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
New York Islanders vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Islanders 0-1 Devils
TV: MSGSN: MSGSN2; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the New York Islanders taking on the New Jersey Devils. The Isles had their recent three-game winning streak snapped against the Philadelphia Flyers with a 1-0 shutout. Ilya Sorokin is the projected starter, but always check social media before locking in a starting netminder. The Isles have struggled to score and are 29th in the league. Brock Nelson leads the way with 10 goals while Noah Dobson has 11 assists.
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Vitek Vanecek is the expected starter in between the pipes for the Devils, who stopped a three-game losing streak last time out. New Jersey’s offence can be explosive, but it needs better goaltending if it wants to challenge for the contenders. The Devils have the top power play unit in the league at 37.5 percent efficiency. Both teams struggle on the penalty kill with the Isles 31st and the Devils 23rd.
Sorokin is a goalie that’s capable of stealing a game, but the Devils have just enough firepower.
Predictions: Devils win 5-3.
Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Panthers 1-0 Maple Leafs
TV: Bally Sports Florida; TSN4; ESPN+
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Florida Panthers taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida is coming off a wild 5-0 win over the Ottawa Senators. Anthony Stolarz will get the call in all likelihood after Sergei Bobrovsky netted his 40th career shutout. Sam Reinhart has 15 goals this season while Matthew Tkachuk has dished out 15 assists. The Cats could do better at special teams.
Toronto is coming off a pair of losses, but has gotten a couple of days off since. Ilya Samsonov is the expected starter for the Leafs. Auston Matthews and William Nylander have been great to start the season, but they need help from the bottom six forwards. The Leafs defence and goaltending has also been inconsistent so far this campaign. Toronto does have a top-five power play that can keep the team in games.
The Leafs have to get back on track and should against a team that’s coming off a physical matchup.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-2.
Anaheim Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Ducks 0-0 Canucks
Our last game in today’s NHL predictions has the struggling Anaheim Ducks taking on the Vancouver Canucks. Anaheim has lost six straight and are dealing with injuries that have claimed Trevor Zegras among others. Frank Vatrano has been a bright spot for a Ducks squad that’s fallen off. John Gibson will likely be tasked with stopping the bleeding in this one.
The Canucks are a little sore after losing to the San Jose Sharks last time out. Head coach Rick Tocchet probably worked the group hard in subsequent off days. Thatcher Demko is the projected starter for a Canucks team that’s been an early surprise. Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes have been very sharp on offence.
Vancouver is looking for a get-right game and this should be the one.
Predictions: Canucks win 6-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
We go to the matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers for our prop bet of the night. William Karlsson has been excellent to start the season and we like him getting the over on 0.5 points this evening. Edmonton has struggled defensively and we think “Wild Bill” takes advantage of this.
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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