Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team 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 Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche. This is the late game slate of NHL Predictions. Be sure and check out the early games of NHL Predictions too.
NHL Predictions
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0 – 0 Senators
This is the first meeting between Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators of the season. Both teams are near the bottom of the standings. Chicago hits the road for three games through Ontario and Quebec. While Chicago still has the name power on the roster but they are rebuilding. With Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Alexander Nylander, Jonathan Toews, and Dylan Strome driving the offence, they are still deadly team offensively. However, defensively is another story. The one constant this season is their goaltending of Corey Crawford and Robin Lehner. Lehner used to play for the Senators and he would love to get some revenge on his former team.
Like the Blackhawks, the Senators sit near the bottom of the standings. The Senators are clearly in rebuild mode, but they continue to play hard each and every night. They are called the “Pesky Sens” for a reason. Anthony Duclair and Jean-Gabriel Pageau have been great this season for the Senators. They are one-two in points for Ottawa. Not to mention they have a great young nucleus that includes Thomas Chabot and Brady Tkachuk. This will be one of those games that will not keep you on the edge of your seat.
Prediction: Senators Win 3-2.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Jets 1-0 Canucks
This is the second meeting of the season between the Vancouver Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets took the first meeting of the season by a score of 4-1. This is one of the matchups in the Western Conference on Tuesday night. With the teams separated only being separated by mere points, this is a big contest for both teams. A loss could slide the Canucks out of the playoffs, while a win for the Jets could propel them into the playoff picture.
Both teams bring high powered offences into this matchup. On one side Vancouver has Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, and Quinn Hughes. While Winnipeg has Patrik Laine, Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Kyle Connor. Not to mention the goaltending matchup will be fun to watch as well. Vancouver enters winners of two straight, while Winnipeg enters the game losers of two straight. Something has to give and which team will be more desperate to win once the puck gets dropped.
Prediction: Jets Win 4-3.
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Stars 3 – 0 Avalanche
This our NHL predictions featured late game of the night.
This is the fourth and final meeting between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche. Heading into the final matchup of the year, the Stars are looking to sweep the season series with the Avalanche. In the first three games of the season, the Stars outscored the Avalanche by a total of 9-4. All three games earlier in the season were real close. The Stars and Avalanche are separated by one point in the standings. With four points on the line in this game, expect both teams to come out swinging. So this will be one of those games you will want to keep your eyes all night long.
Entering the game, the Stars have won six of their last seven games. Dallas is finishing up a four-game road trip and would like to head back home with a winning record. Colorado, on the other hand, enters the game losers of three straight. After adjusting to their first game back after a road-trip, look for the Avalanche to come out firing. Both teams are deep on offence. Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, Jamie Benn, and Roope Hintz are all stepping up. Any time a team has Nathan MacKinnon on its team, they are never out of a game. Not to mention guys like Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen, Joonas Donskoi, and Nazem Kadri continue to produce for the Avalanche. It will come down to which goalie can keep their composure.
Prediction: Stars Win 3-2 in Overtime.
Nashville Predators vs. Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Predators 0 – 0 Oilers
This is the first of three meetings between the Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers. The Predators got a new lease on life after firing head coach Peter Laviolette. Under new head coach John Hynes, the Predators have a record of 2-1. The goaltending has gotten a little better since Hynes took over. Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros are making the timely saves necessary for the Predators to win. Even though the Predators are playing better, there are still some problems. The Predators won their first two games on this three-game road trip. They want to end the trip with a win. However, it will not be easy.
Waiting for them when the puck drops are the Connor McDavid led Oilers. With Oilers holding one of the two wild-card spots in the Western Conference, this is a must-win game. With the Predators only four-points back of the Oilers, Edmonton knows a win on Tuesday night could be a big blow the Predators playoff chances. However, one thing going against the Oilers is the fact they are returning home after a five-game road trip which concluded on Saturday in Calgary. While the time zone difference may not make a difference. Not having Zack Kassian in the lineup will. Though anytime you have McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on your team you are never out of it.
Prediction: Predators Win 4-2.
San Jose Sharks vs. Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Sharks 1 – 1 Coyotes
This is the third of four meetings on the season between the San Jose Sharks and Arizona Coyotes. The teams split the first two meetings earlier in the season. Even though the Sharks are bottom dwellers this season, they are playing better as of late. They could play spoiler for teams in the Western Conference. With their next three games coming against teams in the playoffs, they have a chance to pull off an upset in this game.
The Coyotes will need to watch out as they enter this matchup losers three straight games. Meanwhile, the Sharks have won two straight entering this game. If the Coyotes want to be a true contender in the West, this is a game they can’t lose. On paper, the Coyotes are the better team as they have an x-factor in Taylor Hall. Hall has been great since coming over via trade from New Jersey in November. The question will be can the Coyotes continue to play well despite injuries to their goaltending.
Prediction: Coyotes Win 4-3.
That does it for NHL Predictions for the late games for Tuesday, January 14th
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