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 between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings.
NHL Predictions: Including Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings
Philadelphia Flyers vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-0 Sabres
In the first game of tonight’s NHL predictions, the Philadelphia Flyers hit the road to take on the Buffalo Sabres on their second game in as many nights. This is the season’s first meeting between the two Eastern Conference teams. Buffalo swept the season series last year, going a perfect 3-0.
The Flyers lost 6-2 last night at home to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A glance tells the average fan that the Flyers won’t be much competition against the high-scoring Sabres. However, they had a four-game winning streak before last night’s loss. Travis Konecny continues his recent hot streak scoring one of the Flyers’ goals against the Maple Leafs. He now has nine goals and six assists during an eight-game point streak.
In typical Sabres fashion this season, their most recent game was a high-scoring affair. Buffalo picked up a 6-5 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild. The Sabres’ powerplay ranks 2nd in the league, with Tage Thompson notching 14 powerplay goals. Speaking of Thompson, the 6’7″ forward has been something to see this season. He leads the team with 31 goals and 25 assists for 56 points in 37 games. Buffalo remains in the hunt for their first post-season berth since the 2011 playoffs.
Buffalo wins 5-3
Nashville Predators vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-1 Senators
The Nashville Predators continue their five-game Eastern Conference road trip as they visit the Ottawa Senators. The Senators picked up a 3-2 win over the Predators in their only other season meeting.
Nashville has started their roadie with two wins, including a 5-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Goalie Juuse Saros set a new franchise record by making 64 saves on 67 Hurricanes shots. Nashville has been rolling recently and have an 8-2-0 record over their past ten starts. Saros had a lot to do with that, as he has put together a string of solid performances going back to mid-December. However, Filip Forsberg has been lighting the lamp more frequently of late, with six goals in the last six games.
The Senators are 5-4-1 over the last ten and are coming off a disappointing 8-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken. However, the Sens’ powerplay makes opposing teams pay as they capitalize on 28.1% of their chances with the man advantage. Tim Stutzle is on a tear with eight goals and four assists during a seven-game point streak.
Ottawa wins 5-4
Seattle Kraken vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-1 Canadiens
The rolling Seattle Kraken take on the Montreal Canadiens for the last game of a four-game road trip. Montreal secured a 4-2 victory in the two cross-conference team’s first meeting. However, Montreal has gone full-on tank mode as they recently endured a seven-game losing streak.
Seattle has been perfect so far on their Canadian tour, and they will be coming to Montreal looking to pick up eight possible points on the trip. However, the Kraken have been very opportunistic when it comes to burying their scoring chances this year. They rank 2nd in the league with a 12.3% shooting percentage. Jordan Eberle had a three-point game against the Sens and now has nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points in 38 games.
Montreal ended their seven-game skid with a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. But if your name isn’t Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki or Josh Anderson, goals have been hard to come by for the Habs. On the defensive side of the game, Montreal averages 3.8 goals per game, which ranks 29th in the league.
Kraken win 5-2
Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-1 Kings
Our featured game of tonight’s NHL predictions has the Edmonton Oilers paying a visit to the Los Angeles Kings. The two Pacific Division foes played one earlier contest this season which saw the Kings skate away with a 3-1 victory. During the first round of last year’s playoffs, the Oilers prevailed in a seven-game series over the Kings. The Kings currently sit 2nd in the Pacific with 52 points, while the Oilers have fallen to fifth with 45 points.
Los Angeles has played their best hockey of the campaign and are 7-2-1 in their previous ten games. Most recently, the Kings picked up a massive 5-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Kevin Fiala notched a hat trick in the contest. Fiala leads the Kings with 13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points in 43 games. L.A.’s roster boasts six players with double digits in goals as they get their offence throughout the lineup.
The Oilers are 4-4-2 throughout their last ten games. Even Connor McDavid‘s magical season isn’t enough to compensate for Edmonton’s defensive woes and suspect goaltending. McDavid has 33 goals and 43 assists for a mind-boggling 76 points in 41 games. His counterpart Leon Draisaitl is 2nd in points with 62, 14 behind the Oilers captain.
While last season’s playoff exit may be motivating for the Kings, look for the Oilers to take advantage of the Kings’ weak penalty killing. The Kings have the 28th-ranked penalty kill, and Edmonton has the best powerplay in the league. McDavid is sure to put on a Hollywood performance to lead Edmonton to a win.
Oilers win 6-4
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