Welcome to your daily dose of hockey. It is Tuesday, December 23, 2025, and the hockey world is still buzzing from the blockbuster trade that sent Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild last week. While the Vancouver Canucks saw their four-game post-trade winning streak snapped last night in Philadelphia, the ramifications of this deal are reshaping the Western Conference playoff picture. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby has cemented his legacy in Pittsburgh, and trade chatter is heating up around Alex Tuch and Justin Faulk as the holiday freeze approaches.
NHL Game Scores & Notes: December 22, 2025
Monday night featured a light four-game slate, but there was no shortage of action. Here are the scores and key takeaways from yesterday’s matchups:
- Philadelphia Flyers 5, Vancouver Canucks 2
The Flyers (18-10-7) halted the Canucks’ momentum at the Wells Fargo Center. Despite the recent offensive spark from newcomers Marco Rossi and Zeev Buium, Vancouver (15-18-3) couldn’t solve the Flyers’ defensive trap. Philadelphia snaps a tough skid, while the new-look Canucks head into the break looking to regroup. - Tampa Bay Lightning 4, St. Louis Blues 1
The Lightning (20-13-3) looked dominant on home ice, dismantling a struggling Blues squad. With Justin Faulk’s name swirling in trade rumors, the Blues (14-16-8) looked distracted defensively. Tampa continues to climb the Atlantic standings. - Seattle Kraken 3, Anaheim Ducks 1
Seattle (14-14-6) picked up a crucial road win at the Honda Center. The Kraken defense locked down the Ducks’ young stars, keeping the game low-event and efficient. Anaheim (21-14-2) remains a surprise team this season but looked flat in this contest. - Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Los Angeles Kings 1
In a late-night upset, the Blue Jackets (15-15-6) marched into Crypto.com Arena and took two points. The Kings (15-11-9) couldn’t generate enough offense, continuing a mediocre stretch that has fans questioning their depth down the middle.
Latest NHL News & Rumors: Islanders Surging, Avs Hunting for Centers
Beyond the scoreboard, the biggest story remains the Quinn Hughes trade. The Minnesota Wild have transformed into instant contenders, while Vancouver’s return of Rossi, Ohgren, and Buium is showing promise despite last night’s loss.
In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby has officially become the Penguins’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing Mario Lemieux with a vintage performance over the weekend. It is a monumental achievement for “The Kid,” who continues to defy age.
On the rumor mill, the Buffalo Sabres are reportedly fielding calls on forward Alex Tuch if an extension isn’t reached soon. Additionally, with the Avalanche looking to bolster their center depth for a Cup run, expect Colorado to be aggressive in the coming weeks.
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