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 Calgary Flames. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Washington Capitals vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-0 Flames
TV: Monument Sports Network; NHL Network; Sportsnet
Our opening and featured game of NHL predictions has the Capitals visiting Alberta to play the Flames. Charlie Lindgren is the expected starter for Washington, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Capitals sit a point off the second wild card spot that’s currently held by the Detroit Red Wings. It looks to be a log jam for the last Stanley Cup Playoff spot in the East. Games like this are super-important if Washington has designs of returning to the post-season. Dylan Strome leads the Capitals in goals with 22. John Carlson is leading the club in assists with 34.
Dustin Wolf is the confirmed starter with Jacob Markstrom‘s playing status uncertain. Markstrom did not play in Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. Calgary is eight points off the final wild card spot in the Western Conference, but have won two straight games and are 6-4 in the last 10. Yegor Sharangovich has been great this season with 28 goals while Nazem Kadri is tops in assists for 36 assists.
Both teams are still technically alive, but Washington has more of a chance to get a playoff spot.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-3.
Buffalo Sabres vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-1 Kraken
TV: MSG Buffalo; Root Sports Northwest; ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Buffalo Sabres heading up northwest to face the Seattle Kraken. Buffalo is five points off the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, so a win here is critical. Devon Levi is expected to get the start in this game for the Sabres, who are 5-4-1 in the last 10 games. Jeff Skinner leads the club in goals with 21 while Rasmus Dahlin is first in assists with 35. Both teams struggle to score, but both clubs also know how to keep the puck out of the net.
Seattle is expected to go with Philipp Grubauer in the blue paint for this matchup. The Kraken are 4-5-1 in the last 10 games and are 11 points off the last post-season spot in the West. Jared McCann leads the team in goals with 27 while Vince Dunn is first in assists with 34. However, Dunn was out for Saturday night’s game against the Nashville Predators. Jaden Schwartz also missed the matchup against the Predators over the weekend.
These two teams are seeking points to keep their faint post-season hopes alive. However, it’s Buffalo that walks away with the much-coveted points in this game.
Prediction: Sabres win 3-1.
Prop Bet of the Night
Since we only have two games, let’s give you a couple of prop bets to make things more interesting. In the first contest, we like Alex Ovechkin to get the over on +0.5 points. It’s been slow going, but he can still put together a good game.
The second game between the Kraken and Sabres is set to be a low-scoring one. We’ll go with the under in this game. The number of 5.5 could be a scary one, but both teams lack of scoring and good defence make it worth a risk.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
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