Welcome to NHL 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. Boston Bruins. This is the early game slate of NHL predictions. Be sure and check out the late games too.
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-0 Wild
This is the first of two meetings between the Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild. The Hurricanes are on the road for the next three games. Things started off right for Carolina with a 5-4 win on Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres. They look to continue that momentum into Minnesota. The Wild are a stingy team on home ice winning four of their previous five contests. Most recently the Wild came off a 3-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. On paper, the Hurricanes are the better team. However, the Wild have the talent to make this a closer game than people think. In the end, the talent of the Hurricanes prevails over the Wild.
Prediction: Hurricanes Win 4-2
Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 1-0 Kings
This is the second of four matchups between the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings. In the first matchup between these two teams, the Golden Knights came away with a 5-2 victory at the Staples Center. In that game, the Golden Knights offence came alive with two goals from Paul Stastny. However, recently the Golden Knights have come on some hard times having only one win in their last six contests. Vegas is a different team than they were in the first season. They had the players on their roster to play at a faster pace. Over the past two seasons, while the acquisitions have made the team better on paper, they have gotten slower on the ice.
Maybe the Kings could be what the just doctor ordered. However, it will not be easy as the Kings have won their last three games on home ice, including the last two in a row. In the end, the Golden Knights find a way to win this game.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 5-2
Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Stars 0-0 Oilers
This could have been one of three games that could be featured as our game of the night. This is the first of three matchups this season between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers. The Stars enter this contest with a record of 9-1-1 over their last 11 games. Dallas is in the midst of a four-game road trip through Western Canada. The Stars have picked up five points already including wins against the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. The Stars are getting back to playing good team first defensive hockey. The remarkable thing is they are doing it without Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn producing.
The Oilers, on the other hand, have gotten wins in three in their past four games. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are one of the best duos in the league. Can the Stars stop these two players to close out a successful road trip? This will be a fun game to watch.
Prediction: Stars Win 4-3 in OT
Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-0 Coyotes
This is the second of four meetings between the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes. This is the second time in a week these two teams have met. The Flames took the first game on home ice by a score of 4-3 in overtime. These two teams played a really close game. Look for the same in this contest as well. The Coyotes are coming home for a five-game homestand after a successful road trip and will want to get back to their winning ways. The Flames will have their minds elsewhere when they play this game. T.J. Brodie is out indefinitely after collapsing on Thursday during practice. He has been a crucial piece to the Flames defence. The Flames will need to watch out for Conor Garland. He continues to light up the scoresheet for the Coyotes after recording his team-leading ninth of the season.
Prediction: Coyotes Win 3-2
Winnipeg Jets vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Jets 0-0 Lightning
This is the first of two contests between the Winnipeg Jets and Tampa Bay Lightning. Both teams enter the game playing very well. The Jets have won three of their past four games. Tampa Bay is on a three-game winning streak. Winnipeg continues to play well despite all their injuries. Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Blake Wheeler, and others are stepping up when the game is on the line. Not to mention Connor Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit have been rock solid in net.
Tampa Bay found its identity for the first time this season. All it took was a trip to Europe to get back to playing Lightning hockey. In their first game back home, they dismantled the New York Rangers and they will want to carry that momentum in this afternoon tilt against the Jets.
Prediction: Lightning Win 4-3 in OT
Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-0 Sabres
This is the first of four matchups between the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres are reeling entering this contest. Buffalo has lost six straight games. This season when you see the Senators on the schedule a team thinks an easy two points. But that has not been the case recently. The Senators have won four of their last five games picking up 12 of the last 18 possible points. Their style of play may not be the most ideal to watch but it is winning games. They are labelled the ‘Pesky Sens’ for a reason. They will not back down and can get timely goals. Buffalo will need to watch out for Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Pageau has 11 goals on the season and is a plus 19 for the Senators. The Sabres will have their hands full considering their recent struggles.
Prediction: Sabres Win 3-2
New Jersey Devils vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Devils 0-0 Canadiens
This is the first of three matchups between the New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens. Both teams enter the contest coming off wins. The Devils beat the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday night by a score of 2-1. While the Canadiens beat the Capitals by a score of 5-2. Coming into the season, both teams were expected to compete for playoff spots. The Canadiens currently sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 11-5-3. Unfourantely the Devils have not lived up to expectations. The Devils sit last place in the Eastern Conference.
It will be an interesting game as Keith Kinkaid is expected to get crack at his former team. The Canadiens are one of those teams that will battle hard regardless of the score. They are never out of it. The Devils have blown six games this season. They have given up 25 goals in the third period. The tools are there to score and history is on the Devils side. However, one team is playing with more confidence than the other. Plus the Canadiens have won their past three home games on Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada.
Prediction: Canadiens Win 4-1
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-0 Penguins
Another option for the featured game for early NHL Predictions was the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins. This is the first meeting between these two teams. The next time these two teams meet will be a home and home series later on in the season. Neither team is playing great hockey as of late. Both teams are dealing with injuries to their respective rosters. The Maple Leafs are without Alexander Kerfoot and Mitch Marner, while the Penguins are without Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. The Penguins have lost two straight, while the Maple Leafs have now lost four straight games. Something has to give. Kasimir Kaskisuo will get his first NHL start against the Penguins. They are hoping he can deliver a solid performance. It will be interesting to see if the Penguins offence can get going without Crosby.
Prediction: Maple Leafs 3-2 in a shootout
That does it for NHL predictions for November 17th, check back tomorrow for another edition.
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