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 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals. This is the early game slate of NHL Predictions. Be sure and check out the late games of NHL Predictions too.
NHL Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Penguins 1 – 0 Capitals
This is the NHL Predictions featured early game of the night
How fitting is that when the schedule came out the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals would be playing each other with so much on the line. With these two teams battling for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division, these two bitter playoff rivals again meet on a nationally televised game. and with both teams not playing their best lately, this even adds more intrigue. While some may say they are tired of the same old teams on NBC, but when it comes down to it, you will be watching. And why not when two of the best players in the game in Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin meet it is always special.
The Penguins took the first meeting in a wild affair by a score of 4-3 just three weeks ago. With both teams playing Saturday night and such a quick turnaround for a Sunday afternoon game it will be interesting to the see the level of play these two teams bring. As it currently stands the Penguins hold the edge over the Capitals for the top spot, but that could all change after Sunday. With the Penguins adding Jason Zucker and the Capitals adding Brenden Dillon, will these teams add even more pieces to make another run at the Stanley Cup?
Prediction: Capitals Win 3-2
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 1 – 1 Stars
Another big-time divisional matchup this time in the Central Division between the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars. The two teams split the first two games of the season. However, this is a story of two teams going into different directions. While the Stars have their sites set on the playoffs, the Blackhawks are in a position being a seller. However, over the past several days, it feels like they are a team looking to make a run rather than selling off pieces. Chicago is always tough especially with the likes Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Brandon Saad, and others on offence. Plus when it comes to this division they always play tough games.
Meanwhile the Stars can ill-afford another divisional game. They will want to have a better showing after their loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday. Dallas had a chance to make a statement but fell short again. However, a win tonight will increase their lead for the third place in the division. It is nice to see Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry starting to produce for the Stars. They are gonna need them down the stretch. The Stars just have to face facts that Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn will never be the same players that produced all those years ago. Just too many inconsistencies.
Prediction: Stars Win 4-3
Winnipeg Jets vs. Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Jets 0 – 0 Sabres
This is a big game for the Winnipeg Jets. As they continue to battle for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference this is a game they must win. The Jets can ill-afford to throw away two points to a non-playoff team. Coming off a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Jets will be a tired hockey club. But the Jets have the talent to get the bounce-back victory. Not to mention head coach Paul Maurice won’t allow. With names like Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, and Blake Wheeler, they have more than enough weapons to win. And after adding two players for depth, expect the Jets to do more as they climb towards the playoffs.
All the Buffalo Sabres are doing are looking to play the role of spoiler. Buffalo was able to knock off the mighty Penguins on Saturday, can they win again against another team in playoff contention. While Jack Eichel has been amazing, Jeff Skinner has not lived up to the contract he signed the with Sabres in the off-season. Even though he snapped his 22-game goalless drought, they needed more from him in order to be in playoff contention. If the Jets want to prove to the Western Conference they are a playoff, they must beat the Sabres on Sunday.
Prediction: Jets Win 4-1
San Jose Sharks vs. New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Sharks 1 – 0 Islanders
This is the second and final meeting between the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders. In the first matchup, the Sharks snapped the Islanders winning streak, but playing the night before against the New York Rangers, this will be a tough task to repeat. There are so much questions surrounding what the Sharks will do at the trade deadline especially around Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Not to mention the injuries the Sharks are deadline with. It is all about building towards next season for San Jose.
The New York Islanders are looking to remain in the race for one of the guaranteed spots in a tough Metro Division. With Flyers over taking them in the standings, the Islanders need to make it two wins in a row against teams not in playoff contention. In addition, the Islanders are looking to add their offence that has Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson, and others. The Islanders remain great defensively, but goaltending has been so-so as of late. The Islanders just need to play their game to beat a tired hockey team.
Prediction: Islanders Win 3-1
That does it for NHL Predictions for the early games for February 23rd.
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