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 Pittsburgh Penguins vs Winnipeg Jets
NHL Predictions with Pittsburgh Penguins vs Winnipeg Jets
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-0 Jets
Currently on a two-game win streak, the Pittsburgh Penguins look to collect a win vs the Winnipeg Jets. After dropping two games to the Canucks and Oilers the Jets will look to rebound vs a hot Penguins team. When these two teams match up it’s always a fast tight low scoring game. These teams are fairly alike.
Both teams are heavy offensively and in goal, you can give Connor Hellebuyck the slight edge over Tristan Jarry who is definitely on a hot streak with two straight shutouts. The Penguins will need to cover Kyle Connor who’s on a tear this season putting up 22 points in 17 games. The Jets should look to spark their offense as in their past two games they haven’t scored over two goals.
Winnipeg will look to crack Pittsburghs solid defense and they should be able to with the up-front star power they’ve had this year. With both teams having depth, speed, firepower, and goaltending, this should be the ultimate matchup of the night.
Pittsburgh wins 2-1
Ottawa Senators vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-0 Avalanche
After a three-game break due to covid, the Ottawa Senators look to get a much-needed win with the return of their entire lineup. The Senators aren’t going to be a team who creates a lot of chances, as they do lack firepower on offense. The Colorado Avalanche should have no problem creating chances net-front as Ottawa primarily allows all of their offense in front of the net.
Two weeks ago the Senators may have had a chance in this game but the Avalanche seemed to have got their groove back as they look to defeat Ottawa and continue their four-game win streak. A question we’ll look to answer after this game is do the Avalanche really have a starter in Darcy Kuemper? The Senators will hopefully manage to survive this game after their COVID troubles. If they do happen to lose this game no ones going to be putting blame anywhere but this dang virus.
The Avalanche are a quality shot-heavy team so the Senators should key in on suppressing shots from the middle of the ice. With some luck and a sprinkle of magic the Senators may be able to pull off a win but with the Avalanche on a roll it’s very unlikely.
Colorado wins 3-1
Carolina Hurricanes vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-0 Sharks
There haven’t been too many teams able to take down the powerhouse Carolina Hurricanes. With solid goaltending, elite youngsters, and solid defending it’ll be a big job on the San Jose Sharks‘ hands. Although they started hot the San Jose Sharks have been average the past five games dropping four of their last five. Rookie Seth Jarvis is just getting started as he’s had a great start to his young season already putting up four goals in nine games. Carolina should have no problem winning this game as they have the edge in every area over San Jose. All of their defensive pairings put up solid numbers creating chances but they allow quite a few chances against. The counterattack will be something to pay attention to.
Since signing with the Hurricanes, Frederick Andersen is putting on quite the show. He sits atop the NHL with 12.54 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAX) according to Evolving Hockey’s model (insert Vezina contender here).
Being led by their top guns, San Jose has pulled off upsets against some top teams this year so you never know what can happen.
Carolina wins 4-2
Main Image: Embed from Getty Images
