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 New York Rangers and the Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions for Friday.
NHL Predictions
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Stars 2-1 Wild
It’s the final meeting of the season between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild. Both teams are struggling in recent games. The Stars and Wild have each lost two straight games. Jake Oettinger is slated to be the starter, but always check social media before making a decision for your fantasy lineup. The Dallas offence has struggled in the last five games and only scored four goals once in that stretch.
Marc-Andre Fleury is pencilled in as the starter for the Wild as of press time. Minnesota has lost four of its last five and also struggled to put pucks in the net. The Wild are having an even tougher time than the Stars as they’ve only scored three goals just once in the last five games. Both teams do have a top-rated defence and the 5.5 over/under total could be scary.
Dallas seems more equipped to get over their scoring woes in this one.
Prediction: Stars win 3-1.
Los Angeles Kings vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Kings 1-0 Ducks
This is the second game of our NHL Predictions. It’s a battle of the 405 Freeway as the Los Angeles Kings take on the Anaheim Ducks. Los Angeles has inserted itself into the Pacific Division race as it’s only one point out of first place. The Kings have won three of their last five and have scored 11 goals in their last two games. Pheonix Copley is currently listed as the starter in goal for Los Angeles. The Kings are fourth on the power play at 25.1%.
John Gibson is slated to be the starter, but the defence in front of him has struggled. The Ducks are rocketing their way to a -100 goal differential in short order. Anaheim is 31st in goals scored and dead-last in goals against. The Ducks are 32nd on the power play and 28th on the penalty kill.
This game could get out of hand if the Ducks can’t stay out of the box.
Prediction: Kings win 5-1.
New York Rangers vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Rangers 0-1 Oilers
Our featured game of NHL Predictions has the red-hot Rangers against the Oilers. New York has won six straight games heading into this matchup. The Blueshirts have been strong since picking up Vladimir Tarasenko a few games ago. New York has scored six goals in the last three games, as its lines have been in sync the last few games. Igor Shesterkin is the probable starter in goal for the Rangers. He’s still a good goalie but hasn’t had to carry games like needed to last season.
Jack Campbell is Edmonton’s likely starter for the home club. The Oilers have lost two straight and their defence has been a big problem. This a reason the club has been rumoured to land a defenceman at the deadline. Edmonton is tops when it comes to scoring goals, but it has given up 11 goals in the last two games. Connor McDavid will reach the 100-point mark with a goal or an assist in this one. McDavid has 42 goals and 57 assists so far this season.
The Rangers’ defence is just a little bit better at this point of the season and should get the win.
Prediction: Rangers win 5-3.
Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions in the coming days.
Main photo by: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
