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 Detroit Red Wings vs Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Detroit Red Wings vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0-1 Panthers
TV: Bally Sports Detroit; Bally Sports Florida; ESPN+
Our first and featured game of NHL Predictions has the Red Wings looking to keep momentum rolling. The Wings have won four of the last five games and have beaten some good teams along the way. Alex Lyon is the confirmed starter and will do battle against his former team. Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat are both tied for the team lead in goals with 17. Patrick Kane‘s status is uncertain according to head coach Derek LaLonde. The Red Wings are fourth in goals scored in the NHL.
Sergei Bobrovsky is the expected starter in between the pipes for the Panthers. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Florida has lost two straight games after having a recent winning run. Sam Reinhart is leading the way in goals with 32 goals and Aleksander Barkov is tops in assists with 35. The Cats are third in goals allowed, but have given up nine goals in recent games.
This one is tough to call, but Lyon gets the last laugh on his former team.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-2.
Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-1 Devils
TV: MSGSN; Sportsnet; RDS; ESPN+
Our second game of NHL predictions has the Montreal Canadiens taking on the New Jersey Devils. The Habs stopped a three-game losing streak with a surprising 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche last time out. Sam Montembeault is the confirmed starter for Montreal in this one. Cole Caufield leads the team in goals with 13 while Nick Suzuki is on top of the assist category with 25.
Vitek Vanecek is the projected starter for the Devils, who have lost three of the last five games. New Jersey has been missing the Jack Hughes, but injuries to Brendan Smith and others are also out. The Devils are ninth in goals scored and third on the power play. However, the team is 23rd in goals allowed and 24th on the penalty kill. Tyler Toffoli and Jesper Bratt have been picking up the slack for the Devils.
Both teams have been allowing goals as of late, but the Devils get it done.
Prediction: Devils win 5-3.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-2 Sabres
TV: TNT; Max
UPDATE: This game has been postponed until 7 p.m. Thursday night due the weather in Western New York.
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Chicago Blackhawks visiting the Buffalo Sabres. This game looked much more attractive on paper at the beginning of the season. However, the injury to Connor Bedard and the struggles of the Sabres have made it a meh matchup. Arvid Soderblom will likely get the call for the Blackhawks, who did beat the San Jose Sharks last time out.
Buffalo is projected to go with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in between the pipes. The Sabres have won three of the last five as they try to salvage their season. Jeff Skinner leads the team in 17 goals and Casey Mittelstadt has dished out 26 assists. Both teams are in the bottom half of plenty of major statistics.
The Hawks look like a different package without Bedard. Buffalo should get the victory.
Prediction: Sabres win 5-2.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s go back to our second game of the night for our prop bet of the evening. We like the Devils and Canadiens getting the over on the 6.5 number that a few places are offering. The defensive struggles lead it for us to go with the over.
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