Welcome back to NHL Predictions, March 3rd 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 for March 3rd featuring the Colorado Avalanche vs San Jose Sharks. Be sure to check out the early game slate of NHL Predictions, too.
NHL Predictions
Minnesota Wild vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Wild 0 – 1 Golden Knights
The Minnesota Wild are one of the league’s hottest teams at the moment, having gotten points in seven straight games (6-0-1). While being led in points by rookie Kirill Kaprizov (17 points in 19 games), it’s been the return of Mats Zuccarello (eight points in his last five games) spurring their hot streak. Their only loss on the point streak came against this same Golden Knights team Monday night, 5-4 in overtime. Vegas will again rely on Mark Stone (22 points in 18 games) and Marc-Andre Fleury (10-3-0, .935 save percentage) to carry them to victory. But after clutching victory from the jaws of defeat on Monday, Minnesota will come out on the winning side tonight.
Predictions: Wild win 4-3.
Arizona Coyotes vs. Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0 – 2 Kings
The Coyotes are struggling to hold onto playoff positioning, as they sit with a 9-9-3 record and two wins in their last five games. If they want a win tonight, it’ll likely come on the stick of Phil Kessel. The right-winger has seven points in his last five contests and is second on the team in goals with eight. The Kings hold the upper hand in tonight’s game, as they’re recently removed from a six-game win streak. Dustin Brown and his team-leading 11 goals will be crucial in a win tonight, as well as continued production from Drew Doughty (17 points in 20 games).
Prediction: Kings win 3-1.
Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 2 – 1 Sharks
Things are getting out of control fast this season for Colorado. Their record is now just 11-7-1 after losing three of their past five. They were embarrassed in their last outing against the Sharks, losing 6-2. They’ve been dealing with injuries all year, but some of their top-end talent has been lacking. Pending free agent Gabriel Landeskog has only 10 points in 17 games, tied for eighth on the team with Brandon Saad. They’ll need continued support in goal from Philipp Grubauer (.915 save percentage, 10-6-0 record) if they want a win tonight.
On the other hand, the Sharks are beginning to feel themselves offensively with 12 goals in their past two games. Evander Kane is heating up with eight points in his last five outings as he approaches the point-per-game mark. Things have been certainly rough around the edges for the Sharks, but with the Avalanche reeling, they could capitalize on some momentum tonight.
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Prediction: Sharks win 4-3.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
