Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This will also feature a significant game on the schedule that is must-watch hockey. The featured game of today’s NHL Predictions is the Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes.!
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-head: Hurricanes 2-1 Lightning
For our featured game of the night, we have the Carolina Hurricanes taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning for the fourth time this season. As two of the top six teams in the league, the Lightning looks to even the season series against the ‘Canes.’ Heading into this season, both teams were looked at as Stanley Cup contenders, and they are following suit.
Even though the Lightning is missing two of their top guys Nikita Kucherov and Anthony Cirelli, the team has managed to stay afloat without them. Even so, tonight’s game against Carolina will be no walk in the park. With Vincent Trocheck, Sebastian Aho, and Andrei Svechnikov tied for the team lead in points at 16. Carolina will be coming hard all night against Tampa. Using all of their speed to take away as much time and space, this will be a fun game to watch!
Prediction: Hurricanes win 5-3
Dallas Stars vs. Florida Panthers
Head-to-head: Stars 0-1 Panthers
The Florida Panthers have proven to be no joke this season. Off to one of the franchises best starts in a very long time. The Panthers find themselves at the Discover Central Division’s top, lead by Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. On the other hand, the Dallas Stars are struggling without Ben Bishop, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov. Nonetheless, the Stars are too good of a team to count out just yet.
Heading into their second match-up of the season, the Panthers will look to continue their surprisingly good start as they try to take another game from Dallas after the Panthers dominated on Monday night with 52 shots on goal. The Stars will look to get even as they are desperate for a win. Riding a six-game losing streak, the Stars are desperate for a win. Yet, this will be no easy test. With both Florida netminders playing well this season, Chris Driedger will get the nod once again. Looking to expand on his fantastic 7-1-1 start. Joe Pavelski and the Stars must be on their toes all night for this one.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2
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New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-head: Rangers 1-0 Flyers
After shocking, and what seems like false, accusations against the New York Rangers star forward Artemi Panarin, the Rangers will face-off against the Philadelphia Flyers for only the second time this season. Missing Panarin will prove detrimental as he is the team’s leader in points and assists. With only four points separating the Flyers and Rangers in the standing, tonight’s matchup is significant for both clubs.
With the only match-up between these two this season ending in a shootout. This will be another entertaining game to watch. James van Riemsdyk and the Flyers must take advantage of tonight’s game as a win would place them tied for second in the division, in points.
Prediction: Flyers win 3-1
Calgary Flames vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-head: Flames 1-2 Maple Leafs
The Calgary Flames unexpectedly shutout the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday night in a 3-0 win. With Jacob Markstrom still listed as out, the Flames will continue with David Rittich in the net. Regardless of who is in the net, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are neatly impossible to slow down. With both players in the top five of the league in points, the Maple Leafs look the best they have in what feels like forever.
Looking at tonight’s game, the Maple Leafs are set to avenge their loss from Monday night. Despite missing a good chunk of their team to injuries, the Maple Leafs can use this game to prove the team has depth for the playoffs.
Prediction: Toronto wins 3-2
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-head: Wild 1-2 Avalanche
The Minnesota Wild will play against the Colorado Avalanche for the fourth time this season. This will be another fun game to watch, as the two teams are only separated by only one point in the standings. Heading into the season, the Avalanche were very much favourites as Stanley Cup winners around the LWOH staff. Their record is not what many expected. With a 6-4 record in their last ten games, the Avalanche are turning things around.
On the other side of the ice, the Wild and Kirill Kaprizov prove to be a much harder test for the Honda West Division teams. Coming into this game on a three-game winning streak, the Wild are feeling good about themselves. Yet, it will be challenging to match-up with the depth and speed the Avalanche brings every night.
Prediction: Colorado wins 4-1
Anaheim Ducks vs. Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-head: Ducks 1-2 Coyotes
Looking at this west coast match-up, the story of this game could very easily end up being about the goalies. The Anaheim Ducks netminder, John Gibson, is continuing to prove his worth as an elite goaltender. Despite the Ducks allowing the 19th most goals against, Gibson has managed to put up three shutouts this season. Gibson finishes eighth in the league in save percentage on unblocked shots at 95.63 percent, per Moneypuck.com. Imagine if he had a better team in front of him.
With that, the Arizona Coyotes will look to jump into a playoff spot with a win against the Ducks. Tied for third in the Division, every point matters for every team as the season proceeds. With the Coyotes young guys leading the charge. It is Conor Garland who is doing the most. Garland will look to take advantage of the Duck’s four-game losing streak with nine points in his last ten games.
Prediction: Anaheim wins 2-1
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Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues
Head-to-head: Kings 2-1 Blues
Just barely holding onto a playoff spot, the Los Angeles Kings will take on the St. Louis Blues once again. Marking the halfway point of these two team’s seasons series. The Kings have been a bit of a pleasant surprise around the league. Lead by Anze Kopitar; the Kings find themselves in a playoff spot just over a quarter of the way through the season. With both goaltenders putting up decent numbers, Calvin Petersen with a .926 saves percentage and Jonathan Quick with a .903 save percentage. The Kings have been able to cause some unanticipated chaos within the standings of the west.
Regardless of the King’s better-than-expected start, Jordan Kyrou, David Perron, and the Blues could move into first place of the division with a win against the Kings. Heading into this game with a two-game losing streak, St. Louis knows better than most that good teams always find a way to win.
Prediction: St. Louis wins 4-3
That does it for this edition of NHL Predictions. Bue sure to check back tomorrow for more!
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