Welcome to NHL Game Day Predictions! Each day, LastWordOnHockey will break down every game and give our prediction for who will win. This will also include a featured game that should be must-watch hockey. Tonight’s featured game is the Calgary Flames vs Vegas Golden Knights. This is the late game slate. Look for the predictions of any games starting at 7 pm Eastern here.
Calgary Flames vs Vegas Golden Knights Predictions and More
Washington Capitals vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head Capitals 0 – 1 Stars
The Washington Capitals lost to the Dallas Stars at home a few nights ago and now look to avenge that loss. They got in an absolute shoot-out on Thursday and lost 6-5. However, the Capitals currently rank 2nd overall in score-adjusted CF%. They also rank 6th overall in xGF% this season. Their 2-1-2 record may not be the greatest tale of how they have played. This will be no easy game for Dallas.
The Stars, on the other hand, have their only win come against the Capitals. It hasn’t been a great start for Dallas so far. They rank 27th and 16th in CF% and xGF% this season. Their goaltender Ben Bishop has been solid but it hasn’t been enough. They have scored just 12 goals in 5 games and desperately need to get the offence going. They are hoping new addition Joe Pavelski can help do that.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-1.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0 – 0 Wild
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been riddled with injuries to start this season. Evgeni Malkin, Nick Bjugstad, Alex Galchenyuk, and Patric Hornqvist are all forwards who have been hurt. Despite this, the Pens are plugging along at 2-2. It is going to take amazing efforts from guys like Sidney Crosby and Matt Murray to keep this team going along while they get healthy. They will be in tough against a Minnesota Wild team that preaches defence first.
As for the Wild, they have had an 0-3 start to the season. The team doesn’t wow you but head coach Bruce Boudreau is amazing at getting his team to play the right way. Low event hockey is the name of the game for Minnesota. They will be looking for their first win of the season at their home opener vs a very injured Penguins team.
Prediction: Wild win 2-1.
Arizona Coyotes vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0 – 0 Avalanche
These are two teams that look to be on the rise this season. The Arizona Coyotes have played stellar defence this year allowing just 4 goals in 3 games. However, their offence just hasn’t been there as they lost 2 of those 3 games. Scoring 1 and 0 goals in the first two games of the season. They are hoping newly acquired Phil Kessel can find his scoring touch this season and give them the boost that they need. Darcy Kuemper has been lights out posting a .957 through three games this year. However, it will be Antti Raanta making his first appearance in net.
Aa for the Colorado Avalanche, they sit a perfect 3-0 record and look to keep that going. This team has seen it’s new depth scoring bring a big impact as they have scored at least 4 goals in all 3 games played this season. The Avalanche have a solid young team and will be a threat to any team they play this year. High tempo offence vs solid defence may be the story of this game.
Prediction: Coyotes win 4-3 in Overtime.
Calgary Flames vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Flames 0 – 0 Golden Knights
The Calgary Flames vs Vegas Golden Knights is our game to watch tonight. Two Pacific division teams going at it in what should be a great matchup. Both of these teams look to contend for the division lead after both had disappointing playoff losses last season. The Golden Knights are 2-2 to start the season. Marc-Andre Fleury should get the start here tonight which is good news for Vegas. Fleury has posted a .925 Save Percentage so far this year.
In net for Calgary should be David Rittich. He has posted a .929 Save Percentage and has been solid in the early going. The Flames were hoping he could take a starter workload and in the next few weeks they will begin to find out. They have a solid top-six with some more grit in the bottom-six this season. Milan Lucic has been apart of that already racking up the Penalty Minutes. The Calgary Flames vs Vegas Golden Knights should be a great game to watch.
Prediction: Vegas wins 4-3.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0 – 0 Canucks
The Philadelphia Flyers have had a tough schedule travel-wise to start this season. They played their first game in Europe and are already now on a Western road swing. The Flyers have been great ranking first in CF% so far this season. However, all the time zone differences may take an effect on Philly. The Flyers will have to come out strong if they want to win this game.
The Vancouver Canucks have started the season 1-2-0 and look to keep up their momentum after their huge 8-2 win a few nights ago. This was on the night that Bo Horvat was named the captain of the Canucks. Horvat would go on to have 1 assist in the dominant win. Now, the Canucks look to keep that up and take it to Philly. This is a team that has playoff hopes and taking advantage of teams who have travelled lots will be key. Look for the young stars like Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and Horvat to come out firing for Vancouver.
Prediction: Vancouver wins 5-2.
That concludes our predictions for Saturday night. Be sure to keep an eye on the Calgary Flames vs Vegas Golden Knights and enjoy all of the games that are on the slate on this busy Saturday!
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