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 Winnipeg Jets vs Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
St Louis Blues vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Blues 0-1 Bruins
Time: 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
TV: Sportsnet; NESN; NHL Network; Fan Duel Sports Midwest
We open NHL predictions with the St Louis Blues versus Boston Bruins. These two teams just met earlier in the week with the Bruins edging the Blues for a 3-2 victory. Jordan Binnington is expected to get the call in goal again. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Jordan has been a bright spot with five goals, 10 assists and 15 points so far for St Louis.
Jeremy Swayman is the projected starter for the Bruins, who are battling inconsistency issues so far this season. Boston is 5-4-1 in the last 10 and has been up-and-down. David Pastrnak has been some the Bruins have been able to rely on with eight goals, nine assists and 17 points.
Both teams have been inconsistent, but Boston gets another close victory.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-2.
New Jersey Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Devils 0-1 Lightning
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
TV: MSG; Fan Duel Sports Sunshine; ESPN+
Our second game has the New Jersey Devils visiting the Tampa Bay Lightning. New Jersey is coming off a convincing 6-2 victory over Florida the last time out. Jacob Markstrom is the projected starter for the Devils. Nico Hischier leads the club in goals with 10, but Jesper Bratt is first in assists (16) and points (24).
Tampa Bay is coming off a big victory over Winnipeg the game out. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the likely starter for the Lightning, who beat the Devils in a wild 8-5 victory in their previous meeting. Nikita Kucherov continues to put big numbers with 11 goals, 13 assists and 24 points.
This could have been a featured matchup, but Tampa Bay keeps it going.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-3.
Winnipeg Jets vs Florida Panthers
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
TV: SN West; Scripps Florida; ESPN+
Our featured game has the Jets trying to bounce against the Stanley Cup champion Panthers. Connor Hellebuyck is the likely starter in the crease for Winnipeg. Kyle Connor is first on the club with 11 goals and 22 points. Josh Morrissey has handed out the most assists with 15.
Sergei Bobrovsky is the probable starter for the Panthers, who have dropped the last two games. Florida has gotten great production from Sam Reinhart, who leads in goals (12), assists (13) and points (25). Sam Bennett is also putting up good numbers for the Panthers.
This could be a Cup Final preview, but the Jets get the bounceback victory.
Prediction: Jets win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets. We’ll start with the opening game of the night between the Blues and the Bruins. These two teams just played recently and could hit the under on 5.5. The under on that number is getting +100 at Bet365.
For the second game, take Kucherov at +190 on two assists at 365. On the Devils side, we like Bratt to get two points at +240.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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