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 Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders. Check our NHL Predictions for the rest of today’s games.
NHL Predictions
Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-0 Stars
The Calgary Flames got a big win over the St Louis Blues in their last outing. Calgary holds one of the Western Conference Wild Card spots. Daniel Vladar is the expected starter for the Flames and has earned more time in the crease. Nazem Kadri leads Calgary in goals while Elias Lindholm is tops in assists.
The Dallas Stars are coming off a surprising overtime loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday night. Dallas had won two straight before the set back to the Blueshirts. Jake Oettinger likely gets the call in goal for the Stars, but always check online before setting your lineup. This game has a 2 p.m. ET start, so check your lineups early. The Stars are top six in goals for, goals against, power play and penalty kill.
Dallas may be seething after the loss, so it should get back on track.
Prediction: Stars win 4-2.
Ottawa Senators vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-0 Avalanche
The Ottawa Senators have won three of its last five games and beat the Arizona Coyotes, 5-3, the last time out. Ottawa struggles in goals for and goals against, but is sixth in penalty-killing and the power play. Cam Talbot is the expected starter for the Sens. Tim Stutzle leads the team in goals with 18 for Ottawa.
The Colorado Avalanche are currently on the outside of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, they are still a dangerous team and can get rolling if they get momentum. Pavel Francouz is slated to be the starter for Colorado in a chance to get more minutes in goal. Mikko Rantanen leads the team in goals with 27.
Colorado has lost four of its last five and know it needs a victory.
Prediction: Avalanche win 3-2.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 0-2 Red Wings
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings meet for the final time this season. Detroit will go for the season-sweep of Columbus in this one. The Blue Jackets look like they’ll start Joonas Korpisalo in between the pipes. Free agent pickup Johnny Gaudreau is tops in goals (12) and assists (27) in a dark season for the Jackets.
Ville Husso is the confirmed starter for Detroit, which has won two straight games.Captain Dylan Larkin still leads the team in goals and has been a big boost since his return. The Red Wings currently sit five points behind the last Eastern Conference Wild Card spot.
The Jackets are in the race to add Connor Bedard while the Red Wings chase the playoffs.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-1.
Montreal Canadiens vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-0 Islanders
Our featured game has the Habs in the first of back-to-back games in the New York Metro area. Cayden Primeau is the expected starter with the Canadiens having two games in two nights. Montreal may not have the best record, but it has one of the most exciting and promising teams in the league. Cole Caufield has 25 goals while Nick Suzuki is tops in assists with 20.
Ilya Sorokin is the probable starter for the Isles, who have lost four straight games. The Islanders have only scored one goal in each of their last three losses. Anders Lee leads the Long Islanders in goals with 15 so far this season.
Both teams are in the bottom-half of goals for, but the Isles defensive structure should carry them.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-1.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Flyers 1-2 Capitals
It’s the final meeting of the season between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals. Philadelphia got a 5-3 win over Washington in the last outing on Jan. 11. The Flyers have won four of their last five games in another hot streak. Carter Hart is the probable starter for Philadelphia and can steal a game. Travis Konecny has 24 goals and a 10-game point streak.
Alex Ovechkin continues his chase to get Wayne Gretzky‘s goal record. Ovechkin has 29 goals already as he continues to turn back the clock. Darcy Kuemper is the projected starter for the Capitals and a .919 save percentage. Washington has lost three of its last five games.
It’s a tough matchup to call, but Washington picks up the home win in this one.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-3 in overtime.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-3 Hurricanes
It’s the last of four meetings between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Carolina Hurricanes. Casey DeSmith is the projected starter for the Penguins, who lost to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night. Pittsburgh currently sits in the last Eastern Wild Card spot. The Penguins penalty kill is second-best in the league.
Frederik Andersen is the supposed starter for the Hurricanes, who snapped a losing streak with a 6-2 win over the Blue Jackets last time out. Andrei Svechnikov is one goal away from hitting the 20-goal mark for Carolina. The Hurricanes defence is sixth in goals against going into Saturday’s slate.
Carolina should finish off the season-sweep in this, but it will go to a shootout.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 3-2 in a shootout.
