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 Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Chicago Sports Network; MSG; ESPN+
We open NHL predictions with our featured game between the Blackhawks and the Rangers. Arvid Soderblom is expected to get the call in goal for Chicago. The Blackhawks are losers of five consecutive games and that cost Luke Richardson his job behind the bench. Ryan Donato is first in goals on the club with 10. However. Connor Bedard is tops in assists (15) and points (20) for the Blackhawks.
Igor Shesterkin is projected to get the start, but keep an eye on his situation as his wife is expecting. Dylan Garand was called up and Jonathan Quick played on Sunday. The Rangers are coming off a wild 7-5 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Sunday. Artemi Panarin is first goals (15) and points (34) for the Blueshirts.
The Rangers should tighten things up and pile on the misery on the Blackhawks.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2.
Detroit Red Wings vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 1-1 Sabres
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Chicago Sports Network; MSG; ESPN+
Our second game of NHL predictions has two teams also on the struggle bus. Both the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres were expected to make a move up the standings. However, both teams are facing tough sledding. Ville Husso is expected to get the start for Detroit, which has dropped five straight. Dylan Larkin has been a bright spot with 12 goals and nine assists for the Red Wings.
Detroit may be struggling, but not as much as Buffalo. The Sabres have dropped six in a row and turn to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Lindy Ruff was expected to make the team a winner. However, that’s not happened. Lifelong Sabres fan Alex Tuch has scored eight goals with 16 assists for the Sabres.
Someone could be fired between Wings coach Derek Lalonde and Sabres GM Kevyn Adams. However, Detroit gets the win.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-3.
Anaheim Ducks vs Montreal Canadiens
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: KCOP; Amazon Prime (Canada); RDS; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Anaheim Ducks visiting the Montreal Canadiens. John Gibson is the projected starter for Anaheim, which is 5-4-1 in the last 10. However, the Ducks have won three straight on the road. Frank Vatrano has six goals and six assists for the Ducks. However, the team has spread out its scoring.
Sam Montembeault is the likely starter for Montreal, which is also 5-4-1 in the last 10. Both teams are last in their divisions but have shown some signs of life. Lane Hutson has 16 assists for the Canadiens. However, Cole Caufield has stayed hot as of late with five goals and seven assists over the last 10 games.
This should be a good game despite the records. However, the Ducks keep winning away from home.
Prediction: Ducks win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The first game may feature, but let’s go to our last game for props. Troy Terry seems like a good bet for any time scorer for the Ducks at +220 on FanDuel. However, Patrik Laine seems like a solid play to get a goal for the Habs. His odds are +200 on FanDuel.
Main photo by: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec. 9 w/ Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.