{"id":458818,"date":"2024-12-18T10:29:31","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T15:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=458818"},"modified":"2024-12-18T10:29:31","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T15:29:31","slug":"nhl-predictions-dec-18-florida-panthers-vs-minnesota-wild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/12\/18\/nhl-predictions-dec-18-florida-panthers-vs-minnesota-wild\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Dec 18 Florida Panthers vs Minnesota Wild"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to the return of NHL Predictions. Each day,\u00a0<em>Last Word on Hockey<\/em> 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\u2019s featured game is the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/12\/16\/nhl-predictions-dec-16-florida-panthers-vs-edmonton-oilers\/\" target=\"_self\">Florida Panthers<\/a> vs <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/12\/12\/nhl-rumours-minnesota-wild-star-extension-top-priority\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Wild<\/a>.\u00a0Be sure to check out more\u00a0NHL predictions\u00a0in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<h3>Philadelphia Flyers vs Detroit Red Wings<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Flyers 1-0 Red Wings<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> TNT; TruTV; Max<\/p>\n<p>We begin NHL predictions with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/11\/12\/nhl-rumours-philadelphia-flyers-defender-possible-trade-bait-2\/\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> visiting the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/09\/10\/2024-25-puck-drop-preview-detroit-red-wings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a>. Philadelphia is slated to start <span class=\"KeyPlayersCard__pitcherName--3MR_r\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/erssosa01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Samuel Ersson<\/a><\/span> in between the pipes. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/laughsc01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scott Laughton<\/a> posted four all four goals in the first meeting between the two teams. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tippeow01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Owen Tippett<\/a> has been playing well lately with five goals and one assist over the last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lyonal01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Lyon<\/a> is projected to get the start for the Red Wings, who are 4-4-2 in the last 10 games. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/raymolu01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lucas Raymond<\/a> has racked up 12 goals and 19 assists for the Red Wings. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/debrial01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex DeBrincat<\/a> has been very good as of late with four goals and two assists over the last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p>Philadelphia is 5-3-2 in the last 10 games and should pick up the victory.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Flyers win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Florida Panthers vs Minnesota Wild<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-1 Wild<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 9:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> TNT; TruTV; Fan Duel Sports Detroit; Max<\/p>\n<p>Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Wild hosting the Panthers in the Twin Cities. <span class=\"KeyPlayersCard__pitcherName--3MR_r\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bobrose01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a><\/span> is the expected starter for the Panthers, who are 7-2-1 in the last 10 games. Florida is coming off a wild 6-5 victory over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/10\/27\/has-dynamic-duo-of-edmonton-oilers-found-its-villains\/\" target=\"_self\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a> in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Final. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tkachma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Tkachuk<\/a> has been great in recent games with six goals and added 10 assists over the past 10 games.<\/p>\n<p>The ageless <span class=\"KeyPlayersCard__pitcherName--3MR_r\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/fleurma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marc-Andre Fleury<\/a><\/span> is the confirmed starter for the Wild, who are 7-3 coming into the game. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kapriki01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirill Kaprizov<\/a> is coming off a two-goal game and has 22 goals and 25 assists for 47 points for the Wild. Minnesota is 18-1-2 when scoring at least three goals.<\/p>\n<p>This should be a good one, but Florida earns the win.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Panthers win 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Vancouver Canucks vs Utah Hockey Club<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> Utah16; SN Pacific; SN1; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>The last game of NHL predictions has the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/12\/17\/the-future-of-vancouver-canucks-forward\/\" target=\"_self\">Vancouver Canucks<\/a> meeting the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/12\/14\/wild-card-surging-utah-hockey-club\/\" target=\"_self\">Utah Hockey Club<\/a> for the first time this season. Vancouver is projected to go with <span class=\"KeyPlayersCard__pitcherName--3MR_r\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/demkoth01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thatcher Demko<\/a><\/span> in between the pipes. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/debruja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake DeBrusk<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nhl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401688109\/canucks-utah-hc\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">leads the team<\/a> in goals with 14 while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hughequ01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Quinn Hughes<\/a> is first in assists (28) and points (35) for the Canucks.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"KeyPlayersCard__pitcherName--3MR_r\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vejmeka01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Karel Vejmelka<\/a><\/span> is the confirmed starter for Utah, which is 6-2-2 in the last 10 games and have taken the last two straight. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/guentdy01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dylan Guenther<\/a> is tops on the team in goals with 13 and points with 29. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/coolelo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Logan Cooley<\/a> is first on the club with 19 assists.<\/p>\n<p>Demko is slowly starting to get back into form and that should help the Canucks win.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Canucks win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prop Bets of the Night<\/h3>\n<p>We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. We go to our first game of the night for our props. For the Flyers, we like rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/michkma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-12-18_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matvei Michkov<\/a> to score at any time. Some places are giving him +250, so that could be a good play. On the Detroit end, Dylan Larin is +170 to score at any time in a number of books.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to the return of NHL Predictions. Each day,\u00a0Last 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\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":458821,"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":[6,4547,30,4548,4524],"tags":[6201,6255,6012,6082,8028,6014],"class_list":["post-458818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-panthers","category-hockey","category-wild","category-nhl","category-nhl-predictions","tag-detroit-red-wings-predictions","tag-florida-panthers-predictions","tag-minnesota-wild-predictions","tag-philadelphia-flyers-predictions","tag-utah-hockey-club-predictions","tag-vancouver-canucks-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458818","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=458818"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":458822,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458818\/revisions\/458822"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/458821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=458818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=458818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=458818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}