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
Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 2-1 Canadiens
TV: TSN2; Bally Sports Detroit; ESPN+
Our opening game has the Montreal Canadiens once trying to play spoiler to the Detroit Red Wings. James Reimer could be tasked with trying to keep the Wings’ playoff chances alive. However, check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Detroit must win or get an overtime loss and hope the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins lose in regulation. The Wings are 4-3-3 in the last 10 and have won two straight. Dylan Larkin leads the team in goals while Lucas Raymond is tops in points with a nice 69.
Cayden Primeau is the expected starter for a Habs team looking to end the season strong. Montreal is 3-4-3 in the last 10 games and has dropped three straight games. Lane Hutson got an assists in his first NHL game on Monday night. Team captain Nick Suzuki leads the club in goals (33) and points (76) while Mike Matheson is first in assists with 51.
Detroit had to work for it, but it’ll do its part to stay alive.
Prediction: Red Wings win 5-3.
Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-1 Flyers
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia; Monument Sports Network; ESPN+; Sportsnet West; Sportsnet Pacific
Our featured game has the Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers duking it out for the last post-season spot. Washington gets in the playoffs with a win or overtime loss combined with a Pittsburgh and Detroit loss. Charlie Lindgren got the shutout last night and may get called upon again to save the season. Alex Ovechkin leads the team in goals with 30 while Dylan Strome is first in points with 66. Washington has won two straight despite a 3-5-2 record in the last 10.
Samuel Ersson is the expected starter for the Flyers, who need a win and plenty of help to get into the post-season. Philadelphia is 2-6-2 in the last 10, but has also managed to win the last pair of games. The Flyers are fighting for their lives after holding a post-season spot for most of the season. Travis Konecny leads the team in goals (33) and points (68).
This is what hockey is all about. However, Washington seals up the last spot in the East with a win.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2.
Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Flames 1-2 Canucks
TV: Sportsnet Pacific; Sportsnet West; ESPN+; Hulu
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Calgary Flames battling the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstom is the expected starter for the Flames, who 4-6 in the last 10 games. However, Calgary has won two straight games and looks to finish the season above .500. Yegor Sharangovich has 31 goals and 28 assists for the Flames. Nazem Kadri has six goals and nine assists over the past 10 games.
This game will be the first start for Thatcher Demko since his return from injury. A win here will help the Canucks lock up the Pacific Division title for the team. Vancouver has gone 5-4-1 in the last 10 games. J.T. Miller has 36 goals and 66 assists for the Canucks to surpass the 100-point mark. Dakota Joshua has four goals and one assist over the last 10 games.
It’ll be interesting to see how Demko handles his first game, but the Canucks should wrap up the Pacific.
Prediction: Canucks win 4-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
We’ll go with Elias Pettersson having a multiple-point night, so take the over on +1.0.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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