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 Winnipeg Jets vs Vancouver Canucks.
Be sure to check out both of our early slates of NHL Predictions as well!
NHL Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0 – 1 Coyotes
The Buffalo Sabres have been a very fun team to watch this year. Unfortunately, fun doesn’t always mean winning for their fans. This Sabres team has a very strong offence but their young age leads to a lot given back the other way. This results in a team with 119 goals for and 105 against. 119 goals for is the most of any team in the league. However, 105 against ranks sixth most. Tage Thomson has doubled down on last season and Owen Power is having a great rookie year.
The Arizona Coyotes have given up 103 goals this year but have only managed to score 79. A major factor in their 10-14-4 record so far. Overall, this was also a team expecting to be bad, so that record isn’t terrible in the grand scheme of things. Still, they may be in tough against such a high-flying offence tonight.
Prediction: Sabres win 5-3.
Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche
Predators 0 – 1 Avalanche
The Nashville Predators haven’t been able to find the magic that helped them into the playoffs last season. Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene, and Roman Josi all had career seasons, among others. And while they haven’t been bad this season, it just hasn’t been quite the same. However, the biggest difference was Juuse Saros. He bailed them out of a lot of issues last year. This season, he still has a .910 and that hasn’t even been enough.
The Colorado Avalanche are lower in the standings than most would expect and that is due to the crazy amount of injuries they have faced. Still, this is a solid team looking for two points. Their goaltending has been very good this year, combining to be a top-five unit. Cale Makar continues to be one of the best defencemen on Earth and the offence runs through Nathan MacKinnon, who has 34 points in 23 games.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2.
New York Islanders vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Islanders 0 – 0 Knights
The New York Islanders enter this game having lost three in a row and 4-5-1 in their last 10. This has caused them to slip down the standings and are now just clinging on to the final Eastern wildcard spot. A team built on structure, they are desperately looking to stop the bleeding. Ilya Sorokin has been elite this year and keeps them in most games.
The Vegas Golden Knights are back to their dominant selves. Mark Stone is healthy and looking great and while injured now, Jack Eichel has been huge for them. Alex Pietrangelo is returning tonight after being out with a family issue, which should be a huge boost. Logan Thompson has emerged as a number one in net and this team is rolling under Bruce Cassidey.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 3-1.
Winnipeg Jets vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Jets 0 – 0 Canucks
The Winnipeg Jets are just two points out of the division lead this season, which is something not many people would have predicted to start the year. However, they are playing a solid team game and it is paying off. Connor Hellebuyck is reminding everyone he is a top goalie in this league. Kyle Connor also remains one of the more underrated forwards out there.
The Vancouver Canucks seemingly have a new storyline surrounding them every week. Lately, it has been captain Bo Horvat and if he will be traded or not. This can’t make things easy for the team on the ice with so many distractions. The one bright spot of this year is Elias Pettersson is back to looking like one of the top players in the league.
Tonight, this game is our featured match on NHL Predictions, it is on Hockey Night in Canada which always adds a little extra something special. However, look for the Jets offence to overpower this Canucks defence core that just isn’t deep enough as constructed.
Prediction: Jets win 4-3.
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0 – 1 Kings
Our final game for NHL Predictions is a battle of California. The San Jose Sharks have not had a great year. At 10-16-5, they were expected to be near the bottom of the standings, but it is still tough. This team is a mix of veterans making a little too much which squeezes the depth at the bottom of the roster. The real question will be what happens with Timo Meier?
For the Los Angeles Kings, they have a 16-12-5 record despite not being able to find anyone to play net for them. Jonathan Quick has been better as of late but they had to waive Cal Petersen because he was struggling that much. Still, their offence has been amazing and it has sent them to second in the division. Look for that to carry them again tonight.
Prediction: Kings win 5-2.
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