Welcome back to the return 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 matchups 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 New Jersey Devils vs Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Los Angeles Kings vs Nashville Predators
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Fan Duel Sports South; Fan Duel Sports West; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Los Angeles Kings battling the Nashville Predators. Darcy Kuemper is the expected starter for Los Angeles, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy start. The Kings are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night. Alex Laferriere is off to a solid start with eight goals while Anze Kopitar has the team-lead in points with 13.
Juuse Saros is the projected starter for the Predators, who are 4-1-1 after dropping the first five games of the season. Nashville did beat the Colorado Avalanche, 5-2, on Saturday night. Filip Forsberg is leading the way in goals (6) and points (10) so far this season. Ryan O’Reilly is first in assists with six this campaign.
Los Angeles has weathered the early injury-storm, but Nashville has been much better as of late.
Prediction: Predators win 4-2.
New Jersey Devils vs Edmonton Oilers
Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Amazon Prime Video (Canada); MSGSN; NHL Network
Our final and featured game of NHL predictions has the Devils visiting the Oilers. Jacob Markstrom is the expected starter for New Jersey in this game. The Devils got blanked by the Calgary Flames, 3-0, on Saturday night. Nico Hischier has been red-hot t0 start the season with 10 goals and 15 points already. Jesper Bratt is first in assists with 11.
Edmonton is slated to go with Calvin Pickard after winning, 4-2, over Calgary in the latest Battle of Alberta. One would think the Connor McDavid injury would doom the Oilers. However, they’ve stayed steady and have won two consecutive games. Leon Draisaitl has been huge and is first on the team in goals (9), assists (7) and points (16). Calvin Pickard is the scheduled starter with Stuart Skinner starting the night before. However, Pickard is 3-1 this season.
Edmonton has been playing better, but New Jersey will be motivated after that loss to Calgary.
Prediction: Devils win 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We have a prop bets to wrap up this round of NHL predictions. Let’s start with the opening game between the Predators and Kings. Steven Stamkos is a +165 anytime goalscorer on FanDuel and poised to breakout soon. On the Kings side, former Preds player Kevin Fiala is a +240 to score in his old home rink.
We move onto the late game between the Devils and the Oilers to wrap things up. Zach Hyman is a +280 on having a multiple-point night for the Oilers. For the Devils, go with Hischier at +150 on getting an assist at Bet365.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
