NYT Strands Hints, Answers for Dec. 1, 2025 (Game #638)

Written by Anish – TechBoltX | Updated: December 1, 2025

Overview — Strands #638 (Theme: “On the ice”)

If you love hockey (or just like a neat sports-themed Strands), today’s puzzle is right in your wheelhouse. Strands #638 centers on rink life: equipment, rink machinery and the visuals you see above the ice. Below you’ll find spoiler-light tactics to earn in-game hints, the full list of themed answers, the spangram, and a short walkthrough so you can finish the board fast.

Spoiler-light hints

• Official theme: On the ice.
• Extra clue: He shoots, he scores! — think hockey actions, gear and rink features.
• Quick in-game clue words to unlock hints (any 4+ letter words work; these helped me): HOSE, LOSE, GOAL, RINK, BRING, SCORE, CORE, BOARD.
• Strategy: find three 4+ letter words early to reveal a theme word; once the spangram letters appear the rest becomes much easier.

Full answers (SPOILERS) — Strands #638

Here are the theme answers you need to complete today’s board:

• PUCK — the object players battle for.
• SKATES — essential footwear for every player.
• STICKS — used to pass, shoot, and defend.
• ZAMBONI — the ice-resurfacing machine between periods.
• GOALS — what teams aim to score.
• SCOREBOARD — the display that tracks the game and the score.

Each word ties directly to hockey game play and rink operations; the puzzle groups lean heavily on that shared setting.

Spangram (the theme phrase)

HOCKEYRINK — starts at the far-left H on the top row and winds down and across. The spangram is the obvious central connection that locks the theme in place.

Walkthrough & placement tips

1. After spotting HOCKEYRINK letters, look for long words first — SCOREBOARD and ZAMBONI are high-value finds that anchor many crossings.
2. Short, distinctive nouns (PUCK, STICKS, SKATES, GOALS) are usually clustered near the spangram letters; scan around those letters.
3. Use the “every three 4+ words = theme reveal” mechanic deliberately: climb the ladder from easy short finds to long thematic words.

FAQ — Strands #638

Q: Is the spangram always thematic?

A: Usually — the spangram often names or summarizes the theme. Today it’s HOCKEYRINK.

Q: How many theme words were there today?

A: Six theme words plus the spangram.

Q: How do I get Strands hints quickly?

A: Find any three words of four letters or more to unlock a theme-word reveal. Start with obvious short nouns.

Q: When does Strands refresh each day?

A: NYT Strands updates at midnight Eastern Time daily.