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 Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks. This is the late game slate of NHL predictions. Be sure and check out the early games too.
Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks Predictions and More
Columbus Blue Jackets vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 0-0 Blues
This is the first of two matchups this season between the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues. This is the first game of back-to-backs for both teams. Columbus flies home to take on the Calgary Flames the next night while St. Louis has to fly to Minnesota to take on the Minnesota Wild. It has been a tough start to the season for the Blue Jackets. After losing Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel, and Sergei Bobrovsky in the off-season, nobody thought they would have a chance to compete for a playoff spot. Currently three points out of the final wild-card spot, the Blue Jackets are playing hard each and every game.
The Blues are still dealing with a Stanley Cup hangover, but are starting to turn things around. Unfortunately, the Blues will be without the services of Vladimir Tarasenko for up to five months after undergoing shoulder surgery. Over the past three games, you could see the Blues were struggling but found a way to win two hockey games. Even with the ups and downs of the season, the Blues remain third in the Central Division. St. Louis will want a win heading into a four-game road trip through Minnesota and Western Canada. Look for this game to be close with the Blues ultimately finding a way to win.
Prediction: Blues Win 3-2
Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-0 Stars
The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are meeting for the first of four matchups of this season. These two teams will see each other twice in five days. The Avalanche are dealing with injuries to their top line as Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog are out with lower-body injuries. The Avalanche secondary scoring will be tested in a tough Central Division matchup. However, unlike previous years, where the Avalanche relied on one line for scoring, this year they have depth on offense. With Nathan MacKinnon showing that he is a Hart Trophy Candidate, the Avalanche depth players have been stepping up to provide offense.
The Stars are trending in the right direction after a shaky start to the season. After only having two wins in the team’s first 10 games, the Stars have gotten three wins in the past four games. In their last game against the Wild, Dallas had to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win when Alexander Radulov recorded a hat trick. The Stars are finally starting to gel and finding the right mix on their lines. Joe Pavelski is at last settling into his role, while Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn are starting to produce again. Roope Hintz is becoming a superstar before our eyes, with Corey Perry providing veteran leadership. This will be a tight Central Division game that could need the extra period.
Prediction: Stars Win 4-3 in OT
Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-0 Ducks
This our NHL predictions featured late game of the night.
This is the first of four matchups between the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. The Canucks are traveling through California with stops in Anaheim and San Jose. Over the past 10 games, the Canucks are 8-1-1. While it is still early in the season, this is a test for the Canucks considering how well the Ducks are playing. With both teams in playoff positions, this will be one of the games of the night. Both teams are young and had no expectations coming into the season. Though the Canucks were further along than the Ducks were. Elias Pettersson has picked up where he left off, while Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller, and Quinn Hughes continue to excel at a high level.
The Ducks are at home for the next seven games. With a win already under their belts, the Ducks want to have a successful homestand. With games against other Pacific Division opponents, the Ducks could separate themselves in the standings even more. Adam Henrique remains on a tear for the Ducks leading the team with eight goals on the season. Even with the success, the Ducks are dealing with injuries. Josh Manson is out 5-10 weeks with an MCL sprain. While Ondrej Kase is day-to-day with a jaw injury and Hampus Lindholm is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. With the Ducks dealing with injuries can they stop the Canucks high powered offense?
Prediction: Canucks Win 4-2
Winnipeg Jets vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Jets 0-0 Sharks
This is the first of three meetings between the Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks. Neither team is off to the start they expected. However, the Jets are closer to the playoffs than the Sharks. Even with all the losses on defence, the Jets have the firepower on offence and goaltending to keep them in every game. However, injuries could be problematic as Patrik Laine will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury. Bryan Little will be a game-time decision. The Jets did receive some good news as Nathan Beaulieu shed the non-contact jersey and will be a nice addition to their defence.
The Sharks are in the midst of a three-game losing streak as they return home from their five-game road trip. Over the past five games, the Sharks have won one game. The loss of Pavelski is more than people thought it would be. Not only is the team missing his goal-scoring ability but his leadership as well. Goaltending continues to be an issue for the Sharks as Martin Jones and Aaron Dell have not made the big saves when the team needed them. Even with Logan Couture calling out the team, things have not gotten better. However, the Sharks play well at home and the injuries for the Jets are just too much for them to overcome.
Prediction: Sharks Win 4-3
That does it for NHL predictions for November 1st, check back tomorrow for another edition.
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