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
Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-0 Blue Jackets
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; Root Sports Northwest; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the red-hot Seattle Kraken battling the Columbus Blue Jackets. Don’t look now, but the Kraken have won eight straight. People may be focused on the Edmonton Oilers, but Seattle is just as hot. Joey Daccord has been excellent in goal and is the likely starter. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Seattle’s defence has tightened up in recent games, but players like Jared McCann have been scoring goals, too.
Daniil Tarasov is the confirmed starter for the Blue Jackets, who have lost four of the last five games. The Jackets have struggled at both ends of the ice during this most recent slide. However, injuries have hampered Columbus with Zach Wereneski and Sean Kuraly out of the lineup. Boone Jenner leads the team in goals with 13 so far this campaign.
The Jackets have given some of the better teams in the league a problem. Howver, Daccord’s play in goal has been a catalyst for Seattle’s revival.
Prediction: Kraken win 4-1.
Edmonton Oilers vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-0 Canadiens
TV: CBC; TVAS; ESPN+
The also streaking Oilers come to the Bell Centre to battle the Montreal Canadiens. Edmonton has won nine consecutive games and pretty much stolen the thunder of Seattle. Stuart Skinner is the expected starter and he’s been one of the pieces to the Oilers’ resurgence. Zach Hyman already has 26 goals and three hat tricks this season while Connor McDavid has 40 assists already. Edmonton has the seventh-best power play and could test Montreal’s penalty kill.
Jake Allen is the prospective starter for the Habs, who have lost four of the last five. Montreal is coming off an embarrassing loss to the San Jose Sharks in the last outing. The Canadiens are young and promising. However, this roster is dealing with a ton of injuries. Both special teams units are in the 20s and the could spell danger for the Habs. Nick Suzuki continues to shoulder the load on offence with 12 goals and 22 assists.
Keeping out of the penalty box is vital, but Edmonton has been great in all facets.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-0 Maple Leafs
TV: NHL Network Altitude; CBC; Sportsnet
Our featured game has two of the better goal-scoring teams squaring off in the Colorado Avalanche battling the Toronto Maple Leafs. Colorado has won four of its last five games and is likely to go with Alexandar Georgiev in between the pipes. Nathan MacKinnon has nearly 70 points already and there are plethora of offensive options on the team. Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen have also been great on the offensive end for Colorado.
Toronto is is coming off a loss to the New York Islanders and will likely go with Martin Jones in goal. Auston Matthews is already on 33 goals and William Nylander is closing in on 60 points by the All-Star Break. The Leafs power play is sixth in the league, but the penalty kill is 24th in the NHL. Toronto will have stay out of the box if it wants to get the win.
Colorado seems to have straightened out its issues, but it’ll have a tough one in Toronto,
Prediction: Avalanche win 3-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
We’ll go to the second game of the day for our preferred prop bet. Leon Draisaitl has also been heating up and we think he’s got a power play point in him. Take the German and the over on 0.5 power play points.
Main photo by: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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