Welcome back to NHL Predictions, May 1st 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 last slate of NHL Predictions for May 1st, featuring the Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out the other two slates of games today.
NHL Predictions: Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers
Florida Panthers vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Panthers 5 – 2 Blackhawks
On Thursday night the Panthers pulled out a 4-3 victory in overtime when Sam Bennett scored the winner. The Panthers looked solid and Bennett may have found a new home. He’s had five goals and six assists in his eight games in Florida. Another fairly new Panther, Anthony Duclair also scored and he too is thriving well with the Panthers tallying eight goals and 20 assists in 39 games. The other story with the Panthers is Spencer Knight played well in net collecting 24 saves. He could be the future of the franchise between the pipes. The Florida club will try to continue their success which shows seven wins in their last 10 contests.
The Chicago Blackhawks are barely hanging on to a playoff spot and need to win this game to stay relevant. They’re six points out of being in the postseason with just six games remaining. This team has overachieved this season which has found them playing without their captain Jonathan Toews. They still have Patrick Kane and he is something else. He has gathered 15 goals and 46 assists in 50 games. Alex DeBrincat isn’t half bad either with a point-a-game pace having 24 goals and 22 assists in 46 games. The Hawks will need to pull this one out to be considered for the playoffs.
Prediction: Blackhawks win 2-1
Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Stars 3 – 4 Predators
This will be another battle for that last playoff spot in the Central Division. The Stars are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and are led by veteran Joe Pavelski who has 21 goals and 23 assists in 50 games. The other scoring star for this team is young Jason Robertson who has collected 15 goals and 25 assists in 45 games. Isn’t he a pleasant surprise? The Stars will be looking to overtake the Preds for that valued playoff berth, but it won’t be easy. Playing without two of their star players in Alexander Radulov and Tyler Seguin won’t be easy.
The Nashville team got off to a slow start and didn’t even appear to be playoff bound. They didn’t even get to .500 until March 27th. Yet, they are hanging on to the fourth position for now, just going 5-4-1 in their last 10. They really have trouble scoring averaging just 2.67 goals a game. They will need to turn on that red light with more frequency if they hope to succeed.
Prediction: Stars shine in this one 5-2
Vegas Golden Knights vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 5 – 2 Coyotes
The Golden Knights had their 10-game winning streak halted with an impressive shutout win by the Coyotes on Friday night. Of course the Vegas team just suited 11 forwards and six defencemen for the game. The Golden Knights are pretty much on cruise control at this point of the season. They have the second most points with 72 in the NHL. Yet, they are only ahead of the Colorado Avalanche by four points and have played one more game than the Av’s. This game will only show that the Vegas club is powerful and can win any night.
The Arizona Coyotes are really struggling and may not get that last playoff spot, although the win Friday night did keep their hopes alive. Losing two straight to the San Jose Sharks really hurt their chances. With just five games left, they pretty much need to win out and hope for help from other teams. Adin Hill came through for them with a shutout and the question is who will coach Rick Tocchet put in net for this important game? Darcy Kuemper didn’t look sharp at all in the Sharks games. It’s put up or shut up time for the Yotes.
Prediction: Vegas takes the jackpot 4-2
Los Angeles Kings vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Kings 4 – 3 Ducks
The Los Angeles Kings are attempting to be relevant with a bit of a surge near season’s end. They’ve won two of three against the Ducks whom they play four consecutive games on the schedule. This game really doesn’t have any playoff ramifications, but both teams are attempting to see what their rosters can do for next season.
The Anaheim Ducks have the second worst record in the league with just 37 points this season. They are definitely looking forward to the end of this campaign. At this point players are only playing for a contract next season. There will be some changes made to this team, for sure.
Prediction: Kings win 3-1
Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Flames 4 – 5 Oilers
The Flames are are six points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the last playoff spot in the tough North Division. They have won six of 10 and need every win to overtake the Montreal Canadiens and get to the postseason. They are led in scoring by Elias Lindholm with 17 goals and 26 assists this season. The Flames will need goalie Jacob Markstrom to be at the top of his game against the high-scoring Oilers. The Flames will finish the year with four straight games against the Vancouver Canucks and winning this game will certainly help their efforts to be a playoff team.
The high powered Edmonton Oilers are led by who else… Connor McDavid (28-G, 56-A) and Leon Draisaitl (24-G, 43-A). IF you can stop one, or both of them (good luck with that) you may have a path to victory. The Oilers have resilient 38-year-old Mike Smith still doing it in net. He has an amazing .922 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against-average but did get outplayed by Markstrom in the last game won by the Flames. This will be a classic North Division match-up and is our featured must-see game. Enjoy.
Prediction: Oilers win this one 5-3
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