{"id":435306,"date":"2023-12-15T10:00:46","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T15:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=435306"},"modified":"2023-12-15T11:22:54","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T16:22:54","slug":"nhl-predictions-dec-15-bruins-vs-islanders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/12\/15\/nhl-predictions-dec-15-bruins-vs-islanders\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Dec. 15 with Boston Bruins vs New York Islanders"},"content":{"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 featured game is the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/12\/13\/nhl-rumours-boston-bruins-and-arizona-coyotes\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Bruins<\/a> vs <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/12\/01\/nhl-rumours-vancouver-canucks-and-new-york-islanders\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Islanders.<\/a> Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<h3>Anaheim Ducks vs New York Rangers<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Ducks 0-0 Rangers<\/h4>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> MSG; MSG 2; Bally Sports San Diego; Bally Sports Southern California; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>The opening game of NHL predictions has the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/10\/05\/anaheim-ducks-lock-up-promising-defenceman-to-new-contract\/\" target=\"_self\">Anaheim Ducks<\/a> looking to stop their four-game losing streak. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=gibsojo02,gibsojo01&amp;search=John+Gibson&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Gibson<\/a> will likely get the start, but<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thescore.com\/nhl\/events\/date\/2023-12-15\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> always check social media<\/a> before locking in a fantasy goalie. The Ducks got off to a hot start, but have hit a wall. However, players like former Ranger <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vatrafr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Frank Vatrano<\/a> have 14 goals already.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/q\/quickjo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Quick<\/a> is the projected starter with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/12\/12\/rangers-fall-to-the-toronto-maple-leafs-in-an-original-six-matchup\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Rangers<\/a> playing on Saturday against the Bruins. Quick has found his old self and is 8-0-1 so far this season. This is vital as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/shestig01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Igor Shesterkin<\/a> struggles through some troubles. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/panarar01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artemi Panarin<\/a> leads in goals (16) and assists (23) for the Blueshirts, who have lost three of the last five.<\/p>\n<p>The Rangers have been solid under Quick and the Rangers usually get on track after bad games.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Rangers win 4-1.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Boston Bruins vs New York Islanders<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Bruins 1-0 Islanders<\/h4>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> NESN; MSGSN; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Bruins trying to navigate the New York gauntlet. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/u\/ullmali01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Linus Ullmark<\/a> will likely draw the start for the Bruins, are tops in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins are getting great production from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pastrda01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Pastrnak<\/a> (16 goals and 23 assists). Boston is first on the penalty kill and second at goals allowed.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sorokil01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ilya Sorokin<\/a> is the expected starter in between the pipes for the Islanders, who have won four straight games. The Islanders are flying after a slow start to the season. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nelsobr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brock Nelson<\/a> leads the team in goals with 12 while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dobsono01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Noah Dobson<\/a> has the most assists with 24. New York did lose the last meeting, 5-2, last month.<\/p>\n<p>The Islanders are surging, but the Bruins are known for snuffing out streaks.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Bruins win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Ottawa Senators vs Dallas Stars<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Senators 0&#8211;0 Stars<\/h4>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> Bally Sports Southwest; TSN5; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>Our last featured game of NHL predictions has the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/12\/12\/where-does-ottawa-senators-defence-system-need-repair\/\" target=\"_self\"> Ottawa Senators<\/a> taking on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/11\/18\/nhl-rumours-dallas-stars-and-new-york-islanders\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars<\/a> in Texas. Offence for the Senators has gone dark the last couple of games with only three goals in the last two games. There was some optimism for the club, but that has disappeared in recent games. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/forsban01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anton Forsberg<\/a> is slated to take the start in between the pipes. Ottawa is 21st on the man up and 28th on the man down.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/oettija01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Oettinger<\/a> is the expected starter for the Stars, who are going through a tough patch as well. The Stars are 10th in goals for and 12th in goals allowed. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/paveljo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Pavelski<\/a> has 12 goals while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/roberja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-12-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jason Robertson<\/a> has 17 assists to lead the club. Special teams are one of the Stars&#8217; main strengths as they&#8217;re fourth on the penalty kill and seventh on the power play.<\/p>\n<p>Ottawa needs to get moving if it wants to realize expectations, but Dallas is a solid squad.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Stars win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Here are the other games for tonight&#8217;s NHL predictions.<\/p>\n<h3>San Jose Sharks vs Arizona Coyotes<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-0 Coyotes<\/h4>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> Scripps; NBC Sports California; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Coyotes win 4-3.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Buffalo Sabres vs Vegas Golden Knights<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-0 Golden Knights<\/h4>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> MSG Buffalo; Scripps; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Golden Knights win 5-3.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Bob DeChiara &#8211; USA TODAY Sports<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER<\/strong><\/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":2352,"featured_media":434055,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_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":[4524,5,4547,17,4548],"tags":[6013,6081,6124,6084,6122,6109],"class_list":["post-435306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-bruins","category-hockey","category-islanders","category-nhl","tag-anaheim-ducks-predictions","tag-boston-bruins-predictions","tag-dallas-stars-predictions","tag-new-york-islanders-predictions","tag-new-york-rangers-predictions","tag-ottawa-senators-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435306","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\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435306"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435306\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/434055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}