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 Edmonton Oilers vs Washington Capitals. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-1 Capitals
Time: 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TNT; TruTV; Max; Sportsnet
We open up NHL predictions with our featured game between the Oilers and the Capitals. Edmonton is expected to go with Calvin Pickard in between the pipes after losing to the Philadelphia Flyers the day before. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Oilers are 5-4-1, but have lost the last two games in a row. Leon Draisaitl leads the club in goals (41) and points (85).
Washington is likely to go with Charlie Lindgren in goal for this game after playing on Saturday afternoon. The Capitals are 6-1-3 in the last 10 games heading into this battle of first-place teams. Alex Ovechkin leads the team in goals, but Dylan Strome is first in assists (38) and points (55).
Edmonton’s defensive effort against Philadelphia was terrible. However, it won’t be easier against a great Washington team.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1-0 Blackhawks
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TSN4; Chicago Sports Network; ESPN+
Our second game of NHL Predictions is an “Original Six” battle between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks. Toronto is expected to go with Joseph Woll in between the pipes for this game. The Maple Leafs are coming off a victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. William Nylander is first in goals for the Maple Leafs with 33. However, Mitch Marner is tops in assists (55) and points (71).
Chicago is projected to go with Arvid Soderblom in the blue paint for this game. The Blackhawks played the night before on Saturday night. Chicago was 3-3-4 in the last 10 games entering this Saturday night’s matchup. Ryan Donato is leading the team in goals with 19, but Connor Bedard is first in assists (33) and points (49).
These two teams are both coming off a game the night before. However, Toronto should get the win.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-1.
Vancouver Canucks vs Utah Hockey Club
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-1 Utah HC
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Utah16; SN Pacific; ESPN+
The last game of this set of NHL predictions has the Vancouver Canucks making the trip to Salt Lake City to play the Utah Hockey Club. Arturs Silovs is the expected starter with the Canucks playing the night before. Vancouver has stabilized after a shaky stretch in December. Jake DeBrusk was leading the team in goals with 19 heading into late Saturday night’s action.
Connor Ingram is the projected starter with Utah HC being in action the night before. Utah is trying to stay afloat in the Western Conference post-season race. Team captain Clayton Keller is leading the team in goals (20), assists (40) and points (60) heading into play on Saturday night.
It will be hard to gauge how both teams look going into the second-half of a back-to-back after a long layoff. However, the struggles of Silovs this season have been a bit concerning.
Prediction: Utah Hockey Club wins 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 this set of our preferred prop bets. On the Edmonton side, take Zach Hyman to score a goal. As for Washington, look for Ovechkin to get on the scoresheet after being one of only three Capitals skaters to not register a point on Saturday.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Feb. 23 Edmonton Oilers vs Washington Capitals appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.