Welcome back to NHL Predictions, January 28th edition! Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This is the late game slate of NHL Predictions. Be sure and check out the early games of NHL Predictions too.
NHL Predictions
Los Angeles Kings vs. Minnesota Wild
Head-to-head: Kings 1-2 Wild
The Los Angeles Kings face-off against the Minnesota Wild for the fourth time this season. Although the Wild have had the upper hand, each of these games has come down to the wire. With two of the matchups ending in overtime. The Kings versus Wild has made a new rivalry. That said, the match-up tonight in Minnesota is bound to be another tight one. Now that we are about seven games into the season, players are finding their groove once again. Especially Kirill Kaprizov making a name for himself early on. He has been extremely entertaining to watch on a team that could use it.
On the other side of the ice, the Kings come in hungrier than ever, as they sat around all off-season listening to how bad a team they would be. It seems that Anze Kopitar took that personally. Through seven games, Kopitar has scored 10 points, one goal and nine assists. With tons of young, energetic legs around, Kopitar has made the most of their situation as he is top ten in the league in points.
Prediction: Kings Win 5-3
Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars
Head-to-head: Red Wings 0-1 Stars
The Detroit Red Wings have looked way better than most people expected them to. However, we aren’t even a quarter through the season. The Red Wings will be a team that will make things difficult for their opponents every single night. Nonetheless, the Dallas Stars are still one of the better teams in the Discover Central Division, despite missing some of their star players for the foreseeable future. The Stars are a very deep team, while on the other hand, the Wings are still developing.
Even with Detroit’s young guns, like Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Filip Hronek, producing for the team, they still lack the needed depth and experience to contend with a team like Dallas. The Stars are a tough team to play against, with Miro Heiskanen, John Klingberg, and Esa Lindell on the back end. The Stars are extremely sound defensively and strike when it matters most.
Prediction: Dallas Wins 4-1
St. Louis Blues vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-head: Blues 1-0 Golden Knights
So far this season, the St. Louis Blues have struggled in their own defensive zone. Blues fans went into panic mode at the sign of Vince Dunn given a healthy scratch. The team is still one of the best in the Honda West Division. The Blues are only a couple of points behind the Vegas Golden Knights before tonight’s game. While the Blues have not played their best games, they are still finding ways to win during a shortened season where the wins matter even more. It should be quite the battle between the two best teams in the division going head-to-head.
Back over in the desert. The Golden Knights have been exactly what everyone thought they were. An absolute powerhouse of a team. With one of the deepest teams in the league and the best goalie tandem out there with Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner. The Golden Knights are Stanley Cup Finals or bust, at this point.
Prediction: Vegas Wins 3-2
San Jose Sharks vs. Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-head: Sharks 0-1 Avalanche
It is strange to say, but the Colorado Avalanche has not been the dominant team that most of us expected. With a 4-3 record, Colorado seems to play at the level of the competition. Known for being the high-flying, fast-paced team that will take it to you every night, they have been inconsistent. Instead, they struggle to control the game’s pace, something they should have no problem doing. Regardless, it is no secret that the Avalanche hasn’t played up to par, but that doesn’t mean they can’t turn it around.
With that said, the San Jose Sharks only have one win during regulation, and I’m sure they would love another as they head into Colorado tonight. The last time these two teams faced off, the Sharks took a beating. Hopefully, tonight’s match-up will be much closer than before.
Prediction: Colorado Wins 5-1
Anaheim Ducks vs. Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-head: Ducks 1-o Coyotes
The Anaheim Ducks have struggled to find the back of the net this season. Through their first seven games, the team has scored only 12 goals. Leaving them 28 out of the 31 teams in scoring. Although they do not have issues in their defensive zone, it isn’t easy to win games if you can’t score. With that, they may find a way to get lucky tonight. So far through the season, the Arizona Coyotes allow an Expected Goals-Against of 9.6, according to Hockey-Refernce.com, which leaves them within the top five for most Expected Goals-Against.
Prediction: Arizona Wins 4-3
Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-head: Ottawa 0-2 Vancouver
The Ottawa Senators will play against the Vancouver Canucks for just the second time this season. The Canucks have taken a one to nothing series advantage with an impressive 7-1 win over Ottawa earlier this week. With all these teams playing on a more consistent basis than ever before, games are destined to fluctuate as the season progresses. While the Senators did get blown out last time these two played against each other, tonight’s results will be much different.
Both teams are at the top of the list regarding goals against Ottawa 27th of 31 and Vancouver 31 of 31. Tonight’s match-up has all the making of a ‘point night’ for the ice players. It could be a long night for the netminders on both ends, with Braden Holtby, Thatcher Demko, and Matt Murray all have yet to play up to expectations.
Prediction: Ottawa Wins 5-4
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-head: Maple Leafs 1-1 Oilers
The Auston Matthews versus Connor McDavid saga continues tonight. The first match-up between these two did not go as many were hoping. Tonight’s game should be a joy to watch, despite the late start time for those on the east coast, with the Toronto Maple Leafs atop the Scotia North Divison standings, achieved by scoring. As the fourth highest-scoring team in the league, the Maple Leafs have no shortage of players who can produce. With Mitch Marner leading the charge on the front end, the Maple Leafs go into Edmonton as the undoubted favourites.
On the other side of the ice, Leon Draisaitl, McDavid, and the rest of the Edmonton Oilers team will lay down for no one. With the team not getting the results they have wanted, things must be getting frustrated within the Oilers locker room. With Mike Smith out until at least February 6th, the Oilers need help in between the pipes. As a team that allows the second-most goals against in the NHL. Tonight’s game against the Oilers should be a fun one.
Prediction: Toronto wins 4-3
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