Welcome back to NHL Predictions, May 4th edition! Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. Today’s NHL Predictions for May 4th features the Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks. Make sure to stop by tomorrow for another edition of NHL Predictions!
NHL Predictions: Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks
New York Islanders vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Islanders 6 – 1 Sabres
The New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres will meet for the final time this season as they close back-to-back matches. Although New York has clinched a spot in the playoffs, the team would wish to keep to the winning side of things.
Coming into this matchup, the Islanders rank 18th in scoring with 145 goals scored on the season. The third-placed Islanders may not be loaded with an offensive threat, though their goaltending and defence appear to be threatening. New York ranks second in the league for the fewest goals allowed with 118. The Buffalo Sabres proceed to be one of the weaker scoring teams ranking 27th with 130 goals scored. The Islanders refocus and storm the Sabres tonight.
Prediction: Islanders win 4-1
Boston Bruins vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Bruins 3- 4 Devils
In the East division, the Boston Bruins look to maintain the recent success the team has had over the previous 10 games. Boston has only surrendered two losses during their last 10. And have clinched the final playoff spot in the East. Perhaps as a bonus, three of those wins were shutouts. The Bruins penalty killing has been impressive this season as the team ties for first in the category, denying 86.4 percent of their shorthanded situations.
The New Jersey Devils are seventh in their division with 41 points and will most likely finish there for the season. The Devil’s power play ranks 27th in the league, and their penalty kill sits last in the NHL. Unfortunately for New Jersey, the team has been unable to gain a victory while facing an opponent who has allowed two or fewer goals during their recent match. The Devils have known to be spoilers, despite the dominant performance lead by the Bruins as of late.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-1
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Penguins 2- 5 Flyers
It will be a battle between two teams of Pennsylvania and the end of a back-to-back. Tonight’s matchup will be the team’s last meeting of the season. The Pittsburgh Penguins will attempt to sustain the first spot in the East with a victory versus Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers rest comfortably in the sixth position with 53 points, five points behind the New York Rangers. At home this season, the Flyers are 11-11-4 while the Penguins are 14-12-1 when playing away.
With Philadelphia’s struggles and their recent 3-6-1 record over their past 10 games, the Penguins should come out on top of this game. To stack the odds up more against Philadelphia, while facing a team with a winning percent above .600 the team has one win over their last nine.
Prediction: Penguins win 5-2
Chicago Blackhawks vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 4- 3 Hurricanes
The Chicago Blackhawks continue to roll through their last road trip of the season with a 10-12-3 away record. Chicago sits sixth in the Central with 50 points, now 10 points from the fourth spot. With the team’s recent losing streak at home and the loss to Carolina, all playoff conversations are out the window this season. Carolina Hurricanes have won their last five home games and own a home record of 19-3-4. Carolina will aim to keep the chasing teams below from getting too close to the first spot in the Central by winning games versus Chicago.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 3-0
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Oilers 4- 2 Canucks
Here we are, at last, the main event! Our featured matchup for this evening will include two teams residing from the North. The second-placed Edmonton Oilers will face off against Vancouver Canucks, who occupy the last spot in the North. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lead the way for the Edmonton Oilers, combining for 164 points. Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes lead the Canucks in points and have 73 combined. Tonight’s game will be the second of a four-game match set, leaving one game left versus the two teams.
Edmonton has had solid goaltending from Mike Smith this season and more solid defence than expected. Smith has gone 18-6-2 with a .924 save percentage and picked up three shutout victories. The Oilers are sixth among the NHL, allowing 134 goals against, as the team is allowing 2.67 per game. Edmonton’s power-play has been outstanding once again this season. The team places second in the NHL as the team has converted on 26.6 percent. Connor McDavid leads Edmonton with 31 power-play points.
Vancouver sits at the bottom of the North with 41 points and will have some time to refocus for the next season. Meanwhile, Vancouver ranks 29th in the NHL with 119 goals scored and 27th for goals scored per game at 2.58. Brock Boeser leads Vancouver scoring 37 points, 17 goals and seven power-play goals scored.
Edmonton is 6-4-0 versus Vancouver this decade and will look to add another one to the win record.
Prediction: Oilers win 6-1
Main Photo:
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