro?

The Blackhawks look to be exactly who we expected them to be, a team trying to find their way in the midst of a rebuild. The Penguins find themselves in a very different position, with an aging core that may be on their last ride on a team that is trying to send them off properly. Sid has aged like a fine wine, looking like he could still have even more in the tank. So far, he has led the team to a 3-2-1 record with impressive overtime wins against Dallas and Montreal, but dropping games against less-than-stellar competition like Columbus and Winnipeg (who could be making a statement of their own). They will be facing off against a struggling Chicago Blackhawks squad that looks like they missed the bus at the start of the season and are still trying to find their way back to the bus stop. Can Pittsburgh take care of business, or will they drop one and give Chicago reason for optimism?

Minnesota Wild vs. Winnipeg Jets

Can the Jets keep doing it without Connor Hellebuyck? Can the Wild do it without Faber?

Perhaps the biggest story in the league this year has been the curious case of American players trying to make it back to the United States. Connor Hellebuyck has been following in the footsteps of his countrymen, requesting a trade and trying to get out of town to somewhere he feels like he could win in. The issue is that Winnipeg is only one season removed from a Presidents’ Trophy and playoff run that was ended by a stacked Dallas Stars team. The Jets have left thoughts of him in the dust, netting 7 out of a possible 10 points thus far, and looking damn good while doing it. Stuart Skinner’s mustache has provided excellent protection, with a 2.62 GAA and .920 SV%. He has not lost in regulation yet this season.

The Wild are fighting their own battle with an arm tied behind their back. Brock Faber took a puck to the head in a preseason matchup versus the Dallas Stars, and suffered a skull fracture in the process. The Wild have been very quiet about his condition, but according to Wild beat writer Michael Russo, things are not looking great. On a local radio show, he said, “This isn’t just a cracked bone. There was a lot of stuff that was very scary behind the scenes.” Faber has no timetable for return, and the Wild must make do without him, giving the lion’s share of responsibility to Quinn Hughes in the midst of a contract year. With both teams fighting with a disadvantage, who is fraudulent and who is legit?

Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars

Playoff hockey in October. Can the Stars prove that they are still Contenders?

The Avalanche and Stars have produced playoff-quality matchups in just about every single game they have played against each other for the past 6 seasons. There will certainly be no love lost between the two as they head into their first matchup of the season, this one being the first of a back-to-back series between the Central Division titans. While it is only October, both teams know the impact this series will have on the outlook for the rest of the season. The Avalanche have come out of the gate incredibly strong, much like last season, and much like last season, their power play is somehow looking slightly impotent. While they remain Stanley Cup favorites, the Stars seem to always have their number. The Stars are only 8-7-4 against the Avalanche since 2020, but have won the last 3 playoff meetings, the most recent being the 2025 Mikko Rantanen miracle.

The Stars have been up and down to start the year, but have recently boasted arguably the best goaltender in the league. Jake Oettinger has been nearly unstoppable in his last 3 starts, registering 2 shutouts and a 2-1 shootout loss, the only regulation goal coming off a ricochet off of his own defenseman’s stick. Oettober is in full effect, but can their forwards step up? Matt Duchene is now out for 3 months after undergoing core surgery, and their depth is already thin as-is. Will they be able to play to their full potential against the stiff competition that is the defending Presidents’ Trophy winners? The Avalanche won the season series last year, going 2-1-1. How will the Stars answer?

In what I predict will be the marquee matchup of the night, expect an absolute slugfest. The Stars or Avalanche have been featured in the Western Conference Final in 5 of the last 6 seasons. Playoff hockey in October- who says no?

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Nashville Predators

Could Jack Eichel make a run for the Hart Trophy?

The Knights have been finding ways to win no matter what. Ever since dropping the first contest to Anaheim, the Knights have been invincible, coming from behind and utilizing their elite power play unit to avoid overtime losses against Toronto and Los Angeles. While it may be too early to tell, the Golden Knights are doing what they do, staying consistent and winning games. The heart of their winning ways lies in the elite Centerman Jack Eichel. As of the time of this writing, Eichel has 12 points in 6 games, including the equalizer on the penalty shot against the Leafs. Even though Eichel is known around the league as one of the best Centers in the league, this could be the season he puts him the elite company of Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. He already has the Gold; why not take home the MVP, too?

