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 Vancouver Canucks. Be sure to check out the early games as well.
NHL Predictions: January 25th featuring Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks
Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-2 Islanders
The Flyers have managed two separate 10-game losing streaks this season. Philadelphia is in the 20s in goals scored, goals against, power play and penalty kill. It’s a lousy effort all the way around for the Broad Street Bullies. Cam Atkinson leads the team in goals with 15 while captain Claude Giroux has 19 assists.
The Islanders have struggled to score and have dealt with injuries and COVID. New York is the best at goals against with 88 coming into Tuesday’s games, but are dead-last in goals for with 79. The Isles did just win three in a row before losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Philadelphia can’t seem to get out of its own way and the Isles defence is better equipped to handle this game.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-1.
Florida Panthers vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-0 Jets
Florida is coming into the game with the best record in the league. However, it’s coming off a puzzling 5-3 loss to the Seattle Kraken. Jonathan Huberdeau is tops in assists with 42, while Anthony Duclair has the team-lead in goals with 18. Sergei Bobrovsky is continuing his stellar form with a .923 save percentage. Florida does have the top offence with 168 goals coming into Monday’s action.
Winnipeg is trying to halt a four-game losing streak. The Jets find themselves out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at this time, but they are only three points out. Winnipeg’s offence has struggled the last three games after only scoring two goals in each of those games. Kyle Connor leads the team in goals and assists while Connor Hellebuyck hasn’t been as solid as he usually is.
Florida’s offence is fun to watch and it’ll be motivated after the loss to Seattle.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Oilers 2-0 Canucks
Edmonton is in desperation mode, but got a huge 5-3 win in the Battle of Alberta against the Calgary Flames. The Oilers are still in trouble, and four points out of the wild card in the West. Goaltending has been a problem, but any team with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl has a chance to win. Draisaitl has 28 goals while McDavid has 36 assists for Edmonton.
Vancouver has lost two straight and three of its last five. The offence has dried up in losses as the Canucks have only scored a single goal in each of those losses. Vancouver is also only four points off the pace for the last Wild Card spot. It could be a problem for the Canucks penalty kill, as they are last in the league and going up against the top-rated power play in the Oilers.
The Canucks have to stay out of the box, but the Oilers are also desperate for wins and points.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-2.
Nashville Predators vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-1 Kraken
Nashville didn’t look like a playoff team when it gave Seattle its first win in franchise history. However, the Predators are in the mix still in the Central Division. Nashville is sixth on the power play and 10th in goals scored with 133. Filip Forsberg is angling for that big contract with 20 goals and Juuse Saros has a .925 save percentage. Nashville is the most penalized team in the league.
Seattle is coming off a huge win over Florida on Sunday night. The Kraken struggle in categories like goals against, goals for, power play and penalty killing. Jared McCann leads in goals with 15 and Alexander Wennberg is first in assists with 16. Goaltending has been a struggle for the expansion team.
The Predators have some solid offence and should get the revenge win on the Kraken.
Prediction: Predators win 4-1.
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