Welcome back to NHL Predictions, where the Last Word on Hockey team provides insight into all of today’s games. On Wednesday, December 18th’s edition of NHL Predictions, we’ll take a look at three games. Today’s featured game is the battle of the Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks.
NHL Predictions
Anaheim Ducks vs. New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Ducks 0-0 Devils
In the first game of today’s slate of our NHL Predictions, we will take a look at the contest between the Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils from the Prudential Center. Both teams from opposite conferences meet for the first time this season. The Devils have experienced a turbulent couple of weeks. Firstly, they fired John Hynes as their Head coach. Then the Devils had to endure a seven-game losing slide, before finally ending it on Saturday with a 2-1 over the Arizona Coyotes to finish their road trip.
The Devils handled the Coyotes a tiny consolation prize with trading Taylor Hall to Arizona. With 25 points, New Jersey occupies the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. They have won only four home tilts all season long. The Ducks, on the other hand, are not that great either. Anaheim sits well outside the playoff picture in the Western Conference. The wins are tough to come by for the Ducks as of late. They will play the back half of the back-to-back games, after playing in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Ducks have prevailed in three of their last five visits to New Jersey, including their last head-to-head meeting in January.
Prediction: Devils win 4-3 in overtime.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 2-0 Blackhawks
It’s the Wednesday Night Hockey featured game, as the Colorado Avalanche takes on the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center to renew their Central Division rivalry. The Avalanche saw their nine-game point streak snapped on Monday in a loss to the St. Louis Blues on the road. The Avs had a unique opportunity to take over the lead in the Western Conference, but the Blues prevailed.
Despite that loss on Monday, the Avalanche are still 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, which is largely impressive. The Blackhawks have won their most recent game on Sunday night at home against the red-hot Minnesota Wild. Before that thrilling 5-3 win, Chicago has lost four straight contests. They have only four victories in their last 14 games, as the Hawks sit well outside the playoff contention with only 32 points.
Following Thanksgiving, the Hawks and the Avs played home-and-home, back-to-back games. In both clashes, Colorado dominated overwhelmingly with a total score of 12-5. In their last five head-to-head meetings here at United Center, the Avalanche are 3-0-2. The main focus tonight will be on two superstars from each team. Chicago’s Patrick Kane has 40 points on the campaign, while Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon has 51 points this year.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-3.
Edmonton Oilers vs. St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-1 Blues
To conclude tonight’s piece of our NHL Predictions, we are headed to Enterprise Center, where the St. Louis Blues take on the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers snapped their four-game losing skid on Monday, winning 2-1 over the Dallas Stars on the road. Overall, the Oilers have only three wins in their last 10 games, which is their worst stretch of the campaign. However, Edmonton is still second in the Pacific Division with 42 points.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Blues, lead the Western Conference with 48 points. They secured to maintain that lead with a huge 5-2 win on Monday over the aforementioned Avalanche. After dropping three straight contests, St. Louis has responded with three consecutive triumphs on their home ice, including a remarkable comeback from a 3-0 deficit last weekend against the Blackhawks.
Their only head-to-head meeting this season concluded with a 5-2 win of the Blues in Edmonton. From their last three head-to-head contests here in St. Louis, the Blues won twice in a 7-2 and 8-3 fashion, while the Oilers stole one 3-2 overtime win.
Prediction: Blues win 3-2 in overtime.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
