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 New York Islanders vs Chicago Blackhawks. We’ve got other NHL predictions for today as well that you can take a look at. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Minnesota Wild vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Wild 1-0 Panthers
TV: Bally Sports North; Bally Sports Wisconsin; Bally Sports Florida; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Minnesota Wild taking on the Florida Panthers. The Wild were rocked the last time out against the Tampa Bay Lightning by a 7-3 score. Marc-Andre Fleury is the expected starter after Filip Gustavsson played the night before. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter in goal. Minnesota has lost four of the last five games with the team giving up at least four goals and over in those defeats. The Wild will be without captain Jared Spurgeon, who will miss the rest of the season with a hip injury. Joel Eriksson Ek leads the team in goals with 18.
Florida will go with Sergei Bobrovsky in between the pipes for this game. The Panthers are on a three-game losing streak after an overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night. Sam Reinhart has been piling up the goals with 33, but also has 23 assists so far this season. Aleksander Barkov is tops in the assists category with 35, but he did miss the last game against the Red Wings.
Fleury is chasing a milestone, but the Panthers get back on track.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
New York Islanders vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Islanders 0-0 Blackhawks
TV: MSG SN; NBC Sports Chicago; ESPN+
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Islanders trying to stop a three-game losing streak. New York is expected to tap Ilya Sorokin for the start in this game. The Islanders have also lost four of the last five as the team is trying to stay afloat for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Offence has been a problem for the Long Islanders, who have only scored three goals in the last three games. Noah Dobson has been a bright spot and is in the conversation for the Norris Trophy with his 37 assists.
Chicago now has a case of back-to-back games after the Wednesday game against the Buffalo Sabres was pushed back due to weather. Petr Mrazek will likely draw the start after Arvid Soderblom played the night before. The Blackhawks have lost three of the last four games and team has struggled to score without rookie sensation Connor Bedard. Chicago is 31st in goals scored and 30th in goals allowed. Special teams are also struggling with Chicago 31st on the power play and 27th on the penalty kill.
Both teams have been struggling to score, but the Islanders have just a little more firepower.
Prediction: Islanders win 4-1.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s stick with our featured game for our preferred side bet of the evening. Dobson has been great, but let’s focus on Islanders leading-scorer Brock Nelson. The Warroad, Minn. native has 19 goals this campaign and he’s on the hunt for number 20. We think he gets the job done tonight. So, take Nelson and the over on +0.5 goals in this game against a struggling defence.
Main photo by: Thomas Salus – USA TODAY Sports
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