Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. In today’s round of NHL Predictions, we are looking at the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers
Time: 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TSN2; Scripps; ESPN+
We start NHL predictions with the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Florida Panthers. The Habs will give the start to Jakub Dobes in this game. Montreal is coming into this first game since the break with a 6-4 record in the last 10 games. Cole Caufield is first on the team in goals with 17. However, Nick Suzuki is tops in assists (24) and points (35).
Spencer Knight is the confirmed starter for the Panthers, who are 7-3 in the last 10 games. However, Florida is coming off a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the last game before the holidays. Sam Reinhart has been red-hot this season with 22 goals, 23 assists and 45 points this season.
Dobes won’t get eased into the net and takes on a well-rested Florida team in this one.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple eafs
Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-1 Maple Leafs
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: CBC; Sportsnet; Monument Sports Network 2; NHL Network
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Maple Leafs visiting the Capitals. Toronto will be without team captain Auston Matthews in this one. However, the Leafs have been playing well without him. Matt Murray should be the starter with Toronto beating the Detroit Red Wings the night before. Mitch Marner collected a hat trick in that victory.
There could be good news for the Caps with the possible return of Alex Ovechkin. However, there was no confirmation as of press time. Charlie Lindgren is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Aliaksei Protas has been solid before the break with six goals and two assists over the past 10 games.
Toronto has done well without Matthews. However, the possible return of Ovechkin will give Washington a lift.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2.
New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSG 2; Fan Duel Sports Sun; ESPN+
The last game of NHL predictions has the New York Rangers trying to get on track against the Lightning. Igor Shesterkin is the likely starter for the Blueshirts, who are losers of two straight and dropped seven of the last 10 games. Artemi Panarin has collected 15 goals and 21 assists for the Rangers.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is the projected starter for Tampa Bay, which is 7-3 in the last 10 games. The Lightning rank second in the league with 126 total goals, which is nearly four per game. Brayden Point has registered 22 goals and 17 assists for the Lightning.
The Rangers are in tough and need to find a way forward. However, the Lightning should take this.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-1.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets. We’ll go to our featured game for the preferred props. For Toronto, go with John Tavares to get the over on 1.5 assists at +155. For Washington, take Connor McMichael to score at any time with a +260. These are courtesy of BetMGM.
Main photo by: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec 28 Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.