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 Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers.
NHL Predictions with Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-0 Rangers
This is the first of three meetings between the two Metropolitan Division rivals this season.
The Penguins have lost their past three games. The Penguins are led by Jake Guentzel, who has 52 points in 47 games, captain Sidney Crosby, who has 48 points in 41 games, and Kris Letang, who has 47 points in 49 games. Evgeni Malkin didn’t make his season debut until January after undergoing an offseason knee surgery. He has 18 points in 17 games.
The Rangers have won their past two games. Artemi Panarin leads the team with 55 points in 46 games. Mika Zibanejad has 53 points in 51 games, Adam Fox has 49 points in 48 games and Chris Kreider has 48 points in 51 games.
One point separates the Rangers and the Penguins in the standings. The Rangers have 71 points in 51 games, and the Penguins have 70 points in 53 games.
Prediction: 3-2 Rangers
Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Panthers 1-0 Oilers
The last time the two teams played, the Panthers won 6-0 on Jan. 20. Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart each had three points.
The Panthers have lost their past two games. Florida is led by the point-leader of the NHL, Jonathan Huberdeau, who has 74 points in 52 games. The Panthers also have Reinhart, who has 49 points in 49 games, Aaron Ekblad, who has 48 points in 51 games and Barkov, who has 47 points in 39 games.
The Oilers have also lost their past two games. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are tied for the lead in points for the Oilers and second in the NHL. They both have 73 points, but Draisaitl has played 51 games while McDavid has played 50.
The Panthers currently reside at the top of the Atlantic Division, while the Oilers are fighting for a wild-card spot.
Prediction: 3-1 Panthers
Philadelphia Flyers vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-0 Capitals
This is the first of two meetings between the two teams this regular season. They did meet once in the preseason, with the Capitals coming out on top 5-3.
The Flyers come into the game on a six-game losing streak. The Flyers are led by captain Claude Giroux, who has 38 points in 48 games. Cam Atkinson is second with 37 points in 48 games. Travis Konecny is third with 31 points in 49 games.
The Capitals are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Rangers. The Capitals have three players with more points than the Flyers’ captain. Alex Ovechkin leads the team with 63 points in 51 games. Evgeny Kuznetsov is second with 49 points in 50 games, and John Carlson has 40 points in 49 games.
The Capitals are currently in a wild-card spot, while the Flyers likely won’t make the playoffs.
Prediction: 4-1 Capitals
Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-0 Canadiens
The Senators and Canadiens played each other in the preseason, but this will be the first meeting between the two teams in the regular season.
The Senators won their last game over the Minnesota Wild. Brady Tkachuk leads the Senators with 37 points in 47 games. Drake Batherson is next with 34 points in 31 games.
The Canadiens have won their past four games, and have looked much better under interim head coach Martin St. Louis. Nick Suzuki leads the team with 33 points in 52 games. While Cole Caufield only has 18 points in 37 games this season, he has eight points in his past four games.
Neither team has much of a chance of making the playoffs, but the Senators are a lot closer than the Canadiens. In 50 games, the Senators have 43 points. In 52 games, the Canadiens have 31 points.
Prediction: Canadiens 3-2 SO
Nashville Predators vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-0 Lightning
The first time these teams will face off against each other this season will be in the NHL Stadium Series at Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans, in Nashville.
The Predators come into the game on a two-game winning streak. The Predators have four players with 40 or more points. Roman Josi leads the team with 53 points in 50 games. Matt Duchene has 46 points in 48 games, Filip Forsberg has 44 points in 39 games and Mikael Granlund has 40 points in 50 games.
The Lightning have won their past three games. The Lightning have three players with more than 40 points. Steven Stamkos leads the team with 56 points in 49 games. Victor Hedman has 50 points in 50 games, and Alex Killorn has 44 points in 50 games.
The Lightning are in the top three in the Atlantic Division, while the Predators are in a wild-card spot.
Prediction: Predators 4-3 OT
Main Photo:
