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 Vancouver Canucks vs Vegas Golden Knights. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV:MSGSN; Fan Duel Sports Ohio; ESPN+
We open up NHL predictions with the New Jersey Devils visiting the Columbus Blue Jackets. New Jersey is slated to go with Jacob Markstrom in goal, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Jesper Bratt has posted 14 goals and 28 assists for the Devils. Jack Hughes has been playing well as of late with scored five goals with 11 assists over the past 10 games.
Elvis Merzlikins is the confirmed starter for the Blue Jackets, who have lost the last five games in a row. The Blue Jackets are ninth in the league with 103 total goals as they are averaging 3.2 per game. Sean Monahan has nine goals and 16 assists in his first season for the Blue Jackets. Kent Johnson has been solid lately with four goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Columbus plays hard, but New Jersey is just better.
Prediction: Devils win 5-3.
Seattle Kraken vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Kraken 1-0 Blackhawks
Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Chicago Sports Network; KHN; KONG; ESPN+
The second game in our NHL predictions has the Chicago Blackhakws host the Seattle Kraken. Joey Daccord is the expected starter for Seattle, which is 4-5-1 in the last 10 games. The Kraken have dropped the last two games, but have also acquired Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers. Jared McCann has tallied 11 goals and 15 assists for the Kraken.
Arvid Soderblom is the projected starter for Chicago, which is 3-7 in the last 10 games. However, the Blackhawks have won the last two consecutive games. Connor Bedard has seven goals and 19 assists for the Blackhawks so far this season.
Chicago has been playing better, but Seattle has the edge in goaltending.
Prediction: Kraken win 3-2.
Vancouver Canucks vs Vancouver Canucks
Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SN Pacific; Scripps Vegas; ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Canucks squaring off with the Golden Knights. Vancouver is scheduled to go with Kevin Lankinen in the blue paint for this one. The Canucks are 5-2-3 in the last 10 games heading into this Pacific Division matchup. Conor Garland has netted eight goals and 16 assists for the Canucks. Jake DeBrusk has been playing better as of late with eight goals and one assist over the past 10 games.
Adin Hill is likely to get the call in goal for the Golden Knights, who are 7-2-1 in last 10 games. Vegas is 8-4-1 in games when it scores one or more goals on the power play. Shea Theodore has four goals and 22 assists this season for the Golden Knights. Ivan Barbashev has continued on from his great start with six goals and two assists over the last 10 games.
This should be a good one, but Vegas holds serve at home.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The focus is our featured game between Vancouver and Vegas. On the Canucks side, Brock Boeser is a good bet at +250 to score a goal at any time. For Vegas, go with Jack Eichel is a strong play for the over of 1.5 points at +155.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec 19 Vancouver Canucks vs Vegas Golden Knights appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.