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 Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Rangers 0-1 Maple Leafs
TV: MSG; TSN4; ESPN+
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the New York Rangers looking to keep things going. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Blueshirts, 7-3, in the first meeting of the season. Igor Shesterkin is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. New York has wins in three of the last five and has only given up a single goal in each of those victories. Artemi Panarin has 16 goals and 26 assists to lead the Rangers in both categories.
Martin Jones is the projected starter for Toronto and has wins in each of his first three starts. It helps that the Maple Leafs have been giving him plenty of goal support in those games. Auston Matthews has 23 goals this campaign while William Nylander, who is angling for that contract, already has 25 assists for the Leafs. Both teams boast top-five power plays.
Jones has been good, but the Rangers end the party here with a tight victory.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-3.
Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1-0 Blackhawks
TV: Altitude; NBC Sports Chicago; ESPN+
The Colorado Avalanche have won three of the last five and may be finding that elusive consistency. Alexandar Georgiev is the likely starter for Colorado, who blanked the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-0, in the first meeting of the season. Mikko Rantanen is nearing the 40-point mark with 15 goals and 24 assists. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar continue to battle for the team lead in assists.
Connor Bedard leads in both goals (12) and assists (14) as he continues his great rookie campaign. Petr Mrazek is expected to draw the start for the Blackhawks, who have suffered four straight losses. However, this team has beaten some good squads this season. Consistency is still an issue for head coach Luke Richardson and his team.
Colorado seems to do well with Georgiev in net and will continue to win with him in goal.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-1.
Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Kings 0-0 Sharks
TV: ESPN+; Hulu
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Los Angeles Kings taking on the San Jose Sharks. The Kings are 12-1-1 on the road this season and are expected to start Cam Talbot in goal. Los Angeles has the best scoring defence in the league with only 65 goals allowed so far this season. Trevor Moore is tops in goals with 14 while Kevin Fiala leads in assists with 21.
San Jose is expected to roll with Mackenzie Blackwood in the blue paint. The Sharks are last in goals scored and goals allowed. However, this team has been playing a lot better after their horrendous start. Rivalry games are always tough to gauge, but the Kings look to have the edge in this one. However, think smartly before you wager.
The Kings should win this one, but the Sharks will make them work for this one.
Prediction: Kings win 3-1.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s keep with the last game of the night for our prop bet of the evening. This season has been a rebirth year for Talbot, who has a 13-5-2 mark along with 2.02 goals-against-average and .926 save percentage. Calling for a shutout is a risky play, but we like him giving up less than 1.5 goals in this one against San Jose.
Main photo by: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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