Honestly, if you're a hockey fan, January 17, 2026, is basically Christmas without the itchy sweaters. We've got a massive 13-game NHL slate, a historic PWHL matchup in Toronto, and a busy night in the AHL. Whether you're tracking your fantasy team or just looking for a reason to eat wings on a Saturday, there’s a lot to unpack.
Who's Playing Hockey Tonight in the NHL?
The big story tonight is the volume. We’ve got games stretching from the early afternoon on the East Coast all the way to late-night puck drops in the desert and the Pacific Northwest.
The early birds already saw the Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres tangle at 12:30 PM ET. It was a weird one for the Wild, who have been struggling lately, dropping five of their last six before this afternoon. Buffalo, meanwhile, has been riding high with a 4.7 goals-per-game average over their last stretch. If you missed that one, don't sweat it; the night is just getting started.
The 7:00 PM ET Gauntlet
This is where the schedule gets crowded. Basically, every major TV market in the East is in action.
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- Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets: This is the "Olympic Teammate Battle." With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina right around the corner, keep an eye on how guys like Mitch Marner and the Jets' core interact. Marner is actually sitting just 10 points shy of 800 for his career.
- Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils: A Metropolitan Division slugfest. Word is Dougie Hamilton might be on his way out of Jersey soon, so the vibes at the Prudential Center are... interesting, to say the least.
- Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals: The Panthers just got smoked for nine goals by Carolina yesterday. They’ll be looking to take out some frustration on Alex Ovechkin and company.
- Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators: A classic Atlantic Division rivalry. These games are never quiet, even if the standings don't always reflect it.
- Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins are in a "retool" phase according to Mike Sullivan, but they still have enough star power to make this a headache for Columbus.
The Late Night "After Dark" Crew
If you're still awake at 10:00 PM ET, the Western Conference has some heavy hitters.
The Edmonton Oilers are visiting the Vancouver Canucks. This is a massive game for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who just became the first player to hit 1,000 games played entirely with the Oilers. Then you have the Nashville Predators taking on the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mark Stone is on an absolute tear right now—he’s got points in 27 of 30 games this season. That’s a 90% success rate. Bananas.
The PWHL: History at Scotiabank Arena
Tonight isn't just about the guys. The Toronto Sceptres are hosting the Vancouver Goldeneyes at 3:00 PM ET. This is actually a pretty big deal because these two teams have yet to face each other this season. It's the only matchup in the PWHL that hasn't happened yet in 2025-26.
There’s a cool local connection here, too. Vancouver's top scorer, Claire Thompson, and Toronto's Daryl Watts literally grew up on the same street in Etobicoke. Now they’re leading opposing offenses in the biggest rink in the city. Plus, Sarah Nurse is finally back from LTIR for Vancouver. She scored the first-ever goal for the Goldeneyes franchise, so her return to the lineup is a huge emotional boost for a team that has struggled to find the back of the net lately.
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What’s Happening in the AHL?
Don't sleep on the "A." There are a handful of games tonight that actually have some major playoff implications for the minor leagues.
- Milwaukee Admirals vs. Grand Rapids Griffins: 7:00 PM CT. The Griffins are arguably the best team in the league right now with a 29-2-1-1 record. They just had three players named to the 2026 All-Star Classic: Sebastian Cossa, John Leonard, and Dominik Shine.
- Rockford IceHogs vs. Chicago Wolves: Also at 7:00 PM CT. This is a local rivalry that usually results in at least one or two "discussions" near the crease. Rockford is on a bit of a skid (0-5-0-1 in their last six), so they're desperate for a win at Allstate Arena.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to watch or bet on these games, here's the smart move:
- Watch the Sabres' "Edge" Stats: Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff is currently a Jack Adams contender because of how well they’re using puck-tracking data to create high-danger chances.
- Vegas Power Play: They're clicking at 27.3%, which is fourth in the NHL. If Nashville takes more than three penalties, they're probably toast.
- PWHL Streaming: If you aren't in Canada for the Sceptres game, you can catch the whole thing for free on the PWHL YouTube channel.
The best way to keep track of all these moving parts is to sync your calendar with the NHL and PWHL official apps. With games spread across five different time zones tonight, it’s easy to miss a puck drop.
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Check the local listings for your specific region, as many of these games are on regional sports networks like FDSN (formerly Bally) or MSG. If you're a neutral fan, the Leafs vs. Jets game is probably your best bet for high-skill, high-stakes hockey.
Next Steps for You
Grab your jersey, check the injury reports for your fantasy locks, and make sure your streaming logins actually work before the 7:00 PM rush hits.