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
Washington Capitals vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Capitals 0-0 Blackhawks
TV: Monument Sports; NBC Sports Chicago; ESPN+
Our opening and featured game of NHL predictions has the Washington Capitals looking to build momentum against the Chicago Blackhawks. Darcy Kuemper will likely get the start after Charlie Lindgren got the shutout last night. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy goalie. John Carlson leads the way in assists with 14 while Dylan Strome has 10 goals.
Arvid Soderblom is the confirmed starter for the Blackhawks in this one. Rookie sensation Connor Bedard leads the team in goals with 11 and Seth Jones has 10 assists to be tops in that category. Both teams are near the bottom in goals for, but Chicago has been solid with only one goal allowed in the last two games.
This one could be a defensive struggle, but we like Washington just a bit better due to recent form.
Prediction: Capitals win 3-1.
Minnesota Wild vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Kraken
TV: Bally Sports North; Bally Sports Wisconsin; Root Sports Northwest; ESPN+
Our next game has the Minnesota Wild taking on the Seattle Kraken. Both teams have been struggling in recent games. Minnesota has lost two straight and Filip Gustavsson is the projected starter in goal. Offence has been an issue, as Minnesota is 23rd in goals scored. Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello have been two of the bright spots in a dark Wild season.
The Kraken are losers of seven straight and are searching for answers as well. The team is 27th in goals for and 29th in goals allowed. Jared McCann leads the way in goals with 13 while Vince Dunn is tops in assists with 18. Joey Daccord is the projected starter for the Kraken.
The time has arrived. Seattle stops the streak and gets back on the winning track. It won’t be pretty, but Seattle gets the job done.
Prediction: Kraken win 3-2.
San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-2 Golden Knights
TV: NBC Sports California; Scripps; ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the San Jose Sharks taking on the Vegas Golden Knights. Mackenzie Blackwood will likely get the call in the blue paint for the Sharks. This team has shown plenty of guts in the last few weeks and San Jose has won three of the last five games. Tomas Hertl leads the team in goals (nine) and assists (14) and has taken a lot of the leadership role for this rebuilding club.
Jiri Patera will get his third career start and his first of the season. However, the Czech goalie has won both his previous starts in the last season. The Golden Knights have won four of their last five and have scored at least four goals in each of those wins. William Karlsson and Jack Eichel continue to shoulder the load for the Knights.
The young Patera in net may give the Sharks a chance, but the Knights are a solid team for a reason.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
We go with the Edmonton Oilers versus New Jersey Devils for our prop of the night. The over/under is at seven for this game, but we’ll take the under both goalies playing decent in this one.
Main photo by: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
