NHL Preseason - Thursday 9/29/22 - NHL Picks & Predictions

The NHL preseason continues on Thursday with seven games. Most of the NHL squads are playing for the third time and more and more regulars are seeing ice time as the NHL regular season is less than 10 days away from the opening faceoff. There will be plenty of high-intensity action on the ice Thursday as teams continue to reduce their squads and look at players on the fringe of remaining with the squad or heading off to the AHL.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Nashville Predators

The Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday for the second game of the NHL preseason for the Lightning. Tampa Bay opened its preseason with a 5-1 loss to Carolina and their second matchup versus the Hurricanes was postponed. Scoring Tampa Bay's only goal was Vladislav Namestnikov. Maxime Lagace stopped 41 of 46 shots faced in net. Nashville is 1-1 after its first two games of the preseason. The Predators opened with a 4-3 loss to Florida and followed that with a 4-0 victory over the Panthers.

Lightning at Predators Winner Prediction: Predators   

Winnipeg Jets at Montreal Canadiens

The Winnipeg Jets visit the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday for the third preseason game for the Jets. Winnipeg is 1-1 in the preseason. The Jets opened with a 4-0 loss to Edmonton followed by a 5-3 victory over Ottawa. Kyle Connor scored one goal and added a pair of assists for Winnipeg while Daniel Torgersson scored two goals. Montreal opened its preseason with a 2-1 loss to New Jersey and will play on Wednesday on the road against Toronto before hosting Winnipeg Thursday, and could be one skate slower.

Jets at Canadiens Winner Prediction: Jets

New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers

The New Jersey Devils play their third game of the NHL preseason, on the road Thursday against the New York Rangers. The Devils are 2-0 in the postseason with victories over Montreal (2-1) and the New York Islanders (4-1). New York is 1-1 in the preseason after opening with a 4-1 victory over the Islanders followed by a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. The Rangers blue line and goalies have played well allowing an average of just 2.0 goals per game.

Devils at Rangers Winner Prediction: Rangers   

Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers

The Carolina Hurricanes play their third NHL preseason game on Thursday with a visit to the Florida Panthers. Carolina is 1-0 following its 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay. The second game between Carolina and Tampa Bay was postponed. Andrei Svechnikov scored one goal and added one assist for Carolina. Florida is 1-1 in the preseason. The Panthers opened with a 4-3 victory over Nashville and followed that with a 4-0 loss to the Predators. Home ice will make the difference in this matchup of two of the East’s best squads. 

Hurricanes at Panthers Winner Prediction: Panthers  

Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars

The Minnesota Wild play the third game of their NHL preseason on Thursday with a visit to the Dallas Stars. Minnesota is 2-0 in the preseason following a pair of victories over the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota opened with a 3-2 win at home over Colorado followed by a 5-2 win on the road. Minnesota is allowing an average of just 2.00 goals per game. Dallas is 1-1 in the preseason following a 4-0 loss to St Louis in its opening game followed by a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. 

Wild at Stars Winner Prediction: Wild 

Columbus Blue Jackets at St. Louis Blues

The Columbus Blue Jackets play the third game of their NHL pre-season schedule when visiting the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. Columbus is 1-1 following its 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh to open the preseason, followed by a 5-1 victory over the Penguins in the second game of the preseason. The Columbus Blue Line and goaltenders are playing well, allowing an average of only 1.50 goals per game. St Louis is a perfect 3-0 following its first three games of the preseason with victories over Arizona, Dallas and Chicago. St. Louis has allowed just five goals in three games.

Blue Jackets at Blues Winner Prediction: Blues

Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks

The Seattle Kraken play their third game of the NHL preseason on Thursday when visiting the Vancouver Canucks. Seattle is 2-0 in the preseason with a pair of shutout victories. Seattle defeated Edmonton 3-0 to open its preseason and followed that with a 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames. The Vancouver Canucks are 0-2 in the preseason following a 3-2 loss in overtime to Calgary to open the preseason and a 4-0 loss to Calgary in the second game. Vancouver is yet to score in the preseason and Brock Boeser is out after having hand surgery.

Kraken at Canucks Winner Prediction: Kraken