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 Montreal Canadiens vs Winnipeg Jets. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Anaheim Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Ducks 0-0 Red Wings
TV: Bally Sports San Diego; Bally Sports Southern California; Bally Sports Detroit; ESPN+
Our first game of NHL predictions has the Anaheim Ducks taking on the Detroit Red Wings. Adam Henrique notched a hat trick Sunday night against the New Jersey Devils to torch his former team. Lukas Dostal is the likely starter after John Gibson played the night before. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter in net. Pavel Mintyukov leads in assists with 15 so far this campaign.
Ville Husso is the expected starter for the Red Wings, who have lost four of the last five games. Detroit’s offence has struggled during this recent stretch and will need to fire back up before the Christmas break. Injured captain Dylan Larkin has been skating and that could be a good sign for the team. Alex DeBrincat has slowed down after a red-hot start.
Detroit needs to get back on track and will do so at home.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-2.
Montreal Canadiens vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 1-0 Jets
TV: Sportsnet; RDS; ESPN+
The featured game of NHL predictions has the Jets hosting the Canadiens in the final meeting between the two teams this season. Montreal won the previous meeting in a shootout earlier in the year. Sam Montembeault is the projected starter for the Canadiens, who stopped a two-game losing streak against the New York Islanders last time out. Sean Monahan leads in goals with nine while Nick Suzuki has 17 assists.
Connor Hellebuyck is the likely starter for the Jets, who have take four of the last five games. This is despite the loss of Kyle Connor for the foreseeable future. Mark Scheifele has 11 goals and 22 assists to help pace the Winnipeg offence. However, the Jets defence has been great with the club being third in goals allowed.
Winnipeg’s defence has been great as of late and it’ll get the job done.
Prediction: Jets win 3-1.
Florida Panthers vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-0 Flames
TV: Bally Sports Florida; Sportsnet One; ESPN+
Our last featured game of NHL predictions has the Florida Panthers and the Calgary Flames squaring off. Florida is trying to continue to right the ship on their road trip. Sergei Bobrovsky is the likely starter for the Panthers. Sam Reinhart has been great in the first half of the season with 17 goals and 21 assists.
Jacob Markstrom is the expected starter for the Flames. Yegor Sharangovich is tops in goals with 11 while Nazem Kadri has 14 assists for Calgary. Consistency has been a problem for the Flames this season. They look great one game and then pedestrian in others. However, don’t sleep on this team that is only three points off a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.
Florida looks like it has just enough to get the victory.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
Here are the other games in the NHL predictions.
Minnesota Wild vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Penguins
TV: Bally Sports North; Bally Sports Wisconsin; Sportsnet Pittsburgh; ESPN+
Prediction: Penguins win 5-2.
Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-0 Stars
TV: Root Sports Northwest; Bally Sports Southwest; NHL Network.
Prediction: Stars win 4-2.
Main photo by: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
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