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 Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
We want to wish our American readers a Happy Thanksgiving.
NHL Predictions
Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSG Buffalo; Fan Duel Sports North; Fan Duel Sports Wisconsin; ESPN+
Good gravy, we’ve got a good opening game for NHL predictions. The Buffalo Sabres host the Minnesota Wild in the Gravy Boat Promotion game on the night before Thanksgiving. Filip Gustavsson is the expected starter for the Wild, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Kirill Kaprizov is back after surviving an injury scare and he leads the team in goals (13), assists (21) and points (34) so far this season.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is slated to get the start for a Sabres team that’s won three in a row. Lindy Ruff has this roster playing well with a 7-3 mark in the last 10 games. Tage Thompson is first in goals with 11. However, Alex Tuch is tops in assists (14) and points (21) so far this campaign.
Minnesota seemingly struggles against Central Division teams, but finds a way in this one.
Prediction: Wild win 4-2.
Washington Capitals vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head:Capitals 0-1 Lightning
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TNT; TruTV
We’ve got a good matchup for the second game of NHL predictions with the Washington Capitals taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Washington is likely to go with Charlie Lindgren in goal for this game. The Capitals are 6-3-1 in the last 10 an are hoping to survive without Alex Ovechkin. Dylan Strome is the team-leader in assists (23) and points (29) for Washington.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is hoping to repeat his 32-save shutout performance in Tampa’s 3-0 victory on October 26. The Russian is the projected starter for the Lightning, who are coming off a huge win over the Avalanche. Nikita Kucherov keeps putting up great numbers with 12 goals, 20 assists and 32 points.
Washington has been playing fine without its captain. However, Tampa Bay collects the victory.
Prediction: Lightning win 3-1.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 1-0 Avalanche
Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TNT; TruTV
Our final and featured game of NHL predictions has the Golden Knights taking their three-game winning streak into Denver. Adin Hill is slated to be the starter for Vegas, which won a wild 8-4 game in the first meeting between the two teams. Pavel Dorofeyev holds the team lead in goals with 11, but Jack Eichel is tops in assists (26) and points (34).
Colorado may go with Alexandar Georgiev even after his shaky performance last time out. The Avs have been playing better after stumbling out of the blocks as they’re 7-3 in the last 10 games. Mikko Rantanen is putting up massive goal numbers with 14 already while Nathan MacKinnon is topping the assists (28) and points (35) list.
The Avs want to get out fast, but the Knights can also score goals.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 6-4.
Prop Bets of the Night
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets. The over/under on the featured game is at 6.5 and we think that will get the over at -115 on BetMGM. Rantanen is a +850 at BetMGM to be the game’s first goalscorer while Eichel is a +1200 to do the same thing.
Main photo by: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
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