4 Must-Watch Games During the NHL Frozen Frenzy Tonight

The NHL’s Frozen Frenzy is back for tonight’s on-ice action, and it’s one of the most ambitious nights on the hockey calendar. It puts all 32 teams on the ice in a single evening, spread out over 16 games. They stagger the start times of each of the games by 15 minutes, so there’s no shortage of action — just too many choices. But not all games carry the same weight or intrigue. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of bets to make.

If you’re trying to lock in your viewing schedule or just want the best bang for your bet slip, these 4 games stand out above the rest. From milestone chases to heated rivalries, here’s what you shouldn’t miss on October 28, 2025.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers

• Game Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
• Coverage: ESPN

This one doesn’t need much selling because it’s the Battle of Pennsylvania, and it opens the ESPN tripleheader. The Penguins and Flyers have never liked each other, and that tension always finds its way onto the ice.

Both teams sit at 4-3-2 with 10 points. Of course, the standings may not jump off the screen, but there’s more under the hood with this showdown. Pittsburgh is showing signs of life with a 3-2-1 record in its last 6 games. Philly, meanwhile, is finding ways to win at home, and they’ve won their last 2 against Pittsburgh at Wells Fargo Center.

What makes this game pop is the star power on the Penguins’ side and the speed from the Flyers because it’s insane.

Evgeni Malkin is off to one of his best starts in years. He leads the league with 16 points, spanning 3 goals and 13 assists in 10 games. Right behind him is Sidney Crosby, of course, with 11 points and another career milestone already in the books as he hit 1,700 career points. Not bad for a guy still playing top-line minutes given his age.

The Flyers don’t necessarily have a name that big, but they’ve got a weapon of their own. Owen Tippett has been flying. Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves with that pun. He ranks 2nd in the NHL in speed bursts over 22 mph, trailing only Connor McDavid. That explosiveness creates problems for any defense if he gets even the slightest break.

Statistically, Pittsburgh’s offense is definitely cooking. They’re top 5 in high-danger shots on goal, with 86 so far. If Philly can’t clog up the slot, and that’s a tall order, they’ll be chasing the game.

We’re expecting fireworks early because these teams usually don’t waste time feeling each other out.

Washington Capitals at Dallas Stars

• Game Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Coverage: ESPN

This one is all about history, and that’s because Alex Ovechkin sits at 899 career goals at exactly 1,500 games played. One more goal, and he becomes the first NHL player ever to hit 900. That alone makes this game worth watching. It’s always fun to be a part of history.

Add to that 2 strong teams, both sitting at 5-3-1, and you’ve got yourself a legit battle on the ice. Washington has been surprisingly stingy on the road, allowing just 2 goals per game away from home. Dallas, on the other hand, has been dominant at home and has won 3 of their last 4 matchups.

So, it’s not surprising that Dallas brings some serious firepower. Jason Robertson leads the NHL in high-danger shots with 23, and Roope Hintz isn’t far behind at 18 — though his status for tonight is still in question after his leg injury. We’re already seeing some chatter on X that he’s going to lace up. Wyatt Johnston is also showing signs of becoming the Stars’ next big thing, posting 9 points in 9 games.

But back to Ovechkin — the name everyone is watching. He’s not lighting it up yet this season as he has just 2 goals, but he tends to score in bunches — and he’s scored 12 times in 27 career games against Dallas. He can’t be ignored for even a second. If you blink, he might just hit that 900-goal mark.

Washington’s blue line is also stepping up when they need them most, with Jakob Chychrun tied for the league lead in high-danger goals by a defenseman. That kind of unexpected offense can swing a close game.

This matchup could come down to goaltending. Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger has had a shaky start with an .899 SV%, and if that trend continues and Ovechkin gets his looks, history could very well happen tonight. Don’t miss this one.

New Jersey Devils at Colorado Avalanche

• Game Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• Coverage: ESPN+

This game feels like it should be in May, not October. That’s because these are 2 elite teams, loaded with talent, and coming off a thrilling 4-3 overtime game just 2 nights ago. That one, of course, went to New Jersey. Colorado now gets a shot at payback.

The Devils are rolling. At 7-1-1, they’re second-best in the NHL and riding a 7-game point streak. The offense has been absolutely humming, and it’s not just Jack Hughes as you’d expect. But let’s start with him — he’s tied for the league lead in goals with 8, including a pair in Sunday’s OT win.

Jesper Bratt has been a force on the power play unit, driving New Jersey’s elite offensive zone time numbers. Only 2 teams are better at keeping the puck in the attacking zone with the man advantage, and it’s not the Avs. It’s not just possession — it’s pressure, and it breaks teams down.

Colorado, despite 2 regulation losses in 10 games, is still as dangerous as ever. Cale Makar is a game-changer on the back end and leads all defensemen in long-range shots. Jonathan Drouin also leads the league in that stat overall, and these are guys who can beat goalies from distance, which matters when the middle of the ice is packed.

This one really could come down to pace. Both teams like to move the puck quickly and jump into the rush, but whoever manages the neutral zone better probably wins. Given the recent OT drama, we’re expecting another close one — and maybe more bonus hockey.

Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks

• Game Time: 11:00 p.m. ET
• Coverage: ESPN

If you’re staying up late, this is your nightcap to round off the Frozen Frenzy. It’s surely not the most high-profile game of the night, but it’s got plenty of storylines and enough to keep you going if you’re into the late-night action.

Rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini is the real deal. He’s got 7 points so far and has given Sharks fans something to cheer about in what’s otherwise been a rough start (2-6-1). He’s fast, smart, and not afraid to shoot. That confidence is rare at 19.

The Kings, meanwhile, are a much deeper, more experienced team. They’ve had a decent start at 5-4-1 and sit in the thick of the Pacific Division race. Their calling card so far is without a doubt defense. At 5-on-5 hockey, they allow the fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes in the league, and that’s elite structure.

Anze Kopitar continues to do what Anze Kopitar does. He’s still producing with 8 points in 10 games and anchoring one of the league’s better defensive units. We don’t expect him to get rattled by a loud building or a rookie playing with swagger because he’s just too good for that.

But here’s where it gets interesting — San Jose has struggled big time against high-danger chances, allowing the most per game with 15.4. If the Kings start to drive the net, things could get out of hand quickly between the sloppiness and rebounds.

Still, there’s enough uncertainty and enough excitement around Celebrini to make this one worth watching. Plus, it’s the last game of the tripleheader on ESPN, so there’s no channel flipping required.

The Frozen Frenzy is Back!

Frozen Frenzy is built for hockey fans who want wall-to-wall action, and this year’s edition undoubtedly delivers. With 16 games and nonstop puck drops, it can be overwhelming. But these 4 matchups offer the best blend of stakes, storylines, and star talent if you have to narrow down what you watch.

You’ve got a rivalry game to start, a historic goal chase in the middle, a massive heavyweight clash right after, and a top prospect in the late game. That’s a full night of hockey with something different in every window.

Even if you’re not glued to every minute, keep an eye on these ones as they’ve got the potential to define the night.