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 Los Angeles Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-0 Hurricanes
TV: Bally Sports South; TSN2; RDS
Our first game of NHL predictions has the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Montreal Canadiens in an Eastern Conference matchup. Cayden Primeau is the confirmed starter for the Habs in their first game back from the break. Montreal ended the last five-game stretch with three victories. They’ve got plenty of young players team like scoring leader Nick Suzuki. Players Cole Caufield have also been growin under head coach Martin St. Louis.
Antti Raanta is the projected starter, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Carolina is on the back-end of back-to-back games and got a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators. Sebastian Aho racked up a goal and three assists in last night’s victory. The Hurricanes have been inconsistent at times this season, but have a talented group.
Carolina is on a mission to get back into the race in the Metropolitan Division and will get the home victory.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Flyers 1-0 Canucks
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia; Sportsnet Pacific; ESPN+
The Philadelphia Flyers look to sweep the season series against the Vancouver Canucks. Carter Hart made 26 saves in the 2-0 shutout win on October 17. The Flyers have been thriving in year two of the John Tortorella regime and the young players have been responding to him. Travis Konecny leads the team in goals with 16 while Travis Sanheim has 20 assists to lead in that category. However, Philadelphia did lose two straight heading into the holiday intermission.
Thatcher Demko is expected to get the nod in goal for the Canucks, who have wins in three of the last five games. Vancouver has the top-scoring in offence in the NHL and big guns like leading-scorer Brock Boeser with 24 goals. Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes also carry a ton of the water on the offensive end.
Philadelphia does have the ninth-best defence in the league, but Vancouver ends 2023 with a victory.
Prediction: Canucks win 3-2.
San Jose Sharks vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Sharks 1-0 Oilers
TV: NBC Sports California; Sportsnet West; ESPN+
The San Jose Sharks take on the Edmonton Oilers in a Pacific Division matchup. Kaapo Kahkonen is the confirmed starter for San Jose, which beat Edmonton earlier in the season. The Sharks have lost six straight, but the Oilers know their division rivals aren’t pushovers.
Stuart Skinner is the confirmed starter in goal for Edmonton, which ended the break with two victories in a row. Connor McDavid is starting to get back among the league leaders in points, but Zach Hyman leads in goals with 19.
Edmonton has been stringing wins together, but it remembers that early-season loss.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-2.
Los Angeles Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Kings 1-1 Golden Knights
TV: Bally Sports West; Scripps; ESPN+
Our final and featured game of NHL predictions has the Kings and Golden Knights squaring off in the final meeting of the season. Los Angeles returned from the break with a 5-1 win over San Jose. Adrian Kempe scored twice for the Kings, who have won four of the last five games. This team is dangerous on the road with a 13-1-1 mark. Cam Talbot likely gets the start with David Rittich getting the call the night before.
Vegas looked lethargic in a 5-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Jiri Patera is expected to get the start with Logan Thompson getting the call the night before. The Golden Knights are losers of four straight games and have fallen behind Vancouver for first in the division. Jonathan Marchessault has 17 goals to lead Vegas so far this season.
Both teams are coming off back-to-backs, but the Kings have been aces on the road.
Prediction: Kings win 4-3.
Main photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports
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