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Utah Mammoth

The Gavin McKenna show comes to Utah, where the Mammoth gun for a top seed.

1st overall pick Gavin McKenna has looked fantastic, notching 4 points in 6 games, including the first goal of his young career against Nashville. 18-year-old McKenna went straight from Penn State to the bright lights of Toronto without skipping a beat, and will look to continue his torrid pace against a stout Utah team. The Mammoth, on the other hand, look to take a huge step forward, aiming to go from a wildcard team last season to a top-3 seed in the tough Central Division. The Mammoth boast an incredible league-leading Power Play with a 40% PP% and rank 5th in the league in Goals/Gm. The defense is solid, too, only allowing 22.5 SOG/Gm, good for 4th in the league. Nick Schmaltz has already hit the back of the net 6 times, landing him tied for 1st in the NHL with stars like Kaprizov, Evan Bouchard, and Kyle Connor. Could this be the season they take that massive step forward?

Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks

Can Calgary win their first game against a dominant Ducks team?

The Anaheim Ducks heard all of the noise surrounding them this season and put on the noise-cancelling headphones. Their new $18 million man currently leads the team in points, a single notch above newly-crowned Finnish Captain Mikhail Granlund. Their competition during the Frozen Frenzy looks to be more of a meal than competition, facing the winless Calgary Flames. The Flames have been truly struggling out of the gate, only scoring 1.6 Goals/Gm (31st). They have also allowed a league-worst 5.4 GoalsAgainst/Gm. Looks can be deceiving, however, as their shooting percentage is 31st in the league. Even with a sub-par offense, you would expect it to get better from 5.7%. Could we see them shock the league by picking up their first win of the season against Anaheim?

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

The Triumvirate comes to Los Angeles

The trio of McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard are heading to Los Angeles to continue their tirade against the Kings. The Oilers faced a ton of criticism at the onset of the season, especially after losing a high-scoring affair to the Canucks to open the year. Ever since then, they have won 4 straight and scored a massive 20 goals in that span. McDavid and Bouchard have been undeniable, making themselves the top-2 scorers in the league so far with 13 and 12 points respectively. On the opposite end of the ice, the LA Kings look to earn their first regulation win against an unstoppable force. Their saving grace, Edmonton’s goaltending, has been feast or famine, allowing either a flood of goals or keeping games tight. In the 2 games against Vancouver, they allowed a total of 13 goals. Since then, they have allowed only 4 goals in 3 games. Which version of the Oilers will the Kings get?

Boston Bruins vs. San Jose Sharks

Can the Sharks beat Jeremy Swayman?

Boston has been fortunate to have one of the best goaltenders in the league in their crease, and one of the best goaltenders in the league he has been. Jeremy Swayman has already registered a shutout this season and has amazing stats to go along with it. His 1.79 GAA, .932 SV%, and a 4-1-0 record will be following the Bruins into the Shark Tank to take on the San Jose Sharks. While the Sharks have been widely regarded as one of the most improved teams throughout the offseason, they are nothing without Macklin Celebrini. In last week’s contest versus Dallas, the Sharks were shut out, only registering 14 shots on goal in a full 3 periods against a Stars team that was still reeling from a 0-2-0 start. Despite missing that game, Celebrini has 6 total points in 3 games, and will have to be his full self if the Sharks are to make it past the Bruins.

Team NBS Media’s Games of the Night

Sabers vs. Canadiens

Last Matchup: MTL 3-2 May 18th, 2026

Expected Goals Share: Montreal 51%, Buffalo 49%

My Prediction: MTL 4 BUF 2

Capitals vs. Hurricanes

Last Matchup: WSH 5-2 October 2nd, 2026

Expected Goals Share: Carolina 58%, Washington 42%

My Prediction: CAR 3 WSH 2

Leafs vs. Mammoth

Last Matchup: UTA 6-1 January 13th, 2026

Expected Goals Share: Utah 54% Toronto 46%

My Prediction: UTA 5 TOR 3

Avalanche vs. Stars

Last Matchup: COL 2-0 April 4th, 2026

Expected Goals Share: Colorado 55%, Dallas 45%

My Prediction: DAL 3 COL 2