Welcome back to the return 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 matchups 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 Florida Panthers vs New York Rangerss. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: MSG; Scripps Florida; ESPN+
Our first and featured game of NHL predictions is a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals. Florida is expected to go with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy goalie. The Panthers are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett are tied for first in goals so far this season. However, Reinhart is tops in points with 12.
Igor Shesterkin is the expected starter for the Rangers, who are off to one of their best starts in franchise history. The Blueshirts are coming off a 7-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens last time out. Artemi Panarin is leading the way in goals (7) and assists (13) in the early portion of the campaign. Vincent Trocheck and Adam Fox are tied for second in points with seven.
Florida will be looking for a bounce-back performance. However, the Rangers have been one of the best teams in the league.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Utah Hockey Club
Time: 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Utah16; Altitude; ESPN+
It’s the first installment of the Rocky Mountain rivalry between the Colorado Avalanche and Utah Hockey Club. The embattled Alexandar Georgiev is the projected starter for Colorado, which has won three in a row. Ross Colton is off to a great start with six goals, but Cale Makar leads in points with 14.
Utah is expected to run with Connor Ingram in between the pipes. However, defence may be a struggle with John Marino and Sean Durzi out for months due to injuries. Dylan Guenther leads the club in goals, but they’ve been hard to come by in recent games. Clayton Keller is first in points with eight.
The atmosphere at the Delta Center, but Colorado seems to be on the right track.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-4.
Winnipeg Jets vs Seattle Kraken
Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: KHN; KONG; TSN3; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Winnipeg Jets facing the Seattle Kraken. Connor Hellebuyck is the likely starter for the red-hot Jets, who are a perfect 6-0. Mark Scheifele is tops in goals with five and tied for first in points with eight. Nikolaj Ehlers is the joint-leader with Scheifele in points with eight.
Seattle is slated to go with Joey Daccord in goal, who is a perfect 3-0 this season. Captain Jordan Eberle is leading the team in goals with five while Jared McCann is first in points so far with nine.
The Jets have been great this season, but the Kraken find the way at home.
Prediction: Kraken win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We have a couple of prop bets for this set of Thursday games for NHL predictions. In the second game, Mikko Rantanen seems like a solid play at +130 on FanDuel for an anytime goal scorer.
For the final game of the night, the over/under is 5.5 at BetMGM. We’ll take the Jets and Kraken hitting the under on this at +100.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
