Welcome back to NHL Predictions, March 18th 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 slate of NHL Predictions for March 18th featuring the Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out the other two slate of games today.
NHL Predictions Including Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers
Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-To-Head: Jets 2 – 2 Oilers
The Winnipeg Jets (18-9-2) and Edmonton Oilers (19-13) will meet for the 5th time this season on Thursday. There is nothing to separate the two North Division rivals through the first games as they split them, both winning two. They are also deadlocked at 38 points at 2nd and 3rd place each in the standings behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Jets do have three games in hand.
These games have typically been high scoring with the Jets holding a 17-16 edge in goals scored. Naturally, both Leon Draisaitl (five goals and 2 assists in the four meetings) and Connor McDavid (one goal and 5 assists) have featured heavily in the scoring. For Winnipeg Nikolaj Ehlers loves playing Edmonton, having scored in each of the four games. Both teams are playing back to back, with the Oilers winning the battle of Alberta 7-3 over the Calgary Flames last night. The Jets edged the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime.
Prediction: 4-3 Oilers
Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-To-Head: Wild 2 – 2 Avalanche
Another Thursday night rubber match with the Minnesota Wild (18-8-1) taking on the Colorado Avalanche (17-8-2). Second place in the West Division, the Minnesota Wild has been one of the NHL’s big surprises this year. Behind rookie of the year favourite Kirill Kaprizov (27 games 10 goals, 15 assists) the Wild continue to win. They come in here on a hot streak, winning their last five games.
The Avalanche have managed to keep pace in the West despite a slew of injuries throughout the season to stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Colorado is also hot coming into this contest, winning their last four games, including an 8-4 explosion vs the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.
Kaapo Kahkonen and Philipp Grubauer are expected to start between the pipes for this tilt.
Prediction: 3-2 Avalanche
Arizona Coyotes vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-To-Head: Coyotes 3 – 1 Ducks
The evening wraps up with two probable trade-deadline sellers. The Arizona Coyotes (12-13-4) sit sixth in the West five points behind the fourth-place. St. Louis Blues. Losers of their last four games, a game vs the Anaheim Ducks (8-16-6) might be just what the doctor ordered.
The Ducks are amongst the worst teams in pretty much all statistical categories. Max Comtois has been one of the few bright spots along with Rickard Rakell, who features high on most trade bait boards. The Ducks have also dumped their last four games, by a combined score of (are you ready for this?) 22-6! That tells us all we need to know.
Prediction: 4-2 Coyotes
