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 Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Predictions with Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers
Calgary Flames vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Flames 2-0 Kraken
The Calgary Flames will look for the season sweep against their newest divisional rivals, the Seattle Kraken, as they face off tonight in the emerald city. With playoff implications close to nil, the big story is Johnny Gaudreau and his quest for 100 points. He sits at 99 and considering the opponent, has an excellent shot at getting 100 tonight. He’s guaranteed himself an incredible new contract in the offseason.
The Flames are the better team in almost every metric, and carry a tidy three-game winning streak into the contest. There’s little reason to anticipate anything other than a convincing Flames win.
Prediction: Flames win 4-1
Anaheim Ducks vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Ducks 1-0 Flyers
They’re not all going to be gems and that’s certainly the case here. Both squads are playing for little else at this point than draft positioning and the promise of next year. In terms of how they stack up, the Philadelphia Flyers are likely the better bet here, even despite their struggles.
The Flyers have two wins in their last three games, including a victory against the New York Rangers. Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks have reached a whole other level of disaster. They have just one win in their 14 games and have completely buckled down the stretch. It’s wild to think that at one point this season, the Ducks had won eight in a row and were actually in the playoff hunt. Now, however, they sit near the bottom of the Pacific Division with exactly zero momentum to their name.
The Flyers should get the win here, especially on home ice.
Prediction: Flyers win 3-1
New York Islanders vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Islanders 1-0 Blues
Had it not been for the early-season arena issues for the New York Islanders, it’s possible they may have been wild card contenders right about now. Unfortunately, those early season woes were just a bit too much to overcome. The Islanders have been playing decent hockey as of late, including a recent four-game winning streak. but with little left on the line, they’ll be in for a tough matchup against a more inspired opponent.
That’ll certainly be the case tonight against the St. Louis Blues. The Blues are still trying hard to secure second place in the Central Division and have been doing a bang-up job in the process. They are on a three-game win streak and have five wins in their last six games. Robert Thomas is a machine for the Blues right now (seven-game point streak), and of course, Ville Husso has been lights out in net.
The Islanders have also struggled on the road this season, with six more losses than wins, while the Blues are one of the better teams at home. Add in a power play that is humming along at 26.1% and the Blues look like winners.
Prediction: Blues win 4-2
San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-2 Canucks
Similar to the Ducks, the San Jose Sharks have started to see a late season dip as the year comes to a close. They have just one win in their last seven games and will enter tonight’s game on a five-game losing streak.
The Vancouver Canucks haven’t quit yet and are still trying to fight and claw their way into the playoffs, but it just looks too daunting at this point. Even with incredibly slim odds, the Canucks haven’t tapped out yet and it’s why they’ve been able to get recent wins against the likes of the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche.
At this point, even with their playoff hopes dimming to a barely visible hue, the Canucks still have enough jam to put up more of a fight than this Sharks team can take.
Prediction: Canucks win 6-4
Arizona Coyotes vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 1-1 Golden Knights
To put it quite simply, the Vegas Golden Knights absolutely need this win. They’ve been pretty good over their last stretch of games going 7-3, but even then, they slipped and lost to the Canucks in their most recent game. Their stretch of struggle during March is starting to cost them as they find themselves quickly running out of track as game 82 nears. They currently sit two points back of the Stars for the last wild card spot; but, the Stars have two games in hand. That’s tough to make up in the loser point era, but it starts with beating non-playoff teams down the stretch.
The Arizona Coyotes are a very beatable team for the Knights. They have only two wins in their last 10 games, sit dead last in the league, and have inferior goaltending, special teams, and overall output from forwards and defence.
Barring a major upset, Vegas gets it done tonight to stay in the hunt.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 5-1
Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1-0 Oilers
The Hockey Night in Canada main event couldn’t be any better. The last time these two teams met, they put on a classic that ended in overtime on a great goal from Nathan MacKinnon. Tonight, the game will take place from Edmonton and it looks to be an even better set-up.
The Colorado Avalanche are 8-1-1 in their last 10, as they are absolutely rolling versus anyone in site. Countering that is an Edmonton Oilers team that is 7-2-1 in their last 10, and who have climbed all the way back into second place in the Pacific. Connor McDavid finds himself on a 15 game point streak with a decent chance at 50 goals this season. He’s already surpassed his career-high, scoring his 42 on Thursday night.
Additionally, the Oilers find themselves on a six-game win streak, as well as a nine-game win streak at home. Rogers Place has emerged as a difficult place to play as of late, and the Avalanche will look to try and quiet the raucous Edmonton crowd early with a goal or two. That may be a bit easier than usual, as the Oilers will be playing their first game at home following a three-game road trip in California. Historically, that’s been a tough ask for the Oilers, and they could be vulnerable in this position.
Overall, this is setting up to be another classic. Expect this one to be close, and maybe hit extra time once more, but the Avalanche will have a bit more juice and should be able to get the win once more.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-3 (OT)
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
