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
Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Bruins 2-1 Canadiens
TV: TSN2; NESN; ESPN+
Our first game of NHL predictions adds another chapter in one of the NHL’s biggest rivalries. The Boston Bruins visit the Montreal Canadiens for the last time this season. Boston is slated to go with Linus Ullmark in goal. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy goalie. Boston is three points in back of the Florida Panthers for first in the Atlantic Division and the entire league. David Pastrnak leads in both goals (41) and assists (53) as he races to 100 points.
Sam Montembeault is the confirmed starter for the Canadiens, who are 3-5-2 in the last 10. Montreal was embarrassed by a 9-4 score the last time it played Boston. Team captain Nick Suzuki leads the team in goals with 25, but that’s just the Nature of Things. The Habs can play spoil to a number of teams and are capable of taking down some big teams.
Both teams are dealing with injuries, but Boston gets the win.
Prediction: Bruins win 5-2.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1-0 Flyers
TV: ESPN+, Hulu; TSN4
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov is the confirmed starter for Toronto, which is 7-3 in the last 10 games. The Leafs are playing for the first time since March 9. Auston Matthews leads the league in goals with 54 while Mitch Marner is tops in assists with 51. Toronto looks to be comfortably locked into one of the automatic qualifying spots in the Atlantic.
Samuel Ersson is the expected starter for the Flyers, who will be without head coach John Tortorella for the second game of his suspension. Flyers assistant coaches Brad Shaw, Rocky Thompson and Darryl Williams will oversee the team while Tortorella finishes out his suspension. Travis Konecny leads the club in goals with 27 while Travis Sanheim is first in assists with 30.
Philadelphia did manage to win the one game without its coach, but playing Toronto is a tougher task entirely.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-2.
Anaheim Ducks vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Ducks 1-0 Wild
TV: Bally Sports Wisconsin; Bally Sports North; Bally Sports West; ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Anaheim Ducks visiting the Minnesota Wild. Anaheim has dropped three consecutive games and is 3-6-1 in the last 10. The Ducks are expected to go with John Gibson in between the pipes for this game. Anaheim has given up at least six goals during this current losing run. Frank Vatrano leads the way in goals with 29 so far.
Filip Gustavsson is the projected starter in the blue paint for the Wild, who are 6-3-1 in the last 10 and have taken two in a row. Minnesota is six points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the last wild card spot in the Western Conference. However, this team won’t go away despite trading off a couple of players. Kirill Kaprizov is the team’s leading-scorer with 33 goals in the 2023-24 campaign.
The Wild are still hanging around, but need points to stay alive.
Prediction: Wild win 5-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s go back to our opening game of the night for tonight’s preferred prop bet. Pastrnak is looking to get to 100 points sooner rather than later. We like “Pasta” getting the over on +1.5 points against the rival Canadiens.
Main photo by: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
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