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, considered must-watch TV. Tonight’s featured game is the Vegas Golden Knights vs the San Jose Sharks.
NHL Predictions: Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks
Florida Panthers vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head to Head Panthers 0-0 Blackhawks
With a record of 3-2-0, the Chicago Blackhawks enter this matchup riding a three-game winning streak. Chicago currently has the league’s fifth-best powerplay clicking at a 30.8 success rate. Tyler Johnson leads the Blackhawks with 5 points in 5 games.The Florida Panthers are coming in with a 4-1-1 record, with their most recent game a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders. Defenceman Aaron Ekblad and forward Anthony Duclair remain on the long-term injured reserve. The Panthers are currently tied with Chicago in both goals for and goals against per game. Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to start for the Panthers, while Alex Stalock’s strong play should earn him the nod for Chicago. Florida won both meetings last season, outscoring the Hawks 9-2 in the process. Chicago continues their winning streak and secures a win over Florida in a shootout.
The Blackhawks win 4-3 in Shootout
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head Penguins 0-0 Flames
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the second night of their Western Canada road trip, losing 6-3 to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. Pittsburgh has a record of 4-1-1 and has averaged over five goals per game. Backup goalie Casey DeSmith will be in the net for Pittsburgh. Their opponent, the Calgary Flames, will enter the contest more rested. The Flames last played Saturday, improving their season record to 4-1-0 with an overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes. Offensively Sidney Crosby is enjoying an excellent start to the campaign with 11 points. New addition Nazem Kadri has six points, tying for the team lead with defenceman Rasmus Andersson. This is an exciting matchup as the Penguins will play one of the best top to bottom defence corps in the league. Crosby and the Penguins burn the Flames in this one.
Pittsburgh wins 4-2
Buffalo Sabres vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head Sabres 0-0 Kraken
Buffalo Sabres fans have been treated to some good hockey early this season. The Sabres are off to a hot start with a 4-1-0 record. Veteran goalie Craig Anderson is expected to get the start. Through two starts, Anderson boasts a sparkling .970 SV% and a 1.00 GAA. Seattle Kraken‘s goalie Philipp Grubauer has been quite the opposite, with a 3.77 GAA and a .860 SV% in his two starts. The Kraken is 2-3-2 coming into the cross-conference match-up. Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin is having a breakout season. Dahlin leads the Sabres with five goals and three assists through five games. Buffalo wins this game and keeps pace in the solid Atlantic division.
The Sabres win 3-1
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head Lightning 0-0 Kings
After a shaky start to the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning enter with a 3-3-0 record. The Lightning, however, are getting rolling as they have posted two straight wins. Brayden Point is finding his game offensively, picking up four points in the last two outings. Captain Steven Stamkos is leading the league with seven goals scored. The Kings are reeling from losing to the Washington Capitals over the weekend. Los Angeles has a 3-4-0 record on the season so far, with offence coming from across the lineup. Tampa’s core is too much for the Kings to handle in this one. Lightning win extending their winning streak to three games
Lightning win 4-0
Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head Golden Knights 0-0 Sharks
Tonight’s feature game should be a good matchup featuring two teams who don’t like each other. The San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights are on opposite trajectories for the season. The stunning overtime loss in game 7 of the 2019 playoffs still stings for the Golden Knights. Vegas won the season series last year, going 2-0-1 and outscoring the Sharks 11-7 in the process. Vegas has dominated the Sharks in the regular season since joining the league, going 18-1-4. The two divisional rivals have split their playoff matchup, each winning one series.
Vegas enters tonight’s game following a tough test against the Toronto Maple Leafs last night. Vegas has been finding success under new head coach Bruce Cassidy. Jack Eichel is leading Vegas offensively in his first full season with the team. Phil Kessel will play in his NHL-record 990th consecutive game. Adin Hill is expected to start in goal.
The Sharks aren’t expected to be in the hunt for a playoff position this season and could be one of the teams in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes. San Jose blanked the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game and has a 2-6-0 record this season. James Reimer is expected to get the start for the Sharks.
Vegas wins 4-1
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
