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 Vegas Golden Knights vs Philadelphia Flyers.
NHL Predictions with Vegas Golden Knights vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Vegas Golden Knights vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 0 – 0 Flyers
The Vegas Golden Knights are on a three-game winning streak. Chandler Stephenson and Reilly Smith lead the team in points. Stephenson has nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in 25 games. Smith has 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points in 25 games. Mark Stone, who was injured for part of the season, has three goals and 12 assists for 15 points in 13 games. Max Pacioretty also missed games with an injury and has seven goals and five assists for 12 points in eight games.
The Philadelphia Flyers are on a 10-game losing streak. Only two of those were particularly close, overtime and shootout losses in November. The Flyers only have one player who is close to a point-per-game average. Claude Giroux has nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 24 games.
Even though Vegas hasn’t been playing as well as it might like so far this season, it is still by and far a better team than Philadelphia.
Prediction: 5-2 Golden Knights
Arizona Coyotes vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Panthers 1 – 0 Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes have lost their past three games, getting outscored 16-4. They are the worst team in the league. Clayton Keller and defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere lead the team in points with 17 in 25 games. Phil Kessel is just behind them with 14.
Despite the Florida Panthers losing their last game to the St. Louis Blues in overtime, they are one of the best teams in the league. The Panthers’ leading scorer has almost double the number of points Arizona’s leading scorers have. Jonathan Huberdeau has 30 points in 25 games.
They played each other on Oct. 25, and the Panthers won 5-3. This should once again be a relatively easy win for the Panthers.
Prediction: 4-1 Panthers
Colorado Avalanche vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-0 Red Wings
The Colorado Avalanche come into the game on a two-game win streak. The Avalanche have four players who have 20 or more points, with Nazem Kadri leading the pack with 34 points in 22 games.
For the Detroit Red Wings, this is the second game of a back-to-back. Rookie Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin are leading the team in points, but neither of them come close to how many points Kadri has.
The Red Wings and Avalanche are actually pretty close together in the standings as middle-of-the-pack teams. But, the Red Wings have played more games than the Avalanche, and the Avalanche have players who are putting up more points than Detroit’s best players so far this season.
Prediction: 3-1 Avalanche
Vancouver Canucks vs. Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Canucks 1-0 Jets
The Vancouver Canucks have looked like a different team in their first two games under head coach Bruce Boudreau. They shut out the Los Angeles Kings in his first game as a coach and beat the Bruins 2-1 in a shootout in his second. Still, they are near the bottom of the league standings. J.T. Miller leads the team with 26 points in 27 games this season.
For the Winnipeg Jets, this is the second game of a back-to-back. The Jets’ scoring leader, Kyle Connor, has more points than the Canucks’ scoring leader.
Even with the Canucks having improved and winning their first matchup Nov. 19, 3-2, the Jets have been the better team so far this season, and their star forwards have been putting up more points.
Prediction: 4-2 Jets
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