Tuesday has arrived with plenty of emotions and intrigue across the National Hockey League. While the trade winds are beginning to swirl in Vancouver, the heartwarming story of the night comes from Salt Lake City, where a veteran King gave his mother a memory for a lifetime.
Kopitar and Hildeby Steal the Spotlight
Anze Kopitar provided the magic on Monday night, scoring the game-winning goal for the Los Angeles Kings in a 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth. The moment was made sweeter by the presence of his mother, Mateja, who was in the stands for the team’s “Moms Trip.” Kopitar is now just 15 points shy of Marcel Dionne’s franchise points record. Meanwhile, in Toronto, the future looks bright between the pipes. Dennis Hildeby recorded his first career NHL shutout, stopping all 29 shots to blank the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0. Auston Matthews iced the game with his 413th career goal, inching closer to Mats Sundin’s record.
Hughes Rumors & Calgary’s Offensive Explosion
The most shocking news today surrounds Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. With the team struggling (10-14-3), insiders suggest the Canucks are fielding calls, with the New Jersey Devils reportedly inquiring. While a move isn’t imminent, the mere availability of a superstar defenseman has the league on high alert. Elsewhere, the Calgary Flames offense erupted for seven goals against the Sabres, marking the third straight day an NHL team has scored seven or more.
NHL Scores & Notes: December 8, 2025
| Matchup | Score | Key Notes |
| Maple Leafs vs. Lightning | TOR 2 – 0 TBL | Hildeby (TOR) 1st career Shutout (29 saves). |
| Kings vs. Mammoth | LAK 4 – 2 UTA | Kopitar (LAK) GWG; Armia 2 goals. |
| Flames vs. Sabres | CGY 7 – 4 BUF | Kadri (CGY) 3 pts; Flames score 7 goals. |
| Red Wings vs. Canucks | DET 4 – 0 VAN | Gibson (DET) 39-save Shutout. |
| Wild vs. Kraken | MIN 4 – 1 SEA | Kaprizov (MIN) goal; Wild score 3 in 3rd period. |
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