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 Carolina Hurricanes vs Minnesota Wild. Be sure to check out our other three NHL prediction articles of today’s other games.
NHL Predictions: Carolina Hurricanes vs Minnesota Wild
Anaheim Ducks at St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Ducks 0-0 Blues
It’s the first of a home-and-home series between the two teams. The Anaheim Ducks have been pretty bad to start the season and are in the race for Connor Bedard. Anaheim has lost four of its last five and is at the bottom of the league in many categories. The Ducks are last in power play success, penalty killing and goals against.
The St. Louis Blues have righted the ship with five straight victories after a terrible start. Jordan Binnington probably gets the start for the Blues, who have scored at least three goals a game during this recent run. Jordan Kyrou leads the team in goals with six while Justin Faulk is tops in assists with nine.
The Blues are playing better hockey and it will show here.
Prediction: Blues win 4-2.
Carolina Hurricanes at Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-0 Wild
Our featured game has two teams coming off losses in their last encounter. The Hurricanes have lost three of their five games, including a 3-2 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche. Antti Raanta likely gets the start in between the pipes. Carolina has struggled to score goals, but it has a solid defence that’s sixth in goals allowed.
The Wild have lost three straight games and have been very streaky this season. Minnesota has shown it can play solid defence, but it can be leaky at other times. Filip Gustavsson is the probable starter for the Wild in net.
The under of six is a tempting number and could be worthy of a play. Carolina is dealing with injuries, but should get the win here.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 3-2.
New York Islanders at Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Islanders 0-0 Stars
These two teams are in the top 10 in goal scoring and goals against to start the season. The New York Islanders are coming off a 5-4 loss to the Nashville Predators, but have three wins in the last five games. Ilya Sorokin is probable to draw the start for the Islanders. New York is eighth in goals scored with 61 thanks to good starts from Brock Nelson and Mathew Barzal.
Jake Oettinger is probable to start after the nasty injured that occurred to Scott Wedgewood. The Dallas Stars are second in goals scored and seventh in goals allowed. Jason Robertson and his hot start has him leading in goals (11) and assists (15) for Dallas. The Stars are also third on the power play and fifth on the penalty kill.
This should be a good game and don’t underestimate the Islanders. However, the Stars should get the home win.
Prediction: Stars win 4-3.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Lightning 0-0 Predators
Our last game will be full of Southern hospitality. Both teams are on three-game winning streaks coming into this game. The Tampa Bay Lightning are slowly solving their offensive issues thanks to Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the likely starter tonight for the Bolts.
The Predators have looked better on both ends of the ice. Juuse Saros has been much better after some bad starts a few weeks ago. Nino Niederreiter leads the team in goals with eight while Mikael Granlund is tops in assists.
Nashville has been better, but Tampa is starting to play like Tampa again.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-2.
