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 Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-1 Sabres
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Scipps Florida; MSG; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres in the second meeting of the season. Sergei Bobrovsky is the projected starter, but always check social media before locking in daily fantasy starter. Florida has won two straight games and is first in the Atlantic Division. Sam Bennett is first in goals with seven while Sam Reinhart is tops in points with 14.
Buffalo is expected to go with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in between the pipes for this one. The Sabres won the first meeting over the Panthers, 5-2, on October 12. Buffalo has won three straight games and surged up the standings. Tage Thompson is first in goals (7) and assists (11) while Alex Tuch leads in assists with six.
Both teams are playing well, but Florida gets the victory.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
Nashville Predators vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: ESPN+; Hulu
Our second game will be an emotional one as the Nashville Predators visit the Tampa Bay Lightning. This game will be the return of Steven Stamkos to Tampa Bay after many years on the team. Nashville started off slow, but has won three straight games after dropping the first five to start the season. Filip Forsberg is the team-lead in goals (4) and points (8) while Ryan O’Reilly leads with five assists. Juuse Saros is the expected starter for the Predators.
Tampa Bay is likely to go with Andrei Vasilevskiy in between the pipes, but the Russian has been off to a slow start. Nikita Kucherov is first in goals (9) and points (14) while Anthony Cirelli is topping the assists category with nine. Tampa Bay is coming off a 3-0 victory of Washington Capitals.
There will be plenty of emotion with Stamkos returning. However, Tampa Bay won’t be the best host.
Prediction: Lightning win 3-2.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Amazon Prime Video (CA); ESPN+
Our final and featured game has the Maple Leafs visiting the red-hot Jets. Joseph Woll is the projected starter for Toronto, which is coming off an overtime-loss to the Boston Bruins. William Nylander is first in goals, but Mitch Marner has the team’s lead in points with 10. Toronto has lost three straight games going into the one.
Connor Hellebuyck is the likely starter for Winnipeg, which has won its first eight games in a row. New head coach Scott Arniel has this team dialed in and they’re second or tied for second in goals and goals against. Kyle Connor is first in goals with six while a host of players are tied for first in points with 10. Neal Pionk is first in assists with nine.
The Leafs will provide a challenge, but the Jets beat the Leafs.
Prediction: Jets win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We have a couple of prop bets to get through the evening. Let’s start with the Predators and Lightning game and we feel Stamkos will get a goal. He’s a +185 anytime scorer on FanDuel.
In the last game of the night, Mark Scheifele is a +160 anytime goal scorer on Bet365.
Main photo by: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
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