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 New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins. Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions for the day.
NHL Predictions
Dallas Stars vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Stars 0-1 Sabres
Our first matchup of this round of NHL predictions is the Dallas Stars versus the Buffalo Sabres. Jake Oettinger is the confirmed starter, but always check social media before deciding on your lineups. The Stars have won three of their last five, but lost to the Calgary Flames the last time out. Dallas is on top of the Central Division, but both the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche are coming on strong.
Eric Comrie is the projected starter for the Sabres. Buffalo has struggled at the wrong time of the season with losses in four of the last five. Only a win against the Tampa Bay Lightning is sandwiched between the losses. The Sabres are five points out of the second Eastern Wild Card spot.
Buffalo will be motivated, but Dallas has been better as of late.
Prediction: Stars win 4-2.
New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Islanders 3-0 Penguins
Our featured game of NHL predictions has big Wild Card implications. The Isles have won all three of the meetings so far and are looking for the season sweep. New York has won three of its last five and are in the first wild card spot. Ilya Sorokin is the confirmed stater in goal for the Islanders. New York hasn’t given up more than two goals in their last four games.
Tristan Jarry will draw the start in goal for the Penguins. Pittsburgh has won four of their last five games to get back into the playoff conversation. The Pens have scored at least five goals in three of those victories. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are running out of time to make one last push at a Stanley Cup, but this group has played better as of late.
The Isles have had the Penguins’ number this season, but Pittsburgh prevents the sweep.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-3.
New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Rangers 1-1 Canadiens
The New York Rangers come in looking for their first win with Patrick Kane in the lineup. Igor Shesterkin will get the call for the Blueshirts in goal. K’Andre Miller will return to the lineup after his three-game suspension.
Samuel Montembeault is the starter in between the pipes for the Habs. The Montreal Canadiens have lost four straight, but have been dealing with a rash of injuries. The Canadiens do have a lot of promise for the future, but are just trying to wind down the season.
The Rangers are coming off their bye week and should get the win here.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-1.
New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Devils 1-1 Capitals
It’s a Metropolitan Division matchup between the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals. Akira Schmid will likely get the start in goal. New Jersey has won three of its last five, but did lose to the short-handed Toronto Maple Leafs the last time out. The Devils are four points out of first in the division.
Darcy Kuemper will be the probable starter for the Capitals. Washington has won three of the last five, but are in that group that are five points away from the second wild card spot. Alex Ovechkin is four goals away from another 40-goal season.
The Devils have loved the addition of Timo Meier and he’ll continue to pace them.
Prediction: Devils win 5-2.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-2 Hurricanes
The Philadelphia Flyers will be without the suspended Tony DeAngelo for this game. Felix Sandstrom will be the starter in between the pipes for the Flyers. Philadelphia has lost four of its last five games and have allowed 10 goals against Carolina in the two games.
Pyotr Kochetkov is the likely starter in goal for streaking Hurricanes that have won three straight games. Carolina made a number of small moves at the deadline, but those deals have paid off so far. The Canes have 16 goals scored across the last three games.
Philadelphia has played Carolina tough, but the Canes win this one.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 5-1.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 1-0 Lightning
Our final game of NHL predictions features the Vegas Golden Knights against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jonathan Quick will get the start in goal for Vegas, which had a three-game winning streak snapped in Florida. Vegas is tied atop the Western Conference lead along with rival Los Angeles.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is the likely starter in goal for the Lightning. Tampa Bay snapped a losing-skid with a victory over Philadelphia. The Lightning’s power play remains one of the best in the league as its second at 26.2 percent.
This is a tough one to call, but Tampa gets the win at home.
Prediction: Lightning win 3-2 in overtime.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
