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 Ottawa Senators vs Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Time: 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Sportsnet; Fan Duel Sports Sun; Scripps Florida; ESPN+
We open up NHL predictions with a good one between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sergei Bobrovsky is the expected starter for Florida. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Panthers come into this game with three consecutive victories. Sam Reinhart has 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is the probable starter for Tampa Bay, which has taken the last four games in a row. These two teams will go at it again on Monday before the Christmas break, so we’ll see if bad feelings start brewing again. Brayden Point has 21 goals and 17 assists for 48 points this season.
This should be an early holiday present, but Tampa gets the victory.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-3.
Seattle Kraken vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-2 Avalanche
TV: Altitude; KHN; KONG; NHL Network
Our second game of NHL predictions has the Seattle Kraken and Colorado Avalanche getting together for the last time this season. Philipp Grubauer will likely get the start against his former team in this game. Chandler Stephenson only has three goals this season, but he has dished out 20 assists.
Mackenzie Blackwood is the expected starter for Colorado, which is 7-3 in the last 10 games. The Avalanche have also won their last times out. Cale Makar leads the way with 10 goals and 32 assists for Colorado this season.
Seattle is desperate after dropping four in a row, but Colorado picks up the win.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-2.
Ottawa Senators vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-1 Oilers
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SN West; TSN5; ESPN+
The last game of NHL predictions is our featured matchup between the Senators and Oilers. Both teams are coming off games on Saturday night. This means Leevi Merilainen is the likely starter for Ottawa, which has six straight victories. The Senators are 8-1-1 in the last 10 and Shane Pinto has six points (five goals, one assist) in that time frame.
Stuart Skinner is slated to get the start in goal for Edmonton, which has an 8-2 mark in the last 10 games. Connor McDavid scored twice in the first meeting, which was a 5-2 win for the Oilers. Zach Hyman has been hot as of late with nine goals and an assist in the last 10 games.
This game should be good, but the Oilers go into the holiday with a win.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let’s focus on the featured game for our preferred props. For Ottawa, Brady Tkachuk is a +165 to score at any point. On the Edmonton said, Leon Draisaitl is a +140 to net a goal for his team.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec 22 Ottawa Senators vs Edmonton Oilers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.