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 Anaheim Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings.
NHL Predictions: Anaheim Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings
Seattle Kraken vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head Kraken 0-0 Blackhawks
Connor Bedard sweepstakes anyone? Both of these clubs sit near the bottom of their respective divisions. While the Chicago Blackhawks are in full rebuild mode, they started the season with a 2-2 record. Petr Mrazek has not played well early this season, boasting a 3.50 GAA and .885 SV%. Captain Jonathan Toews shares the team lead in goals with two.
Superstar winger Patrick Kane has only one assist on the season. The Seattle Kraken hold a 1-2-2 record and have been giving up more goals than they have been scoring. Phillipe Grubauer and Martin Jones have split time early, both posting abysmal numbers. Newcomer Andre Burakovsky leads the Kraken with five points in five games. Expect Seattle’s powerplay to lead them to victory over the heavily penalized Blackhawks.
Prediction: Kraken Win 5-3
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head Blue Jackets 0-0 Rangers
After an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the New York Rangers have gotten off to a hot start. The Rangers hold a record of 3-1-1 thanks partly to their high-powered offence and last year’s Vezina Trophy winner, Igor Shesterkin’s. The Rangers are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks.
Artemi Panarin paces the Rangers with ten points through five games. After landing a highly sought-after free agent, Johnny Gaudreau, during the off-season, the Blue Jackets‘ play in October has been sub-par. Columbus enters the game closing out a back-to-back after playing the Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday. Don’t expect the Blue Jackets defenders to be up to the daunting task of stopping a potent Rangers offence.
Prediction: Rangers win 7-2
New York Islanders vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head Islanders 0-0 Panthers
The New York Islanders are also playing the second night of a back-to-back. The Islanders played the Panthers’ cross-state rival, Tampa Bay Lightning, last night . Islanders Goalie Ilya Sorokin looks to have regained his form through the early stages of this season. The defending Atlantic Division champion, Florida, last played Friday night against the Lightning.
The Panthers have been hindered by injuries and have a very depleted blue line. Last season the Panthers won all three meetings between the two, outscoring the Islanders 14-4. New addition Matthew Tkachuk has fit nicely in Florida, providing two goals and four assists for six points. Look for the more rested Panthers to secure a victory in a tightly contested game.
Prediction: Panthers win 3-2 in Overtime
San Jose Sharks vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head Sharks 0-0 Flyers
In one of the bigger surprises to start the 2022-23 season, the Philadelphia Flyers have started the season with some splendid play. Through five games, the Flyers have picked up four wins, surprising some with wins over the Lightning and a revamped New Jersey Devils. Carter Hart, though early, has been spectacular this season, posting an astronomical .943 save percentage to go along with a 2.00 goals-against-average. Hart has been between the pipe for each of the Flyers’ wins.
The Sharks started their season playing the Nashville Predators across the pond, dropping both games. Upon returning home, the Sharks haven’t faired any better as they currently sit 8th in the Pacific Division with a 2-5 record. Sharks have scored a league-low 1.6 goals per game while allowing 3.8 goals per game. Don’t expect the Sharks to pull off a victory against the Flyers with these kinds of numbers.
Prediction: Flyers win 4-1
Anaheim Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head Ducks 0-0 Red Wings
The Ducks’ record of 1-3-1 doesn’t show the results of a team that should see significant growth from their younger players this season. Ducks goaltender John Gibson had a great outing in the team’s last game against the Boston Bruins, stopping 35 of 36 shots directed at him. The Ducks have a team shooting percentage of 13%, good for fourth overall in the league. However, Anaheim doesn’t get many shots on the net, averaging a league low 23 shots per game. Troy Terry has picked up where he left off last season, leading Anaheim with three goals and three assists.
The Detroit Red Wings have had a solid start to the campaign with a 2-0-2 record. Early on, the Red Wings have had good goaltending from both new addition Ville Husso and back-up Alex Nedeljkovic. The Red Wings line-up featured a well-balanced attack with the scoring spread out evenly. The Red Wings will continue their winning ways against their former division foe.
Predictions: Red Wings win 5-2
