NHL Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Lightning 0-1 Rangers
TV: TNT; Max
Our opening and featured game has the Lightning looking to keep their three-game winning streak rolling. Tampa Bay has been playing very well as of late with six goals scored in each of those victories. Nikita Kucherov is making a case for the Hart Trophy with 32 goals and 53 assists this season. There’s no doubt Kucherov will put a maximum effort out against the Rangers. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the slated starter, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter.
The Rangers are coming off a big victory over the Colorado Avalanche the last time out. Artemi Panarin, who leads the team in goals and assists, tied the game before Alexis Lafreniere got the OT winner. Igor Shesterkin is scheduled to get the start for the Blueshirts in this one. New York has one three of last five games as it tries to fend off the Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division.
Both teams have good offences and struggling Russian goalies. However, Tampa picks up the win.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-3.
Dallas Stars vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Stars 0-1 Maple Leafs
TV: Bally Sports Southwest; Sportsnet; ESPN+
The Dallas Stars look to make it five wins in a row when it plays the Toronto Maple Leafs. Scott Wedgewood likely gets the call after Jake Oettinger made 47 saves the night before against the Buffalo Sabres. The Stars seem to be back on track after getting some key players back in the lineup. Roope Hintz tops the team in goals with 22 while Jason Robertson leads in assists with 33.
Toronto will likely go with Ilya Samsonov in between the pipes for this one. The Leafs suffered an All-Star Break hangover when Pierre Engvall torched his old team in the New York Islanders win in Toronto. Two solid offences play in this one as Dallas is third in goals scored while Toronto is in eighth spot. Auston Matthews is at 40 goals already this campaign.
This could be another fast-paced game, but the Stars defence is just a bit better.
Prediction: Stars win 4-2.
Minnesota Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Wild 1-0 Blackhawks
TV: TNT; Max; Sportsnet 360
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Minnesota Wild making the short trek to face the Chicago Blackhawks. Filip Gustavsson is the confirmed starter for Minnesota, which is trying to break a two-game losing skid. Joel Eriksson Ek leads the Wild with 21 goals while Mats Zuccarello has 31 assists. Both teams are in the bottom-half of the league in goals scored. The Wild are 20th in goals scored while the Blackhawks are dead-last.
Petr Mrazek is the expected starter for a Blackhawks team that is struggling without top point-getter Connor Bedard. He’s tied with Jason Dickinson for the club lead in goals this season with 15. The Blackhawks have lost four in a row and been shutout in three of those defeats. Chicago is also 30th in goals allowed this season.
The Blackhawks’ offensive troubles make betting on Gustavsson to get a shutout at least worth a look. Minnesota comes away with the win at the United Center.
Prediction: Wild win 4-1.
Main photo by: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
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