Welcome back to NHL Predictions, February 5th 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 slate of NHL Predictions for February 5th. Be sure and check out the NHL Predictions for tomorrow too.
NHL Predictions
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-3 Bruins
This is the fourth meeting of these two East Division teams, and the Boston Bruins have got the Flyers numbers thus far. The Beantown boys have won a game in a shootout, an overtime contest, and a blowout of 6-1 back on January 23rd. It goes without saying that the Flyers will be seeking revenge for this game. The Bruins are led by guess who? Patrice Bergeron (6-G, 9-A), Brad Marchand (6-G, 8-A), and Nick Ritchie (4-G, 5-A).
In net Tuukka Rask (.888 save percentage, 2.57 goals-against-average) has been outplayed a bit by Jaroslav Halak (.923 save percentage, 1.72 goals-against-average). The duo has the Bruins placed sixth in goals against with a 2.30 average. If (and that’s a huge condition) you can control the Bruins top line, you have a shot. Now that David Pastrnak is back that line is trouble for any opponent. Pasta has five goals and two assists in just three games.
The Philadelphia Flyers have played three straight overtime games, winning two. They lost the last overtime match when Bergeron tallied the winner just 31 seconds into the overtime stanza. The Flyers need to solve the Bruins offensive firepower, but it won’t be easy. The Flyers are led by James van Riemsdyk (5-G, 10-A), Kevin Hayes (6-G, 5-A), and Jakub Voracek (3-G, 8-A). In goal, they are led by Carter Hart with a 4-2-2 record. He has gathered a .898 save percentage and a 3.42 goals-against-average. His backup Brian Elliott has been impressive with a 3-0 record. His .932 save percentage and 2.22 goals-against-average is excellent.
This game will be a bruising affair with two very physical teams. This will be a battle for first place in the East Division and it should be a good one.
Prediction: Bruins prevail 4-2.
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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Lightning 1-0 Red Wings
This game will be lopsided. The Tampa Bay Lightning are 6-1-1 and on a three-game winning streak. While their opponent may be on a seven-game losing streak, they can’t let up. The reigning Stanley Cup champs are led by Steven Stamkos (4-G, 6-A), Victor Hedman (3-G, 7-A), and Braden Point (4-G, 5-A). In net, their anchor Andrei Vasilevskiy has been as reliable as ever. His 1.99 goals-against-average coupled with his stellar .927 save percentage has paced the Lightning through eight games.
The Detroit Red Wings on the other hand have not being playing very inspiring hockey. They have dropped seven straight games and playing the Lightning has to discourage them. They do have some offensive possibilities with Dylan Larkin contributing four goals and five assists. Tyler Bertuzzi has five goals in nine games but the team’s lack of defensive prowess has hurt them. This is the second game in the typical back-to-back games. Detroit will unfortunately continue their losing ways.
Predictions: Lightning win 4-0.
Florida Panthers vs. Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-1 Predators
This is the second game in the back-to-back series with the Nashville Predators edging the Florida Panthers on Thursday night 6-5 in overtime. Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene each tallied two goals to pace the Preds. Forsberg had the game winner, and leads the team in goals with six. On the Florida side Jonathan Huberdeau had the hat trick in vain. These two teams seem evenly matched and this game will again be close.
The Predators showed some comeback ability as they trialed 5-3 with a little over two minutes left in the game. Roman Josi got one back at the 17:54 mark. Duchene tied it on a power play score with 57 seconds remaining in regulation. Florida has yet to lose in regulation through seven games, so this one could be vital to keep that streak alive.
Panthers will claw their way to a victory in this one.
Prediction: Panthers win 5-4.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Kings 0-0 Golden Knights
The Los Angeles Kings head to Vegas with a 3-4-2 record good for eight points and a seventh place position in the West Division. Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with just one goal, but 11 assists. His playmaking ability helps when he’s on the ice. The Kings average 2.89 goals a game but have been giving up 3.22 tallies per contest. In goal Jonathan Quick has a 2-1-2 record with a .885 save percentage. His 3.54 goal-against-average is not particularly attractive, but he is still the starter. Young Calvin Petersen has just a 1-3 record, but has much better stats with a .930 save percentage and a 2.29 goals-against-average.
Kings need to concentrate on their defence as the Golden Knights can score at will.
The Vegas Golden Knights are ready to get back to it after having COVID protocol issues. With four straight days of negative testing, the Vegas team hopes they don’t have too much rust being on the sidelines. They haven’t played since January 26th when they lost to the Blues in overtime. The Golden Knights have ever present offensive star Mark Stone with two goals and nine assists this season. He is followed by Max Pacioretty with six goals and one assist. Shea Theodore is pacing the blueline with three goals and four assists.
In goal, Marc-Andre Fleury is undefeated with a 3-0 record. He has a sparkling .951 save percentage, and a 1.00 goals-against-average. Robin Lehner has 2-1-1 record and a .885 save percentage with a 2.95 goals-against-average.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 5-2.
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San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-0 Ducks
The San Jose Sharks have been on the road trip to end all road trips due to COVID-19 restrictions in San Jose. They start this two-game stint with the Anaheim Ducks as their ninth straight game on the road. They have just six points this season and haven’t played since January 28th. The Sharks just haven’t been able to get going this season and they do have Tomas Hertl with three goals and four assists. Logan Couture is adding to that with three goals and three assists. The Sharks need to get some wins and hope to get a chance to play on their home ice soon.
The Ducks are certainly overachieving this season with a 4-5-2 record good for 10 points. The Ducks are dead last in offence in the league, averaging just 1.73 goals a game. So how are they winning? John Gibson, that’s how. He has a 4-4-2 record and a .924 save percentage. He keeps his team in games with his excellent 2.34 goals-against-average. If the Ducks could generate some more offence their record will improve. This game could be decided by Gibson’s excellent play of late.
Prediction: Ducks win 3-1.
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