NHL Predictions
Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 0-0 Blue Jackets
TV: Scripps; Bally Sports Ohio; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Vegas Golden Knights coming to Ohio to face the Columbus Blue Jackets. Vegas has lost three of the four games on this road trip and looking to salvage something from it. The Golden Knights will likely go with Adin Hill in goal, but always check social media before locking down a daily fantasy starter. Jonathan Marchessault leads the team in goals with 32, but the lineup does feel the loss of Mark Stone not being in the lineup.
Columbus is projected to go with Daniil Tarasov in the crease. The Blue Jackets suffered another key injury as youngster Kent Johnson will be out for the rest of the season. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins might be out with an upper-body injury and Adam Fantilli is still recovering from a leg laceration. Columbus is 4-6 in the last 10 and just playing out the string a season of upheaval. Team captain Boone Jenner is first in goals with 19.
Vegas has been struggling at times without Stone, but should be a depleted Columbus squad.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-1.
Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Panthers 1-0 Rangers
TV: Bally Sports Florida; MSG; ESPN+
This game between the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers had a case to be our featured matchup. However, we went with the old rivalry of the Boston Bruins against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both teams are first in their respective divisions in the Eastern Conference. Florida has won four in a row and is 9-1 in the last 10. Sergei Bobrovsky is the expected starter for the Panthers. Sam Reinhart is having a career year with 42 goals while Matthew Tkachuk is first in assists with 47.
Igor Shesterkin is the confirmed starter for the Rangers, who are 8-1-1 in the last 10 games. The Blueshirts are coming off a shootout loss to the Maple Leafs last time out. Artemi Panarin leads the way in goals (35) and assists (49) for New York. Both teams are excellent on the special teams as each the Rangers and Panthers are top 10 in penalty kill and the power play.
This could be a Stanley Cup Playoff matchup, but Florida seems better equipped for this game.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Bruins 2-0 Maple Leafs
TV: NESN; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our final and featured game has the Bruins heading north to battle the Maple Leafs. Boston is 3-2-5 in the last 10 and is expected to go with Jeremy Swayman in this one. David Pastrnak is the team’s leader in goals (38) and assist (49) so far this campaign. The Bruins are tied with the New York Islanders for the most overtime/shootout losses with 14 this season. Boston is in the top 10 in goals for, goals allowed, power play efficiency and penalty kill.
Toronto has confirmed it will go with Ilya Samsonov in net for this rivalry game. The Leafs have won two straight and are 9-1 in the last 10 outings. Auston Matthews leads the league in goals with 53 goals. However, both William Nylander and Mitch Marner are duking it out for the Leafs top assist-man. Defence could be a problem with both Ilya Lyubushkin and Mark Giordano likely out.
Toronto has been playing well, but Boston seems to have Toronto’s number.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s go back to our second game for our prop of the night. Matt Rempe has done lots of fighting for the Rangers, but we thinks he keeps the gloves on tonight. We’ll take under +4.0 penalty minutes tonight.
Main photo by: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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