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 Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Washington Capitals vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-0 Stars
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Monument Sports Network; Victory; ESPN+
We open NHL predictions with a good matchup between the Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars. Washington is expected to go with Charlie Lindgren in goal, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. The Capitals are 8-1-1 in the last 10 and have four consecutive wins. Tom Wilson‘s two goals helped Washington to a 3-2 victory in the first meeting of the season.
Jake Oettinger is the likely starter for the Stars, who are 5-5 in the last 10 games. Dallas fares better in games when it scores one or more power-play goals with a 6-3 mark in those matchups. Finnish star Roope Hintz has scored 11 goals with six assists for the Stars. Mason Marchment has been hot as of late with six goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Washington is coming in hot, but Dallas scratches out the victory.
Prediction: Stars win 3-2.
Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers
Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Scripps Florida; NHL Network; Amazon Prime (Canada)
Our featured game is a rematch of the last Stanley Cup Final between the Panthers and the Oilers. Sergei Bobrovsky is slated to get the call in goal for the Panthers, who are 6-3-1 in the last 10. However, Florida is coming off two consecutive losses coming into this one. Sam Reinhart has been great to start the season with 19 goals and 20 assists for the Panthers. Aleksander Barkov missed the last game due to illness.
Stuart Skinner is the projected stater for the Oilers, who are winners of five consecutive games. Edmonton is also 8-2 in the last 10 games and has been firing on all cylinders. Leon Draisaitl is earning that upcoming extension with 22 goals and 23 assists for the Oilers. Connor McDavid has come back from injury with five goals and 12 assists over the last 10 games.
These two teams played some great games in the final, but Edmonton gets the victory.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Vancouver Canucks
Time: 10:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Altitude; Sportsnet Pacific; ESPN+
The last game of NHL predictions has the Colorado Avalanche battling the Vancouver Canucks. Colorado is likely to go with Mackenzie Blackwood in goal for this one. The Avalanche are 6-4 in the last 10 games and have remade their goaltending situation. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice last time out and has 13 goals and 37 assists so far this season.
Thatcher Demko is the likely starter for the Canucks, but is 0-1-1 since returning to the lineup. Vancouver is still 5-3-2 in the last 10 games coming into this one. Pius Suter has been on a roll as of late with five goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Colorado has been the better team as of late and picks up the victory.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. We’ll focus on the featured game of NHL predictions. For Florida, Matthew Tkachuk seems like a solid play to get a goal at anytime. Tkachuk is a +145 at places like Bet365. On the Edmonton side, take Zach Hyman to continue his hot streak with a goal at +210.
Main photo by: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec 16 Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.