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 Washington Capitals vs Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL Predictions
Colorado Avalanche vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0 – 1 Kraken
This is a very intriguing matchup to start off NHL Predictions. The Colorado Avalanche are starting to get some bodies back and have now won three in a row. They are now looking to start climbing their way back into the top three of the Central division, where most people had them as locks to start the year.
The Seattle Kraken are 8-2-0 in their last 10 coming off of a very hot road trip. They are firing on all cylinders right now which is even more impressive considering their goaltending is still very poor. However, the offence has been so good it just hasn’t mattered. They are, amazingly, now first in the Pacific as the Golden Knights have one more game played.
Look for it to be a tight match tonight, but for the Avs to be a tad more desperate.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-3 in Overtime.
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks
Oilers 1 – 1 Canucks
The third and final matchup will be a rubber match between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. The Oilers have gotten Evander Kane back and are starting to roll. They do have two more games played than the Kraken but are only three points behind. Given some of the talk around the team this year, three points off the division lead seems crazy.
The Canucks have been in the media a lot this week but not for the right reasons. Bo Horvat is a name that now seems destined to be moved. However, it is how they continue to treat Bruce Boudreau that really has people angry. The Canucks are openly admitting they have talked to other coaching candidates yet still send him out there each day, even though everyone knows his outcome. This has lots of people upset and has distracted from the on-ice product, which has been abysmal. 2-8-0 in their last 10. Under the lights of Hockey Night in Canada on Hockey Day In Canada? Look for the trends to continue.
Prediction: Oilers win 6-2.
Washington Capitals vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Capitals 0 – 1 Knights
A rematch of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals, the Capitals look to stay up to pace with a very tightly contested Metro division. After a hot run in December, they are 5-4-1 in their last 10. Not bad, but not great either. Alex Ovechkin continues to score and the team is getting healthier. Overall, this team looks like they could get into the playoffs yet again this year, despite everyone writing them off in November.
On the other side of things, the Golden Knights look to reclaim first in the Pacific. If the Kraken were to fall tonight like we predict, a win from the Knights would put them back in first. They have been first for the bulk of the year but injuries have caught up with this team. They have lost three in a row and are 4-5-1 in their last 10. What once was a large lead has quickly disappeared as they are now only three points above fourth in the Pacific. The Knights need to get it back on track soon.
Once again, this should be a very good game.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-3 in Overtime.
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