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 Stadium Series game between the Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 1-1 Blue Jackets
Time: 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN
We open up NHL predictions with the Stadium Series matchup between the Red Wings and Blue Jackets. Cam Talbot is the expected starter for Detroit, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. The Red Wings are coming into this game with a 7-2-1 mark in the last 10 games. However, Columbus got the win in the last encounter between the two teams. Lucas Raymond leads the team in assists (41) and points (63).
Elvis Merzlikins is the projected starter for the Blue Jackets, who are 6-3-1 in the last 10 games. Columbus is also winners of three straight games entering this matchup at Ohio Stadium, which is the home of Ohio State football. Defenceman Zach Werenski is putting up strong numbers with 44 assists and 62 points prior to this game.
This should be a good one, but the Ohio team gets the win unlike what happened in the end of November.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 4-2.
Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 2-0 Sabres
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: CityTV; SN East; MSG Buffalo; ESPN+
The second game of today’s NHL predictions has the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Buffalo Sabres. Rookie Jakub Dobes is the confirmed starter for Montreal, which is 4-6 in the last 10 games. However, the Canadiens have won three straight games coming into this one. Brendan Gallagher has posted four goals and one assist over the past 10 games.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the likely starter for Buffalo, which is 6-4 in the last 10 games. However, the Sabres did drop their last game prior to this Atlantic Division matchup. Potential trade candidate Alex Tuch has collected six goals and five assists over the past 10 games.
Montreal has scored a combined 13 goals across the first two games. The Habs may not get as many in this one, but should win.
Prediction: Canadiens win 5-3.
Vancouver Canucks vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Canucks 1-1 Kraken
Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Sportsnet; CBC; KHN; KONG; ESPN+
The last game of NHL predictions is a Pacific Division matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken. Kevin Lankinen is the expected starter for the Canucks, who are 5-4-1 before this game. Jake DeBrusk has been solid this season with 21 goals and 14 assists for Vancouver.
Seattle is expected to start with Joey Daccord in the crease for this game. The Kraken are 3-6-1 in the last 10 games and this includes two straight defeats. However, Seattle also has three consecutive losses at Climate Pledge Arena. Shane Wright has been averaging over a point per game with five goals and six assists over the past 10 games.
Both teams need a victory, but Vancouver gets the victory in this one.
Prediction: Canucks win 4-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let’s go to our featured game for our preferred props. For Detroit, take Alex DeBrincat to score a goal. On the Columbus side, take Kirill Marchenko to get the over on 0.5 points in this one.
Main photo by: Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Stadium Series w/ Detroit vs Columbus appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.