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 Edmonton Oilers vs Toronto Maple Leafs. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-0 Maple Leafs
TV: CBC; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our featured contest leads off NHL predictions. Edmonton is expected to go with Stuart Skinner in goal, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. The Oilers are 7-1-2 in the last 10 games and are trying to lock down second in the Pacific Division during the stretch run. Connor McDavid is trying to become the fourth player to get 100 assists in a season along with Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky. Zach Hyman leads the team in goals with 48.
Ilya Samsonov is the confirmed starter for the Maple Leafs. Toronto is 6-3-1 in the last 10 games, but could without a couple of forwards. Tyler Bertuzzi has an illness and may miss tonight’s game. Mitch Marner‘s status for this key game is also uncertain. Auston Matthews leads the league in goals with 57 while William Nylander leads the Leafs in assists with 53.
Not having Bertuzzi or Marner in the lineup could prove to be the difference for the Leafs in this one.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-2.
Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Panthers 2-0 Rangers
TV: ABC; ESPN+
The Florida Panthers head to Madison Square Garden in another featured contest on NHL predictions. Florida is expected to go with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal for this game. The Panthers are 6-4 in the last 10 games and have lost three straight. Sam Reinhart has 48 goals to lead the team and Matthew Tkachuk is tops in assists with 48. Aleksander Barkov is questionable for this matchup, which could be a playoff preview.
Igor Shesterkin is the confirmed starter for the Rangers, who are 6-3-1 in the last 10 games. Artemi Panarin is coming off a hat trick and leads the team in goals (41) and assists (56). The Russian star is closing in on a 100-point season. New York is doing the best it can on defence without Ryan Lindgren and Jacob Trouba.
The Blueshirts are still solid without that defensive duo, but the Panthers can exploit that.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Flames 1-1 Canucks
TV: CBC; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Calgary Flames visiting the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom is the expected starter for Calgary, which is 5-5 in the last 10 games. Yegor Sharangovich is having a career-year with the Flames due to his 28 goals.
Casey DeSmith will likely get the call in goal again due to Thatcher Demko‘s injury. Vancouver is 6-2-2 and weathering the storm without the former Boston College product. Brock Boeser leads the team in goals with 36 while Quinn Hughes is first in assists with 66.
Vancouver has played surprisingly well without Demko and that trend should continue tonight.
Prediction: Canucks win 5-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s stay with our last game of NHL predictions for our preferred prop bet of the night. Elias Lindholm hasn’t had that much offensive pop since coming over from the Flames earlier in the season. However, we feel that he’s due to finally get going against his old team. We like Lindholm getting the over on +0.5 points.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson – USA TODAY Sports
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