Welcome to a Friday night edition of NHL Predictions from us here at Last Word On Hockey. Our team breaks down key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions on how they might play out. We bring you three games including the San Jose Sharks at the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals at the Columbus Blue Jackets, and our featured match. For that, it is an all-Canadian edition, with the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Calgary Flames.
NHL Predictions for this Friday Evening
San Jose Sharks at New Jersey Devils
2024-25 Season Series: Sharks 2 – Devils 0
How to Watch on TV: NBCSCA, MSGSN
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Location: Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
For this prediction, the Sharks are on an East coast road trip, and fresh off their first two-point effort of the season. This is the second half of a back-to-back for them, having beat the New York Rangers last night. Meanwhile, the Devils are currently tied for the lead in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division.
Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini have shown glimpses of the type of dynamic duo that could lead the Shark to perennial Stanley Cup playoff runs down the road. Moreover, they both had big games against the Rangers last night. Celebrini had a five-point night, on the power of his second career hat trick. He is up to 11 points in his past six games. Also, Smith potted four points, including his first goal of the year, and the overtime game-winner.
However, on the Devils side, Jack Hughes also enters this one red hot. He has six goals and seven points, in his last four contests. He’s currently second on the team in points with nine, behind Jesper Bratt, who has 11. Also, Dawson Mercer is off to a decent start with at a point-per-game pace, same can be said for Timo Meier.
The expected goaltending matchup sees Yaroslav Askarov against Jake Allen. However, we will add our disclaimer, to make sure to check for the very latest lineup news before locking in your daily fantasy starters.
Prediction: Devils 4 – Sharks 2
Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets
2024-25 Season Series: Capitals went 2 – 1 – 1
How to Watch on TV: FDSNOH, MNMT2
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
This is a fitting Friday night showcase. With Yegor Chinakhov firmly entrenched in trade rumours, in particular referencing the always heavily discussed Toronto Maple Leafs, not to mention the Calgary Flames as well, it is potentially a nice opportunity to show what he got. Teams could get a good look at him, on a not very busy Friday evening of action. Chinakhov had requested a trade this past offseason. However, he only has one assist in three games played so far.
The Blue Jackets come into this one riding a two-game winning streak. They would like this intra-divisional matchup, to keep them close early in the campaign. Kirill Marchenko leads them in scoring with five goals and two assists for seven points.
Also, this is a great opportunity to enjoy watching Alex Ovechkin during the twilight of his career and narrowing in on 900 career NHL regular season goals. For the Caps, Dylan Strome has been hot to start the campaign. He has two goals, seven assists, for nine points through seven games. Overall, the Capitals only have one loss in their last six.
As of now, the expected goaltending matchup sees Logan Thompson versus Jet Greaves. Give the more experienced Thompson the edge. However, Columbus will get a boost being on home ice.
Prediction: Blue Jackets 3 – Capitals 2
Featured Matchup the Calgary Flames at Winnipeg Jets
2024-25 Season Series: Flames 2 – Jets 1
How to Watch on TV: SNF, TSN3
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Location: Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba
It is now time for our featured matchup of this Friday night. This definitely has the potential to be an intriguing goaltending matchup. Connor Hellebuyck is the back-to-back reigning Vezina Trophy winner, and three in the last six years overall. Meanwhile, Dustin Wolf is coming off an incredible rookie season in Calgary, finishing runner-up in Calder Trophy voting, and he was even eighth overall in the Vezina polls. However, as of print, Eric Comrie is slated as the expected Jets starter, giving Helly a break against the Flames squad. Hellebuyck did play last night in the 3-0 loss to the Seattle Kraken. Wolf is expected for Calgary.
The follows as the Flames have really struggled to score so far in 2025-26. Their 1.50 goals-per-game average, to no one’s surprise has them ranked 32nd in the NHL. Also, their power play isn’t much better at a 12.5% success rate, puts them 28th. It’s not going to help going against the league’s top penalty kill, currently at an incredible, but unsustainable, 96.4%. The Jets are performing as expected, very strong defensively, and more than holding their own on the offensive side of things.
Nazem Kadri leads the team with (only) four points. The Flames need to figure things out, or it might become a tire sale before you know it.
Mark Scheifele leads the Jets in scoring, with ten points. He is currently tied for the league lead in goals at seven with Shane Pinto and Pavel Dorofeyev.
Based on what we have said, it is hard to go against the Jets. We will say, however, Calgary does usually play them well, and their physical team style, can be difficult to play against. You’d have to think they get lucky at some point, but will that come tonight against the Jets? At least they don’t have to face Hellebuyck in the pipes.
Prediction: Jets 3 – Flames 2
Prop Bet Parlay of the Night
We do like a close, low-scoring game. If you want to go off the board for an anytime scorer, take defenceman Rasmus Andersson. He does two goals over his last four games, as he looks to potentially boost his trade-market value. Sticking with the off-the-board picks, and we have already discussed their leader Scheifele, but we like Nino Niederreiter to bulge twine.
Main Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: October 24th featuring the Calgary Flames at the Winnipeg Jets appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.