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 Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Islanders 0-1 Penguins
TV: MSG SN; Sportsnet Pittsburgh; ESPN+
Our first and featured game of NHL predictions has the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the New York Islanders. Pittsburgh put up a 7-0 beating on the Isles the last time out. Alex Nedeljkovic is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. The Pens have won four of the last five games. Pittsburgh’s defence has been playing much better as of late. Sidney Crosby continues to defy his age and has another 20-goal season.
Ilya Sorokin is the likely starter for the Islanders, who have won three of their last five games. However, the offence has been inconsistent at times. New York can be dangerous when they have both phases of the game going. Brock Nelson leads the team in goals with 16. Both teams have been very smart in staying out of the box this season.
This should hopefully be a better game, but Pittsburgh ends the calendar year with the win.
Prediction: Penguins win 3-2.
San Jose Sharks vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Sharks 1-1 Avalanche
TV: NBC Sports California; Altitude; ESPN+
The San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche square off for the final time in the 2023-24 season. San Jose is projected to start Mackenzie Blackwood in rubber match between the two teams. The Sharks have lost seven straight games, but can end 2023 on a high note. Tomas Hertl leads the team in goals with 12.
Alexandar Georgiev is the expected starter for the Avalanche, who have been inconsistent at times this campaign. Colorado does have victories in three of the last four games. Nathan MacKinnon is leading the way in goals (19) and assists (37). Specials teams have been a saving grace for the Avalanche this season.
San Jose has to stay out of the penalty box if it wants to win. Colorado will cash in its chances if it gets them.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-2.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-1 Stars
TV: NBC Sports Chicago; Bally Sports Southwest; ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Dallas Stars. Chicago will go with confirmed starter Petr Mrazek in the blue paint. The Blackhawks have lost three of the last five games and defence has been an issue. Connor Bedard is having a stellar rookie season with Chicago with 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points. However, the team has only scored 86 total goals this season, which is 30th in the league.
Dallas is expected to go with Scott Wedgewood in between the pipes. The Stars have won four out of their last five, including a 5-4 overtime win. This was in the front-end of the home-and-home series two days ago. Roope Hintz leads the team in goals with 14 while Jason Robertson has 23 assists to lead in that category. The Stars have the second-best penalty kill in the league.
Dallas has been solid defensively and Chicago struggles to stop pucks from going in the net.
Prediction: Stars win 5-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s go back to the opening game of NHL predictions for our prop bet of the day. Kris Letang has been on fire as of late and we feel he’s got another multiple-point night in him. We like Letang on the over of 1.5 points.
We hope you have a happy and safe New Year. See you in 2024.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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