Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Chicago Blackhawks vs Montreal Canadiens. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days. Stay tuned for our second set of NHL Predictions later on.
NHL Predictions
Philadelphia Flyers vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-0 Senators
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia; TSN (regional); 1 p.m.
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Philadelphia Flyers battling the Ottawa Senators. Philadelphia scored a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets while the Senators lost, 5-3, to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers will likely go with Carter Hart, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Travis Konecny continued his strong play from the 2022-23 season with two goals.
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Joonas Korpisalo is the likely starter, but Ottawa will be in the opening part of back-to-back games. Despite the loss on Wednesday, the Senators looked great for stretches. Mathieu Joseph supplied a goal and an assist for the Sens. Goaltending still may be a sore spot for Ottawa, but Korpisalo did play well at the end of the last season.
Ottawa should come on top with the early start.
Prediction: Senators win 5-2.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Lightning 0-0 Red Wings
TV: Bally Sports Detroit; BS Sunshine; 7 p.m.
It’s the Steve Yzerman Bowl as the Tampa Bay Lightning play the Detroit Red Wings. Tampa Bay won its first game of the season over the Nashville Predators while Detroit was edged 4-3 by the New Jersey Devils. Jonas Johansson did enough to win, but some Tampa fans want a move for another goalie. Nikita Kucherov scored twice in the season-opener for the Bolts.
Ville Husso will probably get the call on between the pipes for the Wings. He made 23 saves in the loss at New Jersey. New acquisition Alex DeBrincat scored for Detroit. However, the Wings are going to need more from their defence.
Tampa has an explosive attack and will do enough to win.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-3.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-0 Canadiens
TV: NHL Network; NBC Sports Chicago; CityTV, TVA; Sportsnet 360; 7 p.m.
Our featured game of NHL Predictions has Connor Bedard coming to the Bell Centre. Chicago is 1-1 so far and Bedard has a goal and an assist for the Hawks. Opening night starter Petr Mrazek probably gets the start for Chicago. The Hawks have looked better out of the gate so far, but plenty of work still needs to be done.
Montreal has confirmed Sam Montembeault will draw in for the start. The Canadiens lost a wild one to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a shootout, 6-5. There’s no doubt this team can score, but can it stop opponents. A prop bet worth looking into is Kirby Dach getting one or more points or goals. Dach usually has it in for his former team and let’s them know about it on plenty of occasions.
Montembeault might be a little more stable in goal than Jake Allen. The over might be a smart play, but the Habs win at home.
Prediction: Canadiens win 5-4 in overtime.
Calgary Flames vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-0 Penguins
TV: Sportsnet; ESPN+; Sportsnet Pittsburgh; 7 p.m.
Our last in-depth game in our NHL Predictions is the Calgary Flames looking to make it two wins in a row. Jacob Markstrom is the unconfirmed starter for the Flames, who beat the Winnipeg Jets, 5-3, in the season-opener. Andrew Mangiapane scored twice and Elias Lindholm got three points for Calgary.
Alex Nedeljkovic will be the likely starter with the Pittsburgh Penguins playing two games in two nights. The defence will have to step up if it wants to justify all the work done in the off-season. Pittsburgh gave up four goals after getting up 2-0 in the season-opener.
Calgary looked like its old self under new coach Ryan Huska. Being rested up will help them edge Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Flames win 4-3.
Here are some other games in our NHL Predictions.
Florida Panthers vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-0 Jets
TV: Bally Sports Florida; TSN3 (regional)
Both the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg are coming off season-opening losses. It’s a tough matchup, but the Jets get the 4-2 win.
Nashville Predators vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-0 Bruins
TV: Bally Sports South; NESN
The Predators bounced back with a win on Thursday while the Boston Bruins won their season-opener. Boston got rolling after a slow start and it’ll do the same with a 4-1 win.
New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Rangers 0-0 Blue Jackets
TV: MSG; Bally Sports Ohio
The New York Rangers looked deadly in their season-opener while the Blue Jackets had some good flashes. However, the Rangers offence continues to roll in a 5-1 victory.
Main photo by: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
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