{"id":134172,"date":"2022-12-19T12:11:11","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T17:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=134172"},"modified":"2022-12-19T14:31:15","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T19:31:15","slug":"nhl-predictions-december-19-including-the-florida-panthers-vs-boston-bruins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/12\/19\/nhl-predictions-december-19-including-the-florida-panthers-vs-boston-bruins\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: December 19 Including The Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">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\u2019s featured game is between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Florida Panthers<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/bruins\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Bruins<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>ALSO CHECK out our <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/betting\/nhl-player-props-tonight-ovi-makes-history-plus-3-more-picks\/\" target=\"_self\">Daily Player Prop Bets<\/a>!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">NHL Predictions: Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Dallas Stars vs Columbus Blue Jackets<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Stars 0-0 Blue Jackets<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tonight&#8217;s first matchup on our NHL Predictions is between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/stars\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/bluejackets\/\" target=\"_self\">Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>. Dallas is concluding their five game road trip (2-2), and Columbus has lost three games in a row.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"Y4ThoQYBQY5Rs3OitBWGdg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1237058849\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Y4ThoQYBQY5Rs3OitBWGdg',sig:'vV0KB2GKiFDGNXSf5ZmB78ygTW__sOYaQY1D0quUXh0=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1237058849',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This is ass lopsided of a matchup as any. The Stars are a high powered squad. They are second in the league in goals scored, top 10 in both special teams categories, and have the better goaltending. In addition, Columbus has the 29th-ranked power play, giving Dallas an already more significant edge. Columbus is notoriously known for giving up many dreams, and goaltending is their weakest link. If Columbus wants to provide holiday cheer for their faithful fans, they&#8217;ll need to display their best performance against one of the best teams in hockey. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Stars defeat Blue Jackets 4-1<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Detroit Red Wings vs Washington Capitals<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Red Wings 0-0 Capitals<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tonights featured matchup is within the Eastern Conference. Alex Ovechkin and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/capitals\/\" target=\"_self\">Washington Capitals<\/a> take on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/redwings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a>. Four points separate both teams, and Washington has tightened the gap within their own division. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While Ovechkin has finally scored <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/12\/14\/washington-capitals-winger-makes-history\/\" target=\"_self\">goal number 800<\/a>, we are all on watch for 801 and 802. He has scored one goal against Detroit this year and has eight points in five games. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Detroit is on a five-game losing skid. They will be looking to right the ship and the man between the pipes could help. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hussovi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ville Husso<\/a> has been good for the wings. He has a 2.61 GAA and a .913 save percentage. With the Wings banged up at forward, it may be tough to emerge victorious. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Capitals defeat Red Wings 3-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Edmonton Oilers vs Nashville Predators<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Oilers 1-0 Predators<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For the second time in a matter of days, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/oilers\/\" target=\"_self\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a> take on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/predators\/\" target=\"_self\">Nashville Predators<\/a>. The Oilers took the first matchup 6-3. The big boys led the way in that one, especially <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hymanza01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Hyman<\/a>, who posted a hat trick in that matchup. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The big guns for the Oilers are a problem. Shutting them down is as they are a large part of the offensive attack. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdavco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor McDavid<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/draisle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leon Draisaitl<\/a>, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, and Hyman are the only forwards with double-digit points. In order to limit their time and space, Nashville will look to get the pair of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/ekholma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mattias Ekholm<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/carrial01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alexandre Carrier<\/a> on the ice. As a pair, they have the lowest expected goals against per 60 minutes and are good at limiting chances. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Even with Jusse Saros between the pipes, the Oilers big guns are a handful. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Oilers defeat Predators 4-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Panthers 1-1 Bruins<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tonights featured matchup is between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins. They have played twice before, each winning one game and on home ice. Boston looks to continue it&#8217;s homestand where they have gone 2-1 in that stretch. Florida is coming off a big win in New Jersey, although they did suffer a big blow losing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/barkoal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aleksander Barkov<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Both of these teams are extremely talented and deep. Each team led by blossoming super star wingers in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pastrda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Pastrnak<\/a> (BOS), and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tkachma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Tkachuk<\/a> (FLA). But then there comes the supporting cast. Two supporting cast players that are thriving right now are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=hallta02,hallta01&amp;search=Taylor+Hall&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Taylor Hall<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/verhaca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carter Verhaeghe<\/a>. Hall is hot right now and has 12 points in his last nine games, whereas Verhaeghe has three points in his last five games while leading the team in goals with 16. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">One X-factor that will come into play is the special teams&#8217; play. The Boston Bruins can score goals at 5v5, but also the powerplay. It ranks first in the league (84.6% success rate), and they&#8217;ve scored the fourth most goals (26). The Panthers kill will need to be at their best for this one. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bobrose01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a> played well against New Jersey and will get the crease against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/u\/ullmali01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Linus Ullmark<\/a>. Ullmark has been playing Vezina calibre hockey and will need to in order to secure a victory. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Panthers defeat Bruins 4-3<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"GBx51JsIR7J4SB_hFZZhHA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1245082835\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'GBx51JsIR7J4SB_hFZZhHA',sig:'Jc1fUeufsdw2om7lwxbZENTU0qEqsb9ertlJzgl81Oo=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1245082835',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4194,"featured_media":134188,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6,4547,4548,4524],"tags":[6081,6083,6124,6201,6017,6255,6011,6239],"class_list":["post-134172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bruins","category-panthers","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-nhl-predictions","tag-boston-bruins-predictions","tag-columbus-blue-jackets-predictions","tag-dallas-stars-predictions","tag-detroit-red-wings-predictions","tag-edmonton-oilers-predictions","tag-florida-panthers-predictions","tag-nashville-predators-predictions","tag-washington-capitals-predictions"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134172\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}