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 Los Angeles Kings vs Toronto Maple Leafs. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season starts.
NHL Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TNT; TruTV
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Buffalo Sabres making the short trip to play the Pittsburgh Penguins. Buffalo is likely to start Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in goal. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Sabres finally got their first win of the season last time out. However, there’s still plenty of worry in Western New York. Alex Tuch is first in points with four and tied for the team-lead in goals.
Tristan Jarry is the projected starter for Pittsburgh, which got a victory over the Montreal Canadiens last time out. Evgeni Malkin leads the team in points with seven while Kris Letang is one of five players that have goals this season. Pittsburgh has scored plenty of goals when they do get victories.
Buffalo knows the pressure is on and it needs wins. If you’re looking for a prop, go with the over on +7.5 goals because of the Pittsburgh offence.
Prediction: Penguins win 5-3.
Los Angeles Kings vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Bally Sports West; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our second and featured game has the Kings battling the Maple Leafs. Los Angeles is expected to go Darcy Kuemper in between the pipes for this game. Anze Kopitar has carried the load for the Kings so far this season. He leads the team in goals (3) and assists (6), but he needs some help.
Toronto is likely go with Anthony Stolarz in the net. William Nylander is the team-leader in goals with two, but Max Domi is leading in points with three. Auston Matthews has been surprisingly held to zero points in the first three games.
Matthews has struggled, but should come alive against the Kings’ shaky defence. Matthews is getting +140 at Bet MGM for the over on +1.5 points. Toronto should keep going with their offence in this.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-2.
Boston Bruins vs Colorado Avalanche
Time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TNT; TruTV; Sportsnet
We see the Boston Bruins visit the Colorado Avalanche in a nationally televised game. Jeremy Swayman is expected to be the starter and has settled in after holding out. Elias Lindholm has the team-lead in points with five and is tied with a plethora of players with three goals.
The embattled Alexandar Georgiev is the expected starter for Colorado, which has lost its first three games of the season. Mikko Rantanen is tops in goals with three while Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar each have five points. The Avs are scoring goals, but can’t stop any.
It’s tempting to take Boston, but Colorado going 0-4 would be shocking. MacKinnon with the over in +4.5 shots at +115 at Bet365.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-3 in overtime.
Utah Hockey Club vs Anaheim Ducks
Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: KCOP; Utah16; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Utah Hockey Club visiting the Anaheim Ducks. Utah is coming off its first loss of the season against the New Jersey Devils. The team with no mascot name is slated to go with Connor Ingram in goal. Dylan Guenther and Clayton Keller have gotten off to hot starts.
Anaheim is expected to give Lukas Dostal the start in goal. The Ducks are coming off a loss to the Vegas Golden Knights last time out. Anaheim has spread the scoring around with no one getting more than one point so far.
Utah has shown out so far and should bounce back in the one.
Prediction: Utah HC wins 4-2.
Main photo by: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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