NEW YORK — The NHL’s post-Olympic explosion arrives Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, and it’s eight games deep. After nearly three weeks off while stars chased gold in Milano-Cortina — where some NHLers returned with medals and others returned with sore legs — the regular season resumes with matchups that matter in both playoff races and division battles.
Here’s the rapid-fire, get-to-the-damn-point preview of each game — plus my picks because I watch way too much hockey and you should be impressed:
Buffalo Sabres at New Jersey Devils — 7 p.m.
Two teams vying for playoff position. The Sabres leaned on improved depth scoring and strong possession metrics before the break; the Devils have been steady but inconsistent offensively this season. This one is purely a vibes pick based on closing form before the break.
Fryburger pick: Sabres
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals — 7 p.m.
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has a chance to climb the all-time home goals list, and Washington rides veteran stability into this one. Flyers are scrappy but under .500.
Fryburger pick: Capitals
Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning — 7:30 p.m.
Leafs bring elite scoring from Matthews and company; Lightning counter with top-tier special teams and playoff-level transition offense. Tampa’s balanced attack and depth edges this one.
Fryburger pick: Lightning
Seattle Kraken at Dallas Stars — 8 p.m.
Both teams battle through puck possession and transition play. Dallas skates hard at home and generates danger off forecheck breakouts.
Fryburger pick: Stars
Colorado Avalanche at Utah Mammoth — 9 p.m.
Avalanche return as one of the league’s best teams with Olympic medalists on the roster — but Utah’s Mammoth are scrappy and competitive with solid home-ice play.
Fryburger pick: Mammoth
Winnipeg Jets at Vancouver Canucks — 10 p.m.
Canadian rivalry. Canucks offer balanced scoring and physical zone play; Jets bring structure and speed. This one smells of tight hockey.
Fryburger pick: Canucks
Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings — 10 p.m.
Golden Knights will be without Jack Eichel for this game, a notable absence for a top-end offense. That said, Vegas’ depth still allows them to create high danger off the rush and on the power play.
Fryburger pick: Golden Knights
Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks — 10:30 p.m.
Oilers lean on top stars that generate a bunch of high-danger chances; Ducks are resilient and skate fast. Ducks’ breakout speed tonight gets it done.
Fryburger pick: Ducks
There you have it: Sabres, Capitals, Lightning, Stars, Mammoth, Canucks, Golden Knights, Ducks — the Jackson Fryburger Wednesday winners.
This slate features high stakes right away. The Sabres and Devils both smell playoff air; Washington wants to tighten its Metropolitan positioning; Tampa Bay remains a top Eastern Conference barometer; Dallas keeps grinding possession numbers near the top of the Central race. The Mammoth, Seattle and Vancouver all show analytic profiles that lean interestingly in possession and expected goals — so these aren’t chalk-only winners, they’re Puck Watcher Picks™ with some reasoning behind them.
If you love puck movement, zone entries, breakout speed and goaltenders under pressure, this night has all of it. Curl your sticks and fire up the screens — the NHL is back.
Good luck, happy watching, and of course: long live Gary Puck.
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