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
Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Senators 1-1 Maple Leafs
TV: Sportsnet; ESPN+
We’re back from the Christmas break with a juicy matchup between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Battle of Ontario is always a tough one to call no matter the records. Joonas Korpisalo is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Ottawa stopped a losing streak in the last game before Christmas with a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Special teams have been a major issue this season for the Sens.
The Leafs are slated to counter with Ilya Samsonov in the blue paint. Toronto got a measure of revenge on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the last game before the holidays. Auston Matthews is just two goals away from getting to the 30-goal mark. William Nylander has 29 assists already this season.
These games are tough to call even if one team is flying high. However, the Leafs scratch out a close win.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-3.
Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-0 Rangers
TV: MSG 2; Monument Sports; ESPN+
Our second game of NHL predictions has the Washington Capitals battling the New York Rangers. The Caps had their three-game losing streak ended a 2-1 shootout loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Charlie Lindgren got a shutout in Washington’s 4-0 win over the Rangers in the only meeting of the season. Dylan Strome leads the club in goals with 13 so far. The Capitals have been struggling to score, but have done a good job keeping pucks out of the net. Darcy Kuemper is the expected starter at this time.
The Rangers have won four of the last five games heading into the Christmas break. Igor Shesterkin is the likely starter for the Blueshirts. Artemi Panarin is already over the 40-point threshold with 18 goals and 26 assists. However, players like Mika Zibanejad are also starting to pick up the slack for the dynamic Rangers.
Washington does have an important win over New York, but the Rangers get it done at MSG.
Prediction: Rangers win 3-2.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 1-1 Ducks
TV: Scripps; Bally Sports San Diego; Bally Sports Southern California
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Vegas Golden Knights taking on the Anaheim Ducks. Vegas is expected to go with Logan Thompson in between the pipes. The Knights have three straight losses going into this game. Vegas also has a tough game against the Los Angeles Kings awaiting them tomorrow night. Jonathan Marchessault leads the team in goals with 17 while Mark Stone has 24 assists.
Lukas Dostal is the projected starter for the Ducks, who have lost two straight games. Frank Vatrano has had a solid season with 15 goals, but other players need to get moving for the Ducks. Trevor Zegras has returned to the lineup and is back to his Michigan goal-scoring ways. Anaheim did win the last meeting, 4-2.
Vegas needs a bounce-back win and they’ll get it here.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s go back to our featured game of the night and we like the Leafs converting at least one power play goal. Toronto has plenty of playmakers and Ottawa has struggled when down a man.
Main photo by: Marc DesRosiers – USA TODAY Sports
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