Here are today’s NHL 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 Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators. That does it for the late edition of NHL Predictions. Be sure to check out the early games right here.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Islanders 2-0 Senators
The New York Islanders are looking to bounce back in a big way. They have lost four games in a row and desperately need a win to get things back on track. Any game against the Ottawa Senators this season gives them an opportunity to rewrite the script. The Islanders are still in the thick of the playoff race and need every win they can get to keep other wild card contenders at bay.
The one good thing to say about the Senators this season is that they aren’t the Detroit Red Wings. Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot have provided a reason to be optimistic about the future of the franchise. There is even more promise when you consider this team has three draft selections in the first round, four in the second, and two in the third. Those nine selections are key to rebuilding this franchise.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-1
Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Stars 2-0 Predators
This is the NHL Predictions featured late game of the night
The second-place spot in the Central Division belonged to the Dallas Stars for a while but thanks to a hot streak by the Colorado Avalanche, they find themselves in third. While it is still great they have the playoff spot, they have to continue to play hard. Not much is out of reach for this team yet and a string of wins paired with losses by the Avs could find this team with a more positive playoff outlook.
Many people may have written off the Nashville Predators due to their early-season struggles. Now they just sit two points away from tying the two wild card teams. This team has found major success recently and clearly hope they can turn this into a playoff berth. The odds are in this team’s favour to make it into the dance. And as we all know, all you have to do is get in. Once you make the cut, anything can happen.
Prediction: Stars win 3-2
Edmonton Oilers vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-1 Blackhawks
The Edmonton Oilers are another team on a hot streak. Leon Draisaitl has been sensational alongside Connor McDavid. While it sounds odd to mention Draisaitl first, note that he did have a four-goal, five-point outing against the Predators just the other night. While McDavid is clearly the generational talent on this roster, Draisaitl gives this team one of the best second center options. It is somewhat reminiscent of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
The playoffs are technically not out of reach for the Chicago Blackhawks. It will be incredibly difficult for them to make it in, however. Chicago is starting to regain some of the young talent they need to be competitive in the new decade. But this is not a team that is ready to compete for a title. With more additions this offseason, they could turn the corner and return to greatness next season.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-1
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-To-Head: Maple Leafs 1-0 Kings
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a very Jekyll and Hyde kind of team. You never know what team you are going to get on any given night. They can be so incredibly dynamic in the offensive end that no one can stop them. Or they can lay an egg and not score all game. In order to be taken as a more serious threat, they need to find a way to play consistently night in and night out. While their blue line has been ravaged with injuries, this team still needs to find ways to remain a contender.
The Los Angeles Kings have three second-round picks in the upcoming draft. The front office needs to capitalize on those selections. If they can do that effectively, this team could be set for a few years. They need to make this rebuild work to their advantage though. In a tough market like Los Angeles, fans expect to win and this is a franchise that simply cannot afford to undergo a long rebuild, especially with such success in the not too distant past.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 3-1
Minnesota Wild vs San Jose Sharks
Head-To-Head: Wild 0-2 Sharks
The Minnesota Wild have emulated the Nashville Predators. Things did not look good at the start of the season and everyone feared the worst for this franchise. They have since been more competitive and are only one point away from a playoff spot. If they can continue to play solid hockey over the next month, there won’t be questions about if they can make it. The only question will be about who they will be facing in the first round.
Of all the NHL teams in California, the San Jose Sharks have been the best. That doesn’t mean much when that is still third to last place in the Western Conference. Patrick Marleau has left again via trade. Joe Thornton seems disconnected as he searches for the ever-elusive championship title. Things have not been good for this team. The only promising thing is that they still have two elite blue-liners in Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson.
Prediction: Wild win 2-1
That does it for today’s NHL Predictions. Be sure to check back tomorrow for another slate of games.
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