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 Pittsburgh Penguins vs Los Angeles Kings. Be sure to check out our other sets of NHL Predictions for Saturday.
NHL Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Penguins 1-0 Kings
In our featured matchup of NHL Predictions, the Penguins will travel out west to take on the Kings. This will be LA’s first game back since a 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes before the All-Star break. Leading scorer Adrian Kempe has 22 goals on the season, including two in the last game against Carolina. Expect him to come out of the gate swinging.
The Penguins are on a back-to-back, defeating the Anaheim Ducks in a decisive 6-3 win last night. Pierre-Olivier Joseph scored twice, as well as goals from Kasperi Kapanen, Jeff Carter, Bryan Rust, and Jake Guentzel. The Penguins are a strong team offensively, with seven players into double-digits in goals so far. Their ability to create chances from all over the ice should prove too much for the LA defence to handle.
Penguins defeat Kings 5-1.
Arizona Coyotes vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 1-0 Blues
The last time these two teams faced each other, the Coyotes came out on top, with a 5-0 victory at the end of January. Nick Schmaltz had a hat trick, and he remains the player to watch for Arizona. He leads the team in goals, assists, points, and plus/minus over his last five games, including a goal and an assist in Arizona’s OT loss to Chicago last night. The Blues last played before the All-Star break, losing 4-2 to the Winnipeg Jets. The Blues will most likely return forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Pavel Buchnevich, who have both been out since before the All-Star break. However, it is also their first game without Vladimir Tarasenko, who was recently traded to the New York Rangers. It will be interesting to see how the Blues respond to multiple changes in their lineups, but the confusion should help the Coyotes to a win.
Coyotes defeat Blues 3-1.
New Jersey Devils vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Devils 0-0 Wild
The New Jersey Devils have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2022-23 season, and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. They’ve won three in a row and ten of their last twelve games, and sit just four points back of first place in the Metropolitan Division. However, leading scorer Jack Hughes is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury, and the Devils will need to find offence to keep their good luck going. The Wild are on a three-game skid and will be desperate to change the momentum. Kirill Kaprizov will be the player to watch for Minnesota, as he leads the team in goals, assists, and points, but keep an eye on Mats Zuccarello and Matt Boldy as potential difference makers for the Wild.
Devils defeat Wild 4-3 in OT.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-3 Jets
The Blackhawks will take on the Jets in the third of four scheduled meetings this season in our final game on NHL Predictions. The Jets have handily defeated the Blackhawks in each of the previous matchups, scoring 14 total goals and allowing Chicago to score just four. Much of the goal disparity can be attributed to Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck is having another great season, sitting ninth in the NHL with a 2.45 GAA and a .923 save percentage. Mark Scheifele is also having a career season, leading the team with 31 goals and three goals in his last five games. Chicago has struggled this season, landing only above the Columbus Blue Jackets in the league standings. They’re coming off of a hard-fought OT win, but their momentum will get stopped in Winnipeg.
Jets defeat Blackhawks 5-1.
That’s it for today’s NHL Predictions. Please check out more throughout the season.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
