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 Columbus Blue Jackets and the Colorado Avalanche.
NHL Predictions: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Colorado Avalanche
Buffalo Sabres vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head To Head: Sabres 0 – 0 Hurricanes
Tonight’s matchup features the surprising Buffalo Sabres taking on the superb contender Carolina Hurricanes. Entering play in this matchup, the Sabres are second in the Atlantic Division while the Hurricanes sit third in the highly competitive Metropolitan Division. The Sabres are no longer a pushover of a team which makes for a good game on deck. Carolina will enter tonight after playing last night as well.
This matchup features some of the top point producers around the league. Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin (14 points each) are paving the way for the Sabres while Martin Necas (13 points) looks rejuvenated and leads the Hurricanes in points. Buffalo enters the contest with the fourth-best goals at even strength (26) and an offence that averages 4.30 goals per game. Carolina and their stingy defence will need to be at their best coming off a back-to-back on the road. For that reason in itself is why the Sabres take care of business on the road.
Prediction: Sabres defeat Hurricanes 4-3
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Colorado Avalanche
Head To Head: Blue Jackets 0 – 0 Avalanche
Tonight’s featured matchup for the NHL Predictions is between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Colorado Avalanche. These two teams are in Finland for the NHL Global Series! Both teams are in spots they did not envision entering the season. The Blue Jackets are dead last in the Eastern Conference, while the high-flying Avalanche are on the outside looking in at a playoff spot. This game features great forward talent with Johnny Gaudreau, Nathan MacKinnon, Patrik Laine, Mikko Rantanen, and Kent Johnson. Two young blue-liners highlight each team with Cale Makar and Zach Werenski. Should be a star-studded matchup to watch.
It’s Global Series Time 🇫🇮#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/takppm4O9t
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 3, 2022
One thing to watch for in this game is even-strength play. The Avalanche have a league-low 11 goals at even strength, while the Blue Jackets rank 9th with 23. In addition to being good at scoring at even strength, the Blue Jackets allow the most goals with 34. Colorado does have better possession in this aspect of the game, just has not been able to finish like they would like to.
The key to the game will be the special team’s play. Colorado has the league’s best power play (39.3% success rate) against the league’s 10th-best penalty kill in Columbus. A whopping statistic is the Blue Jackets have a 0% success rate on their PP. If the Blue Jackets are not careful, Colorado could take control of the game here.
Colorado has the edge in this game due to goaltending play. The Avalanche have the 9th-best team save percentage (.909), whereas Columbus is dead last in the league (.892). Colorado averages 3.11 goals per game, and Columbus allows a whopping 4.40 (also last in the league). A high-flying offence will cash in big against the lowly Columbus goaltending and defence.
Prediction: Avalanche defeat Blue Jackets 5-2
