Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Los Angeles Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Anaheim Ducks vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Ducks 0-2 Jets
TV: KCOP-13; TSN3; ESPN+
The opening game of NHL predictions has the Anaheim Ducks visiting the Winnipeg Jets for the final meeting between the two teams this season. John Gibson is the expected starter for the Ducks, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Anaheim has lost four in a row and are 3-6-1 in the last 10 games. Offence has been a problem for the Ducks, who haven’t scored more than two goals in each of the last four losses. Frank Vatrano leads the team in goals with 29 while Troy Terry is tops in assists with 29.
Laurent Brossoit is the confirmed starter for Winnipeg, which is 6-4 in the last 10 games. The Jets were stunned by the Nashville Predators the last time out on home ice. Winnipeg is two points off the lead in the Central Division, but has two games in hand on the Colorado Avalanche and three on the Dallas Stars. Kyle Connor leads the club in goals with 27 and Josh Morrissey has 45 assists to lead that category. The Jets are still hit-and-miss on offence at times despite the trade acquisitions.
Winnipeg will be motivated that bad performance against Nashville the other night. Anaheim is struggling to score.
Prediction: Jets win 4-1.
Los Angeles Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Kings 0–0 Blackhawks
TV: NHL Network; NBC Sports Chicago; Bally Sports West; Sportsnet
Our featured game has the Kings facing off against Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks. Los Angeles is expected to go with Cam Talbot in between the pipes. The Kings are 5-4-1 in the last 10 contests, but need some more consistency if they want to be safely in the playoffs. One thing Los Angeles has been good at during the season is defence. The Kings are first in the NHL on the penalty kill and third in goals allowed. Trevor Moore is first on the team in goals with 25 and Kevin Fiala leads in assists with 36.
Arvid Soderblom is the confirmed starter for the Blackhawks, who are a two-game winning streak. Chicago is 3-5-2 in the last 10, but Connor Bedard is coming off one heck of a night. Bedard had an NHL-careeer best five points with a goal and four assists in Chicago’s win over Anaheim. He now leads the team in both goals (20) and assists (31) despite missing an extended amount of time due to injury.
Chicago is playing better, but Los Angeles has a little more talent to get past the home team.
Prediction: Kings 5-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s stay with the final game of the night for this evening for tonight’s preferred prop bet. Bedard has been great in the last few games and that was capped off by the career-best five points the other night against the Ducks. We like Bedard going over on +1.0 points for tonight.
We’ve got another bonus prop bet for the first game where we like Brossoit allowing less than 2.0 goals against a struggling Ducks team. Anaheim has had a hard time scoring in recent weeks and going against a tough defensive team won’t help matters.
Main photo by: David Banks – USA TODAY Sports
Ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
