Welcome back to NHL Predictions, May 10th edition! Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. Today’s second set of NHL Predictions for May 10th features the Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights. Make sure to stop by tomorrow for another edition of NHL Predictions!
NHL Predictions
Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 3-4 Golden Knights
The race to claim the Honda West Division is still on, but the Golden Knights can sew up the division with a regulation victory. Vegas has won three of the last four meetings in the final regular-season meeting between the two clubs. Both teams have won four of their last five games and could be favourites in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Mikko Rantanen leads the Avalanche with goals while Max Pacioretty tops the Golden Knights with 24. It’ll likely be another showdown between Philipp Grubauer and Marc-Andre Fleury in the net. Both clubs know home-ice will be critical if they meet in the second round.
Vegas knows they can buy some rest for their players with a win, so it’ll be key to finish this out.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-3.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes: 6-1 Predators
It’s a preview of the upcoming Discover Central Division first-round series. Nashville punched its ticket to the post-season with a 3-1 win Saturday over Carolina. The victory caps an amazing turnaround by the Predators, who won for the first time in seven meetings. Erik Haula scored twice to push the Predators to the playoffs.
The game could feel like an exhibition game with teams holding back players until the post-season. Pekka Rinne likely starts for Nashville while Petr Mrazek or James Reimer could see the start on Monday.
This game will be likely hard to call, but take a motivated Rinne to do well.
Prediction: Predators win 3-1.
Dallas Stars vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Stars 2-5 Blackhawks
Time ran out on the Dallas Stars after the Predators beat the Hurricanes on Saturday. It’s another game that will feel like a pre-season matchup with the teams playing out the string.
Keep an eye on Alex DeBrincat in his quest for 30 goals while Patrick Kane looks for his 50th assist of the season. Roope Hintz will try to reach 30 assists and Joe Pavelski will want to expand on his team-high 24 goals.
Dallas will want to end its season on a high note, but these games are hard to tell.
Prediction: Stars win 4-2.
St. Louis Blues vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Blues 5-2 Kings
The Blues have sewn up the last post-season spot in the West Division and await the division winner between the Avs and Golden Knights. Ville Husso could get the start to give Jordan Binnington a night off before the playoffs.
Los Angeles has won the last two meetings between the two teams. The youth movement has been given plenty of time, but it was only a couple of days ago the Kings were eliminated.
This will be another hard game to gauge, but St. Louis should use its experience.
Predictions: Blues win 3-2.
