Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Every day Last Word on Hockey brings you a prediction and analysis of every game on the schedule. In the late-games edition of the December 31st NHL Predictions, we’ll cover six games. There will also be a featured game on that is must-watch hockey. Today’s NHL Predictions featured game is the Colorado Avalanche vs the Winnipeg Jets.
Be sure to also check out the early game NHL Predictions to stay informed.
NHL Predictions
Detroit Red Wings vs. San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0-1 Sharks
This game features two of the lowest-ranked teams in the NHL. Fans of both teams should be cheering for their team to lose this game, as both need plenty of help and a top draft-pick would help. The Detroit Red Wings are on a six-game losing streak. The San Jose Sharks won their last game, but are 2-7-1 in their previous 10. With two teams this bad, it’s really hard to say who will come out on top. San Jose has more talent on their roster, so they get the win here.
Prediction: Sharks win 4-1.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1-0 Jets
The Colorado Avalanche are facing adversity at the moment but still sit as one of the best teams in the league. Cale Makar is back from an injury, which should provide a boost for the Western-Conference contenders. The recent stretch has put them 8 points behind for first-place in the Central Division. Even with all the negatives, the Avalanche roster remains elite. Nathan MacKinnon is once again one of the best players in the league which gives them a chance in any game.
The Winnipeg Jets have continued to struggle in recent games. Winnipeg has lost three straight games and is 4-5-1 in their last 10. Winnipeg has had a hard time keeping the puck out of the net, an attribute that was a large contributor to their early-season success. Against a high-powered Colorado offence, the streak should continue to four straight losses.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-2.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Kings 0-0 Flyers
The Los Angeles Kings continue to struggle through the 2019-20 season. They’ve been getting better defence as of late, limiting opponents to three goals or less in four of their last five games. Though this serves as an improvement, the offence has not progressed at a similar rate. The Kings have a hard time scoring goals and have for years. That has continued as Los Angeles fails to get consistent contributions from any of their forwards.
Despite being in a wildcard position, the Philadelphia Flyers are a team that has exceeded expectations in 2019-20. The team is playing much better under their new head coach, Alain Vigneault. They’re getting strong goal-tending from Carter Hart. The defence is smothering opponents as of late, limiting their opponent to just one goal in four of their last six games. The Flyers are currently in the midst of a West-Coast road trip, so they may be a fatigued team. The Kings, however, do not score a lot of goals and have struggled all season. Philadelphia should win this game too.
Prediction: Flyers win 3-1
Calgary Flames vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-0 Blackhawks
The Calgary Flames have been much less consistent over the last couple of weeks after their hot start with a new coach. The Flames have earned just two victories over their last seven games. They have been held to two goals or less in four of these five losses. The Flames should have a high-powered offence and need to score a lot more than their meagre output over the last several games.
The Chicago Blackhawks are another team that don’t have many positive notes. They have won three of their last four games, but the lone loss was an embarrassing 7-1 loss against the New Jersey Devils. Patrick Kane remains one of the most consistent scorers in the league, but Chicago just isn’t a great team. The Flames should get back on track against a weaker opponent.
Prediction: Flames win 5-2.
Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-0 Rangers
There isn’t much to discuss that hasn’t already been said about the Edmonton Oilers. Refer to all the other prediction pieces that involve them. They have two of the best players in the world, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and not much else. They play well when those two are on fire, but even world-class play can’t hide their problems forever. They’ve lost four of their last five games.
The New York Rangers have made tangible progress in the 2019-20 season. They sit third-last in a tougher-than-expected Metropolitan Division. They’ve found their bonafide star in Artemi Panarin. Panarin has logged 51 points in 38 games with a balanced attack of 21 goals and 30 assists. The Rangers have victories in three of their last four games, two of these being against solid teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes. The rebuild in New York isn’t done, but it’s well on its way.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2.
Arizona Coyotes vs. St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0-0 Blues
The Arizona Coyotes are sputtering after an impressive start to the year. After an injury to goaltender Darcy Kuemper, the team has lost three games in a row. The slide has resulted in a tumble down the standings with the Coyotes dropping from first place in the Pacific division to third. Goaltending hasn’t been stellar for Arizona in Kuemper’s absence, but the real problem has been goal-scoring. In the last three games, the Coyotes have scored just five goals. New acquisition Taylor Hall has just one point in those three games. The Coyotes have to right the ship now or risk falling further behind in the division race.
On the other hand, the St. Louis Blues continue to lead their division and are putting together an impressive follow-up season to their Stanley Cup run. The Blues currently hold the longest winning streak in the NHL with 8 straight victories. Their defence continues to be their calling card as St. Louis has held opponents to two goals or less in six of the last 8 games. The Blues are still without their star scoring-threat in Vladimir Tarasenko and will have to continue limiting goals-against to continue this winning stretch. This shouldn’t be too hard against a struggling Coyotes squad.
Prediction: Blues win 3-1.
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