Main Photo: Eric Hartline-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 between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Bruins 1-0 Canucks
Our first game on the NHL Predictions is a rematch from earlier in the year. The Boston Bruins continue their west coast road trip with a stop to take on the Vancouver Canucks. The Bruins enter the contest riding a five-game winning streak, including their most recent 6-5 win over the Seattle Kraken. Linus Ullmark will get the start in goal for the Bruins as the Vezina Trophy favourite looks to secure his 30th win of the season. David Pastrnak scored a goal-of-the-year candidate against the Kraken and leads the Bruins with 42 goals this season. In addition, he has picked up five points in his last three games. Jake Debrusk has also picked up where he left off in his return from injury, as the Bruins winger has three goals and one assists in the three games since he returned.
The Canucks are 4-4-2 in their last ten games and are coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the St Louis Blues on Thursday. Vancouver has a plethora of injuries and will also be without defenseman Luke Schenn as the Canucks are opting to keep him out of the lineup with a potential trade coming soon. The Canucks have the 32nd-ranked penalty kill and would be best suited to stay out of the bow against Boston’s 7th-ranked powerplay. Expect the Bruins to continue another winning streak as they pick up the win tonight.
Prediction: Bruins defeat Canucks 5-2
Anaheim Ducks vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Ducks 1-0 Hurricanes
This matchup on our NHL Predictions is a great team against a bad team. The Anaheim Ducks continue their disastrous season by visiting to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The two cross-conference teams will play this season for the second and final time. In the first matchup, the lowly Ducks picked up a rare win, topping the Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime. The Ducks are 3-5-2 over their previous ten games and are most recently coming off a 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals. Trevor Zegras leads the Ducks offensively with 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points in 59 games. The Hurricanes are on a five-game winning streak, including their most recent 4-0 win over the Ottawa Senators. Overall the Hurricanes are holding the top spot in the Metropolitan Division with 86 points. Seth Jarvis has had the hot hand of late with five goals and two assists in his last four games. Don’t expect the underdog Ducks to shock the Hurricanes tonight as Carolina continues their streak of dominance.
Prediction: Hurricanes defeat Ducks 4-1
Philadelphia Flyers vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Flyers 2-1 Devils
Our next game on the NHL Predictions is a rivalry game. Two Metropolitan Division foes faceoff for the fourth time this season as the New Jersey Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers have the advantage to this point in the season matchup picking up two wins over the Devils. The Devils dropped their season opener by a score of 5-2 against the Flyers, and in the two clubs’ most recent meeting back in December, the Flyers skated away with a 2-1 victory. The Flyers are 3-6-1, while the Devils are an impressive 7-2-1 over their respective last ten games. The Devils are coming off a 4-3 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings; however, the Flyers seem to have their number this season. Look for the underdog Flyers to sneak another win over their inter-division foes.
Prediction: Flyers defeat Devils 4-3
Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Senators 3-0 Canadiens
Our featured matchup on the NHL Predictions entails an all-Canadian meeting between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens. The Senators are a perfect 3-0 over the Canadiens this season, outscoring Montreal 13-6 in the three games. Although Mads Sogaard is expected to start in the Senators’ net, the Danish netminder, who stands 6-foot-7 inches tall, has a 2-0-1 record with a .913 SV% and 2.86GAA. On the opposite end of the ice, Sam Montembeault will be in between the pipes for the Canadiens. Montembeault has posted a 12-11-2 record to go along with a 3.24 GAA and .908 SV% this season.
The Senators are 6-3-1 over their last ten but have dropped their previous two games, including a 4-0 shutout loss to the Hurricanes. Captain Brady Tkachuk leads the Sens’ offence with 24 goals and 36 assists for 60 points in 57 games. Sophomore Tim Stutzle paces Ottawa with 26 goals on the season. Ottawa possesses a lethal powerplay which will be problematic for the Canadiens.
Montreal is 5-4-1 over their last ten and enters on a two-game winning streak, including their most recent 5-2 victory over the Flyers. Nick Suzuki leads the Canadiens struggling offence with 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points in 58 games. Special teams will play a big part in tonight’s outcome as the Canadiens’ 28th-ranked penalty kill will fave a tough test against Ottawa’s powerplay.
Prediction: Senators defeat Canadiens 5-3
