NHL Predictions: Jan. 24 w/ Winnipeg Jets vs Toronto Maple Leafs
With the large amount of games on tonight’s NHL schedule, it might be hard to know where to start. We at the Last Word on Hockey have helped narrow your focus to our best bets. This round of NHL Predictions will help condense the slate into three best bets and one prop bet of the night.
TV: Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our first and featured game of NHL Predictions has the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Winnipeg Jets in the first in a home-and-home set. Winnipeg will go with Laurent Brossoit as the confirmed starter. The Jets are coming off a tough 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins the last time out. Kyle Connor leads the club in goals with 18 goals while Mark Scheifele has notched 27 assists. Winnipeg is the top team in least goals allowed.
Ilya Samsonov is the confirmed starter after a great performance against the Seattle Kraken. However, Samsonov has been inconsistent this season. Auston Matthews leads the league in goals with 38 this campaign. William Nylander has 38 assists and 23 goals for the Maple Leafs, who are seventh in goals scored. Toronto is also eighth on the power play.
The Leafs have a shot with Brossoit in net, but the Jets are solid on the defensive end.
Prediction: Jets win 3-2.
Washington Capitals vs Colorado Avalanche Head-to-Head: Capitals 0-0 AvalancheTV: Monument Sports 2; Altitude; ESPN+
The Washington Capitals visit the Colorado Avalanche in this inter-conference matchup. Charlie Lindgren is the confirmed starter for Washington, which has lost two straight games. The Capitals are 30th in goals for, but are ninth in goals allowed. Dylan Strome leads the team in goals with 16 while John Carlson is tops in assists with 24.
Alexandar Georgiev is the expected starter for the Avalanche, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Colorado has won three of the last five games, but has alternated wins and losses. The Avalanche are at their best when the offence is going strong. Colorado’s last three victories has seen it score at least five goals. Nathan MacKinnon is closing in on the 80-point mark with 26 goals and 51 assists.
The Avs face a tough defence, but should get just enough to win.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2.
Buffalo Sabres vs Los Angeles Kings Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-0 KingsTV: MSG Buffalo; Bally Sports West; ESPN+
Our final game of the night has the Buffalo Sabres going against the Los Angeles Kings. Devon Levi is the expected starter for the Sabres, who have lost two straight. Leading goal-scorer Jeff Skinner has been activated from the injured reserve and should be back in the lineup. Buffalo has lost two straight games as it looks to get something out of their West Coast road trip.
Los Angeles is coming off a puzzling loss to the San Jose Sharks last time out. David Rittich is slated to get the start in the crease for a Kings team that has lost three of the last five. Los Angeles has the second-best scoring defence in the league, but is 20th in goals scored. Trevor Moore leads the club in goals with 21 while Kevin Fiala has 30 assists for the Kings.
Buffalo should feel some life with Skinner returning, but Los Angeles gets the win.
Prediction: Kings win 4-3.
Prop Bet of the NightLet’s go back to the middle game and give a look to MacKinnon, who has put himself into the Hart Trophy conversation. We like him getting a multiple-point night despite the Capitals having a solid defence. Take MacKinnon getting the over at +1.5 points.
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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