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 Montreal Canadiens taking on the Washington Capitals. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Sportsnet; ESPN; TVAS; Monumental Sports Network
We open up NHL predictions with our featured game between the Canadiens and Capitals. Montreal is likely to go with Sam Montembeault in goal for this game. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Habs are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since reaching the final in 2021. However, Montreal isn’t content with just being there. Cole Caufield was the team’s regular-season leader in goals with 37.
Washington is expected to start Logan Thompson in goal after he missed a chunk of the last part of the season. The Capitals took a big step forward and were rewarded with the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Alex Ovechkin turned back the clock this season with 44 goals en route to breaking Wayne Gretzky‘s all-time goals record.
One wonders how Thompson will be in the post-season after a long layoff, but the Capitals should take the series-opener.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2.
Time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: ESPN, SN 360, Altitude 2, TVAS; Victory
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Colorado Avalanche looking to get a two to nothing series lead against the Dallas Stars. Colorado is expected to start Mackenzie Blackwood in the crease in this game. Nathan MacKinnon post two goals and an assist for the Avalanche in the opening-game of the series. Colorado getting a two-game series lead would be huge with the series going to Denver.
Jake Oettinger is the expected starter for the Stars, who were really feeling the loss of Jason Robertson. The Stars’ loss in the first game was the eighth straight time that the team has dropped the series-opening game. Roope Hintz‘s power-play marker was the only tally that Dallas had in the first game.
Dallas should come out firing in the first game, but Colorado should extend the series lead.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2.
We round out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let’s go back to our featured game for some of our prop bets of the night. The over/under or the Capitals versus Canadiens is 5.5 and we like the over to occur, but just barely. For individual props, go with Nick Suzuki to get a power-play point for Montreal. On the Washington side, take Dylan Strome to get the over on 1.5 assists in this game.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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