{"id":123306,"date":"2021-12-28T09:15:45","date_gmt":"2021-12-28T14:15:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=123306"},"modified":"2021-12-28T09:50:41","modified_gmt":"2021-12-28T14:50:41","slug":"nhl-predictions-december-28th-with-vegas-golden-knights-vs-los-angeles-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/12\/28\/nhl-predictions-december-28th-with-vegas-golden-knights-vs-los-angeles-kings\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: December 28th with Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another day of\u00a0NHL Predictions<\/a>. 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\u2019s featured game is the Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings.<\/i><\/p>\n

NHL Predictions with Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings<\/h2>\n

Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-1 Lightning<\/h3>\n

We finally have live hockey games in the NHL to talk about and predict. Make sure you check out the injury reports before you plunk down money for a wager. Lineups are changeable and players are going in and out of COVID protocol. This also applies in setting your daily or standard fantasy lineups.<\/p>\n

Normally a rematch of the Stanley Cup Final would have a little more hype around. However, the Canadiens have struggled hard this season. Montreal did score a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game on Dec. 16. Jake Allen<\/a> is in protocol, so Samuel Montebeault might get the call.<\/p>\n

Maxime Lagace<\/a> could get a rare start in net for the defending champions. Both Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/a> and Brian Elliott<\/a> are in protocol, so that limits Tampa’s options. However, their list isn’t as long as the Canadiens. Anthony Cirelli<\/a> is in protocol, but the two-time champs do have captain Steven Stamkos<\/a> and can find depth from their endless talent pool.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tampa has just a little more depth and should win this one.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Lightning win 4-2.<\/p>\n

Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Knights 0-1 Kings<\/h3>\n

It’s the first game at the newly-named Crypto.com Arena. Our featured game is a Pacific Division battle with the surging Knights coming to Southern California. The Kings won the previous meeting 6-2, earlier in the season.<\/p>\n

Laurent Brossoit<\/a> might be your starter after Robin Lehner<\/a>‘s lower-body injury. Jonathan Marchessault leads the team in goals with 14 while Chandler Stephenson<\/a> is tops in assists with 22. Vegas could be without Max Pacioretty<\/a> and Mark Stone<\/a>, so there will be some lineup experimentation. Players like Brett Howden<\/a> also just entered protocol and that means Vegas is dealing with COVID as well as traditional injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Los Angeles hasn’t played since its Dec. 19 win over the Washington Capitals. Dustin Brown<\/a> is among the players in protocol for the Kings, but hopefully some will be back. Adrian Kempe<\/a> leads the Kings in goals with 12 and Anze Kopitar<\/a> has 18 assists so far this season. Jonathan Quick<\/a> is ready to go and is the likely starter.<\/p>\n

This game will also be tough to gauge with all the missing players and the Kings have a little more depth to pull this one out.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Kings win 3-2.<\/p>\n

Arizona Coyotes vs San Jose Sharks<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0-0 Sharks<\/h3>\n

It’s the first meeting of the season between the two Pacific Division teams. Arizona hasn’t played since a wild 6-5 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Scott Wedgewood<\/a> might be the starter, but always check social media for confirmation. Clayton Keller<\/a> leads the team in goals with nine and Shayne Gostisbehere<\/a> has the team-lead in assists with 14.<\/p>\n

San Jose is trying to make one last run at a post-season spot and winning here would help them stay in touch with the pack. Timo Meier<\/a> is the leader in goals (12) and assists (17) and has shouldered the load on offence. Adin Hill<\/a> is in COVID protocol, so that means James Reimer<\/a> likely gets the call in between the pipes. Reimer has played well this season with a .936 save-percentage and 1.99 goals-against-average.<\/p>\n

The Sharks know they better get moving if they want to get into contention. They should pick up the win here.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Sharks win 4-1.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>