Welcome back to NHL Predictions, March 16th 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 second slate of NHL Predictions for March 16th featuring the Carolina Hurricanes vs Detroit Red Wings. Be sure to check out the first slate of NHL Predictions, too.
NHL Predictions Including Carolina Hurricanes vs Detroit Red Wings
Dallas Stars vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Stars 0 – 2 Lightning
Prediction: Lightning win 5-2.
Arizona Coyotes vs. Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 1 – 3 Wild
The Arizona Coyotes have struggled as of late against the Minnesota Wild, letting in eight goals and responding with just one across two games. The outstanding Calder-worthy showing from Kirill Kaprizov has helped the Wild to maintain their steady lead at second in the West Division, standing up against teams like the Colorado Avalanche night after night. The Coyotes will need all the help they can get across the roster if they hope to make a dent in the Wild, who have won four of their last five games.
Prediction: Wild win 3-2.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Ducks 2 – 2 Avalanche
Three of the four total games played between the Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche have gone to overtime. Either these teams like playing each other, or they dread it, because each night seems to push both teams to their limit. Last time around, the Ducks defeated the Avalanche with an outstanding three-point showing from Rickard Rakell. Tonight’s game will either cement a second place position for the Avalanche or push them further away from the lead the Minnesota Wild now have over them. With the way the last few games have gone, it appears that this will be yet another overtime bout.
Prediction: Avalanche take it in a 4-3 overtime win.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 3 – 1 Red Wings
Anthony Mantha broke what would’ve been a shutout victory for Alex Nedeljkovic, who stopped 25 of 26 shots for the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are learning what teams like the Nashville Predators learned the hard way this season: never discount the Detroit Red Wings. Despite their less-than-stellar record, the Red Wings have secured a few wins against tough teams.
It looks like Evgeny Svechnikov will be available to play against his brother Andrei Svechnikov. Bobby Ryan is out for tonight’s game, giving Evgeny an opportunity to showcase his stuff against his brother. It’s doubtful that it will be enough, though, as Andre & co. will likely make tonight a very difficult game for the Red Wings. Detroit sits 29th in the NHL standings. The teams behind them? The tragic Ottawa Senators and the laughable Buffalo Sabres.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2.
