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 Edmonton Oilers vs Calgary Flames.
NHL Predictions with Edmonton Oilers vs Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-0 Flames
The Oilers won the first Battle of Alberta game of the season 5-2 on Oct. 16. Connor McDavid had a hat trick, and Jesse Puljujarvi and Derek Ryan added goals.
The Oilers have lost their past seven games. The most recent was a 6-0 shutout to one of the best teams in the league, the Florida Panthers. The Oilers have two of the best offensive players in the league in McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Draisaitl has 54 points in 36 games and McDavid has 53 points in 35 games.
Meanwhile, the Flames won their last game, a 5-1 win over the Panthers. Johnny Gaudreau leads the Flames in points with 43 points in 35 games. Matthew Tkachuk is second on the team with 35 points in 35 games.
The Battle of Alberta is typically an exciting matchup, not just because of the offensive talent on both sides, but because of the animosity between the two teams. And with how bad the Oilers have been playing, they may be more inclined to take out their frustrations on Flames players more than ever.
Prediction: 5-3 Flames
New York Islanders vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1-0 Islanders
In the last meeting between the two teams on Nov. 21, the Maple Leafs shut out the Islanders 3-0, with two goals from Mitch Marner and one from Ondrej Kase.
The Maple Leafs lost their last game. The Leafs are led by Auston Matthews, William Nylander and former Islander John Tavares. Matthews has 41 points in 34 games, Nylander has 37 points in 37 games and Tavares has 36 points in 36 games.
This will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Islanders, who played the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night. They won their past two games before Friday. Because of COVID-19 issues, the Islanders have played fewer games than almost everyone else in the league. So while they’re near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division standings now, they may not be forever. Mathew Barzal leads the team in points.
Prediction: 3-2 Maple Leafs
Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Predators 1-0 Red Wings
The Predators won the previous meeting against the Red Wings 5-2 on Dec. 7. Dante Fabbro, Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi all had three-point nights.
The Predators won their previous game. The Predators are led by Josi, Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund. Josi has 42 points in 40 games, Duchene has 35 points in 38 games and Granlund has 35 points in 40 games.
This is the second night of a back-to-back for the Red Wings. They played the Dallas Stars on Friday night. Before that, they won their previous two games. The Red Wings are led by Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi and rookie Lucas Raymond.
Prediction: 3-1 Predators
Minnesota Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Blackhawks (Before Friday night’s game)
This will be the second game of a home and home series between the two teams.
Before Friday’s game, the Wild lost their last game. The Wild are led by Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman.
Before Friday’s game, the Blackhawks also lost their last game. The Blackhawks are led by Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat and Seth Jones.
The Wild are in the top half of the Central Division standings and have played fewer games than the teams ahead of them. The Blackhawks, however, are in seventh place in the same division out of eight teams. The Wild have some catching up to do if they want to finish in the top three of their division, but they are a wild card team as of now. The Blackhawks more than likely won’t make the playoffs, even with the additions they made over the summer.
Prediction: 4-1 Wild
San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-0 Lightning
The Sharks lost their last game 3-2 on Thursday. The Sharks are led by Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl. Meier has 46 points in 36 games this season, including a five-goal game Monday. Hertl has 37 points in 41 games.
The Lightning won their past four games before travelling to play the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. The Lightning are led by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman and recently got Nikita Kucherov back from a lower-body injury.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. While the Sharks are a middle-of-the-pack team in the Pacific Division, the Lightning are one of the best teams in the league.
Prediction: 3-1 Lightning
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
