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 Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Nashville Predators vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-1 Wild
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Fan Duel Sports North; Fan Duel Sports Wisconsin; Fan Duel Sports South; ESPN+
We open the New Year’s Eve edition of NHL predictions with a Central Division matchup between the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild. Nashville is slated to go with Justus Annunen in net after losing 3-0 to the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Filip Forsberg has been handing out the puck with 13 assists over the last 10 games.
Filip Gustavsson is the expected starter for the Wild, who are 4-6 in the last 10 games. Minnesota is going into the first real rough patch of the season going into this one. Marco Rossi has three goals and three assists over the last 10 games. There’s some uncertainty about the status of Kirill Kaprizov going into this game.
Both teams have been scuffling, but Minnesota should get back on track.
Prediction: Wild win 3-2.
Utah Hockey Club vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Utah HC 0-1 Oilers
Time: 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SN1; SNO; Utah16; ESPN+
The second game of our NHL predictions has the Utah Hockey Club visiting the Edmonton Oilers. Utah is coming off a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken the night before. Jaxson Stauber is the expected starter coming into this one and is 2-0-1 in his three games. Dylan Guenther leads the team in goals with 16. However, team captain Clayton Keller is tops in assists (24) and points (37).
Stuart Skinner is the projected starter in the crease for the Oilers, who are 7-2-1 in the last 10 games. However, Edmonton is coming off a pair of losses entering this matchup. Connor McDavid is first in assists with 37 assists. However, Leon Draisaitl is leading in goals (26) and points (55) going into this game.
Both teams are in need of a win, but Edmonton ends the calendar year with a victory.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-2.
Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Canucks 1-1 Flames
Time: 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SN West; SN Pacific; ESPN+
The last and featured game of NHL predictions has the Canucks visiting the Flames. Vancouver is likely to go with Thatcher Demko in between the pipes for this game. The Canucks are coming into this matchup with 3-3-4 record in the last 10 games. Brock Boeser scored twice in a loss to the Kraken last game out. The former University of North Dakota product has six goals and two assists over the last 10 games.
Dustin Wolfe is the likely starter for the Flames, who are 4-3-3 in the last 10 games entering this game. Jonathan Huberdeau is rebounding nicely from his shaky 2023-24 campaign with 15 goals and 12 assists for the Flames. Nazem Kadri has been hot as of late with five goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
Both teams would love to end 2024 with a win, but the Canucks scratch out the victory.
Prediction: Canucks win 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets. Let’s focus on the featured game for our props. Jake DeBrusk is +200 to net a goal for the Canucks. For Calgary, go with MacKenzie Weegar to get an assist at +150. These odds are courtesy of Bet365.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec 31 Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.