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 for NHL Predictions is the Chicago Blackhawks vs Los Angeles Kings. Be sure to check out our predictions for the early games.
NHL Predictions
Arizona Coyotes vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0 – 0 Islanders
This will be a battle between two teams that play very different styles. The Arizona Coyotes currently have let up 46 goals in 12 games, while the New York Islanders have let up just 36 in 14. The Isles sit near the top of a very tight Metro division, with a record of 9-5-0 so far. This has been a very strong start for a team that some weren’t sure if they would rebound after a down year last year.
The Coyotes are 5-6-1 which is a much better record than expected. Especially given how dreadful the start of their year was. They are keeping pace in what has been an incredibly disappointing Central Division so far. And while that may not continue, if they can play close to .500 hockey while the bulk of their games are on the road, they’ll be giving themselves more of a shot than most expected. Overall, look for defence to win out in this one.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-2.
San Jose Sharks vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0 – 0 Blues
The San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues have both been off to miserable starts. San Jose is 3-8-3 and at the bottom of a mixed Pacific division. But at least most expected them to be bad. The bright side? Erik Karlsson looks like he is back in peak form and has been a must-watch sight every night.
The Blues are 3-8-0 and have lost eight in a row! They started strong at 3-0 but it has been all downhill from there. Nothing has gone right so far this season, and the players, fans, and team know that. One would think they have too much shooting talent to be truly this bad though. Look for them to get off the mat tonight.
Prediction: Blues win 5-3.
Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Predators 0 – 0 Avalanche
The Nashville Predators are not off to the start they wanted either. A 5-7-1 record has them only ahead of the Blues in the Central. A big part of that reason is Juuse Saros hasn’t been very good. That is very unlike him and something one would expect to change as the season keeps going here. Regardless, they desperately need him to get going.
The Colorado Avalanche have gotten off to a slow start as well, all things considered. 6-4-1 isn’t horrible by any stretch but it’s also not what the defending champs expect. They just lost another key piece for a while though, and it will be interesting to see how the offence adjusts. Regardless, look for the usuals in Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar to be stars in this game. A struggling goalie vs this offence feels like a bad matchup.
Prediction: Avalanche win 6-2.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 1 – 0 Kings
The Blackhawks actually won the first match between these two teams in overtime a week ago today. Now, they faceoff again. The Hawks have only actually played one other game since then, and that was on Saturday. So they are very well rested and waiting for an LA team that played Saturday and Tuesday. Neither team will be tired tonight, that is for sure.
The Kings actually outshot the Hawks 33-17 last time they met, but goals from Jonathan Toews and Jason Dickinson along with huge saves from Arvid Soderblom won the game for Chicago. Tonight, the Kings will be searching for revenge as they need two points. Chicago isn’t expected to be a very good team, even if they are off to a 5-5-2 start for fourth in the Central. LA has started 8-6-1 which has them near the top of the Pacific. The Pacific feels like the Atlantic last year where the separation between playoff teams and non-playoff teams will be very aggressive.
Look for the likes of Kevin Fiala, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, and crew to overpower the outmatched Chicago team. Doughty and Kopitar vs Patrick Kane and Toews may not have quite the shine it did from 2010-16, but there are still some very talented players. Overall, the Kings additional players will be the difference tonight.
Prediction: Kings win 4-3 in Overtime.
Kopi currently leads all NHL forwards with 18 blocked shots 😤 pic.twitter.com/dKLChgzcwg
— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 9, 2022
