Welcome to NHL Game Day Predictions! Each day, Last Word On Hockey will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This will also include a featured game that should be must-watch hockey. Tonight’s featured game is the Washington Capitals vs. Edmonton Oilers. This is the late game slate of NHL predictions. Be sure and check out the early games too.
Washington Capitals vs Edmonton Oilers Predictions and More
Los Angeles Kings vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Kings 0-0 Blues
This is the first of three matchups between the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues. The Kings are making their way through the Central Division with a stop in St. Louis to take on the Stanley Cup Champions. The Kings appear to be turning things around after a rough start to the season. The Kings picked up back-to-back wins for the first time all season defeating the Calgary Flames and the Winnipeg Jets. Anze Kopitar leads the team with 10 points while Jonathan Quick has won his last two starts. With Quick playing better, it will be interesting to see if they ride the hot hand against the Blues or go to Jack Campbell.
The Blues are off to another slow start which can be attributed to a Stanley Cup hangover. St. Louis snapped their four-game losing streak with a win over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night. Vladimir Tarasenko got on track in the win over the Avalanche recording a three-point night. Brayden Schenn has been the most consistent forward for the Blues this season leading the team with six goals. That win was the Blues best game of the season and they will look to carry that into their game with the Kings.
Prediction: Blues Win 3-2
Minnesota Wild vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Predators 1-0 Wild
The Minnesota Wild come into their second matchup with the Nashville Predators as a banged-up hockey club. Already without Joel Eriksson Ek, Kevin Fiala, and Victor Rask, the Wild will be without goalie Devan Dubnyk as he considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. After a slow start, the Wild won their last two hockey games defeating the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers. With Mats Zuccarello returning to the lineup, the offence will get a boost. Eric Staal got his first two goals of the season in the win over the Oilers. The Wild will rely on Alex Stalock to stop the red hot Predators.
In their first matchup, the Predators won easily over the Wild by a score of 5-2. Even though the Wild have won two straight, Nashville is a difficult place to play. Just ask the Anaheim Ducks, who the Predators beat on Tuesday night by a score of 6-1. The Predators are figuring out ways to score goals without Filip Forsberg in the lineup. Having Matt Duchene helps. The Predators are getting good goaltending and depth scoring to go along with solid defense. This game will be similar to the first one with Nashville dominating.
Prediction: Predators win 6-1
Philadelphia Flyers vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Flyers 1-0 Blackhawks
In their first matchup as part of the NHL Global Series, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 4-3. In that game, the Flyers received timely goaltending from Carter Hart along with two goals from Travis Konecny. Since then neither team has found their groove. Since returning from Europe the Flyers along have two more victories on the season. Philadelphia will not use that as an excuse, it will just take some time for the players to get adjusted to Alain Vigneault‘s system. Goaltender Brian Elliott picked up the Flyers’ last victory, so one has to wonder if the Flyers ride the hot guy.
The Blackhawks are mirroring the Flyers in the fact they also only have two victories since returning from Europe. Chicago has picked up several overtime points along the way, but have not been able to close out games. The team will want to end their five-game homestand on a high note with a victory. Patrick Kane leads the Blackhawks in points with eight, while Robin Lehner has been a great addition to allow Corey Crawford to rest. Lehner has a solid performance against the Vegas Golden Knights, so it will be interesting to see if they go back to him.
Prediction: Blackhawks win 3-2 in a shootout
Anaheim Ducks vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Ducks 0-0 Stars
This is the first of three matchups between the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars. The Ducks were one of the surprise teams to start the season, but have come back to Earth a bit after back-to-back loses. This certainly makes it difficult for NHL predictions to come true. Anaheim is in the midst of a four-game road trip. After a terrible loss in Nashville, the Ducks want to rebound in Big D. There is a nice mixture in Anaheim between veterans and young players. With players like Sam Steel, Troy Terry, and Max Comtois in the lineup, the Ducks are moving in the right direction. With John Gibson in between the pipes, the Ducks have every chance to win.
It will not be easy for the Ducks as the Stars are finding their groove on the ice. With one win in their first nine games, the Stars have won back to back games. However, the more concerning thing is that Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are again off to slow starts. Unfortunately for them, it does not look like they will be getting called out by their owner anytime soon. Lucky for the Stars Roope Hintz is turning into a superstar. New additions Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry are finally flourishing. And with Ben Bishop finding his rhythm look for the Stars to keep up their winning ways.
Prediction: Stars win 2-1
Florida Panthers vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-0 Flames
The Florida Panthers begin their four-game Western Canada road trip in Calgary on Thursday night. Expectations for the Panthers were high coming into the system. The Panthers got off to a slow start but have picked up four points in their four games and will try to go into a building where it is very difficult to play. The Panthers may be without Aleksander Barkov to begin their road trip. He is currently listed as day-to-day with an injury. The top line for the Panthers has been rolling, but the one guy everyone needs to keep an eye on is Mike Hoffman. Hoffman leads the team with five goals and is an underrated player in the league.
The Calgary Flames are coming off a tough loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. The Flames will want to build some momentum heading into the Heritage Classic on Saturday against the Winning Jets. Calgary would also like to get a win on home ice to close out the month of October. After Thursday night’s game, the Flames go on a five-game road trip. The Flames are not setting the Pacific Division on fire like they did last season. For the Flames’ sake, their offence better show up against the Panthers who are a tough team to play against.
Prediction: Flames win 3-2
Washington Capitals vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Capitals 0-0 Oilers
This our NHL predictions featured game with late starts.
The Washington Capitals are in the midst of their five-game road trip. So far the Capitals are 2-0 with wins in Chicago and Calgary. The Capitals will look to continue their winning ways in Western Canada. Washington has a good history against the Oilers in Edmonton. The Capitals have won their last four games in a row and have the leading scorer in the NHL. Defenceman John Carlson is just the fourth NHL defenceman to record 20 points in October. With their head coach coming out saying this team can be better, just imagine when the Capitals find their groove.
After starting the season with a 7-1 record, the Edmonton Oilers are coming back to Earth. With back-to-back loses the Oilers want a win on home ice after an embarrassing loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. Connor McDavid has been held pointless in his last three games, and the Oilers are hoping that he can break out of his funk against the Capitals. With Leon Draisaitl and James Neal also having great years, the Capitals will have their hands full. Even with the Oilers playing better under new coach Dave Tippett, are they running out of steam after such a good start?
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2
That does it for NHL predictions for October 24th, check back tomorrow for another edition.
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