Welcome back to NHL Predictions, where the Last Word on Hockey team provides insight into all of today’s games. On Wednesday, February 26th’s edition of NHL Predictions, we’ll take a look at three games. Today’s featured game is a battle between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs. Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-1 Avalanche
The playoff race tightens up as the Buffalo Sabres take on the Colorado Avalanche. Before the NHL Trade Deadline, the Sabres were able to acquire Wayne Simmonds but traded away Conor Sheary and Evan Rodrigues. Nevertheless, the Sabres were only six points out of the playoff spot in the Atlantic Division with one game in hand before the Trade Deadline. Earlier this month, the Avalanche defeated the Sabres in Buffalo. Since then, Buffalo went 6-2-1 in nine games pushing towards the playoff frame.
Colorado has distinctly different issues than Buffalo. With 79 points in the Western Conference, the Avalanche try to chase the leading St. Louis Blues. The Avs have three games in hand on St. Louis. Following a rather miserable 2-2-1 five-game homestand, the Avs swept California with two wins over Anaheim and Los Angeles giving up only one goal in total. The Avalanche have won seven of their last eight head-to-head matches at home versus Buffalo.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-3.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Penguins 1-0 Kings
For the second, and final time, this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Los Angeles Kings. The Penguins have surrendered the first spot in the Metropolitan Division to the Washington Capitals, being chased by the Flyers for the second spot. However, the Pens have two games in hand on both teams. The Penguins solidified their chances of winning the Division after a busy Trade Deadline.
The Kings have nothing to play for in the final weeks of the regular season. With 50 points, Los Angeles occupies the last spot in the Western Conference. They are currently penultimate in the entire League. Nevertheless, the Kings have done rather good in their last few games, going 3-2-1 in their past six contests. In their last seven head-to-head contests, the Penguins went 4-2-1, while the Kings went 3-2-2.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-2.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-0 Golden Knights
In the final game of our NHL Predictions, we are headed to Las Vegas, where the Vegas Golden Knights host the Edmonton Oilers. This should be a quality duel of two top teams in the Pacific Division. It seems like the Golden Knights have finally found their stride as they have won six straight games. In February, the Golden Knights went 5-0-1 in their six home contests. With the recent stretch of a great level of hockey, Vegas has climbed all the way to the top spot in the Pacific Division with 76 points.
On the other hand, the Oilers have hit an injury bug. That´s why they have approached the Trade Deadline aggressively with the acquisitions of Mike Green, Tyler Ennis or Andreas Athanasiou. Edmonton has also received its captain Connor McDavid back from the injury. Despite recent injuries, the Oilers went 5-2-1 in their most recent eight games. Both teams have met once this season, with the Oilers taking a 4-2 decision in Vegas. In their five head-to-head matches in Vegas, the Golden Knights are 3-1-1.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 3-2 in overtime.
Main Photo:
