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
Nashville Predators vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Predators 1-0 Maple Leafs
TV: NHL Network; Bally Sports South; CBC
Let’s get our featured game of NHL predictions out of the way as the Nashville Predators battle the Toronto Maple Leafs. Juuse Saros is the projected starter for the Predators, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy goalie. Filip Forsberg leads the club in goals (14) and assists (16) to be team’s best offensive player. Nashville is 10th in goals scored, but 26th on the penalty kill.
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Ilya Samsonov is the likely starter due to Joseph Woll having an illness. Toronto did beat the Ottawa Senators last time out and have won three of the last five. Auston Matthews is tops in goals with 16 and William Nylander leads the way in assists with 17. The Leafs are actually 20th in goals scored, but this team can light up the scoreboard quickly.
Nashville did win the first meeting in the Music City. However, Toronto evens up the season series.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-2.
New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Rangers 0-0 Capitals
TV: MSG; Monument Sports; ESPN+
The New York Rangers look to bounce back to take on the Washington Capitals in a Metropolitan Division matchup. Peter Laviolette faces one of his old clubs, but the Rangers have been playing well for the most part. Artemi Panarin leads the team in goals (16) and assists (21) to be the Rangers’ top point man. Chris Kreider is day-to-day with an illness, so keep an eye on him. Igor Shesterkin has been struggling as of late, but should draw the start.
Washington likely counters with Darcy Kuemper in between the pipes. The Capitals have played better after a rough start, but have lost three straight games. Dylan Strome is tops in goals with 10 and a familiar name has been struggling. Alex Ovechkin has been without a goal in his last seven game and has gone through some stretches with a tally. However, he can still be dangerous.
The Blueshirts have been solid at bouncing back after a bad performance.
Prediction: Rangers win 5-2.
Los Angeles Kings vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Kings 0-0 Islanders
TV: MSGSN; Bally Sports West; ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Los Angeles Kings looking to extend that season-opening road streak. Cam Talbot is the expected starter, but the Kings are playing back-to-back games this weekend. A showdown with the Rangers looms tomorrow night. Los Angeles is first in goals allowed and fifth in goals for. This club has been great in most phases of the game. Trevor Moore has 13 goals to lead the club.
Ilya Sorokin is the projected starter for the New York Islanders, who have wins in two of the last three games. The Isles have quietly worked their way up the standings to third in the Metropolitan Division. Head coach Lane Lambert has taken the heat off himself a little bit with the recent run. Brock Nelson is first in goals with 11 while Noah Dobson has 18 assists.
The Kings are looking to make it a dozen on the road and they will do so thanks to their better offensive play.
Prediction: Kings win 4-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
We’ll go to the Tampa Bay Lightning game versus the Seattle Kraken. Nikita Kucherov has been great and we’ll take him getting the over on +1.0 points tonight.
Main photo by: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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