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 Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs roll on.
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers
Series Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-2 Rangers
TV: TNT, TruTV, Sportsnet, TVAS, CBC
Our first game of NHL predictions has the New York Rangers looking for a 3-0 series lead against the Carolina Hurricanes. Igor Shesterkin is the likely starter for the Rangers, who got a double-overtime goal from former Hurricane Vincent Trocheck. Mika Zibanejad leads the team in points with 11 while Trocheck has 10 points to be second on the team. Alexis Lafreniere scored twice to give the Blueshirts what they needed.
Frederik Andersen is listed as the current starter, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Pyotr Kochetkov could finally see the net for the Hurricanes if things continue down the current path. Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis are each tied for first on the team in points with eight. Trade deadline acquisition Jake Guentzel is third on the team with seven.
The Rangers have been unbeaten so far in the post-season. However, coming to Raleigh to play a desperate Hurricanes team is a different animal.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars
Series Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1-0 Stars
TV: TNT, TruTV, TVAS, Sportsnet, SN 360
Our final and featured game of NHL predictions has the Avalanche looking to get a 2-0 lead on the Stars. Colorado looked dead in the water after 20 minutes. However, the Avalanche roared back with three straight goals. Miles Wood put home in the overtime-winner to complete the comeback. Colorado has been scoring goals in buckets and their main offensive players have been great all post-season long. Cale Makar leads the team in points with 12 while Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen each have 11. Valeri Nichushkin has eight goals to lead Colorado in that category. Alexandar Georgiev has won five straight games after losing the playoff-opener.
Dallas will go with Jake Oettinger once again in the blue paint. Things were going well early for the Stars after surviving a tough series with the Vegas Golden Knights. However, this team hit a wall and find themselves down a game in the series. Dallas did drop the first two games at home in the first round. However, it doesn’t want to go down 0-2 to a team like Colorado. The Avalanche are 3-1 on the road this post-season. Wyatt Johnston leads the team with eight points while Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen are each in second with six points.
The Stars do have the capability of reversing an 0-2 deficit. However, this is almost a must-win game for the team. Expect the Stars to tighten things up at the back for this game.
Prediction: Stars win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We’ve got some prop bets due to the limited amount of games tonight. In the opener, we’ll take Artemi Panarin getting the over on +0.5 points. For you Hurricanes bettors, go with Martin Necas on the over with +3.0 shots.
The second game sees some nice options for people looking for a couple of props. Go with MacKinnon getting he over on +1.0 points while take Robertson is a good wager on the over on +0.5 assists.
Main photo by: Jermon Miron – USA Today Sports
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