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
Minnesota Wild vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Jets
TV: Bally Sports North; Bally Sports Wisconsin; TSN3; ESPN+
Our opening and featured game of NHL predictions has the Minnesota Wild looking to get their fifth straight win. Minnesota has come alive since the coaching change to John Hynes from Dean Evason. The Wild still have a bit of work to do if they want to get back into the Stanley Cup Playoff race, but they’re in a much better spot. Filip Gustavsson is the confirmed starter in between the pipes for Minnesota. However, the Wild won’t have the services of the shifty Mats Zuccarello.
Connor Hellebuyck is the projected starter for the Winnipeg Jets, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. The Jets have won three of the last five, but are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Mark Scheifele has picked up the pace with Kyle Connor out of the lineup. However, the Jets will need some help from their supporting cast if they want weather the storm.
Minnesota is coming in hot, but will feel the loss of Zuccarello.
Prediction: Jets win 4-2.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1-0 Sabres
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; MSG Buffalo; ESPN+
The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to keep momentum going after rallying past the Toronto Maple Leafs. Columbus pulled out a 6-5 win that stunned Leafs nation. However, the Jackets will have to go right back to work against a desperate Buffalo Sabres team. Daniil Tarasov is expected to get the start with Columbus playing the night before. In the first meeting of the season, the Jackets put up a 9-4 drubbing of the Sabres.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the expected starter for a Sabres team that looked dreadful against the Boston Bruins. Some think that Don Granato should be coaching for his job since it’s been a disappointing campaign for the club. Jeff Skinner leads the team in goals with 13, but the most of the rest of the offence has struggled this year.
This could be a game that tests the over/under of seven, but Columbus piles onto the Sabres’ misery.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 5-3.
Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-1 Panthers
TV: Bally Sports Florida; CBC/TVAS; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Montreal Canadiens battling the Florida Panthers. Montreal has won three of its last five, but did lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in the last time on ice. The Canadiens are a young and exciting team with a promising future. However, there still needs to be a period of adjustment for the group. Jake Allen is the confirmed starter for the Habs.
Florida is coming off a big win over the New York Rangers on Friday night. Anthony Stolarz is the expected starter for the Panthers, who have won three straight games. Sam Reinhart has 23 goals while Aleksander Barkov has dished out 27 assists. The Cats have put themselves back in the conversation to get back to the Cup Final.
Montreal has a lot of good points, but Florida is on a roll.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
We go back to the first and featured game for a prop of they day. Joel Eriksson Ek has been very solid this season and today is laying good odds to get a goal. This seems like a good play today.
Main photo by: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
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