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 Vegas Golden Knights vs St Louis Blues. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Vegas Golden Knights vs St Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 1-1 Blues
TV: NHL Network; Scripps; Bally Sports Midwest
Our opening and featured game of NHL predictions is a key Stanley Cup Playoff matchup. Vegas travels to St Louis in an important game for Wild Card positioning. The Golden Knights lead the Blues by four points for the final Wild Card spot, but also have a game in hand. Logan Thompson is the confirmed starter for Vegas, which is 5-5 in the last 10 and have won two in a row. Jonathan Marchessault leads the team in goals with 38. Mark Stone has been out for a while, but still leads the club in assists with 37. Vegas is going through a number of injuries with Adin Hill out with an undisclosed injury. Former Blues player Alex Pietrangelo might not play against his old team due to an illness.
Jordan Binnington is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Many had the Blues left for dead after firing Craig Berube earlier in the season. However, Drew Bannister has managed to give the team a fighting chance at a post-season appearance. Jordan Kyrou and Jake Neighbours each have 25 goals to be tied for first in that category. Pavel Buchnevich has eight assists over the last 10 games. St Louis is 6-4 in the last 10 and have won two straight.
Vegas is dealing with a rash of injuries and St Louis is hard to put away.
Prediction: Blues win 4-3.
Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Kings 1-1 Canucks
TV: Sportsnet; Bally Sports West; ESPN+
Our final game of a light night on NHL predictions has another meeting between the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks. Los Angeles is expected to go with Cam Talbot in between the pipes for this game. The Kings are 6-3-1 in the last 10 and have won three straight. Los Angeles is two points ahead of Vegas for the third and final automatic post-season spot in the Pacific Division. Trevor Moore leads the team in goals with 26 while Adrian Kempe is tops in assists with 40. Anze Kopitar has five goals and six assists over the last 10 games.
Vancouver is expected to call on Casey DeSmith in the blue paint while Thatcher Demko is still injured. One would think Vancouver would be in trouble without their number one netminder. However, the Canucks are 7-2-1 in the last 10 games and have done well without Demko. Brock Boeser leads the team in goals with 36 while Quinn Hughes is first in assists with 67. Conor Garland has four goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
The Canucks have been surprisingly good without Demko, but the Kings are no pushover. Vancouver holds off Los Angeles to get the victory.
Prediction: Canucks win 5-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
With the limited amount of games, we’ll do a prop bet to make things a little more exciting. Robert Thomas has been fairly sound this season for the Blues. Thomas has been good to us in our prop bets this season. We like him getting the over on +1.0 points against the Golden Knights.
Main photo by: Jeff Curry – USA TODAY Sports
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