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 St Louis Blues.
NHL Predictions with Colorado Avalanche vs St Louis Blues
Colorado Avalanche vs St Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1-1 Blues
The last time these two teams played each other, Colorado came out on top 4-3 on October 28. J.T. Compher had two goals. But St. Louis won 5-3 on October 16. David Perron had two goals.
The Avalanche have lost their past four games. Colorado is led by Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Nazem Kadri, who all have more than 80 points.
The Blues have won their past three games and have points in 16 straight. St. Louis is led by Vladimir Tarasenko, Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou, who all have 70 or more points.
Both Central Division teams have clinched playoff spots. The Avalanche will be the first seed, but the Blues could use a win to try and pass the Minnesota Wild for second place in the Central Division, which would secure them home-ice advantage in the first round.
Prediction: 5-4 OT Avalanche
Nashville Predators vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Predators 2-0 Flames
The last time they played each other on April 19, Nashville won 3-2 in a shootout. Before that, Calgary won 3-2 in overtime on November 2.
The Predators have lost their past two games. Roman Josi has 91 points in 77 games for Nashville. Matt Duchene has 81 points in 75 games, and Filip Forsberg has 81 points in 75 games.
The Flames have won their past two games. Calgary is led by Johnny Gaudreau, who has 111 points in 79 games, and Matthew Tkachuk, who has 101 points in 79 games.
The Flames have clinched the first spot in the Pacific Division, while the Predators are trying to hold on to their wild-card spot.
Prediction: 4-2 Flames
Minnesota Wild vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Wild 2-0 Coyotes
The last time they played, Minnesota won 5-2 on November 30. Jordan Greenway had three points. Before that, the Wild again 5-2 on November 10. Kevin Fiala had three points this time.
Minnesota comes into the game on a five-game winning streak and are 17-1-3 in their past 21 games. The Wild are led by Kirill Kaprizov, who has 103 points in 78 games, and Fiala, who has 84 points in 79 games.
The Coyotes have lost their past 10 games. Clayton Keller, who is out for the season with a broken leg, leads Arizona with 63 points in 67 games. After him are Nick Schmaltz, who has 55 points in 60 games, and Phil Kessel, who has 49 points in 79 games.
The Coyotes won’t make the playoffs, but the Wild have the chance to try to gain some points on the Blues for second place in the Central Division.
Prediction: 4-0 Wild
Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 2-0 Stars
The last time they played each other, Vegas won 5-4 on Dec. 8. Mark Stone had three points. Before that, the Golden Knights won 3-2 in overtime on October 27. Shea Theodore had two points.
Dallas won its last game against the Kraken. Joe Pavelski leads the Stars with 78 points in 79 games. Jason Robertson is next with 75 points in 71 games.
Vegas lost its last game against the Sharks. The Golden Knights are led by Jonathan Marchessault, who has 64 points in 73 games, and Chandler Stephenson, who has 60 points in 76 games.
Both teams are fighting for a wild-card spot. Dallas is currently in the second wild-card spot with 93 points, and Vegas is on the outside looking in with 90 points.
Prediction: 3-2 OT Golden Knights
Vancouver Canucks vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Canucks 3-0 Kraken
The last time they played Vancouver won 5-2 on February 21. The Canucks also won 5-2 on January 1. Tanner Pearson had two points. Before that, Vancouver won 4-2 on October 23.
The Canucks have lost their past three games. Vancouver is led by J.T. Miller, who has 97 points in 77 games. Quinn Hughes also recently broke the record for most assists by a Canucks defenseman in a season with 56.
Seattle has lost its past two games. Jared McCann and Yanni Gourde lead the Kraken in points with 47 and 46, respectively, in 70 games each.
Vancouver is only six points out of a wild-card spot.
Prediction: 3-2 Kraken
San Jose Sharks vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Ducks 2-1 Sharks
The last time the teams played, San Jose won 4-1 on March 26. Timo Meier had three points. Before that, Anaheim won 3-2 in overtime on March 6. The Ducks also won 4-3 in a shootout on February 22.
The Sharks won its past two games, including a thrilling shootout win over Vegas where they tied the game with less than a second left in regulation and then rookie Thomas Bordeleau scored the lone shootout goal. San Jose is led by Meier, who has 76 points in 74 games.
Anaheim has lost its past three games. This will be its first game without captain Ryan Getzlaf, who played his final home game Sunday. The Ducks are led by Troy Terry, who has 65 points in 73 games, and Trevor Zegras, who has 59 points in 73 games.
Neither team will make the playoffs.
Prediction: 3-1 Sharks
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