Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions, Playoff Edition. Each day, we will take a look at the games that are happening and give our NHL predictions. There are four Stanley Cup Playoff matchups today. Today’s featured game is Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of their series. Be sure to check back in every day for more predictions and game analysis.
NHL Predictions
Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers
Jets lead series 1-0
Connor Hellebuyck flustered the high-powered Oilers offence with a 32-save performance in a 4-1 Game 1 victory. Winnipeg got what it wanted in tilting home ice to their favour. However, they’d love to get a 2-0 series lead with a victory in Alberta. Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor each got a goal and an assist.
Edmonton knows it has to take Game 2 to get back into the series. Jesse Puljujarvi got the only Oilers goal and Mike Smith had 18 saves after a pair of empty-net goals. The Oilers have plenty of motivation and even more after a dumb social media post by the Jets.
Connor McDavid will live “Rent free” in Winnipeg’s head with a big performance.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-1.
Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins
Bruins lead series 2-1
It’s been an exciting series so far and Game 4 promises to live up to the billing. All three games have gone to overtime with the Craig Smith taking advantage of a defensive zone gaffe by the Capitals. Taylor Hall has been everything the Bruins have hoped for since getting him in a trade. However, Brad Marchand has been extra surly this series if you want to take a penalty minute wager.
Alex Ovechkin was visibly frustrated after the 3-2 double overtime loss. Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway actually the team’s leading goal-scorers with two. Ilya Samsonov made 40 saves, but is going to be dealing with that costly error at the end.
This series likely goes the distance with a Capitals win. Washington knows it pretty much has to win to keep in the series.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators
Hurricanes lead series 2-0.
Most of the other series have been tight affairs, but this one has not been the case. Carolina has clearly been on another level as its won the first two games by three goals. Alex Nedeljkovic got a 30-save shutout and Sebastian Aho scored twice in a 3-0 Game 2 win. The Hurricanes are playing like a Stanley Cup contender and should win the series.
However, Nashville is not going to go down without a fight. Bridgestone Arena is a tough place to play and Juuse Saros has done everything he could to keep the Predators in the game. However, he’s going to need some offensive help in order to extend the series.
It won’t be a sweep and Nashville takes one, but they are just delaying the inevitable.
Prediction: Predators win 2-1.
Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues
Avalanche lead series 2-0.
Colorado looks like another bonafide Cup contender with 10 goals in the first two games. Nathan MacKinnon has five of those, including a hat trick in the 6-3 Game 2 victory. The Avalanche are getting it done on both ends of the ice.
Jordan Binnington has stopped a lot of shots in the opening two games, but it’s like Canes-Predators series where there needs to be some offensive help. The Blues need something if they want to avoid a sweep.
St. Louis hasn’t shown much in the way of any signs of competing with Colorado. The Avs should take Game 3 and a commanding lead.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-1.
