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 Washington Capitals vs Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Scripps Vegas; NBC Sports Philadelphia; ESPN+
We start off NHL predictions with the Vegas Golden Knights visiting he Philadelphia Flyers. Vegas is expected to go with Adin Hill in goal, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Knights have won two consecutive games and are 6-3-1 in the last 10 games. Pavel Dorofeyev is first in goals, but Jack Eichel leads in assists (25) and points (32).
Philadelphia is expected to counter with Ivan Fedotov in goal, but he’s struggled this season with a 3.89 goals-against-average. The Flyers are seventh in the Metropolitan Division, but are 5-4-1 in the last 10 games. Travis Konecny is the team’s leader in goals (11), assists (14) and points (25) so far this season for Philadelphia.
The Flyers have been playing better, but the Knights earn the victory.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 5-2.
Washington Capitals vs Florida Panthers
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Monument Sports Network; Scripps; ESPN+
Old Southeast Division rivals get together again in our featured game of NHL predictions. Washington comes in having lost two in a row and turning to Logan Thompson again in the crease. The Capitals are trying to make due without leading-scorer Alex Ovechkin, but it’s been hard. Connor McMichael is the current active leader in goals on the team with 13 while Dylan Strome is first in assists (22) and points (28).
The defending Stanley Cup champions come in having lost three straight games and turn to Sergei Bobrovsky in goal for this one. Florida lost to the Colorado Avalanche in a wild 7-4 game on Saturday night. Sam Reinhart is playing like he’s every penny of that new deal as he’s tops in goals (16), assists (15) and points (31) this campaign.
Washington may continue to struggle without Ovehckin and Florida needs to get back on track.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-1 Lightning
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Altitude2; Fan Duel Sports Sun; ESPN+
Our final game of the night has the Avalanche visiting South Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Colorado is expected to go with Alexandar Georgiev in between the pipes for this one. The Avs have take three games in a row and are 7-3 in the last 10 games. Nathan MacKinnon has been great with 35 points while Mikko Rantanen is topping the team’s goal charts at 14.
Tampa Bay is slated to go with Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal for this game. The Lightning have lost two straight and are 4-4-2 in the last 10 games. Nikita Kucherov is putting together another strong season as he holds the team’s lead in goals (11), assists (18) and points (29) for the Lightning.
Colorado is playing like the contender it should be, but Tampa Bay holds the advantage in defence.
Prediction: Tampa Bay wins 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We finish up NHL predictions with some prop bets for this evening’s slate. Shea Theodore is a +100 to get an assist for the Golden Knights. On the Flyers side, Konecny is a +128 to get an assist. These are odds courtesy of Bet365.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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