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 the Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars.
NHL Predictions Including Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Lightning 1-0 Stars
Today’s featured game is the matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Dallas Stars. Tampa Bay is coming off of a big 5-0 win over reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Colorado Avalanche. In their last game, the Stars also had a 4-1 win against the Minnesota Wild. Both teams are sitting in a good position in their divisions, with Dallas leading the Central Division and Tampa Bay in third place in the Atlantic.
The true showdown between these teams will be in between the pipes. Jake Oettinger is currently second in the NHL with a save percentage of .926 for the Stars, and Andrei Vasilevskiy is not far behind for the Lightning with a .918. Dallas also has the second-lowest goals allowed per game with 2.53.
However, both teams have offensive weapons as well. Dallas’ Jason Robertson has 33 goals on the season, good for sixth in the league, and Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point is right behind him with 32, including five goals in his last five games. Tampa Bay is fourth in goals-for per game, scoring 3.59 goals on average. This should be a close battle between Tampa’s more high-powered offence and the shut-down defence of the Stars, backed by two outstanding goaltenders.
Prediction: Tampa Bay defeats Stars 3-2 OT.
Vancouver Canucks vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-0 Red Wings
The Canucks will visit Detroit for their first meeting of the season. Both teams had a win in their last game, with Vancouver defeating the New York Islanders 6-5 and Detroit beating the Calgary Flames 2-1. Anthony Beauvillier scored his first goal as a Canuck, and they’re hoping that he’ll be able to continue to produce. The penalty kill will be an aspect of the game to keep an eye on. Vancouver has more raw talent than Detroit, but they’re ranked dead last in the NHL on the penalty kill. Vancouver should be able to pull out the win, but if Detroit can capitalize on a few man-up opportunities, the game could be closer than expected.
Prediction: Canucks defeat Red Wings 4-1.
Calgary Flames vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-1 Sabres
In their second and final meeting of the season, the Flames will be looking to avenge a 6-3 loss against the Sabres at the very beginning of the season. However, expect Buffalo to still come out on top. The Sabres have one of the most dynamic offences in the NHL, sitting fourth in goals-for this season, led by centre Tage Thompson with 34 goals. Calgary will be missing defenceman Rasmus Andersson, who is day-to-day after being involved in a car accident Wednesday. Both teams will be following up losses, Buffalo falling to Carolina 5-1 and Calgary to Detroit 2-1, so both teams will be eager to get back on track.
Prediction: Sabres defeat Flames 5-2.
Edmonton Oilers vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-0 Senators
Our next game on the NHL Predictions is a Canadian affair. These two Canadian teams will meet for the first time on Saturday. Edmonton had a disappointing 2-1 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game. NHL leading goal scorer Connor McDavid hasn’t scored in the Oilers’ last two games, so look for him to want to get involved more tonight against the Senators. Edmonton is second in goals-for per game, so they’ll want to get back to their more offensive game. In their last game, Ottawa had a 5-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens. They have not played since the All-Star break, so the Senators should be well-rested. However, goaltender Cam Talbot will remain out following his injury before the All-Star break.
Prediction: Oilers defeat Senators 3-1.
New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Islanders 1-0 Canadiens
The Islanders won the first meeting between these teams, a 2-1 win on January 14. The biggest news for the Islanders has been the recent acquisition of Bo Horvat from the Canucks. Horvat has made an immediate impact, with two goals and an assist in his first three games in New York. If Horvat can continue producing, he gives New York another offensive weapon to use alongside Mat Barzal and Brock Nelson. The Canadiens will need to find consistent offence since leading scorer Cole Caufield was sidelined with a shoulder injury at the end of January. Rafael Harvey-Pinard has been on a hot streak lately, with five goals in his last five games, but the Canadiens will need more production from players like Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach if they want to pull out a win.
Prediction: Islanders defeat Canadiens 2-1.
Nashville Predators vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-1 Flyers
Our final matcup on the NHL Predictions features interconference play. The Predators will travel to Philadelphia for their final meeting of the season. Philadelphia won a shootout battle with Edmonton Thursday night, and Nashville lost a lopsided game 5-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. It’s an important game for Nashville, who currently sit four points back of a wildcard spot behind the Minnesota Wild. With the Wild also dropping a game to Vegas on Thursday, it’s an opportunity for Nashville to make up a few points on the Wild and make the playoff race a little more interesting. Keep an eye on Travis Konecny for the Flyers. Philadelphia’s leading scorer is in the middle of an eleven-game drought, and he’ll want to make an impact.
Prediction: Predators defeat Flyers 4-3 in OT.
Main Photo: Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
