Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, we will take a look at the games that are happening and give our NHL predictions for each one. There are five games today, four of them being playoff matchups. Today’s featured game is the Edmonton Oilers vs Winnipeg Jets. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more NHL predictions.
** These predictions were made before action on 5/18/21.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Winnipeg Jets
Series: Oilers 0-0 Jets
This is going to be a very good series to watch due to the amount of offensive skill both teams carry. Winnipeg will look to focus in on Connor McDavid, if they don’t, it won’t be pretty for them. The Oilers dominated the Jets the entire regular season winning seven of the nine games with McDavid putting up over 20 points. Defence will be rare in this series as we’ll see both teams looking to generate maximum offence on two hot goalies in Mike Smith and former Vezina trophy winner, Connor Hellebuyck.
The Jets only objective should be stopping McDavid. Edmonton, on the other hand, should key in on the Jets power play which sits at seventh in the league. This will be a much tighter series if Winnipeg can contain Connor McDavid. The Jets will hope that the playoffs don’t play out like the regular season series did between the two teams. The series will for sure be offensively dominated. It’ll for sure be fun to watch. Game 1 takes place in Edmonton.
Prediction: Jets win 4-3
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Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins
Series: Capitals 1-1 Bruins
This series has by far been one of the most physical and one of the most exciting as we’ve seen both games go to overtime. The Bruins have outplayed the Capitals in both games but have seen some breakdowns in net. Boston could definitely be up 2-0 in the series if it wasn’t for Game 1. Craig Anderson played great coming off the bench cold after Vitek Vanecek went down with an injury. The Capitals will look to contain Jake DeBrusk after two goals in two straight games for the youngster who’s had a great series already after a disappointing regular season.
Boston will look to strike as they head back home to the TD Garden to their passionate fans. A key for the Capitals is to exploit the Bruins weak bottom-six when on offence but will need to contain them defensively while also playing the Bruins first line hard. The Bruins will want to focus on Washington’s speedy and gritty fourth line which has been great for them scoring timely goals including the overtime winner in Game 1.
Boston has done a great job preventing Alex Ovechkin from striking from his office but that’ll be a key for any team who plays the former 2018 champs. The series is filled with so much skill and so much grit which makes it energizing for the fans and players. Back to Boston they go.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-1
Nashville Predators vs Carolina Hurricanes
Series: Predators 0-1 Hurricanes
Carolina really is one of the underrated dynasties in the NHL. The Hurricanes are filled with talent on the blue line, up front, and an amazing goalie tandem. The Predators on the other hand, have a excellent goalie in Juuse Saros and veteran defencemen. The two teams went to battle in Game 1 with Carolina prevailing in a 5-2 win due to Jordan Staal’s heroics. It was a physical game as we saw each team with just over 20 minutes in penalties each but not a single power play goal.
We finally got to experience a packed stadium and boy was it ever loud in there. Carolina thrives on momentum and their fans play the biggest role in that. The key for Nashville will be to eliminate as many shots on goal as possible as Carolina loves to use their defencemen in offence by being tight man on man and blocking as many shots possible.
Hurricanes win 6-3
Colorado Avalanche vs St Louis Blues
Series: Avalanche 1-0 Blues
I don’t think anyone expected this series to be as electric as it already was in Game 1. The stars definitely showed up for the Avalanche as we saw Nathan Mackinnon (2), Cale Makar, and Gabriel Landeskog get on the board. Landeskog getting a Gordie Howe hat trick. Colorado dominated in Game 1 on the scoresheet and on the ice. The Avalanche had a total of 50 shots on goal while the Blues had only 23. A game changer in the series might be Jordan Binnington. We saw a little bit of 2019 Stanley Cup Champion Jordan Binnington in Game 1 and everyone knows, a goalie can steal a series.
Colorado will look to their depth to propel them past the Blues during this series. The Avalanche have been disappointing in the playoffs the last few years so will we see our first upset of the 2021 playoffs? We’ll find out in the next week or two. Until then, expect Colorado’s big guns to come hard on the confident young goalie.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-2
Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Canucks 2-6 Flames
This game doesn’t really mean anything for either team. Both have been mathematically been eliminated from playoff contention so it’s just a chance for guys to mess around and be creative. This season has been disappointing for both teams especially the Canucks as they made a push last year which ended in a second round loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. You will enjoy this game if you like lots of goals as these matchups are usually high scoring.
The last matchup ended in a 6-5 Calgary win after Vancouver made an incredible comeback in the third period to force overtime. Both teams will lean on their stars. Although it’s a meaningless game, it’ll be entertaining to see the fourth-line guys showing up as they prepare to make the roster next season.
Prediction: Flames win 4-1
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