Panthers vs Devils: A Clash of Olympic Gold Medalists and Playoff Contenders
Tuesday’s NHL schedule is packed with excitement, featuring 11 games, including two nationally televised matchups in the United States. One of the most anticipated contests pits the Florida Panthers against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, SCRIPPS, TNT). This game is particularly compelling as it marks the first meeting between Jack Hughes and Matthew Tkachuk since their triumphant gold medal win with Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Hughes and Tkachuk: From Olympic Glory to NHL Battle
Jack Hughes, who scored the overtime winner in the gold medal game against Team Canada on February 22nd, has been a force for the Devils, racking up 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) in 39 games. He’s also been consistently productive since the Olympic break, with an assist in each of New Jersey’s three games. Matthew Tkachuk isn’t far behind, boasting two goals and three assists in his last three games, and 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 13 games overall.
Panthers’ Playoff Push
The Panthers (30-27-3) face an uphill battle, trailing the Boston Bruins by eight points for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. However, they’ve shown resilience before. In the 2022-23 season, they overcame a five-point deficit with only 15 games remaining to secure a playoff berth and ultimately reach the Stanley Cup Final, where they fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in a five-game series. Can they replicate that late-season surge this year?
Kaprizov’s Historic Pursuit
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Kirill Kaprizov is on the verge of making Wild history. When the Minnesota Wild host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Grand Casino Arena (9:30 p.m. ET; The Spot, HBO MAX, truTV, TNT), Kaprizov has the opportunity to become the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer. He’s currently tied with Marian Gaborik at 219 goals in 380 games. With 74 points (34 goals, 40 assists) in 61 games this season, Kaprizov is a key component of the Wild’s offense.
Stars Aim for Double Digits
The Dallas Stars are riding high on a nine-game winning streak and will look to extend it to ten when they visit the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome (9 p.m. ET; SN1, Victory+). Their recent 6-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks saw Miro Heiskanen extend his point streak to six games and Jason Robertson secure his fifth consecutive season with at least 70 points, tying Patrick Kane for the most among active US-born players. The Stars (37-14-9) are second in the Central Division and the NHL with 83 points.
Other Notable Matchups
- Sabres vs. Golden Knights: Tage Thompson aims to continue his eight-game point streak as the Buffalo Sabres host the Vegas Golden Knights.
- Capitals vs. Mammoth: Alex Ovechkin seeks his 25th goal of the season against the Utah Mammoth.
- Avalanche vs. Ducks: Colorado looks to maintain their lead in the Central Division against Anaheim.
For a complete schedule and more in-depth stats, visit the official NHL website.
