Welcome back to NHL Predictions, May 5th 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 first slate of NHL Predictions for May 5th, featuring the Dallas Stars vs Tampa Bay Lightning. Be sure to check out the second and third slate of NHL predictions, too.
NHL Predictions Including Dallas Stars vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Capitals 3 – 4 Rangers
The Washington Capitals face off against the New York Rangers for the last time, tonight. While the Rangers dominated play against the Capitals early in the season, Washington found their footing and ended up winning three. In their last meeting on Monday, the Capitals trounced the Rangers in a 6-3 win. Goals from Nic Dowd, Garnet Hathaway, Tom Wilson, Daniel Sprong, Nicklas Backstrom, and Conor Sheary sealed the deal.
As for the Rangers, they just got shut out two games in a row by the New York Islanders and will not be contenders in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Although Washington is without their captain Alex Ovechkin, they will collect the two points. There will also be plenty of emotion after the incidents between Wilson and Artemi Panarin and Pavel Buchnevich. A bet on the over for penalty minutes could be an interesting play.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-3.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 4 – 5 Senators
In their final matchup of the season, the Montreal Canadiens face off against the Ottawa Senators. Firmly in the playoff picture, the Canadiens have come a long way from last season. On a three-game winning streak, Montreal has won their last two games in OT with sudden death goals coming from rookie Cole Caufield. Two more points for the Canadiens would put them in the third spot in the North. The Ottawa Senators, however, will definitely miss this year’s playoffs. They have become a much better team in the second half of this season, but it wasn’t enough to earn them a spot. The Montreal Canadiens will win their fourth game in a row, tonight.
Prediction: Canadiens win 3-1.
Dallas Stars vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Stars 1 – 5 Lightning
The Dallas Stars take on the Tampa Bay Lightning for the seventh time this season, tonight. The reigning Stanley Cup Champions have already clinched a playoff berth and are now just fighting for a better seed. Currently sitting at third in Central, they trail the first spot by just four points. On the flip side, the Dallas Stars are just four points from playoff contention. A win for either of these teams could be a step towards changing the upcoming playoff picture, drastically.
In their six matchups so far this year, the Lightning have completely outdone the Stars. Tampa Bay shut out Dallas in three of their past six meetings with stellar goaltending from Andrei Vasilevskiy. With huge goal contributions from Yanni Gourde, Ondrej Palat, and Brayden Point, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been on fire. Although the Lightning’s captain, Steven Stamkos, has been on IR since April 15, the club hasn’t suffered much for it. As for the Dallas Stars, they have been inconsistent all year, and that won’t change tonight. The Lightning will win their sixth game against the Stars, tonight.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-0.
