Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Florida Panthers taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2024-25 season.
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Monumental Sports Network; Fan Duel Sports South; TNT; TruTV; Max
We open NHL predictions with the Washington Capitals visiting the Carolina Hurricanes. Washington is expected to start Logan Thompson in goal for this game. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Alex Ovechkin is just four goals away from eclipsing the great Wayne Gretzky for the all-time goals record.
Carolina is likely to start Frederik Andersen in between the pipes for this game. Andersen has been great since returning from injury with a 2.01 goals-against-average. The Hurricanes are 8-2 in the last 10 games and this includes two consecutive wins. Seth Jarvis leads the team in goals with 20 this season.
Both teams are playing well and this could be a post-season preview. However, Washington gets the victory.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-3.
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Sportsnet; Scripps Florida; ESPN+
Our featured game of NHL predictions is the Panthers trying to bounce back against the Maple Leafs. Florida is expected to go with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal for this game. The Panthers have dropped their last two games and are 4-5-1 in the last 10 games. Sam Bennett has 25 goals and 24 assists this season for Florida.
Anthony Stolarz is the projected starter for the Maple Leafs, who are 6-3-1 in the last 10 games. Toronto has also won the last two games entering this pivotal matchup. John Tavares has posted a great season with 35 goals and 34 assists for the Maple Leafs.
Florida may be reeling, but the team seemingly has Toronto’s number.
Prediction: Panthers win 3-2.
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1-2 Blackhawks
Time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Altitude 2; TNT; TruTV; Max; SN 360
Our last featured game of NHL predictions has the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Chicago Blackhawks. Colorado is expected to go with Scott Wedgewood in the blue paint. The Avalanche are 6-2-2 in the last 10 games. However, Colorado has dropped its last two games prior to this one. Nathan MacKinnon leads the team in goals (30), assists (80) and points (110) this season.
Spencer Knight is the probable starter for the Blackhawks, who are 1-9 in the last 10 games. This includes three straight losses before this US primetime game. Ryan Donato is first in goals (29) and points (59) this campaign.
Chicago is just playing out the string while Colorado is looking to get back on track.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-1.
Time: 10:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: SN Pacific; KHN; KONG; ESPN+
Prediction: Canucks win 4-3.
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let’s go back to the featured game for this one. For Florida, take Sam Reinhart to get the over on 0.5 points in this game. On the Toronto side, take Mitch Marner to get a power-play point.
Main photo by: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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