NHL schedule Dec. 25-31 A viewers guide to the week ahead

Hope NHL players enjoyed their holidays because there won't be much time to settle back into the season grind. The league returns from its Christmas break Wednesday with a heavy helping of marqueematchups in two of itsmost hotly contested divisions. Firstin the Metro, whenthe Penguins and Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET)meet again after last week's entertaining shootout, which Pittsburgh won,and theCapitals visit Madison Square Garden to face the Rangers (8 p.m. ET). MORE: A pair of Central Division showdowns include the Predators at the Blues and Robby Anderson Jersey Stars at the Wild, both 8 p.m. ET puck drops. And that's just the first night back. Below is the full NHL schedule through Dec. 31 (all times Eastern). Wednesday, Dec. 27 Senators at Bruins, 7 p.m. (NESN, TVA, ) Red Wings at Devils, 7 p.m. (FSDT, MSG+, ) Sabres at Islanders, 7 p.m. (MSGB, MSG+, ) Blue Jackets at Penguins, 7 p.m.(FSOH, AT&TSN, ) Canadiens at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. (RDS, FSS, ) Capitals at Rangers, Joseph Charlton Jersey 8 p.m. (NBCSN, ) Predators at Blues, 8 p.m. (FSSM, FSMW, ) Stars at Wild, 8 p.m. (FSSW, FSN+, ) Oilers at Jets, 8 p.m. (TSN) Coyotes at Avalanche, 9 p.m. (FSAZ, ALT2, ) Golden Knights at Ducks, 10 p.m. (AT&TSN, FSW2, ) Thursday, Dec. 28 Bruins at Capitals, 7 p.m. (NESN, Alex Erickson Jersey NBCSN, ) Canadiens at Lightning, 7:30 p.m. (RDS, SUN, ) Flyers at Panthers, 7:30 p.m. (CSN, FSFL, ) Maple Leafs at Coyotes, 9 p.m. (RSNONT, FSAZ, ) Blackhawks at Canucks, 10 p.m. (CSNC, ) Golden Knights at Kings, 10 p.m. (NBCSN, ) Flames at Sharks, 10:30 p.m. (RSNW, CSNCAL, ) Friday, Dec. 29 Sabres at Devils, 7 p.m.(MSGB, MSG+, ) Blue Jackets at Senators, 7:30 p.m. (FSOH, RDS, ) Rangers at Red Wings, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, FSDT, ) Flyers at Lightning, 7:30 p.m. (CSN, SUN, TVA, ) Penguins at Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m. (AT&TSN, FSS, ) Predators at Wild, 8 p.m. (NBCSN, ) Islanders at Jets, 8 p.m.(MSG+, ) Blues at Stars, 8:30 p.m. (FSMW, FSSW, ) Maple Leafs at Avalanche, 9 p.m. (RSNONT, ALT) Blackhawks at Oilers, 9 p.m. (CSNC, SNO, ) Flames at Ducks, Royce Freeman Jersey 10 p.m. (RSNW, FSWHD, ) Saturday, Dec. 30 Bruins at Senators, 7 p.m. (NESN, ) Canadiens at Panthers, 7 p.m. (FSFL, ) Devils at Capitals, 7 p.m. (MSG+, CSNB, ) Hurricanes at Blues, 8 p.m. (FSS, FSMW, ) Wild at Predators, 8 p.m. (FSN, FSSM, ) Kings at Canucks, 10 p.m. (FSWHD, ) Sunday, Dec. 31 Maple Leafs at Golden Knights, 3:30 p.m. (AT&TSN, TSN) Coyotes at Ducks, 4 p.m. (FSAZ, FSWHD, ) Lightning at Blue Jackets, 6 p.m. (SUN, FSOH, ) Penguins at Red Wings, 7 p.m. (AT&TSN, FSDT, ) Jets at Oilers, 7 p.m. (TSN) Sharks Thomas Fletcher Jersey at Stars, 8 p.m. (CSNCAL, FSSW, ) Islanders at Avalanche, 8 p.m. (MSG+, ALT) Blackhawks at Flames, 9 p.m. (WGN)