I know I sound like a Grinch who wants to rob NHL players of their Christmas experience. But let's be honest: you can get creative about when you celebrate. Let's say the Predators were playing at the Blues at 1 p.m. local St. Louis time. All the Blues players would be able to wake up with their kids to open presents and be home by dinner. The Predators would take a team charter back immediately and probably be home for a late dinner too. And I'll bet Predators coach Peter Laviolette wouldn't be a scrooge, and would give his players the next day, or another day that week, off to celebrate with their families.

Emily Kaplan of ESPN on the Christmas break for the NHL. More on this topic with Greg Wyshynski too.