Happy New Year, hockey fans! If you missed the action while counting down to 2026, you missed a historic night in the National Hockey League. The final games of 2025 delivered incredible milestones, playoff-style intensity, and a franchise-record winning streak.
Two future Hall of Famers rewrote the history books on New Year’s Eve. Steven Stamkos buried his 600th career goal, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greatest snipers, while Nathan MacKinnon capped off a dominant year by scoring his 400th career goal in a rout of the Blues.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres are the hottest team in hockey, defeating the Dallas Stars to secure their 10th consecutive win—tying a franchise record.
As we turn the page to 2026, all eyes shift to Miami for the Winter Classic tomorrow, where the Florida Panthers will host the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park.
New Year’s Eve NHL Scores & Highlights
Here is a recap of all the NHL action from December 31, 2025:
- Washington Capitals 6, New York Rangers 3
- Tom Wilson scored twice to reach 200 career goals as the Caps spoiled the Rangers’ NYE party.
- Nashville Predators 4, Vegas Golden Knights 2
- Steven Stamkos netted career goal No. 600 in a gritty road win.
- Colorado Avalanche 6, St. Louis Blues 1
- Nathan MacKinnon hit goal No. 400 and notched 4 points, while Valeri Nichushkin scored a hat trick.
- Buffalo Sabres 4, Dallas Stars 1
- Tage Thompson struck twice to power the Sabres to a historic 10th straight victory.
- Boston Bruins 6, Edmonton Oilers 2
- The Bruins offense exploded in Edmonton to close out the year on a high note.
- Calgary Flames 5, Philadelphia Flyers 1
- Calgary dominated on home ice, stifling the Flyers’ attack.
- New Jersey Devils 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
- The Devils rallied with three unanswered goals in the third period to steal the win.
- Detroit Red Wings 2, Winnipeg Jets 1
- A defensive battle in Detroit ended with the Wings edging out the high-flying Jets.
- San Jose Sharks 4, Minnesota Wild 3 (SO)
- Macklin Celebrini shined again as the Sharks outlasted the Wild in a shootout thriller.
- Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Anaheim Ducks 2 (OT)
- Taylor Raddysh played hero, burying the overtime winner to sink the Ducks.
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The post NHL News January 1, 2026: Historic Milestones Ring in the New Year appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
