Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, we will look at the games that are happening and give our predictions for each one. This is the first of three sets of predictions tonight. Be sure to check out the other two on the site as well. We also offer a featured game of the day, a game that we think is must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames.
NHL Predictions with Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames
New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-head: Rangers 1-4 Bruins
After Thursdays’ shutout loss to the Boston Bruins, the New York Rangers come into Saturday’s matinee game seeking revenge. Riding a three-game losing streak, the Rangers are getting desperate for a win. But on the bright side of things, Artemi Panarin has returned to Madison Square Garden after his well-noted absence. Considering the Rangers have only scored three goals in their past three games, the return of Panarin will help the team ten-fold.
On the Boston side of things, the Bruins come into tonight’s game just one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third place. Starting the season well, with only eight losses in their first 20 games, the Bruins have fallen recently in the standings. In contrast, there should not be any Bruins fans concerned, even with Tuukka Rask out with an injury. The team is more than capable of making up for it. Now we wait and enjoy the tightly contested battle for the top four spots in the MassMutual East Division.
Rangers win 4-3
Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-head: Canadiens 1-2 Flames
On to the featured game of the night! Tonight’s matchup between the Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary Flames marks the fourth meeting between the two teams. On Thursday, the Flames upended the Canadiens in a close to 2-1 victory, making this Darryl Sutter‘s first win back as the head coach in Calgary. When the Flames organization announced the news, the hockey community knew some significant changes were bound for Calgary. Yet, I’m not sure many were expecting the “conditioning drills” that made their way all over social media. Nonetheless, Sutter has a proven track record of turning teams around and into champions. Will he do the same for Calgary?
On the other side of the ice, more and more drama unfolds in Montreal. The Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin is on the hot seat. After spending a fortune during the pandemic ridden off-season. The Canadiens are in a “win-now” mindset. If Carey Price can bounce back to the elite goaltender he once was, the Canadiens should have no problems moving forward.
Canadiens win 3-2
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Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-head: Penguins 1-0 Sabres
Checking in on Buffalo, the situation there is still quite a mess. With Jack Eichel and Linus Ullmark out longer than expected. Taylor Hall and Jeff Skinner have not been themselves either; something big needs to happen to turn that ship around. As the Eichel trade situation continues to heat-up, do not be surprised if he remains in a Sabres jersey for the remainder of the season. Unless the Sabres young guys can keep things afloat, expect everything to stay the same in Buffalo.
If you are a Penguins fan, you could not be happier with how the team is playing lately after starting the season towards the bottom of the East. Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Evgeni Malkin have all risen to the occasion to bring the ‘Pens’ back within the race.
Penguins win 3-1
New York Islanders vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-head: Islanders 3-1 Devils
Last but certainly not least. The MassMutual East Division-leading New York Islanders take on the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have got to be happy that their young-gun Jack Hughes has turned his game around compared to last season. Through the first half, Hughes has 14 points in 23 games and is second on the team in points and goals. With Nico Hischier out week-to-week in concussion protocol, Hughes and company will have to step up to fill that void. In the meantime, the Islanders come to town as one of the most challenging teams to play against. With Semyon Varlamov playing great and Mathew Barzal is leading the charge upfront. The Islanders look to continue to sit atop the East division.
Islanders win 3-0
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