Welcome back to NHL Predictions, March 22nd 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 of three sets of NHL Predictions for March 22nd featuring the Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators. Be sure to check out the other two sets of predictions.
NHL Predictions With Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators
Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators
Head-To-Head: Flames 2 – 3 Senators
The Ottawa Senators (10-20-3) will enter this contest with huge question marks in goal. Their top three goalies are injured and newcomer Anton Forsberg will get the start in this one. The Sens sit well in the bottom of the North Division, only beaten out by the Buffalo Sabres for dead last in the entire NHL. Still, there is a bright future in Ottawa with Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle and Joshua Norris. They are 21, 22, 19, and 21 years old respectively. Can one of them play goal?
The Calgary Flames (15-14-3) are parked in sixth in the North but are just four points shy of that coveted final playoff spot. They have struggled against this Sens team losing three of five giving up 21 goals in the contests. They have been a bit up and down since the new/old coach Darryl Sutter took over. The Flames have won four of the last six including two wins over the Montreal Canadiens and one over the Toronto Maple Leafs. They can’t afford to lose these games at this time of the year.
Prediction: 4-2 Flames
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New York Islanders vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-To-Head: Islanders 1 – 3 Flyers
It’s a critical game in the Eastern Division for both teams here. The Philadelphia Flyers (15-11-3) have been slumping in March going 4-7 including a 9-0 blowout loss to the New York Rangers and a 6-1 loss to these Islanders on Saturday. They need to stop the bleeding quick as they sit fifth in the East, three points back of the idle Boston Bruins. They had won the three previous meetings over the Isles prior to the lopsided loss. Sean Couturier (lower-body) was a game-time scratch in the contest and his availability is up in the air for this one.
The New York Islanders (20-8-4) are tied for first with the Washington Capitals atop the East. Coach Barry Trotz has them playing a solid defensive style of hockey that has reaped a +24 goal differential, easily tops in the division. They are 9-2 in the month of March and getting outstanding goaltending from both Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin. Mathew Barzal paces the team’s balanced attack with nine goals and 16 assists on the year.
Prediction: 3-1 Islanders
Anaheim Ducks vs Minnesota Wild
Head-To-Head: Ducks 1 – 3 Wild
The Minnesota Wild (18-10-1) are trying to avoid losing three games in a row for the first time this season. Playing the Anaheim Ducks (9-17-6) will help. The Wild were blown out in the last two games by the Colorado Avalanche, 5-1 and 6-0. They also gave up 92 shots in the two contests. Cam Talbot will get the start in goal here after stopping 50 shots in the 5-1 loss Thursday.
After a 1-0 win against the Wild early in the year, the Ducks have dropped the last three being outscored 11-4. Just three wins to go with eight losses in March for Anaheim, with all three wins being overtime wins. Nothing comes easy for the 2021 version of the Ducks. They have not won in regulation in the last 17 games. 40-year old Ryan Miller will get his 10th start of the year in his 792nd NHL game overall. It’ll be a rough road to 800.
Prediction: 4-1 Wild
St. Louis Blues vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-To-Head: Blues 1 – 2 Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights (21-7-1) had their five-game winning streak snapped yesterday at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings by a score of 3-1. They have been white-hot in March winning nine of 12 games. The top team in the wild wild West Division, the Knights are trying to hold off the surging Avalanche, who are just three points back. Both Alex Pietrangelo and top goal scorer Max Pacioretty will miss this crucial contest. When it comes to injuries, they got nothing on their opponent though.
The St. Louis Blues (16-10-5) have been black and Blue all season long. Eight players are listed as injured for this contest. Once again coach Craig Berube will need to find a way to keep this group from slipping out of the playoffs. He will look to the team’s two leading scorers, David Perron and Ryan O’Reilly to lead the way once again. They combined for eight points (two goals, six assists) in Saturday’s 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. A bit of a step up in class here. Catching the Golden Knights on back-to-back games will help. They also will face Robin Lehner, which is another bit of good fortune to avoid Marc-Andre Fleury and his 1.88 goals-against average and .933 save percentage.
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Prediction: 4-3 Blues
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