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
Los Angeles Kings vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Kings 0 – 1 Bruins
Although the Los Angeles Kings are near the top of their division and the Boston Bruins are fourth in their own, Boston actually has more standings points than Los Angeles. For the Bruins, David Pastrnak holds an eight-game point streak, during which he has recorded seven goals and five assists. Although no Kings player has scored quite so consistently, Viktor Arvidsson had a hat trick against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Still, the last time these teams met (exactly a week ago), the Bruins shut out the Kings 7-0. Expect this one to go Boston’s way, too.
Prediction: Bruins win, 5-2
Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Panthers 1 – 0 Sabres
While the Buffalo Sabres remain far out of playoff contention, this matchup provides an opportunity for the Florida Panthers to further secure their place atop the Atlantic Division. The first time these teams met, it was the Panthers who walked away with the win. For Florida, Jonathan Huberdeau has six points in his last five games. Sergei Bobrovsky has also been doing well, with a shutout and a .917 save percentage in his two most recent starts. Buffalo’s Kyle Okposo has been crucial to his team’s successes, with a goal and an assist in a win over the Minnesota Wild and another goal in a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Panthers are simply too strong of an opponent for the Sabres to take down.
Prediction: Panthers win, 5-3
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1 – 1 Blue Jackets
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been struggling as of late. They remain near the top of the Atlantic Division but enter this game off two losses to lesser opponents. The Columbus Blue Jackets, while nowhere near the Maple Leafs in the standings, also have a two-game losing streak. Columbus’ Oliver Bjorkstrand has a four-game point streak, including goals in three consecutive games. As usual, Mitch Marner has been very productive for Toronto, with a total of 13 points during his current six-game point streak. With the Maple Leafs faltering, the Blue Jackets should be able to put up a good fight. Still, Toronto should come out on top.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win, 6-5
Colorado Avalanche vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1 – 0 Islanders
While the Colorado Avalanche lead the NHL with 85 standing points, the New York Islanders are sinking in the competitive Metropolitan. However, the Avalanche have lost two in a row, and the Islanders won their last game. For Colorado, Nathan MacKinnon has a 10-game point streak. On the Islanders’ end, Ilya Sorokin has been fairly solid in his last three starts, picking up wins in two. Nevertheless, it wasn’t very long ago that Colorado defeated the Islanders in their first meeting of the season. As such, there shouldn’t be too many surprises in this game; the Avalanche should, predictably, win again.
Prediction: Avalanche win, 3-2
Edmonton Oilers vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Oilers 2 – 0 Flames
In the third installment in this season’s Battle of Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Calgary Flames. The Oilers have lost two in a row and sit in the middle of the pack in the Pacific Division. On the other hand, the Calgary Flames have won eight of their last 10 games and have claimed the top spot in the Pacific.
For Edmonton, what once had looked like a promising week took a turn for the worst. After shutting out the Philadelphia Flyers, the Oilers were defeated by the Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens, both teams they should have beaten. Mike Smith had a particularly rocky time against the Canadiens, allowing four goals on just 28 shots. Oddly enough, though, Evander Kane has been very active as of late, with three goals and two assists in his last five games.
On Calgary’s end, Saturday’s overtime win over the Avalanche should provide some momentum heading into this contest. Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, and Matthew Tkachuk each picked up three points in that game. Gaudreau and Lindholm both have four-game point streaks. Although the Oilers took the first two games in the head-to-head, the Flames should have the edge this time around.
Prediction: Flames win, 4-3
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