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 Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild.
NHL Predictions: Including Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild
Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Kings 2-0 Wild
The Kings will take on the Wild in our featured game of the day. Both teams are coming off narrow wins in their last games. Los Angeles defeated the Arizona Coyotes, 6-5, in a shootout, and the Wild clinched a win in the final seconds for a 4-3 victory over Nashville. This matchup has massive implications in the standings. Los Angeles sits just one point behind Vegas for first place in the Pacific division, and the Wild are just barely holding on to the final Wild Card spot in the West. A win would give both teams a little bit of breathing room and confidence heading into the last part of the season.
For the Kings, adding Kevin Fiala has been one of the best moves the team made in the offseason. He leads the team with 40 assists and is second with 21 goals. Fiala played four seasons in Minnesota, so he’ll be looking to impress against his former team. The Wild will need leading scorers Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson-Ek to get going to pull out the win and avoid being swept in the season series. However, the Kings should still have enough offence to pull out the win.
Kings defeat Wild 3-1.
Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-1 Predators
In our second game of the NHL Predictions, the Vancouver Canucks will face off against the Nashville Predators. The Canucks are on a backslide, winning just two games in their last seven. Elias Pettersson has been the one bright spot, with five goals and six assists in his last five games. Goalie Thatcher Demko will also be travelling with the team for the first time after being out since December 1 with a groin injury. The Predators are also going through a tough stretch, with four losses in their last six games. They’ll be looking to rebound after a tough last-minute loss against the Wild on Sunday, and should be able to find a way to come out on top.
Predators defeat Canucks 4-2.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 2-0 Blackhawks
The Golden Knights and the Blackhawks will meet for their third and final meeting of the season. The story for the Golden Knights will be goaltending. Laurent Brossoit will be in between the pipes for the first time this season and will need to prove that he is up to the task. Jonathan Marchessault will be another name to keep in mind. After a 13-game scoring drought, Marchessault finally broke through with two goals in Vegas’ most recent game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Patrick Kane will be the one to watch for the Blackhawks. Kane had a hat trick in his last game and is one of the biggest names still left on the board ahead of the trade deadline on March 3. Chicago had a big win in their most recent game, but Vegas will make it six in a row and get the win.
Golden Knights defeat Blackhawks 5-3.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Flyers 1-0 Oilers
The Philadelphia Flyers will face the Edmonton Oilers in our final game of the NHL Predictions. The Oilers had a close 6-5 loss in their last game to the Avalanche, losing in overtime. The Oilers have blown a multi-goal lead in the second game in a row. Connor McDavid just passed 100 points but hasn’t scored in four games. The Flyers are on the second half of a back-to-back, pulling off a 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames last night. The Flyers had four different goal scorers, and have been spreading their offence well. However, they won’t have enough energy to find a way past Edmonton.
Oilers defeat Flyers 2-0.
Main photo by: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
