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 Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals.
NHL Predictions with Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals
New York Islanders vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: New York 0-0 Detroit
This game presents a tale of two cities. One is performing at a pace that could see them in the playoffs and the other is bottom-dwelling. Most would have thought the Islanders were the former and Detroit the latter, but that has not been the case this season.
The Islanders have been rotten offensively this season, as they are only scoring 1.83 goals per game this season, only better than the Arizona Coyotes. They haven’t gotten the types of performances they were expecting from players like Mathew Barzal (5-4-9) and company, and when you compound that with very bad goaltending, you have a recipe for losing a lot of games.
As for Detroit, they are wildly exceeding expectations so far this season. They were not viewed as a team that would be challenging for much, as they are very much in the throes of a rebuild still. Their young skaters have decided to step up, and their record is all the much better for it. Look for the likes of Lucas Raymond (10-12-22) and Moritz Seider (2-14-16) to continue to excite against the Islanders.
Prediction: Detroit wins 3-2
Buffalo Sabres vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Buffalo 0-0 Carolina
This game presents, what should be, a fairly straightforward prediction.
The Carolina Hurricanes are playing fantastically in every facet of the game this season, sitting at 15-6-1. While they are on a bit of a slide, losing their last three games, this should be just the kind of game to get them out of their slump and back to winning ways.
Prediction: Carolina wins 4-1
Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Chicago 0-0 New York
Despite the fact that Chicago is well off playoff pace, this game could make for an interesting matchup that might not be as easy as it looks on paper. Many would assume the Rangers to get an easy victory, especially when you see their 15-4-3 record on the season and the fact that they’re on a five-game winning streak.
Chicago, however, is looking substantially better as of late, as they are still trying to recover from a historically poor start to the season. The Blackhawks are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, and they can thank the goaltending of Marc-Andre Fleury for that, who has won three of his last five, picking up a shutout in that stretch as well back on November 21st against the Vancouver Canucks.
As for the Rangers, they are firing on all cylinders this season. They have won their last five games in a row and are currently on a hot streak, going 9-1-0 in their last 10 games. Much like Chicago, they can thank their netminder for this period of success. 25-year-old Igor Shesterkin continues to impress and, if this run of play can continue, will undoubtedly be in Vezina talks at the end of the season. Shesterkin is 13-3-2 on the season with a 2.05 GAA and a .937 save percentage.
Prediction: New York wins 3-2
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Pittsburgh 1-0 Vancouver
These two teams have already met once this season back on November 24th when Pittsburgh won 4-1. That game could be the writing on the wall for this one, as the Canucks are struggling to find any sort of footing, going 3-7-0 in their last 10 games. And with the Penguins getting the play they are out of netminder Tristan Jarry this season, this game should be an easy win for Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Pittsburgh wins 4-1
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Columbus 0-1 Washington
For the featured matchup of the night, we have the Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals. As always, a heated Metro Division game can be exciting for all fans alike. If this game shapes up anything like their first game back on November 12th, a 4-3 Capitals win, it should be a great game to watch.
The main storyline for the Blue Jackets going into this game is going to be focused on their goal. Young netminder Daniil Tarasov has gotten the nod for the second straight game, as Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo are dealing with a non-COVID illness. The rookie netminder lost his debut game but performed admirably with 34 saves on 37 shots.
Another storyline that will hinge on that of the former is the scoring run that Alex Ovechkin finds himself in yet again this season. Proving yet again that the Russian machine never breaks, Ovechkin has 19 goals and 19 assists in 24 games this season. Yes, you read that stat line correctly.
Prediction: Washington wins 3-2
