If you’re staring at the schedule wondering who's playing tonight in the NHL, get ready for a heavy dose of chaos. It’s Thursday, January 15, 2026, and the league is throwing ten games at us. It’s one of those nights where you probably need three screens and a very understanding spouse to keep up with everything.
Honestly, the biggest story isn’t even a local rivalry. It’s Mitch Marner. He’s heading back to face the Maple Leafs for the first time since joining the Vegas Golden Knights, and the vibes in that arena are going to be... well, complicated.
The Marner Reunion and a Massive Return in Chicago
Tonight is essentially "Narrative Night" across North America. We have star players returning from injury, blockbuster trades being revisited, and a few divisional fights that are getting way too personal for mid-January.
Maple Leafs at Golden Knights (9:30 PM ET)
This is the one everyone is circling. Mitch Marner vs. Toronto. Seeing him in that gold jersey still feels like a fever dream for some fans. Vegas is coming off a gritty 3-2 overtime win against the Kings just last night, so they might be a bit gassed, but you’d better believe Marner has this one circled in red ink.
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Adin Hill is a gametime decision for Vegas after a long stint on the shelf with a lower-body injury. If he can’t go, Akira Schmid might have to carry the load again. Toronto, meanwhile, is trying to find their footing in a season that has been surprisingly streaky.
Flames at Blackhawks (8:30 PM ET)
Chicago fans can breathe. Connor Bedard is back. He missed Monday's game with an illness—which apparently went around the locker room—but he was back on the top line at morning skate. The Blackhawks desperately need him; they looked lost in their 4-1 loss to Edmonton without their franchise centerpiece.
Calgary is struggling. They’ve lost five of their last six. Spencer Knight is expected to start in net for Chicago, and he’s been one of the few bright spots lately, posting a .911 save percentage over his last five starts.
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Projected Matchups and Who’s Between the Pipes
If you're looking for the full slate of who's playing tonight in the NHL, here is how the 7:00 PM ET window and the late-night heaters are shaping up.
The Early Slate (7:00 PM ET)
- Flyers at Penguins: The Battle of Pennsylvania is basically a tradition at this point. Samuel Ersson gets the nod for Philly because Dan Vladar got banged up in Buffalo. For the Pens, Sidney Crosby is still doing Crosby things, though they'll be without Erik Karlsson (lower body).
- Canadiens at Sabres: Montreal is leaning on young Jacob Fowler tonight. He’s only 21 and in his first NHL season, but he’s holding his own with a 2.46 GAA. Buffalo is currently on one of the best stretches in franchise history, led by Rasmus Dahlin.
- Sharks at Capitals: Washington is a heavy favorite here. Jakob Chychrun is returning from illness, which is huge for their blue line. Logan Thompson is confirmed for the Caps—he’s been elite lately, winning two straight with a 1.51 GAA.
- Canucks at Blue Jackets: Vancouver is hurting. They are missing Thatcher Demko and Marco Rossi. Kevin Lankinen is expected to start. Columbus is actually on a two-game win streak, and Elvis Merzlikins is looking for a redemption game.
The Mid-to-Late Window
- Kraken at Bruins (8:00 PM ET): Jeremy Swayman is coming off a 24-save shutout against Detroit. He’s locked in. Seattle is trying to bounce back from an OT loss to Jersey, but winning in TD Garden is a tall order right now.
- Jets at Wild (8:00 PM ET): This is a collision of injuries. The Wild just lost Jonas Brodin to IR. The Jets have three defensemen, including Neal Pionk, on the shelf. Jesper Wallstedt is starting for Minnesota, and he’s been a revelation this year.
- Islanders at Oilers (9:00 PM ET): Edmonton is finally looking like the "wagon" everyone expected. Stuart Skinner is confirmed in net. The Isles are trying to integrate newly acquired Jamie Oleksiak (picked up from Seattle) to stabilize their defense.
- Stars at Mammoth (9:00 PM ET): Utah’s inaugural season continues to be a wild ride. They’re facing a Dallas team that is in "win-now" mode. Keep an eye on the Stars' depth—they are reportedly scouting for more grit before the deadline.
Why Tonight’s Goaltending Matters
You can’t talk about who's playing tonight in the NHL without looking at the crease. It’s a weird night for goalies. We have rookies like Jacob Fowler trying to survive Buffalo, and veterans like Alex Nedeljkovic getting a rare start for San Jose because Yaroslav Askarov has hit a wall.
Askarov has allowed 3+ goals in 13 straight games. That is a nightmare stat. San Jose switching to Nedeljkovic is a "break glass in case of emergency" move. On the flip side, you have Jeremy Swayman in Boston who looks like he’s playing a different sport entirely.
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Key Injuries to Watch
- Robert Thomas (Blues): He’s out for at least two weeks. Huge blow for St. Louis.
- Tom Wilson (Capitals): Still day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
- Erik Karlsson (Penguins): Missing tonight’s rivalry game.
- Jonas Brodin (Wild): Placed on IR today.
Making Sense of the Standings
The Colorado Avalanche are still the "Super 16" kings, sitting at 33-4-8. They aren't playing tonight, which gives the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning a chance to close the gap.
Minnesota is another team to watch. Their acquisition of Quinn Hughes earlier this season was a massive swing, and even though they gave up a ton of assets (Rossi, Ohgren, and a 1st), it’s paying off. They are currently 4th in the league power rankings. Tonight’s game against Winnipeg is a chance for them to prove they can win even with a depleted blue line.
Basically, if you’re betting or just setting your fantasy lineup, pay attention to the "illness" factor. It’s hitting the Blackhawks and Capitals locker rooms. Morning skates showed some line shuffling that might catch you off guard if you’re just looking at last week’s stats.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight
- Check the 6:30 PM ET Goalie Confirms: While Skinner, Thompson, and Swayman are "confirmed," guys like Adin Hill and Elvis Merzlikins can be late scratches. Use a tracker like Daily Faceoff right before puck drop.
- Monitor the Marner Reception: If you’re a Toronto fan, keep an eye on social media around 9:15 PM ET. The Vegas crowd is usually electric, but the "away" contingent of Leafs fans in Sin City is always massive.
- Watch the Bedard Power Play: With Bedard back, Chicago's power play should look completely different than it did on Monday. Look for him to test his wrist shot early to see if he’s actually 100%.
The NHL schedule is a grind, but nights like this—with ten games and multiple star returns—are why we watch. Grab your snacks. It’s going to be a long one.