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 Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars.
NHL Predictions: February 11th including Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars
New York Islanders vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Islanders 1-0 Oilers
In the second, and final, meeting of the 2021-22 season between these two teams, this could make for some interesting viewing. The Islanders, albeit well out of a playoff spot, have looked much better recently. As for the Oilers, they continue to consistently underperform with the talent they have, which led to the firing of now-former head coach Dave Tippett.
It is hard to understate how a coaching change can have an immediate impact on both morale and quality of play. With that and the fact that they have the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and newly-added Evander Kane, this should be a win for the Oilers.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-2
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Lightning 1-0 Coyotes
It’s hard to go any further in-depth for this game than this: one team is good, and one team is not. The Lightning, as you would expect, are the good one in this conversation.
While the Coyotes are still very much cemented to the bottom five in the league, they have at times done themselves justice and pulled out surprising wins. Karel Vejmelka has looked good in net in flashes, and Clayton Keller continues to impress. Despite those facts, they are going to find it nearly impossible to top Andrei Vasilevskiy and company.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-1
Seattle Kraken vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-2 Ducks
As many expected after the expansion draft, the Seattle Kraken have largely failed to bring the same excitement to expansion that the Golden Knights did. With that being said, they have started to find a relative sense of footing in the middle part of the season and look to be a decent team.
The biggest factor to this game is the fact that the Kraken goaltenders have been immensely disappointing this season, and this game likely won’t be an exception. With how surprising the Anaheim offence has been this season on the back of Troy Terry, and the play of both John Gibson and Anthony Stolarz being largely stellar, this should be another win for the Ducks in their push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Prediction: Ducks win 4-2
Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Jets 1-0 Stars
In the featured matchup of the day, it is the Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars in a Central Division showdown. The last time these teams met, Winnipeg came away with a 4-3 win, and this game could be very similar to the last one.
Both of these teams have been middling squads for both goals-per-game and goals against, so the main factors will likely be decided by individual play. For the Jets, if Kyle Connor can continue to score like he usually does, it will give them a massive boost. As for Dallas, if Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen can continue their current hot streaks, they will almost certainly play a large role in this matchup.
There is a lot of individual talent at play here, but the biggest difference will likely be goaltending. In that category, Winnipeg gets the nod and will likely get the win in this one.
Prediction: Winnipeg wins 4-3
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