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 New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers
Time: 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSG; NBC Sports Philadelphia; ESPN+
We start our Black Friday NHL predictions as the Rangers try to get on track against the Flyers. New York is expected to go with Igor Shesterkin, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Rangers have lost four straight and things don’t seem as stable as they were last season. Adam Fox is first on the team in points. However, Artemi Panarin leads in goals (12) and points (26).
Ivan Fedotov is the projected starter for the Flyers, who are 6-2-2 in the last 10 games. Please note the early start times for a number of games if you have fantasy matchups to attend to. Travis Konecny is first on the team in goals (11), assists (16) and points (27).
The Rangers will be motivated to turn things around and should get a win to calm down some of the chatter. However, it won’t be an easy one.
Prediction: Rangers win 3-2.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 1-0 Wild
Time: 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Chicago Sports Network; Fan Duel Sports North; Fan Duel Sports Wisconsin; ESPN+
Our second game of the festive slate has the Chicago Blackhawks visiting the Minnesota Wild. Chicago got a 2-1 overtime victory over Minnesota on November 10. Petr Mrazek is the likely starter in this game for the Blackhawks, who are 4-5-1 in the last 10.
Minnesota is coming off a 1-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres the night before Thanksgiving. Filip Gustavsson is the projected starter for this game for the Wild, who are 6-2-2 in the last 10 games. Kirill Kaprizov is having a stellar season and leading in goals (14), assists (21) and points (35) for Minnesota.
The Wild will be motivated to take down the Hawks after that overtime-loss earlier in the month.
Prediction: Wild win 3-1.
Vancouver Canucks vs Buffalo Sabres
Time: 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Sportsnet Pacific; MSG Buffalo; ESPN+
We wrap up NHL predictions as the Sabres host the Vancouver Canucks. Kevin Lankinen is projected starter for Vancouver, which is 5-5 in the last 10 games. Elias Pettersson has seven goals this season, but Quinn Hughes is tops in assists (18) and points (23) for the Canucks.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the expected starter for the Sabres, who are 7-3 in the last 10 games. Buffalo’s goalie is 8-5-1 with a 2.45 goals-against-average this season. Alex Tuch leads the the club in assists (14) and points (21) so far for Buffalo.
Injuries have been a problem for Vancouver, but it should get the win.
Prediction: Canucks win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We wrap up this slate of NHL predictions with some prop bets. We’ll go with the early game for this one. Mika Zibanejad has not been up to his usual standards this season. However, he’s been great against the Flyers in his career. Zibanejad is a +300 to get a multiple-point day for the Rangers at Bet365. Konecny is a +125 to get an assist for the Flyers in this game at Bet365.
Main photo by: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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