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 Colorado Avalanche.
NHL Predictions: February 25th Including Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1-2 Hurricanes
This matchup could make for quite an interesting one. These two teams have already met three times this season, with each being a high-scoring affair for at least one team. The last time out, the Blue Jackets came away with a 6-0 win that was a surprise to nearly everyone.
As of late, both of these teams have been playing very well. With that, however, the Jackets are coming in on the back end of a back-to-back where they also played the Florida Panthers. Because of that, this is going to be a tough one to pull out.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2
Buffalo Sabres vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-0 Blues
This is likely the most straightforward game of the day. Buffalo has not been good recently, and outside of the performances of players like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, they haven’t had much to cheer for this season. As for the Blues, they have seemingly found their footing and find themselves well inside the playoff race, even with Jordan Binnington having a largely disappointing season.
Prediction: Blues win 5-2
New Jersey Devils vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Devils 1-0 Blackhawks
While this is undeniably not the most exciting game of the night, it might very well be the closest one. Neither the Devils nor the Blackhawks have been good this season, with both being in the bottom half of the league in nearly every statistical category.
With the Devils losing goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to an ongoing heel issue, this one could very well be decided by the goaltending performances. That pushes the needle very much in the favor of the Blackhawks.
Prediction: Blackhawks win 4-1
Vegas Golden Knights vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-t0-Head: Golden Knights 1-0 Coyotes
It would be a tall task to make this sound like anything other than what it is – a one-sided matchup. The Golden Knights continue to prove to be a quality team that is undoubtedly going to be in the playoffs and the Coyotes are nothing short of a bottom-dweller.
This is going to be a tough game for the Coyotes to keep the biscuit out of their basket, much like the last time these two teams met.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 6-1
Los Angeles Kings vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Kings 0-1 Ducks
While this one isn’t the featured matchup of the day, it could be quite a tight game. This game is going to have some pretty major implications in the standings in the Pacific Division, and with how tight the top three spots are in that division, could easily make for an important two points come the end of the season.
Both teams have been heading back in the right direction recently after respective slumps and they continue to surprise this season. For the Ducks, Troy Terry continues to lead the way and while John Gibson hasn’t been great recently, they can rely on Anthony Stolarz to fill in and put in a respectable performance. For the Kings, their goaltending duo and scoring from the likes of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty have turned the clocked back a few years.
This one could very well be tight enough that special teams could be the deciding factor. If that is indeed the case, look for the Ducks to pull off a very important win.
Prediction: Ducks win 4-3
Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Jets 0-1 Avalanche
For the featured matchup of the day, we have the Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche. This is going to be an exciting affair to watch, but might not be as close as some might hope.
While the Jets are certainly no slouch team to sleep on, it is hard to really pick anything but an Avalanche win. If it weren’t for the Florida Panthers, the Avalanche would be the clear top team in the entire league. Given the fact that they are second only in goals to Florida, this is going to make for a tough game for the Jets.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2
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