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 Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST))
TV: TSN2; Chicago Sports Network; ESPN+
We start NHL predictions with our featured game between two “Original Six” teams. Montreal will go with confirmed starter Sam Montembeault in goal for this one. The Habs are coming into this one on a three-game winning streak. Montreal has also won seven of its last 10 games to put itself back into the Stanley Cup Playoff mix. Patrik Laine has been a great acquisition with six goals with two assists over the past 10 games.
Petr Mrazek is the expected starter for the Blackhawks, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Chicago is looking to bounce back from a lousy performance in the Winter Classic. The Blackhawks have lost five in a row and are 3-7 in the last 10 games. Teuvo Teravainen has provided one goal and 10 assists over the last 10 games.
The Canadiens have been solid as of late and should get the victory.
Prediction: Canadiens win 4-2.
Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Ducks 1-0 Oilers
Time: 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SN West; KCOP; ESPN+
The second game of NHL predictions has the Anaheim Ducks taking on the Edmonton Oilers. Lukas Dostal is the projected starter for the Ducks, who have won three consecutive games. Anaheim is 6-4 in the last 10 games and hasn’t been a pushover in the most recent stretch. The Ducks won the first meeting of the season, 5-3. Robby Fabbri has tallied four goals with four assists over the last 10 games.
Stuart Skinner is the confirmed starter for the Oilers, who are 7-2-1 in the last 10 games. Leon Draisaitl has racked up 27 goals with 29 assists for the Oilers. Edmonton captain Connor McDavid has only two goals, but has distributed 15 assists in the last 10 games.
Anaheim has been better, but Edmonton picks up the win.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-2.
Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Predators 1-0 Canucks
Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Fan Duel Sports South; Sportsnet; ESPN+
The last game of NHL predictions has the Nashville Predators visiting the Vancouver Canucks. Nashville is likely to go with Juuse Saros in between the pipes for this game. The Predators have dropped the last three games and are 4-5-1 in the last 10 games. Nashville has been dreadful on the road with a 3-13-4 mark away from home. Jonathan Marchessault has been on fire as of late with nine goals with five assists over the past 10 games.
Kevin Lankinen is the expected starter for a Canucks team that’s 4-3-3 in the last 10. Vancouver did win last time out, but there’s plenty of drama surrounding the team. Brock Boeser is trying to land a big contract and is making his case with seven goals over the past 10 games.
Nashville did win in Vancouver in the first meeting, but the Canucks get the victory.
Prediction: Canucks win 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets for the night. Let’s go to our featured game for the preferred props of the night. For Montreal, take Cole Caufield to score at any point at +170. On the Chicago side, go with Connor Bedard to get a multi-point night at +255. These odds are courtesy of FanDuel.
Main photo by: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Jan 3 Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.