Welcome back to the return 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 matchups 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 Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season starts.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Scripps Florida; Bally Sports Ohio; NHL Network
Our first and featured game of NHL predictions will be one filled with emotion. The Panthers come to town to face the Blue Jackets. However, this game will have so much more to it. Florida will likely go with Spencer Knight in goal after beating the Boston Bruins the day before. However, always check social media before locking in a starter. Sam Reinhart leads the team in points with five and is tied with Sam Bennett for the most goals with three.
Columbus will be playing in its home-opener and remembering the late Johnny Gaudreau. Elvis Merzlikins should draw the start for the Blue Jackets, who split their first two road games this season. Yegor Chinakhov leads the team in points with four. However, Kent Johnson and Zach Werenski have to most goals with two.
The signs point to Florida being a better team on paper. However, Columbus will be playing with a ton of emotion.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 4-2.
Vancouver Canucks vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Bally Sports Sun; Sportsnet Pacific; ESPN+
Our second game of NHL predictions has the Vancouver Canucks visiting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vancouver has dropped its first two games in overtime to start its campaign. Arturs Silovs will likely get the call in goal for the Canucks. Brock Boeser leads the team in goals, but a number of players have two points so far this season.
Tampa Bay will be playing in its home-opener after Saturday’s slated game against the Carolina Hurricanes was pushed back due to Hurricane Milton. Andrei Vasilevskiy will likely draw the start after a brilliant opening game. Nikita Kucherov racked up a hat trick in the first game of the season against the Hurricanes.
Vancouver will come out firing, but Tampa Bay is rested and coming off a great performance.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-3.
Seattle Kraken vs Nashville Predators
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Bally Sports South (Nashville); KHN; KONG; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Nashville Predators hosting the Seattle Kraken. We’ll likely see Philipp Grubauer in goal for Seattle. New captain Jordan Eberle leads the team in goals (2) and assists (3).
Nashville likely goes with Juuse Saros in goal in his second start of the season. The Predators came in as a sexy pick, but have dropped the first two games of the campaign. Filip Forsberg has two points to start the season, but Steven Stamkos has yet to find the scoresheet.
The Predators can’t fall too far behind in the standings, so a win here is needed.
Prediction: Predators win 4-2.
Prop Bets of the Night for NHL Predictions
We have a couple of prop bets to wrap up NHL predictions. Kucherov at +135 on FanDuel as anytime scorer seems like a good bet.
Let’s shift to one of Kucherov’s old teammates in Stamkos in the finale. We think it’s finally time for him to break through. Go with a Stamkos goal bet a +155 on FanDuel.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
