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 New Jersey Devils vs the Pittsburgh Penguins.
NHL Predictions
Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 2 – 1 Blues
The final meeting between these Central Division rivals sees two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Avalanche have turned things around since becoming healthier. They have been playing well lately, with points in four of their last five (2-1-2) and are 6-2-2 in their last ten. That is impressive for a team still missing Gabriel Landeskog, Josh Manson, and Erik Johnson and now have Cale Makar day-to-day. Still, Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon have led the way and figure to be a handful for the Blues.
St. Louis will be playing their first game without Ryan O’Reilly, who was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs Friday night. Emotions will be high in this one. The Blues have been playing well, winners of three straight. They have also been scoring, with at least four goals in each of those victories. Led by Jordan Kyrou with 25 goals, the Blues’ season may be at the selling point, but they are still fighting. Plus, you get to see whatever antics Jordan Binnington decides to muster up.
Colorado needs this more, but the Blues will be ready in an emotional contest without their captain.
Prediction: Blues win 4-3 in OT
Florida Panthers vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-0 Predators
This is the first of two meetings between these NHL prediction foes. The Panthers are in an important stretch as they attempt to climb into the playoff race. They are currently a single point out of the wild card but have played more games than most teams they are chasing. They have been doing the back and forth as of late, following wins with losses. 5-4-1 in their last ten is not helping them much. Matthew Tkachuk continues to be as advertised with 75 points in 55 contests, and Carter Verhaeghe leads the team in goals with 29. They need help from goaltending and depth scoring to get into the playoffs.
The Predators find themselves in a different situation. They are far below the playoff cutoff, and hope is dwindling. Recent losses to the lowly Arizona Coyotes and a blowout to the Boston Bruins have all but sealed that fate. There are things to be excited about with Nashville, especially the play of youngster Tanner Jeannot who is emerging as a prototypical power forward. Nashville also has Filip Forsberg, who is figuring it out after a very slow start to the season.
The Panthers need this more and will break the streak of losing after a win.
Prediction: Panthers win 5-2
New York Islanders vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Islanders 0-2 Bruins
This NHL predictions game will be the last of three meetings between the Islanders and Bruins. New York is one of the teams in the Eastern Conference battling for a wild card spot. Losses in three of their last four have not helped matters. A solid defence has not been there lately. For an offence that averages a mere 2.88 goals per game, allowing three usually spells doom. Brock Nelson continues to lead the way in points and goals. Mathew Barzal is leading with assists. They will need stellar games if they are going to win a game this season against the Bruins.
Boston comes in as the league’s best…in just about every detail. There have been a couple of losses lately, but it has not changed a lot. They are still comfortably leading the Atlantic Division and scoring seemingly at will with 3.69 goals per game. That is plenty for a team that gives up 2.07 goals per game. David Pastrnak leads across the board for the Bruins. He has 39 goals, 74 points, and an outrageous 28 power-play points through 54 games. How does he not have an extension done yet?
Boston is at home. If you haven’t heard, they really don’t lose here. Tough match for the Islanders, and the Bruins are too much.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-1
New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Devils 2-0 Penguins
In our featured NHL predictions game, the Devils and Penguins square off for the third time in a four-game season series. New Jersey sits second in the Metropolitan Division and comfortably in the top three. A loss the last time out brought their record to 6-2-2 in the last ten. The play of Jack Hughes continues to impress as he leads the team in points with 67 and goals with 35. Every indication suggests New Jersey has a 50-goal man. He is expected to return to the lineup after missing four games with an upper-body injury. That could be troublesome for the Penguins.
Pittsburgh is coming off a loss last night against the Islanders. That is also bad news for them playing in a back-to-back. The Penguins have only won twice in ten games on the second night of a back-to-back this season. Those are usually blowout games as well, losing the last one 6-0. Against a high-flying team like the Devils, this could be all the information you need to take the over on this one. As always, they are led by Sidney Crosby, who is well over a point per game and leads the team in goals with 25. He will need a huge game if Pittsburgh is to survive this.
Seriously, take the over. This one could be fun.
Prediction: Devils win 6-5
Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
