Welcome back to another day 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 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 Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Capitals 2-1 Rangers
TV: MSG; Monument Sports; ESPN+
Our featured game of NHL predictions is the back-end of a home-and-home series. The Capitals rallied for a vital 3-2 win over the Rangers in the American capital. T.J. Oshie got the the game-winner as the Capitals rallied for two third-period markers. Darcy Kuemper is the expected starter after Charlie Lindgren started on Saturday. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Defence has helped carry Washington through an ugly early stretch while players like Alex Ovechkin are trying to get the goals to come.
Igor Shesterkin is the projected starter after Jonathan Quick took starting duties the day before. It’s the final meeting of the season and the Blueshirts would love nothing more than to even up the season series. Adam Fox scored twice in one of his best games of the season for New York. The Rangers are on a season-high four-game losing skid. However, they have a chance to get back on track at Madison Square Garden. New York did get Mika Zibanejad back from an illness, but sometimes it takes time to rally from an illness. Artemi Panarin leads the club in goals and assists in a revival season after a bad last post-season.
The Rangers finally figure it out and get a much-needed win at MSG.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2.
Detroit Red Wings vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0-1 Maple Leafs
TV: Bally Sports Detroit; Sportsnet Ontario; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the old rivals in Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs squaring off. Detroit beat the road warrior Los Angeles Kings 5-3 on Saturday night. James Reimer will likely get the call in between the pipes. The Wings have won four of the last five games and are trying to push their way into a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. Detroit captain Dylan Larkin got two goals and Patrick Kane notched the winner.
Toronto is coming off a puzzling loss to the Colorado Avalanche where the Leafs led 3-0 after 20 minutes. However, Nathan MacKinnon took over and gave the Avs the victory. The much-maligned Ilya Samsonov will likely get the call in the blue paint for the Leafs. Toronto is on a two-game losing streak and there are questions if Samsonov is back to being his old self. The Leafs have to piece things together in goal while Joseph Woll is still out. Auston Matthews leads the team in goals with 33 while William Nylander has 36 assists.
Both goalies have question marks surrounding them, but the Red Wings come away with the victory on the road.
Prediction: Red Wings win 5-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s take a look at the last game of the night for our prop bet of the of the day. Alex DeBrincat has slowed up after a red-hot start for Detroit. However, he still leads the team in goals with 17 on the campaign. The goals may not be coming, but we feel the shots are still going to come. We like DeBrincat getting the over at +3.0 shots if you want to take that action.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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