Welcome back to NHL Predictions, February 6th 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
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-0 Islanders
Tonight’s game marks the first meeting of the season for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders, and they are both looking for a win. With the Penguins hanging onto the fourth place of the East division by just one point. Every game matters, especially considering that the win percentage of each team is what could decide playoffs. With that, the Islanders are desperate for a win at this point; amid a five-game losing streak, the Islanders need to find the back of the net.
Heading into tonight’s game, the Islanders are 30th out of 31 in goals for a total of 19 and considering the Penguins are not the most defensive team, sitting at 24th of the 31 teams in goals for. New York could find a little luck scoring while sticking to their defensive structure.
Prediction: Islanders win 4-2
Vancouver Canucks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-head: Canucks 0-1 Maple Leafs
After playing each other just two nights prior, the Vancouver Canucks look to get even with the Toronto Maple Leafs. During their first match-up of the season, the Maple Leafs ran up the score on Vancouver, beating them 7-3. While Vancouver is one team that has not struggled to find the back of the net, they struggled to even get shots off against Toronto on Thursday night.
At the same time, they cannot keep the puck out of their net. Leading the league in goals against, the Maple Leafs’ top players recognized this early and took advantage. Between Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, eight points were scored against the Canucks the other night. You can look for them to do that again tonight.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-1
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-head: Sharks 0-0 Ducks
Tonight marks the first meet-up between interstate rivals. The San Jose Sharks will take on the Anaheim Ducks. Jakob Silfverberg and Tomas Hertl both lead their respective teams in points and goals. Yet, it is long-time veteran and Captain of the Ducks, Ryan Getzlaf, that should be watched tonight. Getzlaf leads all active NHL skaters in career points against the Sharks with 62 points in 76 games. Yet, regardless of how Getzlaf does, the story of the night could come down to the goaltending.
The Sharks have been looking for their next franchise goalie for quite some time now. Devan Dubnyk might be a temporary fix, but his numbers say otherwise. On top of that, Martin Jones is not doing much better; but then again, we aren’t even a quarter of the way through the season. These two teams will have to battle it out for what will most likely be an ‘ugly’ win.
Prediction: Sharks win 3-2
Edmonton Oilers vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-head: Oilers 0-0 Flames
It is finally here. The beginning stages of the Battle of Alberta will commence tonight. This series between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames is one that many hockey fans across North America have been waiting for. These games are always so entertaining and attract all different types of hockey fans.
Suppose you find yourself a ‘new school’ fan who enjoys players’ speed and precision like Connor McDavid or Johnny Gaudreau. Compared to an ‘old school’ fan who loves the physicality and grittiness of guys like Matthew Tkachuk and Milan Lucic or Darnell Nurse and Zack Kassian, this will be the game for you because it brings both styles’ greatness into one play.
Prediction: Flames win 5-4
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Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
