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 Washington Capitals. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Vancouver Canucks vs Washington Capitals
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Sportsnet; Monument Sports Network 2; ESPN+
We open NHL predictions with our featured game between the Canucks and Capitals. Vancouver will likely run with Kevin Lankinen in goal for this one. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Canucks come into this game having lost two consecutive games and are 3-3-4 in the last 10 heading into this one. J.T. Miller has been the subject of rumours, but also has eight goals and 21 assists for the Canucks. Defenceman Quinn Hughes has been his consistent self as of late with a goal and nine assists over the past 10 games.
Washington is going with confirmed starter Logan Thompson in the crease for this game. The Capitals are coming into this game with a 5-3-2 mark in the last 10 games. However, Washington dropped its last game. Alex Ovechkin has continued his scoring pace with 19 goals and 11 assists for the Capitals. Aliaksei Protas has been solid as of late with seven goals and two assists over the past 10 games.
Vancouver is struggling and Washington should be able to take advantage of that.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-1 Blackhawks
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TNT; TruTV; Max; Altitude 2
It’s a Central Division matchup as the Colorado Avalanche take on the Chicago Blackhawks. Trent Miner is the confirmed starter in net for Colorado, which is 8-1-1 in the last 10 games and climbing up the standings. Mikko Rantanen is looking to land a massive contract and already has 24 goals and 34 assists for the Avalanche.
Petr Mrazek is the starter for Chicago going into one as it is 4-6 in the last 10 games. The Blackhawks made some moves to add veterans in the off-season, but they are still last in the division. Tyler Bertuzzi, one of those acquisitions, has six goals and two assists over the last 10 games.
Putting Miner in net may be a risk, but the team in front of him should help him get the victory.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-3.
Florida Panthers vs Utah Hockey Club
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TNT; TruTV; Max; SN1
The last game of NHL predictions is the Florida Panthers visiting the Utah Hockey Club for the first meeting between the two teams. Sergei Bobrovsky is the confirmed starter for the Panthers, who are 6-4 entering this contest. Sam Reinhart leads the team in goals (22), assists (24) and points (46) for the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
Karel Vejmelka will get the call in the blue paint for Utah, which is 4-4-2 in the last 10 games. Dylan Guenther is first on the team in goals with 16. However, team captain Clayton Keller is tops in assists (25) and points (39) going into this game.
Florida is battling for positioning in the East and Utah is trying to make the post-season. However, the champs scratch out a close one.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets. In our featured game, go with Brock Boeser as an anytime scorer for Vancouver at +195. On the Washington side, take Tom Wilson to score at +230. These odds are courtesy of FanDuel.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Jan 8 Vancouver Canucks vs Washington Capitals appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.