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’s featured game is the Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Canadiens
TV: Bally Sports North; BS Wisconsin; TSN2, RDS
Our first game of NHL predictions has the Minnesota Wild taking on the Montreal Canadiens. Both teams got major injury blows as Matthew Boldy is out for Minnesota and Kirby Dach is done long-term from Montreal. Marc-Andre Fleury is the confirmed starter as he returns home La belle province. Minnesota has been spreading the scoring around so far this season.
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Jake Allen is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy goalie. The Habs are coming off a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Cole Caufield has returned to his old self after missing most of the second half with an injury.
Montreal has shown flashes, but Minnesota comes away with the road win.
Prediction: Wild win 4-2.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Lightning 0-0 Sabres
TV: ESPN
The reeling Tampa Bay Lightning try to get back on track against the Buffalo Sabres. Jonas Johansson likely gets the start for the Bolts, who have given up at least three goals a game. Steven Stamkos comes in a little dinged up with a lower-body injury for Tampa Bay.
Buffalo is looking to get in the win column for the first time this season. Devon Levi will draw the start once again for the Sabres. Zach Benson has looked good in his first two games as a rookie. The Sabres may have a tough decision to burn his entry-level year this season.
A tough game to call, but Buffalo gets a win at home.
Prediction: Sabres win 5-4.
Los Angeles Kings vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Kings 0-0 Jets
TV: Bally Sports West; TSN3
The Los Angeles Kings and the Winnipeg Jets square off in a Western Conference matchup. Los Angeles is slated to go with Cam Talbot in goal. The Kings are coming off a shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes last time out. L.A. has given up at least five goals in its first two games. Anze Kopitar continues to defy time and has two goals this season.
Connor Hellebuyck is the confirmed starter for the Jets, but things do need to tighten up on the blueline. Kyle Connor has three goals already for Winnipeg and Josh Morrissey leads the club in assists with three.
Both teams are needing a win in order to kickstart their season. The Jets win a close one.
Prediction: Jets win 4-3.
Colorado Avalanche vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-0 Kraken
TV: ESPN
It’s a rematch of the Stanley Cup first round between the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken. Colorado will roll with Alexandar Georgiev in net while Philipp Grubauer is the projected starter. Colorado is off to a 2-0 start, but had to work for it against the San Jose Sharks. The Avs continue to get contributions from Cale Makar.
Seattle’s offence has struggled in the early part of the season. The Kraken earned a point in a shootout loss to the St Louis Blues. Seattle does have to find a way to kickstart a flagging offence.
Asking to turn it around against a Colorado team is tough. Seattle will turn it around, but it’ll have to wait.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2.
Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Stars 0-0 Golden Knights
TV: Bally Sports Southwest; Scripps
Our featured game of NHL predictions is a rematch of the Western Conference Final. Dallas will go with Jake Oettinger in all likelihood. The Stars defence looked good in a tight shootout 2-1 win over the Blues in the opener.
Vegas has looked like the defending champions and played like it as well. Adin Hill is the probable starter in net for the Knights. Jack Eichel already has two goals this season for Vegas.
This is going to be a tight one, but the Golden Knights get another close one.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 3-2 in a shootout.
Here are the other games in our NHL Predictions.
Vancouver Canucks vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-0 Flyers
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia; Sportsnet Pacific
Prediction: Canucks win 4-2.
Arizona Coyotes vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0-0 Islanders
TV: MSG; Scripps
Prediction: Islanders win 3-2.
Edmonton Oilers vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-0 Predators
TV: Sportsnet West; Bally Sports South
Prediction: Oilers win 5-3.
Carolina Hurricanes vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-0 Sharks
TV: Bally Sports South; NBC Sports California
Prediction: Hurricanes win 5-1
Main photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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