NHL Sunday Recap

NEW YORK, N.Y.; December 15th, 2025

Sunday’s NHL slate delivered a tight mix of defensive structure, late drama, and decisive execution, with multiple games swinging on special teams, goaltending, and overtime composure. Across the ice, teams that managed pace and discipline emerged with results, while others were undone by breakdowns at critical moments. What follows is a complete, evenly weighted breakdown of every NHL game played on December 14th, 2025.

Montreal Canadiens 4, Edmonton Oilers 1

Montreal delivered a composed, structured performance to earn a convincing win over Edmonton, limiting the Oilers’ offensive rhythm from the opening puck drop. The Canadiens set the tone early by clogging neutral ice and forcing Edmonton into low-percentage zone entries, preventing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl from generating sustained speed through the middle.

Nick Suzuki opened the scoring and anchored Montreal’s forward group throughout the night, consistently winning puck battles and creating space in the offensive zone. Joe Veleno and Alexandre Texier added goals by capitalizing on defensive lapses, while Montreal’s forecheck pressured Edmonton into hurried clears and turnovers.

In net, Jakub Dobes delivered a steady performance, stopping 27 shots and denying Edmonton momentum during brief pushbacks. Edmonton struggled to convert power-play chances and generated limited rebound opportunities. Montreal’s ability to protect the slot and manage the puck late allowed them to close the game with control rather than retreat.

Buffalo Sabres 3, Seattle Kraken 1

Buffalo continued its strong stretch of play with a disciplined win over Seattle, leaning on efficient scoring and structured defensive coverage. Tage Thompson opened the scoring and set the offensive tempo, using his size and shot to force Seattle’s defense into conservative positioning.

Noah Ostlund and Zach Benson added goals during extended offensive-zone sequences, rewarding Buffalo’s ability to sustain pressure and recover loose pucks. The Sabres consistently disrupted Seattle’s transition game, preventing the Kraken from establishing speed through the neutral zone.

Goaltender Alex Lyon provided stability in net, turning aside 23 shots and controlling rebounds effectively. Seattle’s lone goal, scored by Chandler Stephenson, came during a brief lapse in coverage, but Buffalo quickly reset and reasserted control. The Sabres’ commitment to structure and puck management preserved the lead through the final frame.

Vancouver Canucks 2, New Jersey Devils 1

Vancouver secured a narrow but well-earned win over New Jersey in a game defined by defensive discipline and timely execution. The Canucks struck first and maintained composure as the Devils attempted to generate sustained pressure.

Zeev Buium made an immediate impact in his Canucks debut, recording a goal and an assist while displaying poise in both zones. His ability to move the puck efficiently helped Vancouver exit its zone cleanly and limit New Jersey’s forecheck effectiveness.

Thatcher Demko anchored the effort in net, stopping 25 shots and denying several high-quality chances during New Jersey’s late push. The Devils found their lone goal through persistent pressure, but Vancouver’s defensive rotations tightened in the final minutes. The Canucks’ ability to protect the middle of the ice and close out the game reflected a mature defensive performance.

Utah Mammoth 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 4 (Overtime)

Utah delivered one of the night’s most dramatic performances, rallying from a three-goal deficit to defeat Pittsburgh in overtime. The Penguins controlled early play, building a commanding lead through aggressive forechecking and opportunistic scoring.

Utah began its comeback midway through the second period, with Michael Carcone igniting the rally by scoring twice and injecting momentum into the Mammoth bench. Utah’s forecheck intensified, forcing Pittsburgh into defensive-zone turnovers and extended shifts.

The tying goal came late in regulation, setting the stage for overtime. Dylan Guenther sealed the win by finishing a quick transition play, beating the Penguins’ coverage to score the decisive goal. Utah’s resilience and refusal to abandon structure during adversity defined the comeback and the outcome.

Carolina Hurricanes 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 (Shootout)

Carolina and Philadelphia engaged in a tightly contested matchup that ultimately required a shootout to determine a winner. Both teams emphasized defensive responsibility, limiting odd-man rushes and protecting the slot throughout regulation.

Philadelphia found offense through Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, capitalizing on puck movement to create scoring chances from the perimeter. Carolina countered with sustained zone pressure and disciplined forechecking, forcing Philadelphia to defend for extended stretches.

Goaltending was central to the outcome, as both teams received strong performances in net. In the shootout, Andrei Svechnikov delivered the decisive conversion for Carolina, while the Hurricanes’ goaltender shut the door to secure the extra point. The game reflected two teams committed to structure and patient execution.

Minnesota Wild 6, Boston Bruins 2

Minnesota delivered a commanding performance against Boston, combining offensive efficiency with relentless pressure to pull away early. Kirill Kaprizov led the charge, scoring twice and adding an assist as the Wild exploited defensive gaps and won puck battles throughout the offensive zone.

Ryan Hartman and Matt Boldy contributed secondary scoring, allowing Minnesota to maintain pressure across all four lines. The Wild consistently attacked off the rush and converted rebounds, forcing Boston’s defense into reactive positioning.

Boston struggled to establish sustained offense, facing constant pressure in the neutral zone and limited clean entries. Minnesota’s goaltender provided steady support, while the team’s defensive structure prevented the Bruins from generating extended momentum. The lopsided score reflected Minnesota’s dominance in both execution and intensity.

At the Appalachian Post, our sports coverage is built on accuracy, clarity, and respect for the game. We report results the way they happen: cleanly, directly, and without exaggeration. Every recap focuses on the key plays, momentum shifts, and performances that define each matchup. We avoid speculation, bias, and hype, choosing instead to highlight the real story on the field, court, and ice. Our goal is to keep fans informed, grounded, and connected to the teams and leagues they love through straightforward, trustworthy reporting.

Sources

Primary First-Hand Sources

• NHL.com official game recaps and box scores for December 14th, 2025
• NHL Game Center official play-by-play logs
• NHL.com official condensed game highlights
• Montreal Canadiens official game recap
• Edmonton Oilers official game recap
• Buffalo Sabres official game recap
• Seattle Kraken official game recap
• Vancouver Canucks official game recap
• New Jersey Devils official game recap
• Utah Mammoth official game recap
• Pittsburgh Penguins official game recap
• Carolina Hurricanes official game recap
• Philadelphia Flyers official game recap
• Minnesota Wild official game recap
• Boston Bruins official game recap

Secondary Attribution-Based Sources

• Reuters NHL game reports for December 14th–15th, 2025
• ESPN NHL game summaries and box scores