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
Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 1-0 Bruins
TV: NESN; CityTV; Sportsnet; TVAS
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Montreal Canadiens looking to stop a three-game losing streak. The Habs do have a 3-2 overtime win against the Boston Bruins in the last meeting. Jake Allen is the projected starter, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Montreal has given up at least five goals in two of the three setbacks. The Canadiens will need to tighten up things at on the blueline if they want another win over the Bruins.
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Jeremy Swayman is the expected starter in goal for the Bruins in this one. Boston has wins in three of its last four games, including a pair of five-goal games. David Pastrnak is tops in goals with 11 and assists with 13 to have 24 points so far this season. Boston’s defence and penalty kill has been absolutely top-notch in the early portion of the season.
The Bruins have plenty of motivation to bounce back and the win back from last week.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-2.
New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Rangers 0-0 Devils
TV: MSG 2; MSGSN
Our featured game of NHL predictions is a rematch of a wild Stanley Cup first round series. The New York Rangers are back after a short layoff and Igor Shesterkin may get the call after an injury scare. Ryan Lindgren may also be back after an injury worry of his own. The Blueshirts have gotten wins in four of their last five games. Artemi Panarin has been red-hot to start the season.
The New Jersey Devils may also have some problems of their own on the injury front. Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier are all battling injuries for the Devils. However, New Jersey did stop a three-game losing streak last time out against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Vitek Vanecek is the projected starter in the crease for the Devils. Tyler Toffoli has nine goals to lead the team in that category.
The injuries throw this one into a bit of doubt, but the rested Rangers get a narrow win.
Prediction: Rangers win 3-2.
Seattle Kraken vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-0 Canucks
TV: Root Northwest; CBC
Our last game of NHL predictions is a battle of Cascadia. The Seattle Kraken have fallen to earth after last year’s Stanley Cup Playoff run. Seattle will likely go with Philipp Grubauer in goal. The Kraken did beat the New York Islanders to stop a three-game losing streak the last time out. However, the goal-scoring is going to need to be more consistent if the Kraken want to climb into a post-season spot.
Thatcher Demko is the projected starter for the Vancouver Canucks, who are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames. The Canucks had won three of four games prior to that. Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson have been tearing things up for Vancouver, which has an explosive offence. The team is already +31 in goal differential this season.
Vancouver should get the bounce-back win in a battle of teams from the Pacific Northwest.
Prediction: Canucks win 5-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s keep with our night cap in our prop bet of the evening. We like Quinn Hughes getting a multiple-point night against a Kraken team that’s been struggling on the defensive end. Hughes over on 1.5 is our play.
Main photo by: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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