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
St Louis Blues vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Blues 1-0 Sabres
TV: ABC; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the St Louis Blues taking on the Buffalo Sabres. The Blues are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 30. Jordan Binnington is the expected starter for the Blues. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy goalie. The Blues have made a charged under new coach Drew Bannister and hold the second Wild Card spot. Pavel Buchnevich is the team’s leader in goals with 17.
Buffalo will likely go with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in between the pipes. The Sabres have lost three of the last five games and it looks like they’re out of the post-season race. Youngsters JJ Peterka and Casey Mittelstadt have had breakout seasons for Buffalo. Keep in mind the early start time if you have any players in your fantasy lineup.
The Blues have been great since the coaching change, but there’s concern about rust. However, the Blues should be able to get the win.
Prediction: Blues win 4-2.
Dallas Stars vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Stars 0-1 Canadiens
TV: BSSWX; TSN2; ESPN+
The Dallas Stars are coming off a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs last time out. Jake Oettinger is the likely starter in goal for Dallas. The Stars are tied with the Colorado Avalanche for first place in the Central Division. Roope Hintz is the team’s leader in goals with 22. Jason Robertson is leading in assists with 34.
Sam Montembeault is the confirmed starter for the Montreal Canadiens, which beat the Washington Capitals in its first game back from break. Cole Caufield is leading the way in goals with 17 while team captain Nick Suzuki is first in assists with 30.
Dallas lost a wild one to Toronto last time out. However, the Stars should even the season series. This game also has an early start time if you have any fantasy players.
Prediction: Stars win 4-3.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1-2 Senators
TV: CBC; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our final and featured game of NHL predictions has the Leafs taking on the Ottawa Senators. Toronto has won four of the last five and will likely go with Ilya Samsonov in the blue paint. Auston Matthews is up to 41 goals while William Nylander has 40 assists his campaign. Toronto has the fourth-best power play and will take on Ottawa’s 28th-rated penalty kill.
Joonas Korpisalo is the confirmed starter for the Senators, who have won three of the last five games. However, this is the team’s first game back since the All-Star Break. Brady Tkachuk leads the way in goals with 22. Tim Stutzle is the Senators’ team leader in assists with 36. Special teams have been a problem for Ottawa with not just its penalty kill. The Senators’ power play is 23rd in the NHL.
These rivalry games are always tough to gauge. The Senators always get up for a game against the Leafs. However, Toronto scratches out the victory.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s stay with the last game of NHL predictions for our prop bet of the evening. Toronto’s power play is pretty strong and we like it getting at least an extra-man goal in this. Go with either Matthews, Nylander or Mitch Marner getting the over on +0.5 power play points.
Main photo by: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
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