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
San Jose Sharks vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-1 Bruins
TV: NESN; NBC Sports California; ESPN+
Our first game of NHL predictions has the San Jose Sharks as a large underdog against the Boston Bruins. Mackenzie Blackwood is the projected starter for the Sharks, but always check social media before locking in a starter. San Jose is on a two-game winning streak and has played better at both ends of the ice. This is without Tomas Hertl on the ice.
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Jeremy Swayman is the confirmed starter for the Bruins, who have lost three straight games. Boston has given up at least five goals per game in these losses. The B’s did get a 3-1 victory over the Sharks in the last meeting. David Pastrnak leads the team in goals (13) and assists (18) for Boston.
The Bruins should be able to get right against the Sharks in this one. If not, the problems may run deeper than just a slump.
Prediction: Bruins win 5-1.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-0 Red Wings
TV: NBC Sports Chicago; Bally Sports Detroit; ESPN+
It’s a matchup of old Norris and Central Division rivals as the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Detroit Red Wings. The Blackhawks have wins in two of their last three, but the mess surrounding Corey Perry could be a distraction. Petr Mrazek is the likely starter for Chicago, who has rookie Connor Bedard as the team’s leading goal-scorer.
Detroit is coming off a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers, where it held the lead for most of the game. Alex Lyon is the likely starter with Ville Husso starting the night before. Dylan Larkin was out for last night’s game, but there’s no word on if he’ll play tonight. Alex DeBrincat will need to start scoring after a fast opening part of the campaign.
The Wings are coming in with a chip on their shoulder and should bounce back.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-2.
Edmonton Oilers vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-1 Jets
TV: TSN3; Sportsnet West; ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Winnipeg Jets. The Oilers have won three straight games are trying to make a mad scramble to get back into Stanley Cup Playoff position. Stuart Skinner is the projected starter for the Oilers in this game. Connor McDavid is slowly starting to rebound and has 20 assists on the season. Zach Hyman leads the team in goals with 12 for Edmonton.
Connor Hellebuyck is the likely starter in goal for the Jets, who have lost two straight. Kyle Connor has 14 goals to lead Winnipeg while Mark Scheifele has 16 assists for the club. The Jets have struggled on special teams this season. as they’re 21st on the power play and 27th on the penalty kill. Winnipeg’s penalty kill will have to perform a lot better in order to stop Edmonton’s power play.
The Oilers face a good defensive team, but they’ll find a way to get two points.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
We’ll go back to the opening game of NHL predictions for our prop bet of the night. Tonight’s prop bet is the Sharks goalie getting plus 35 saves against a hungry Bruins team. If Blackwood starts, we feel pretty safe about the bet.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
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