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 Calgary Flames vs the Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL Predictions: Flames vs Golden Knights
Calgary Flames vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Flames 1-1 Golden Knights
Our featured game on the NHL Predictions is a Pacific Division showdown. The Vegas Golden Knights will return home to take on the Calgary Flames. Vegas is at home for the first time in five games, after going 4-1 in an East Coast road trip. They will be looking to extend their win streak to five games. The Flames had an overtime loss to Arizona their last time out.
The Vegas Golden Knights have had massive contributions from new players over the last few games. Goaltender Jonathan Quick and forwards Ivan Barbashev and Teddy Blueger have all been impactful. It is a good spark for a Vegas team that was demoralized after losing captain Mark Stone and goaltenders Logan Thompson, Adin Hill, and Laurent Brossoit to injury. If Vegas can continue to get contributions from their depth scorers and have confidence in Quick in net, they are in a good position to pull away from the pack in the Pacific division.
Calgary comes into the contest five points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild-card seat in the West, making each game critical down the stretch. Calgary has been getting more production from their stars, with Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, and Rasmus Andersson all contributing multiple points in their last five games. It would be a tall order for the Flames to sneak into the playoffs, but they are certainly not out of the picture. A win here would help, but Vegas’ depth should keep them ahead.
Vegas defeats Flames 4-3 OT.
Vancouver Canucks vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Canucks 1-0 Coyotes
Our next game on the NHL Predictions is between two non playoff teams. In the second of three matchups this season, the Canucks will travel to Arizona to take on a surprisingly hot Coyotes team. After trading away several mainstays of the lineup at the trade deadline, many expected Arizona to underperform the rest of the season. However, they’re on a six-game point streak and haven’t lost at home since March 5. They had an overtime win over the Calgary Flames in their last game out and will want to continue their hot streak. The Canucks are currently on a five-game win streak, finishing out a six-game homestand with a 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars. J.T. Miller has impressed over those games, with five goals and three assists in his last five games, so he’ll be the name to watch in this one.
Coyotes defeat Canucks 4-3.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1-0 Kings
Our next game on the NHL Predictions is between two teams who made a big trade. The Los Angeles Kings are just three points back of first place in the Pacific division and will want to close the gap to Vegas at the top. It’s the first game between the two teams since Columbus traded goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov to the Kings. However, Pheonix Copley is the projected starter in net for the Kings, so Korpisalo will have to wait a little bit longer for his revenge game. The Blue Jackets have had a tough month so far, winning just one game in March. They snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-5 victory over San Jose in their last game. Patrik Laine has had four goals in his last five games, and Johnny Gaudreau has eight points in his last five. Keep an eye on those two coming into tonight.
Kings defeat Blue Jackets 5-3.
Seattle Kraken vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Kraken 1-1 Sharks
It’s a battle of the deep seas as the Kraken will face off against the Sharks. Logan Couture leads the Sharks with 24 goals on the season, and James Reimer will likely start in goal. San Jose had an overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in their last game. They are currently on a four-game losing streak, with just one win since March 1. The Kraken currently sit fourth in the Pacific division. They are one point behind the Edmonton Oilers for a guaranteed playoff spot. Defenceman Vince Dunn leads the Kraken with eight points in his last five games. He will look to continue with his playmaking ability to put the Kraken ahead.
Kraken defeat Sharks 3-1.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
