NHL Morning Recap – December 23, 2025
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The Hockey Writers
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In a thrilling showdown on December 23, 2025, the NHL showcased some incredible matchups, capitalizing on holiday excitement. The Boston Bruins faced off against the New Jersey Devils in a closely contested game that had fans on the edge of their seats. David Pastrnak was a standout for Boston, scoring two goals and assisting on another, helping to guide his team to a hard-fought 4-3 victory. The Devils, led by Jack Hughes, put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short in their pursuit of a late-game comeback.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche took on the Arizona Coyotes in a high-scoring affair that ended 6-4 in favor of Colorado. Nathan MacKinnon played a pivotal role, netting a hat trick and demonstrating why he’s considered one of the league's elite forwards. The Avalanche's depth shone through, with Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar also contributing to their offensive surge, frustrating the Coyotes’ defense throughout the game.
In other action, the Tampa Bay Lightning secured a solid win against the Florida Panthers. Steven Stamkos showed his leadership qualities, scoring the opening goal and assisting on another, guiding the Lightning to a 3-1 victory. The Panthers struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, making it a challenging night for them as they head into the holiday break. Looking ahead, teams are gearing up for the second half of the season, with playoff spots still very much up for grabs, adding an extra layer of excitement as they head into 2026.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche took on the Arizona Coyotes in a high-scoring affair that ended 6-4 in favor of Colorado. Nathan MacKinnon played a pivotal role, netting a hat trick and demonstrating why he’s considered one of the league's elite forwards. The Avalanche's depth shone through, with Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar also contributing to their offensive surge, frustrating the Coyotes’ defense throughout the game.
In other action, the Tampa Bay Lightning secured a solid win against the Florida Panthers. Steven Stamkos showed his leadership qualities, scoring the opening goal and assisting on another, guiding the Lightning to a 3-1 victory. The Panthers struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, making it a challenging night for them as they head into the holiday break. Looking ahead, teams are gearing up for the second half of the season, with playoff spots still very much up for grabs, adding an extra layer of excitement as they head into 2026.