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
Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 0-0 Panthers
TV: Scripps; Bally Sports Florida; ESPN+; Sportsnet
Our opening and featured game of NHL predictions is a rematch of the last Stanley Cup Final. It’s the first meeting of the season between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers. Injuries are hampering the Golden Knights as both Adin Hill and Logan Thompson are dealing with ailments. However, Thompson is the expected starter in goal for Vegas. Always check social media before locking in a fantasy hockey goalie. Both teams are coming off two-game losing streaks at this time.
Florida is expected to counter with Sergei Bobrovsky in between the pipes. The Panthers have struggled to score in recent games as they’ve only scored two goals in the last two games. Sam Reinhart is close to 40 points already this season, but he’s going to need support from others to get Florida back on track. Vegas has been scoring at just a little bit better clip.
Keep an eye on the goalie situation with the Knights. If Thompson can go, take Vegas because they just have an offensive pop.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-2.
Boston Bruins vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Bruins 0-1 Wild
TV: NESN; Bally Sports North; Bally Sports Wisconsin
The Boston Bruins have been struggling to score in recent games. This has resulted in a three-game losing streak. Boston is expected to turn to Linus Ullmark to stop the bleeding, which includes a 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. David Pastrnak has been great on offence, but he’ll need some support in order to get Boston back on the winning track.
Minnesota has been playing much better as of late. The Wild have wins in four of the last five games and will likely go with Filip Gustavsson in the crease. Kirill Kaprizov has 11 goals and 19 assists for the Wild and has rebounded after a slow start. Matthew Boldy has seven goals and three assists over the last 10 games. He’s profited plenty from the coaching change to John Hynes.
Boston has gotten time to figure out things and it’ll get a key win before Christmas.
Prediction: Bruins win 5-3.
Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Sabres 1-1 Rangers
TV: MSG Buffalo; MSG (NYC); ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Buffalo Sabres looking to build off a stunning 9-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the expected starter for the Sabres, who could be playing for Don Granato’s job. Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo each scored twice in the win over the Maple Leafs.
The New York Rangers played good for two periods, but hockey games last for three in a loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Igor Shesterkin is the confirmed starter for the Blueshirts in this game. Both teams have 5-1 wins in the season-series and this one is the rubber match. Artermi Panarin has 17 goals and 26 assists to lead the Rangers.
New York doesn’t usually put two bad performances together. However, Buffalo may be feeling the pressure.
Prediction: Rangers win 5-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
We go back to the Bruins and Wild game for our prop of the evening. Brad Marchand has been one of the few players to help Pastrnak during the B’s recent struggles. We like him getting the over on +0.5 points tonight.
We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and we’ll see you after the break.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro -USA TODAY Sports
Ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
