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
New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Rangers 1-1 Blue Jackets
TV: MSG; Bally Sports Ohio; ESPN+
Our first game of NHL predictions has the New York Rangers looking to get a franchise-best 11th straight win. New York got a big win Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers on a goal from Matt Rempe. Jonathan Quick is the expected starter with Igor Shesterkin playing the day before. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Artemi Panarin is closing in on the 80-point mark with 32 goals and 46 assists.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have played the Rangers tough this season with a victory and a shootout loss. Elvis Merzlikins is the projected starter for the Blue Jackets, who have lost three of the last five games. Boone Jenner leads the team in goals with 18 and new dad Johnny Gaudreau is tops in assists with 32.
This game will be closer than most thing, but the Rangers turn it up to 11 on this one.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2.
Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 1-0 Blackhawks
TV: NHL Network; Bally Sports Detroit; NBC Sports Chicago; Sportsnet
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Detroit Red Wings renewing their rivalry with the Chicago Blackhawks. Patrick Kane returns to the United Center to take on his old team. Detroit has won four in a row, including a 6-1 drubbing of the St Louis Blues. James Reimer will get the start with Alex Lyon going the game before. Team captain Dylan Larkin leads the team in goals with 25 while Lucas Raymond has dished out 32 assists.
Petr Mraek is the confirmed starter for the Blackhawks, who have dropped three consecutive games. Chicago’s offence is struggling with it only scoring three goals or less in each of the last five games. Connor Bedard and Jason Dickinson are tied for the team lead in goals scored with 17.
There will be some emotion with Kane’s return to the Windy City. However, the Red Wings keep winning against their old rivals.
Prediction: Red Wings win 5-2.
Arizona Coyotes vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0-3 Jets
TV: Scripps; TSN3; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the old Winnipeg Jets meeting up against the current Winnipeg Jets. The Arizona Coyotes come into town losers of 11 straight games and getting only one point during that stretch. Connor Ingram is the confirmed starter in this one for Arizona. The Coyotes are led on offence by Clayton Keller with 22 goals and 30 assists. Arizona is 30th shots taken with only 26.7 taken per game.
Connor Hellebuyck is the confirmed starter for Winnipeg, which has won two straight and gone 5-4-1 in the last 10. Kyle Connor seems to be out of his funk as he’s got 21 goals to lead the team this campaign. Defenceman Josh Morrissey leads the team in assists with 34. The Jets the top-rated scoring defence in the league with only 129 goals allowed so far.
Arizona is hungry to end this streak, but the lack of scoring in recent games is troubling.
Prediction: Jets win 3-1.
Prop Bet of the Night
Let’s go back to our featured game of the night for our prop bet of the day. We think Kane will have a big night when the Wings take on the Blackhawks. Take the over on +1.0 points on Showtime Patrick Kane tonight.
Main photo by: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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