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
Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Capitals 0-0 Red Wings
TV: Bally Sports Detroit; Monument Sports Network 2; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Washington Capitals taking on the Detroit Red Wings. Washington downed the Ottawa Senators, 6-3, last night in the American capital. Charlie Lindgren is expected to start after Darcy Kuemper played the night before. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Hendrix Lapierre scored twice last night and John Carlson had a goal. The Caps are six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Alex Lyon is the scheduled starter for the Red Wings, who have won five in a row. Detroit is 7-2-1 in the last 10 and got a huge overtime goal from Patrick Kane in his return to the United Center against the Chicago Blackhawks. Team captain Dylan Larkin leads the club in goals with 25 while Lucas Raymond has 32 assists. Detroit is in the top 10 in both major special teams categories.
Washington has played better, but Detroit seems to have a rhythm under Derek LaLonde.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-2.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 0-1 Maple Leafs
TV: TSN4; Scripps; ESPN+
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Vegas Golden Knights visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Vegas is trying to overcome the loss of Mark Stone once again. The Golden Knights have lost four of the last five and are struggling to hold off the Edmonton Oilers for second in the Pacific Division. Adin Hill is the confirmed starter for the Golden Knights in this one. Jonathan Marchessault has 30 goals to lead the team.
Ilya Samsonov is the projected starter for Toronto, which has won seven straight games. Auston Matthews leads the league in goals with 52, but William Nylander and Mitch Marner are also putting together great season. Those two are battling it out for the team’s lead in assists. Toronto has scored at least four goals a game during this winning run. Timothy Liljegren is a game-time decision for the Leafs.
Vegas is still a good team, but the loss of Stone really hurts.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-3.
Ottawa Senators vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Senators 1-0 Predators
TV: TSN5; Bally Sports South; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predicitons has the the Senators heading to Music City to take on the Nashville Predators. Joonas Korpisalo is the slated starter after coming into Monday’s game after Anton Forsberg was pulled. The earlier meeting in the season ended in controversy after Tim Stutzle drew a questionable tripping penalty on Predators goalie Juuse Saros. Brady Tkachuk tops the team in goals with 26.
Saros is listed as the scheduled starter as of press time for Nashville, which has won five straight games. The Predators currently hold the final Stanley Cup Playoff spot out west by four points on the St Louis Blues. Nashville coach Andrew Brunette and his Mysterious Ways have gotten the team playing better after canceling a proposed trip to see U2 at the Sphere in Vegas. Filip Forsberg leads the squad in goals with 28.
Ottawa has struggled defensively as of late while Nashville has tightened things up on the back end.
Prediction: Predators win 4-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
We’ll go back to our first game of the night and give Carlson some love for the Capitals. We like Carlson getting +1.0 points tonight in our prop bet of the evening.
Main photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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