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
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-3 Bruins
TV: NESN; TSN4; ESPN+
Our opening and featured game of NHL predictions has the Toronto Maple Leafs squaring off against the Boston Bruins. The two teams faced off earlier in the week as Boston downed Toronto, 4-1. Joseph Woll is expected to get the start with the Maple Leafs playing the night before. However, always check social media before confirming a daily fantasy starter. Toronto has gone 8-2 in the last 10 games, but hasn’t been able crack Boston so far this campaign. Auston Matthews leads the team in goals with 54 while Mitch Marner has 51 assists.
Jeremy Swayman is expected to get the start once again for the Bruins, who are 4-1-5 in the last 10. However, Boston has yet to lose to Toronto in three meetings so far this year. David Pastrnak leads the team in goals (38) and assists (52) so far in 2023-24. The Bruins have limited the high-powered Maple Leafs’ offence to an average on two goals per game in the three meetings.
It’s hard to sweep a team four times in the regular season, but Toronto doesn’t seem to have the formula to best Boston.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-2.
Ottawa Senators vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-1 Kings
TV: TSN5; Bally Sports West; ESPN+
The wheels having seemingly fallen off for the Ottawa Senators, who have lost five straight games. Ottawa will try to salvage something out of its West Coast road trip when it takes on the Los Angeles Kings. Joonas Korpisalo is the expected starter for the Senators, who have been finding new ways to lose games. Brady Tkachuk leads the team in goals with 26 while Tim Stutzle is first in assists with 42.
Cam Talbot is expected to get the call for the Kings, who are 6-3-1 in the last 10. The ship has steadied in Southern California since Jim Hiller took over. Trevor Moore leads the club in goals with 24 while Kevin Fiala tops the assists category with 36. Los Angeles is third in goals allowed this season with 159.
Facing a tough defensive team like Los Angeles is not what Ottawa needed. The Kings continue to surge up the standings.
Prediction: Kings win 4-1.
New York Islanders vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Islanders 0-1 Sharks
TV: NBC Sports California; MSGSN: ESPN+; SNO, SN East
Our final game of NHL predictions has the streaking New York Islanders heading out west to play the San Jose Sharks. The Isles have won four straight and have new life under bench boss Patrick Roy. Ilya Sorokin is the expected starter for the Islanders, who are playing well at both sides of the ice. Brock Nelson leads the team in markers with 28 while Noah Dobson has 56 assists.
San Jose has lost eight straight and might have a different lineup if some trades happen before face-off. Anthony Duclair leads the team in goals with 16 so far this campaign. Mikael Granlund is first in assists with 29 for this season. Kaapo Kahkonen is the expected starter for the Sharks, who are tied on points with the Chicago Blackhawks for the worst in the league.
Roy has the Isles playing well. San Jose won’t be easy, but New York should make it five straight.
Prediction: Islanders win 5-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s keep with the last game and have Bo Horvat get the over on +1.0 points for the team.
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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