Welcome back to the latest edition 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 New Jersey Devils vs Vancouver Canucks. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Colorado Avalanche
Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Altitude; Fan Duel Sports Sunshine; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Tampa Bay Lightning visiting the Colorado Avalanche. Tampa Bay is expected to start Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Lightning are coming off an emotional 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators in the return of Steven Stamkos to Florida. Nikita Kucherov is off to a hot start in leading in goals (eight) and assists (14) for Tampa Bay. Anthony Cirelli is first in assists with nine so far.
Justus Annunen is the expected starter for Colorado, as he’s seemingly wrested the number one job away from Alexandar Georgiev. Colorado’s five-game winning streak was stopped the last time out. However, the Avalanche have seemingly shaken off a really bad start to the season. Cale Makar is off to a red-hot start with 14 assits and 17 points already. Ross Colton is the surprise leader in goals so far with eight.
Colorado has shaken off a bad start. However, Tampa Bay will get the road victory.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-3.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 1-0 Kings
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TNT; TruTV
The second game of NHL predictions is a Pacific Division matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings. Vegas rolled to a 6-1 rout on October 22 in Sin City. Adin Hill is the likely starter for the Golden Knights, who have racked up four consecutive wins. Ivan Barbashev is first on the team in goals with seven, while Mark Stone is first in assists (13) and points (18). In fact, his 18 points are tied with Kirill Kaprizov for the lead league.
Los Angeles is likely to start David Rittich in between the pipes as it will be on the backend of back-to-back games. Alex Laferriere is first in goals with five heading into Wednesday night’s action. Captain Anze Kopitar has the team-lead in points with nine.
Vegas outclassed Los Angeles in the first meeting this season. It should be closer, but the Knights should win again.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 5-2.
New Jersey Devils vs Vancouver Canucks
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: SN1; MSGSN; ESPN+
Our featured game is a Hughes family reunion as Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes take on brother, Quinn Hughes. The Devils are expected to go with Jacob Markstrom in the blue paint for this one. Nico Hischier is first in goals (nine) and points (12) for the Devils. However, Jesper Bratt is leading in assists with 10 so far. As a note, Hischier is tied for league lead in goals, with none other than Montreal Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield.
Kevin Lankinen is the probable starter for the Canucks in this game. Vancouver has gotten points in all but one game. However, the team already has three overtime-losses this season. Brock Boeser is first in goals with five and is tied with J.T. Miller for the most points on the team with nine.
It’ll be a fun game to watch, but the Devils get the win in overtime.
Prediction: Devils win 4-3 in overtime.
Prop Bets of the Night
We have some prop bets to close out NHL predictions. We’ll stay with the featured game for our props. Jack Hughes is a +140 anytime goalscorer for the Devils at Bet365. We also like putting +330 at FanDuel on there being overtime.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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