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
Dallas Stars vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Stars 3-0 Blackhawks
TV: NBC Sports Chicago; Bally Sports Southwest; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Dallas Stars visiting the Chicago Blackhawks. Dallas is expected to start Jake Oettinger, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. The Stars have won eight straight games and are making a claim to be one of the best teams in the NHL. Wyatt Johnston has 30 goals and 31 assists for the Stars. Jason Robertson has five goals and seven assists over the past 10 games.
Petr Mrazek is the likely starter for Chicago, which is 5-5 in the last 10 games. The Blackhawks are eighth in the Central Division, but has been respectable since the return of Connor Bedard to the lineup. He has totaled 21 goals and 37 assists for the Blackhawks. Philipp Kurashev has scored five goals with nine assists over the past 10 games.
Chicago has been better in recent weeks, but Dallas is playing exceptionally well.
Prediction: Stars win 4-1.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 2-0 Canadiens
TV: CBC; Sportsnet; ESPN+
The old rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens is our featured game of NHL predictions. Ilya Samsonov is the projected starter for the Maple Leafs, who are 5-4-1 in the last 10 games. William Nylander has 40 goals and 55 assists for the Maple Leafs. NHL top-scorer Auston Matthews has scored eight goals with nine assists over the past 10 games.
Montreal will do with Sam Montembeault as the confirmed starter in this game. The Canadiens are 4-4-2 in the last 10 games and have a -48 scoring differential, with 205 total goals scored and 253 conceded. Cole Caufield has 22 goals and 35 assists for the Canadiens. Team captain Nick Suzuki has seven goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
Rivalry games are always tough to gauge, but Toronto gets the win in this one.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-3.
Edmonton Oilers vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Oilers 2-1 Flames
TV: CBC; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Edmonton Oilers renewing the Battle of Alberta with the Calgary Flames. Calvin Pickard is the expected starter with the Oilers going with Stuart Skinner the night before. Edmonton is 6-3-1 in the last 10 and clinched a playoff spot on Friday night. Leon Draisaitl has 39 goals and 62 assists for the Oilers. Connor McDavid has produced six goals and 16 assists over the last 10 games.
Calgary is likely to go with Jacob Markstrom in between the pipes for this rivalry game. The Flames are 3-7 in the last 10 and have lost 10 in a row. Calgary has a -15 scoring differential, with 229 total goals scored and 244 allowed. Blake Coleman has scored 29 goals with 23 assists for the Flames. Trade deadline acquisition Andrei Kuzmenko has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
The Battle of Alberta is always an intense affair, but Edmonton wins the final meeting of the season.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-3.
Prop Bet of Night
We’ll stick with our last game of the night for our preferred prop bet of the evening. Two of the first three meetings between the Oilers and Flames have gotten over seven total goals. We’ll take the over in this one with the Oilers offence playing well in the last few games. Take the over on the 6.5 number seen on most books.
Main photo by: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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