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
San Jose Sharks vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-0 Sabres
TV: MSG Buffalo; NBC Sports California; ESPN+
Our first game of NHL predictions has the San Jose Sharks heading into snowy Western New York. The Sharks did stop their losing streak on this recent road trip, but are still the favourites to land Macklin Celebrini. Kaapo Kahkonen is the confirmed starter in this one for San Jose. The Sharks are last in goals for, goals against the penalty kill. Tomas Hertl leads the team in goals with 13.
Many Buffalo Sabres fans will have their mind on the NFL Wild card coming up later. However, this matchup is a good chance to fix the 27th ranked power play. Devon Levi is the expected starter in this one, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Jeff Skinner leads the team in goals with 17. If you have any fantasy players going, remember the early start time of noon for this one.
The Sabres pick up the win and hopefully pass on the good juju to their friends on the football field.
Prediction: Sabres win 4-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-0 Canadiens
TV: Altitude; Sportsnet; RDS; ESPN+
The matchup has the Colorado Avalanche looking to keep their winning streak going against the Montreal Canadiens. Workhorse goalie Alexandar Georgiev is the projected starter for the Avalanche, who have won three straight. Nathan MacKinnon has been playing like a Hart Trophy candidate and leads the team in goals (23) and assists (46). Colorado has the second-ranked scoring offence in the league as well.
Jake Allen is the confirmed starter for the Habs, who have lost three straight. The Canadiens last loss was a baffling performance against the last-place Sharks. Montreal does have a lot of potential, but has been dealing with a number of injuries. Cole Caufield is tops in assists with 12 and Mike Matheson is leading in assists with 24.
Colorado has seemingly fixed its early-season woes and should get the victory.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-2.
Philadelphia Flyers vs St Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-0 Blues
TV: Bally Sports Midwest; NBC Sports Philadelphia
Our final and featured game of NHL predictions has the Philadelphia Flyers visiting the St Louis Blues. Philadelphia has won three straight games and four of the last five. Carter Hart is the expected starter for the Broad Street Bullies. The Flyers are seventh in goals allowed and this young team has taken to John Tortorella’s system. Travis Konecny leads the team with 21 goals and Travis Sanheim has 21 assists.
The Blues are expected to go with Jordan Binnington in between the pipes. St Louis has won three of its last five games and is among the mix of teams in the logjam for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Robert Thomas has been playing great this season and leads in goals (16) and assists (28). Both teams are in the 30s on the power play, so don’t count on a lot of extra-man goals.
This game got thrust into the spotlight with the latest rumours surrounding Kevin Hayes. However, the Flyers come away with the win.
Prediction: Flyers win 4-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
We’d jokingly go with the over/under in profanities that Torts will drop about the Blues/Flyers controversy. However, let’s go with Hayes getting the over on +0.5 points. It writes itself.
Main photo by: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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