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 Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
We hope you have a Happy Halloween and get to enjoy some hockey after trick-or-treating with the kiddos is done. On now to NHL Predictions.
NHL Predictions
Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Monument Sports Network; TSN2; RDS; ESPN+
Our opening and featured game of a spooky edition of NHL predictions has the Capitals hosting the Canadiens. Projected starter Sam Montembeault is looking to shake off a bad performance against the Seattle Kraken. However, always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Cole Caufield continued his hot start and leads the team with nine goals. Captain Nick Suzuki is first in points with 11.
Charlie Lindgren is the likely starter for the Capitals, who are coming off a big win over the New York Rangers. Tom Wilson is first on the team in goals with five while Dylan Strome is tops in points with 11. However, Alex Ovechkin came alive with a pair of goals last time out. Washington is top 10 in goals scored (3.88, sixth place) and goals allowed (3.00, tied for ninth) per game.
Montreal does play hard, but it has too many injuries and Washington is playing too well.
Prediction: Capitals win 5-2.
Anaheim Ducks vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh; KCOP-TV; ESPN+
Our last game of a scary NHL predictions has the Anaheim Ducks visiting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Anaheim is expected to start with Lukas Dostal in between the pipes. Troy Terry is first in goals (5) and points (8) for the Ducks while Mason McTavish is leading in assists with five.
Rookie Joel Blomqvist is expected to get the call in goal for the struggling Penguins. Rickard Rakell is the team’s unlikely goal-scoring leader with six while Evgeni Malkin is first in assists (11) and points (14). Both teams have struggled to score as the Ducks are tied for 30th in goals with 2.33 while the Pens are tied for 19th with 3.00 per game.
Anaheim has been a pleasant surprise this season and have been competitive. However, Pittsburgh has once again been disappointing. Despite this, the Penguins firepower will get them the narrow win.
Prediction: Penguins win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We have a couple of prop bets that we hope will be treats instead of tricks on this Halloween night. Let’s start off with the first game between the Capitals and the Canadiens. Caufield still seems like a great play for the Habs. He’s getting +280 on the over of 0.5 power play points at BetMGM. On the Washington side, John Carlson is getting the over on 0.5 power-play points as well. However, he’s getting +185.
The over/under for the Ducks and Penguins game is at 6.5 and we feel the under at -120 at BetMGM is worth a shot. This could be a solid part of a parlay bet. Kris Letang is getting +155 on the over of 0.5 assists for Pittsburgh. Leo Carlsson also sounds like a decent play at +200 for the over on 0.5 assists. Both these assist bets are also at BetMGM.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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