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
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Penguins 1-0 Bruins
TV: ABC; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Pittsburgh Penguins facing the Boston Bruins. Pittsburgh made some changes like trading Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. It looks like the Penguins are going to have to retool in the off-season. Tristan Jarry is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Sidney Crosby leads the team in goals with 32 this season.
Boston is expected to go with Linus Ullmark in between the pipes in this one. The Bruins are 5-1-4 in the last 10 games and have David Pastrnak to thank for a ton of their success. Pastrnak has 39 goals and 52 assists so far this campaign. Boston is top 10 in many major categories in the league during the 2023-24 season.
It’s the second straight year the Pens are selling at the deadline. Boston looks refreshed after beating the Toronto Maple Leafs twice.
Prediction: Bruins win 5-2.
Winnipeg Jets vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Jets 1-0 Canucks
TV: Sportsnet; CBC; ESPN+
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Winnipeg Jets visiting the Vancouver Canucks. Both teams made impressions in the run up to the trade deadline. Could either one of these teams be the one to end Canada’s Stanley Cup drought? Connor Hellebuyck is the expected starter for the Jets, who are 7-3 in the last 10 games. Kyle Connor leads the team in goals with 26.
Thatcher Demko is the projected starter for the Canucks, who are winners of three straight games. Brock Boeser is the team’s leader in goals with 35 while Quinn Hughes is first in assists with 61. Tyler Myers could be out of the lineup for Vancouver due to a lower-body injury.
Both clubs are hungry to be best in the west, but the Canucks scratch out a win.
Prediction: Canucks win 3-2.
Detroit Red Wings vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 1-0 Golden Knights
TV: Bally Sports Detroit; Scripps; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Detroit Red Wings taking on the revamped Vegas Golden Knights. Detroit is coming off an embarrassing 4-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night. James Reimer is the confirmed starter for the Red Wings, who are without captain Dylan Larkin. Detroit has lost four straight games coming into this one.
Vegas is expected to go with Adin Hill in the net for a team that added some star power. Noah Hanifin should be in the lineup for the Golden Knights after being acquired from the Calgary Flames. Vegas has also lost four in a row, but seem primed to make a push. Jonathan Marchessault leads the club in goals with 32 this season.
Both teams are reeling, but Vegas seems ready to make a push to defend its title.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 5-1.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s stay with the last game of NHL predictions for our preferred prop of the day. Hanifin made an effort to get to practice as quick as he could. The veteran blueliner seems to be recharged in heading to a Stanley Cup contender. We like the Boston native getting the over on +0.5 points. Detroit is struggling without its captain and Vegas should take advantage of this.
Main photo by: Bob Frid – USA TODAY Sports
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