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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteNYT Strands game #638, published Monday, December 1, 2025, has the theme clue “On the ice.” The spangram is HOCKEY RINK; the six other theme words are GOALS, ZAMBONI, SCOREBOARD, PUCK, SKATES, and STICKS. Hints come first below, followed by the complete solutions.
Hints for “On the ice”
The puzzle’s additional hint is: “Winning a Stanley Cup would be impossible without them.” If you want a lighter nudge before seeing the answers, the first two letters of the words, in grid order, are:
- HO
- GO
- ZA
- SC
- PU
- SK
- ST
Spangram and answers
Spangram: HOCKEY RINK
Theme answers: GOALS, ZAMBONI, SCOREBOARD, PUCK, SKATES, STICKS
How Strands hints work
Strands uses a six-by-eight letter grid. You connect neighboring letters vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, and a word can change direction as it crosses the board. The spangram captures the theme and stretches across the grid to touch at least two sides.
If you are solving without looking up the answers, finding three valid non-theme words of at least four letters earns an in-game hint that highlights the letters of a theme word. Strands is available on the NYT website and in the NYT Games app.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Puzzle details
This is game #638, dated Monday, December 1, 2025, with the theme clue “On the ice.” The answer set and date are reported in Forbes’ December 1 Strands guide, published November 30, 2025.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
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