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 Florida Panthers vs Montreal Canadiens. This is the early game slate of NHL Predictions. Be sure and check out the late games of NHL Predictions too.
NHL Predictions
Vancouver Canucks vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0 – 0 Islanders
The Vancouver Canucks are in a dogfight for first in the Pacific. Each and every game means everything to them. Today, they will be in tough against a defensive-minded New York Islanders team. The Canucks are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and find themselves at the top of the Pacific. However, they only have five or fewer points separating themselves from fifth in the division. Losing streaks at this point of the year are not an option and Vancouver knows that. They have won four straight and will look to keep the ball rolling today. The East Coast swing may be tough as this is a 10 am start local time.
For the Islanders, they come into today struggling a bit more. A respectable 4-4-2, they have slipped in their division with teams right on their tail. It is crucial they start picking up more wins if they want to keep their playoff spot intact. The Metro is one of the most highly competitive divisions in hockey. All of the points are massive. The Islanders will have to use their strong defence and counter-attack to beat the high-powered Vancouver Canucks today.
Prediction: Canucks win 4-2.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1 – 0 Sabres
This is a matchup of two teams feeling very differently right now. The Columbus Blue Jackets have shocked the league and are absolutely rolling. In a playoff spot when many doubted they’d be anywhere close, the Jackets have won six in a row. They are playing a very tight team game and John Tortorella is being talked about as a potential coach of the year candidate. This team works hard from line one to four. They bring it to each game and nothing less should be expected here.
As for the Buffalo Sabres, they have lost three in a row and are 5-5-0 in their last 10. This has almost eliminated any chance of playoffs they had this year. Fans are sick and rightfully so. Even Jack Eichel showed his utter frustration against Montreal the other night. Jeff Skinner is not doing anything near enough to earn his nine million dollar price tag and the depth scoring has once again been enough. What has been a disappointing year for Buffalo may continue here today.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 3-0.
Florida Panthers vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Panthers 1 – 0 Canadiens
This is the NHL Predictions game of the day to keep an eye on. An absolutely crucial game for both teams. The Florida Panthers have a team nipping at their heals as they look to climb the Atlantic division standings. However, the Montreal Canadiens need this game to stay alive. Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled for Florida this year but if he can become more consistent, which he has started to, they will be dangerous. They have won six in a row and boast one of the most underrated offences in the league.
Montreal, on the other hand, finds themselves in a Buffalo situation. They have had two eight-game losing streaks this year and that has killed a lot of possible playoff momentum. Montreal needs this game if they want any hope in playoffs. They are very close to the point of not being able to see any kind of way in. This is a huge game and it should be interesting to see how being played at 2 pm effects it.
Prediction: Montreal wins 5-4 in Overtime.
Dallas Stars vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Stars 1 – 0 Devils
The Dallas Stars look to get two points here in this game. They are pretty comfortably in a playoff spot right now but will want to improve their divisional standings. Ben Bishop has been unreal this year and the Dallas defence as a team has been outstanding. They don’t give much of anything up and it is tough to try and breakthrough to score many goals on them. However, they also don’t score too much either. If this stays a low scoring game, Dallas will win.
The New Jersey Devils are in a rebuilding year. They already traded Taylor Hall and may do more selling soon. It is not shocking to see them near the bottom of the standings as they will look for yet another high pick to help them. For this game, they may have a hard time scoring. Jack Hughes is becoming more comfortable in the NHL but isn’t lighting it up. Nico Hischier is a great player but can’t carry a team. Look for New Jersey to struggle here tonight.
Prediction: Stars win 2-1.
St. Louis Blues vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Blues 2 – 0 Jets
The St. Louis Blues will look to get back on the right path on Saturday. It’s been a wary road-trip across Canada for them, as they’ve struggled to find their groove since the All-Star Game. Of the three games they’ve played since the break, they only have one performance to truly be proud of. That would be their battle with the Vancouver Canucks, the first game back, where they still managed to lose the game on the back of one of Vancouver’s best performances of the year. St. Louis is now 5-5-2 in their last 12 games: a far cry from their usual dominant selves.
Luckily, the Blues will face off against, arguably, Canada’s worst team: the Winnipeg Jets. While the Jets have done a good job of staying relevant in a very competitive Western Conference, they’re starting to slip. In their last 12 games, they’ve gone 3-8-1. This includes Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins where the Jets were completely stifled offensively. Winnipeg should be worried as they turn to face a Blues team that draws a lot of parallels to Boston. While there is no telling exactly what will happen, with the Blues recent struggles, they clearly have the advantage in this matchup. This is only emphasized considering Friday’s loss to the Edmonton Oilers. St. Louis has only lost back-to-back games 10 times this year, a fairly modest tally. They’re seeing red as they head into Winnipeg and will do their best to assure they leave happy.
Prediction: Blues win 3-1.
New York Rangers vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Rangers 1 – 0 Red Wings
The New York Rangers have slipped as of late and have found themselves pretty far outside of the playoffs. They will need to decide if they sell this deadline or not. However, they will be focused on points for now. These two teams played last night and will play again tonight. So, rest won’t be a factor for either team in this game. New York needs these points if they wish to even have a chance this season. They will come out desperate for a win tonight.
The Detroit Red Wings are brutal this year. Going into Friday, they had lost six in a row and were 2-7-1. The team is rebuilding and this is hopefully the valley for them. The pain is real this year as the team has struggled to find many points at all. They look to play spoiler here tonight. Dylan Larkin is someone you can’t take lightly and Robby Fabbri has been a great addition. Look for the Rangers to try and use their speed and skill to win this game though.
Prediction: Rangers win 5-2.
Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Senators 0 – 1 Leafs
The Ottawa Senators are coming off of a game last night so they are at a bit of a disadvantage. However, it is the battle of Ontario and both teams are sure to bring their all here tonight. The Senators never back down from a big game like this. They have struggled this year but they bring a lot of bite. Brady Tkachuk is a huge pest and effective, Anthony Duclair has found his scoring touch, and Thomas Chabot loves playing against Toronto. Look for Ottawa to bring their all tonight.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have come out of the break hot. Winning their first two games and they look to keep it rolling here. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have been great together. While William Nylander is having a career year. Toronto will be comfortable in playing a fast pace game here tonight and if that happens they should come out on top. Michael Hutchinson will get the start as he looks to gain some confidence.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 6-4.
That’s all for NHL Predictions. Tune in tomorrow for more.
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