With the large amount of games on tonight’s NHL schedule, it might be hard to know where to start. We at the Last Word on Hockey have helped narrow your focus to our best bets. This round of NHL Predictions will help condense the slate into three best bets and one prop bet of the night.
NHL Predictions
Los Angeles Kings vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-t0-Head: Kings 0-1 Sabres
TV: Bally Sports West; MSG Buffalo; ESPN+
Our first game of NHL predictions has the Los Angeles Kings taking on the Buffalo Sabres. David Rittich is the expected starter for Los Angeles, but always check social media before locking in a starter. The Kings have won two straight and got a big 4-0 Edmonton Oilers the last time out. It was the first win for interim boss Jim Hiller. Trevor Moore leads the team in goals with 21 while Kevin Fiala has 30 assists.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is probable to draw the start for the Sabres, who have lost three of the last five. JJ Peterka is team’s leader in goals with 18 while Casey Mittelstadt has dished out 30 assists this campaign. Buffalo looks to be out of the Stanley Cup Playoff race once again. However, the Sabres did beat the Kings out on the West Coast.
The Kings look to be refreshed under Hiller. They should pick up the win.
Prediction: Kings win 4-2.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1-0 Senators
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; TSN5; ESPN+
It could be a Columbus Blue Jackets goaltending reunion if the projected starters are confirmed. Columbus is slated to go with Elvis Merzlikins in between the pipes for this one. The Jackets have lost three of the last four games. Team captain Boone Jenner leads the team in goals with 15 while Zach Werenski is tops in assists with 28.
Former Columbus goalie Joonas Korpisalo is the projected starter for the Ottawa Senators, who have won three in a row. Ottawa has beaten three teams that are playoff contenders, but it may be too little too late for the club. Brady Tkachuk is the team’s leading goal-scorer with 22 while Tim Stutzle is on top of the assists category with 36.
Ottawa has been much better as of late. The Senators should keep that rolling.
Prediction: Senators win 5-3.
Detroit Red Wings vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0-1 Oilers
TV: Bally Sports Detroit X; Sportsnet West; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Detroit Red Wings traveling to Alberta to take on the Oilers. Detroit is expected to go with Alex Lyon in the blue paint for this game. The Red Wings have won three of the last five games and are holding one of the final two Wild Card spots in the Eastern Conference. Dylan Larkin is leading the team in goals with 23 while Lucas Raymond is first in assists with 28.
Edmonton is slated to go with Stuart Skinner in goal. The Oilers have won three of the last five, but did lose to the Kings last time out. Zach Hyman is first in goals for the Oilers with 31 while Connor McDavid has handed out 50 assists. The Oilers have made an impressive charge, but are still 15 points behind the Vancouver Canucks for first in the Pacific Division.
This is a big game for both teams, but Edmonton gets the home victory.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s go to the Seattle Kraken versus New York Islanders matchup for our prop bet of the night. The over/under is a pretty low number of 5.5, so we like the under in this one. Both teams are in the bottom-half of the league when it comes to offence.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
