Main Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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 San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL Predictions: Including San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights
San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Sharks 1-1 Golden Knights
In our featured game on our nhl predictions, the Sharks and Golden Knights will face off. The teams have split the two previous matchups. Vegas went on to defeat the Sharks 4-2 back in October, and the Sharks winning 5-2 in their last matchup. The Golden Knights are 19-2-4 against the Sharks all-time and will want to continue a strong return to play following the All-Star break.
Vegas has won all three of their games since coming back from the All-Star break. They finally have a healthy blue line, which becomes even more important with the injury to starting goaltender Logan Thompson against the Minnesota Wild last week. Vegas has been exceptional in limiting chances, allowing just 16 high-danger chances in their last three games. Expect the defence to function similarly against the Sharks.
San Jose is coming off a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday and will want to rebound with a strong showing against a divisional rival. Defenceman Erik Karlsson had a four-game point streak come to an end, but Karlsson is having his best season with the Sharks, with 18 goals and 55 assists. Timo Meier will be another player to keep an eye on, as the forward had the Sharks’ only goal against the Penguins. However, the Golden Knights ability to shut down opposing teams should give them the edge here.
Golden Knights defeat Sharks 4-1.
Detroit Red Wings vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 1-0 Flames
Our next game on the nhl predictions features inter conference play. The Red Wings will travel to Calgary to take on the Flames in their second and final meeting of the season. It’s an important game for Calgary, who is doing their best to hold on to the final Wild Card spot in the West. It’s been all Tyler Toffoli for the Flames, who has five goals in his last five games. Calgary is coming off of an OT loss to the Ottawa Senators, and have lost three of their last four. The Red Wings are having a good stretch of games, winning three in a row and a 5-4 shootout victory over the Edmonton Oilers last night. The team’s leading scorer, Dylan Larkin, added another goal last night, giving him six goals in his last five games. This game should be a battle, and the challenge for the Red Wings will be to maintain the energy at the end of a tough section of their schedule.
Calgary wins 3-2 in OT.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-1 Kraken
Our next game on the nhl predictions is a rematch from earlier in the season. The Flyers and the Kraken met just four days ago, with the Kraken squeaking out a 4-3 victory. The Flyers are struggling right now, losing six of their last eight. They had just 18 shots on goal and could not complete a last-minute push after a short-handed goal from Patrick Brown with three minutes left. Philadelphia has not had a great season, and a team that is theoretically in the midst of a rebuild. They have to continue to gain confidence in the players they have out on the ice. From the Kraken perspective, a win tonight would give them a little bit of separation in the race for third place in the Pacific division. They stopped a three-game skid with the win over the Flyers. Jaden Schwartz had two goals, his first since returning from injury, so keep an eye on him for the Seattle player with the hot hand.
Kraken defeat Flyers 3-1.
New Jersey Devils vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Devils 0-1 Blues
Our next game on the nhl predictions is a rematch from earlier in the year. The Blues will host the Devils for the third installment of a four-game homestand. The Blues had an extended break after All-Star weekend, going another ten days before playing again. The extra rest has helped them, as they’ve scored six goals in both games since the break. Brayden Schenn had two goals in their most recent win over the Florida Panthers, and Jordan Binnington made 34 saves. The Devils have had similar success recently, winning three of their last four and earning at least a point in 15 of their last 17 games. One of only two true losses in that stretch was against the Blues on January 5. While the Devils appear to be the better team on paper, they are still without star centre Jack Hughes. This should be a close game, but the Devils should have enough in the tank to at least scrape out a point.
Devils win 4-3 in OT.
