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 Buffalo Sabres vs New Jersey Devils. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-1 Golden Knights
TV: NHL Network; NBC Sports Chicago, Scripps
Our first game of NHL predictions has the Chicago Blackhawks versus the Vegas Golden Knights. Chicago has lost four straight going into this one and lost, 5-3, to Vegas in the last meeting. The Blackhawks were blanked by the Boston Bruins, 3-0, in the last time out. Petr Mrazek is the projected starter, but always check social media before locking in a starter.
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Adin Hill is the slated starter for the Golden Knights, who are looking for their eighth straight win. This is the most of any defending Stanley Cup champion to start the next season. Nicolas Roy is the top goal-scorer with three while captain Mark Stone has five assists. Vegas is fourth in goals for and second in goals against, so it’s a complete effort.
Chicago does have some good wins to start the season, but we’ll go Vegas until otherwise indicated.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-2.
Buffalo Sabres vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-0 Devils
TV: MSG; MSGSN
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Sabres taking on the Devils. Eric Comrie is the projected starter in goal for the Sabres. Buffalo can score goals as it proved in a 6-4 win over the Ottawa Senators. However, it’ll need to improve that 23rd-ranked power play. Jeff Skinner already has five goals this season while Rasmus Dahlin has seven assists.
Vitek Vanecek is the likely starter in between the pipes for New Jersey. The Devils are coming off a surprising 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals. New Jersey can score goals, but needs to do a better job at keeping them out. The teams are tied at 18th in goals against with 22.
New Jersey does a good job bouncing back and should do so here.
Prediction: Devils win 5-3.
Minnesota Wild vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Capitals
TV: Bally Sports North; BS Wisconsin; Monument Sports
Our last featured game of NHL predictions has the Minnesota Wild looking to get on track against the Capitals. Marc-Andre Fleury is the confirmed starter for the Wild. Joel Eriksson Ek leads the team in goals with five while Kirill Kaprizov has been a bright spot with seven assists this year. The Wild are second-last in goals allowed on the young season.
Darcy Kuemper is the likely starter in net for the Capitals, who ended a three-game losing streak against the Devils. Washington hopes the goal-scoring against New Jersey keeps going because offence has been an issue.
Both teams are desperate to get on track, but Minnesota gets the road win.
Prediction: Wild win 3-2.
Here are the rest of Friday’s games for our NHL Predictions.
San Jose Sharks vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-1 Hurricanes
TV: NBC Sports California; Bally Sports South
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2.
Los Angeles Kings vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Kings 1-0 Coyotes
TV: Bally Sports West; Scripps
Prediction: Kings win 5-3.
St Louis Blues vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Blues 0-0 Canucks
TV: Bally Sports Midwest; Sportsnet One
Prediction: Canucks win 4-3 in overtime.
Main photo by: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
