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 Los Angeles Kings.
NHL Predictions with Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings
Seattle Kraken vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Kraken 1 – 1 Blackhawks
Tonight marks the rubber match in a game with not much meaning to it. Unless you are keeping tabs on the lottery pick for the entry draft this summer. The disappointing inaugural season for the Kraken is close to coming to an end. After a tumultuous year, the Kraken failed to carve out any sort of identity. They will be playing for pride in this one.
The Blackhawks enter this one amidst a five-game losing streak. The losses to Florida and Tampa Bay were expected but the losses to Buffalo, Arizona, and Vegas were more troublesome. The ‘Hawks get another shot at a bottom-feeder team to end the losing streak. Alex Debricant, who has seven points in his last five games, will lead the way offensively.
Chicago will look to take advantage of a tired Kraken squad who played the St. Louis Blues last night.
Prediction: Blackhawks win 4-1
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Leafs 1 – 0 Stars
After giving up a four-goal lead (where have I heard that one before?) to the Florida Panthers the other night, Toronto will look to put that game behind them with a full 60-minute effort in this one.
Toronto took the last meeting between these two clubs with a convincing 4-0 win. Toronto continues to jockey for position in the tightly-contested Atlantic Division. They know any night where they leave points on the table is paramount in losing their chance at securing home-ice advantage in the playoffs. Expect a big performance from the Leafs and their stars tonight.
Dallas is also a team that is fighting for their playoff lives. At the time of writing this, they currently sit in the last wild card spot, just a point up on Vegas. Dallas has been a streaky team all year. But we know with what is on the line, the Stars will surely come out with a lot of fire and have the American Airlines Centre rocking with a playoff-type atmosphere.
Prediction: Leafs win 5-4 OT
Vancouver Canucks vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Canucks 1 – 0 Coyotes
After a disappointing stretch that saw the Canucks drop seven of their last 10, the Vancouver faithful have all but accepted they won’t be watching their team play deep into the spring season.
There was a moment where it looked like the Canucks would make a rally and take advantage of other teams’ late-season stumbles and leapfrog them into the wildcard spot. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. However, they aren’t mathematically eliminated yet, so there should still be some purposeful fight left in the Canucks team.
Arizona will surely love to play spoiler though. No greater feeling for a team that has been out of contention for as long as the ‘Yotes have, to make life difficult for other teams. Arizona struggled to find the back of the net the last time these two teams played, despite pouring on 36 shots on goal. They deserved better in their last game and will hope for a little more puck luck in this one.
Prediction: Canucks win 3-2
Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Flames 0 – 3 Sharks
The Sharks will look to sweep the season series tonight. Yes, you read that right. The lowly sharks have been kryptonite to the power-house Flames, taking all three of their previous matchups this season. San Jose held a playoff spot for the first half of the season but has faltered since the All-Star break. The Sharks playoff hopes have slipped away but a season sweep of the, most likely, Pacific Division Champs, will give them some nice bragging rights.
After putting away the Los Angeles Kings the other night, the Flames have given themselves a slight cushion in the Pacific Division. The division is all but theirs but you won’t see Darryl Sutter and his squad easing off the gas anytime soon. The home-ice advantage is something the Flames will not like to give up. And now is not the time to get comfortable. It’s time to dial it in and be full tilt for the start of the playoffs.
Prediction: Flames win 4-2
Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Oilers 2 – 1 Kings
If you saw the last installment of the Oilers vs Kings, then you were treated to one of the best games of the season. This game held a playoff atmosphere the entire way through. It was one end-to-end rush after another with the players flying around and hitting anything that moved. An exhilarating overtime saw each team trade chances for five minutes but eventually, it solved nothing and off to the shootout we went. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid both score to seal the victory for the Oilers. It was as close as could be. And with the tie break in the standing on the line, expect this game to be much like the last!
The Oilers are getting themselves dialled in at the right time. After getting embarrassed 9-5 by the Flames, the Oilers have won five straight, including important games against the Kings and Blues. Edmonton knows home-ice advantage is on the line, so expect their fight to be great!
The Kings are kicking themselves for letting the last meeting between them and the Oilers slip away. Los Angeles had chance after chance to put the game away but could not convert. The Kings will look to feed off the energy of their home crowd in this one and help snag two points and bring them one step close to their first playoff appearance since 2018.
Prediction: Kings win 4-3 OT
Main photo:
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