
Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Calgary Flames taking on the Philadelphia Flyers. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
U.S TV: MSGSN; Fan Duel Sports Ohio; ESPN+
Time: 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
We open up NHL predictions with the Columbus Blue Jackets visiting the New York Islanders. Elvis Merzlikins is the projected starter for the Blue Jackets, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Columbus is on a four-game winning streak, including a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. Kirill Marchenko is leading the team in points (11) and is tied for first in goals (5) and assists (6).
Ilya Sorokin is the expected starter for the Islanders, who are coming off a win over the Washington Capitals on Friday. New York is 5-4-1 in the last 10 games entering this matchup. Bo Horvat is first in goals (7) and assists (12) for the Isles. However, Anders Lee, Jonathan Drouin, and Mathew Barzal are the leaders in assists with seven.
Columbus has been on a roll, but New York has also shown flashes in the early part of the campaign.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 4-3.
How to Watch:
U.S TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia+; NHL Network
Canada TV: Sportsnet
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Our second and featured game of NHL predictions has the Flames visiting the Flyers. Devin Cooley is the likely starter, with Dustin Wolf starting in a 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Calgary has lost three consecutive games and is 2-9-2 to start the campaign. Nazem Kadri is first in assists (7) and points (10), but Blake Coleman leads in goals with five.
Aleksei Kolosov is the projected starter for the Flyers, who lost, 5-2, to the Maple Leafs on Saturday night. Despite the loss, Philadelphia is 6-3-1 in the last 10 games. Trevor Zegras is tops in assists (9) and points (13), while Owen Tippett is first in goals with five.
Both teams are coming off losses on Saturday night. However, Philadelphia gets the victory at home.
Prediction: Flyers win 5-2.
How to Watch:
U.S TV: NBC Sports California; Fan Duel Sports Detroit; ESPN+
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Detroit Red Wings trying to rebound against the San Jose Sharks. John Gibson is the probable starter for the Red Wings, who haven’t beaten the Sharks since 2023. The Wings are 7-3 in their last 10 games entering this matchup. Team captain Dylan Larkin is off to a great start with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points.
San Jose is expected to start Alex Nedeljkovic in this game. The Sharks are winners of two consecutive games after a terrible start to the campaign. There’s no sophomore slump for Macklin Celebrini, who leads in goals (7), assists (11), and points (18) so far for San Jose.
The Sharks have been playing better, but the Red Wings should end their personal three-game losing streak.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-2.
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let’s stay with our last game for some of our preferred props. The over/under for the Red Wings and Sharks is 6.5, and we like the under in this game.
As for individual props, go with Patrick Kane to score an anytime goal for the Red Wings. On the Sharks’ side of things, go with Tyler Toffoli to get at least a point.
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