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 Anahiem Ducks.
NHL Predictions
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0 – 0 Kings
In a battle between California rivals, the San Jose Sharks pay a visit to the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings have won both prior contests this season against San Jose. LA sits 2nd in the Pacific Division and is coming off of a 6-3 victory over Edmonton. The Kings have a 7-2-1 record over their last ten games.
Pheonix Copley will start for the Kings, he has an 11-2-0 record with a 2.56 GAA and a .904 SV%. San Jose sits near the bottom of the Pacific with a 13-21-8 record. Despite the poor team results, Erik Karlsson‘s resurgence has been fun to watch this season. He leads all defencemen with 54 points in 41 games as he has regained his Norris Trophy-winning form this year.
Kings win 5-2
Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0 – 0 Ducks
In our feature game of the night, the Edmonton Oilers continue their trip through California to take on the Anaheim Ducks. The Oilers dropped a 4-3 decision to the Ducks in their only meeting of the season so far. Edmonton has historically had a tough time picking up wins in Anaheim. However, this Ducks team is built differently. The Ducks sit last in the Pacific Divison with 28 points through 41 games.
Anaheim is 4-5-1 over their last ten and are coming off a disastrous effort against the Boston Bruins, losing the game 7-1. At 7.8%, the Ducks boast the worst shooting percentage in the league. They don’t get many shots on goal to begin with, as they rank 29th in shots on goal per game with 29. Defensively they allow a league-worst 4.07 goals against per game.
Edmonton has been struggling lately and now holds only a one-point lead over the Nashville Predators for the final wild-card position in the Western Conference. They have dropped back-to-back games and are 4-4-2 over their last ten. The Oilers, however, do have the best power play in the NHL, converting on 31% of their chances with the man advantage.
Oilers win 6-2.
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