Here are today’s NHL Game Day Predictions. Daily, Last Word on Hockey brings you a prediction and analysis of every game on the schedule. This will also feature a significant game on the schedule that is must-watch hockey. Today’s featured game is the Tampa Bay Lightning vs Winnipeg Jets.
NHL Predictions Including Tampa Bay Lightning vs Winnipeg Jets
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings
Head to Head: Penguins 1-0 Red Wings
The Pittsburgh Penguins continued to win games without Sidney Crosby but now he has returned to the lineup and restores the dominance of Pittsburgh’s offence. All eyes should be placed on Evgeni Malkin in the meantime. With Crosby absent from the lineup, Malkin averaged 1.46 points per game. For reference, his career average is 1.18 points per game. It should be interesting to see if he can continue scoring at a breakneck pace now that another dynamic offensive weapon is available to the Penguins.
The Detroit Red Wings can’t seem to catch a break. This week alone they have been thrashed by the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders. Now they have to face a deadly Pittsburgh team with a refreshed Sidney Crosby. Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi can’t do it all on their own. If the other players on the roster don’t step up and show they are deserving of being on an NHL roster, they will continue to be overlooked by nearly every other team.
Prediction: Penguins wins 5-1
Anaheim Ducks vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head to Head: Ducks 1-0 Hurricanes
These Ducks don’t look very mighty and could very well get blown away in a storm tonight. The Anaheim Ducks are miles away from even sniffing postseason play. They are sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference and have a lot of work to do to get back into contention. Ryan Getzlaf needs to do something to spark this team. He has carried the team, leading in points scored. Either their captain needs to step up and do something to motivate their talent, or this team will find themselves selling at the trade deadline.
Every game matters for the Carolina Hurricanes. While they currently hold the top wild card slot in the Eastern Conference, a pair of losses could find them on the outside looking in as the wild card fight is extremely tight. Dougie Hamilton has proven why the Hurricanes won the trade with Calgary as he has been one of the best offensive blue-liners this season. If he continues producing, Carolina has nothing to worry about to keep themselves afloat in the playoff race.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Winnipeg Jets
Head to Head: Lightning 0-1 Jets
The Lightning are looking to ground the Jets tonight and the likelihood of offensive fireworks is high. It took them quite some time, but the Tampa Bay Lightning have finally found their groove. What appeared to be a very disappointing season has turned itself around. Winning 11 of their last 12 games have jettisoned them from the middle of the pack team to second place in the Atlantic Division. If they continue this pace they will be the top seed in the East, without a doubt.
Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine have certainly earned the contracts the Winnipeg Jets gave them this offseason. With 47 and 43 points respectively, they are two of the top three scorers for Winnipeg. Their production has been key to getting Winnipeg right on the line of the playoffs as they hold the second wild card in the Western Conference. One thing that is certain is that their top scorers can be dangerous on any night and Tampa Bay needs to be on their toes.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-3
That does it for today’s NHL Predictions. Be sure to check back tomorrow for another slate of games.
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