Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, we will take a look at the games that are happening and give our predictions for each one. This is the last of three sets of predictions tonight. Be sure to check out the other two on the site too. As well, we also offer a featured game of the day, which is a game that we think is must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Predictions: Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs
St. Louis Blues vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Blues 3 – 3 Sharks
The St. Louis Blues have been really struggling. They have just two points in their last five games before the action on Friday night. Veteran forward David Perron leads the Blues with a point-a-game pace while Ryan O’Reilly is just two points behind him. The Blues must turn things around soon since the Los Angeles Kings only trail them by three points with a game in hand.
The San Jose Sharks are being led by Evander Kane‘s 26 points in 27 games prior to Friday night’s action. The Sharks are weak in the net with just a .894 save percentage and a 3.38 goals-against- average. The Blues need to focus on how to stop Kane who has seven points and four goals in his last five games. The Sharks need to take advantage of a faltering Blues’ team and gather two points in this one.
Prediction: Sharks win 4-3.
Arizona Coyotes vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 3 – 2 Ducks
The Arizona Coyotes are in such a funk and have dropped five straight including two overtime losses. Their offence has decided to take some time off with the team just scoring four goals in those five unsuccessful games. Playing without starting goalie Darcy Kuemper has really begun to show how weak this team can be without him. Normal backup Antti Raanta is so injury laden that he can’t be relied upon from game to game. Adin Hill has come in to try and help out, but without an offence worth taking over games, his efforts are being negated. Now the Coyotes know how the Ducks feel about blowing a lead. Some things need to change in Arizona.
The Anaheim Ducks mounted an excellent comeback on Thursday night after spotting the Desert Dogs a quick two goal lead on their first two shots on net. This game could be another battle of inept offences as the Ducks are struggling to score and are ranked 30th in that category. The Coyotes are not much better at an unimpressive 28th standing. If the Anaheim club can stay close again, who knows how this one finishes. Anaheim ended their four-game skid, now it’s the Coyotes’ turn… or is it?
Prediction: Coyotes FINALLY get it going offensively by winning 5-2.
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Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Jets 2 – 3 Oilers
The Winnipeg Jets formula for success in this game is to stop Connor McDavid… but see that’s nearly impossible. McDavid has 10 points in his last five games and leads the NHL in scoring with an amazing total of 58 points in 33 games. This is a battle for second place in the highly competitive North Division. The Jets trail the McDavid led Oilers (just stating the obvious) by two points and have three games in hand. Can they outlast the surging Edmonton club who have won six of their last eight games?
The Jets have a formidable trio of offensive players in Mark Scheifele (12-G, 25-A), Kyle Connor (16-G, 13-A), and Blake Wheeler (8-G, 18-A) who can put points on the scoreboard. The Jets will be looking to revenge their 2-1 loss on Thursday night when Mr. McDavid scored both Oiler goals. Connor Hellebuyck will more than likely get the call to stifle the Oilers, but stopping McDavid may be an impossible feat.
Prediction: Oilers do it again, 4-2.
Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Flames 1 -3 Maple Leafs
The Flames are coming off of a 7-3 scorching at the hands of the Oilers and you know who, and now must face Auston Matthews and his crew. Can an NHL team get a break here? Apparently not. The Leafs are such a loaded team with players like Mitch Marner leading the way with 39 points in 30 games, who do you try to stop first? The Flames are just three points out of a playoff spot, so every game counts. Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk lead the Flames with 24 points apiece, but when you’re facing a tough opponent like Toronto you need all the help you can muster.
The Maple Leafs have only won one of their last six games and that was an overtime victory. If the Flames hope to take two points here, they should take advantage of the Leafs slight downfall of late. The Maple Leafs seemed to be coasting to a huge lead in their division but now share it with the surging Oilers, although the Edmonton club has played three more games. With the erratic schedule due to COVID-19 issues, games in hand seem to be a valuable commodity for all teams. This game needs to be of great focus to get the Leafs back on track, and it seems they’re primed to do just that.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-2.
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