Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Montreal Canadiens vs New York Rangers.
NHL Predictions With Montreal Canadiens vs New York Rangers
Montreal Canadiens vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Rangers 1 – Canadiens 0
The New York Rangers enter the game on a three-game winning streak and took the first of the three meetings by a score of 3-1. The first meeting took place in Montreal, this game inside Madison Square Garden. New York is starting to play better at home as they have won three straight games. The Rangers are being led by the usual suspects in Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. But it is Chris Kreider who has really impressed this season. He has turned back the clocks and looks like the Kreider of old. He’s third on the team in points with 14 and he leads the team in goals with 11.
The Rangers are glad to have him back as they wanted to be a tougher and more physical team to play against. Not only is Kreider playing well, but so is Igor Shesterkin, who looks like a Vezina Trophy finalists early on this season. The Rangers are clicking on all cylinders even with Filip Chytil and now Sammy Blais out of the lineup.
The Montreal Canadiens are just a mess. Montreal is wrapping up a mini three-game road trip picking up just one point in the process. The Canadiens just do not look like the same team they were last season or even the season before. Something is missing and that something is Carey Price and Shea Weber. However, Price is scheduled to return shortly, but Weber’s future is in doubt. As it has plagued them for years now, the Canadiens can’t get goal scoring. Tyler Toffoli and Josh Anderson have combined for six goals in 17 games. That just is not good enough. Especially for a team that people expected more from. Montreal usually gets up for these Original Six games. And considering the beatdown, the Boston Bruins gave them, look for them to come out flying early.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2
Minnesota Wild vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Wild 0 – Sharks 0
This is the first of three meetings between the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks. The Wild sit atop a very competitive Central Division as the Winnipeg Jets are nipping on their heals. Minnesota has won five of their last six games. In addition, the Wild have won four of five games on home ice to begin the season. The Wild are going to make life miserable for the visiting Sharks team, who are finally over their COVID-19 outbreak. Even with the players returning this will not be enough as the Wild are firing on all cylinders. After a slow start to the season, Kirill Kaprizov is tied for the team in scoring with 11 points. Look for him to continue his stellar place in this game.
Prediction: Wild win 3-1
Arizona Coyotes vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Blues 1 – Coyotes 0
This is the second meeting of the season against the St. Louis Blues and Arizona Coyotes. St. Louis took the first meeting of the season over the lowly Coyotes by a score of 7-4. The Blues are playing better than expected this season and currently sit fourth in the Central Division. Jordan Binnington looks like the player of old and so does Vladimir Tarasenko, who was exposed for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. St. Louis is glad he was not taken as he is playing with a purpose this season.
The Blues are getting back to the type of hockey that Craig Berube likes to see them play and the Coyotes are in for a challenge. Let’s face facts the Coyotes are a bad hockey team. And mostly everyone expected them to be. Of course, they were not going to go winless, but moving to the Central Division did not help things. Look for St. Louis to get back on their winning ways.
Prediction: Blues win 5-2
The New Jersey Devils vs Ottawa Senators scheduled for Tuesday night November 16th in New Jersey has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues involving the Senators.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
