With the large amount of games on tonight’s NHL schedule, it might be hard to know where to start. We at the Last Word on Hockey have helped narrow your focus to our best bets. This round of NHL Predictions will help condense the slate into three best bets and one prop bet of the night.
NHL Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-0 Maple Leafs
TV: CBC, MSG, NHL Network
It’s the old rivalry between the Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Buffalo is coming off a disastrous 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Devon Levi is currently penciled in as the starter for the Sabres, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter in goal. Buffalo has shown flashes of taking the next step, but have been off its game at times. The Sabres will need to improve its 30th-ranked power play if they want to move up the standings.
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Joseph Woll will likely get the start for the Leafs, who have lost three straight games. However, two of those losses have come in overtime. Toronto’s vaunted offence hasn’t scored more than two goals in those last three defeats. Auston Matthews and William Nylander have both been off to a great start this season. However, players like Tyler Bertuzzi will need to step up in the lineup.
Toronto is on a mission to bounce back and should after being rested.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-2.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-0 Sharks
TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh; NBC Sports California
The San Jose Sharks will try to get their first win of the season against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Erik Karlsson returns to the Bay Area to find the Sharks team in shambles. Pittsburgh has lost four of its last five games, but Sidney Crosby continues to lead the way. The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native has five goals and five assists this season. Tristan Jarry is the projected starter for the Pens.
Mackenzie Blackwood is the likely starter in goal for the Sharks, who are coming off a 10-1 drubbing from the Vancouver Canucks. San Jose has only one overtime point this season. The Sharks offence has only mustered one goal, which is dead last in the league.
We hate to pick on the Sharks, but it’s hard to pick them until they show signs of life.
Prediction: Penguins win 5-1.
Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-0 Golden Knights
TV: Altitude; Scripps
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Vegas Golden Knights in a key Western Conference battle. Alexandar Georgiev is the projected starter for the Avs, who have won three of its last five. The offence fixed itself after a back-to-back shutouts. Mikko Rantanen has six goals and eight assists for 14 points.
Adin Hill is the likely starter in between the pipes for Vegas. The Knights only have one overtime-loss this season, so they got points in every game. Jonathan Marchessault supplied a hat trick in the last game out against the Winnipeg Jets. Vegas is top 10 in goals for, goals against, power play success and penalty kill efficiency.
Both teams are solid, but Colorado puts the first regulation loss on Vegas.
Prediction: Avalanche win 3-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s go to the Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers game for this one. We like the Connor Bedard prop of getting over on 0.5 points in this one. The rookie sensation has at least a point in three of the last four games.
Main photo by: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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