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 Pittsburgh Penguins. Be sure to check out our NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Senators 1-1 Penguins
The featured game of our NHL predictions is the rubber-game between the two clubs. Ottawa has lost five straight games and is sinking in the Stanley Cup Playoff race. Mads Sogaard is the unconfirmed starter, but always check online before locking in your fantasy lineup. The Senators have given up five or more goals in each of these last five losses. Ottawa is really feeling the loss of Cam Talbot in between the pipes.
The Penguins have lost both ends of a home-and-home set to the New York Rangers. One of those defeats was a humiliating 6-0 loss on American TV to the Blueshirts. Tristan Jarry will try to shake off the bad start at Madison Square Garden and is the likely starter. Pittsburgh has yielded 16 goals in the last three games. Sidney Crosby is one goal away from another 30-goal season for the ageless wonder.
Pittsburgh is looking to keep the pack at bay, but should rebound in a game that should pass over of 6.5.
Prediction: Penguins win 5-4.
Florida Panthers vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Panthers 2-0 Red Wings
It’s an Atlantic Division matchup as the Florida Panthers look for the season-sweep over the Detroit Red Wings. Florida’s offence has been firing on all pistons with four wins in the last five. The Panthers have 13 goals in the last two games. Sergei Bobrovsky should get the start for the surging Panthers, who are a point off the wild card.
The Detroit Red Wings have faded over the stretch, but showed some promise in Derek LaLonde’s first season in charge. Ville Husso seems to be the goalie of the future and likely gets the start for Detroit. The Red Wings have lost three of their last five games and scored only one goal in the last two games.
Florida is on fire and that should continue.
Prediction: Panthers win 5-2.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 1-1 Avalanche
It’s the final matchup of the season between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche. Chicago is coming off a 4-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Mullet Arena. The Blackhawks are being bad for Connor Bedard. Alex Stalock has been decent, but has hands full against the Avlanche.
Alexandar Georgiev should get the start for the Avalanche, who have won five straight games. Colorado has been averaging nearly five goals a game and the defence has been solid, too. The Avs have only giving up just over two goals a game during the last five. Mikko Rantanen has been great all season and is almost to 50 goals.
This comes in as a big mismatch with the spread at 2.5. The Avalanche should take care of that.
Prediction: Avalanche win 6-3.
San Jose Sharks vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-1 Oilers
The San Jose Sharks face the tall task of taking on the Edmonton Oilers offence. San Jose will go with James Reimer, who is in the news for other reasons. However, he faces the gargantuan order of stopping Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl from scoring. Erik Karlsson has been playing a Norris Trophy caliber season despite playing on a bad team.
Stuart Skinner is the probable starter in between the pipes for the Oilers. Edmonton has won four of its last five games and have been scoring nearly five goals a game. McDavid is two goals away from hitting the 60-goal mark.
The Oilers should get the win and have been humming along strong.
Prediction: Oilers win 6-2.
Calgary Flames vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Flames 1-1 Kings
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Calgary Flames taking on the Los Angeles Kings. Calgary will go with Jacob Markstrom in between the pipes in all likelihood. The Flames have lost three of the last five and are four points off the second Western Conference wild card spot. Inconsistent play has plagued the Flames all season long.
Joonas Korpisalo likely draws the start for the Kings, who have wins in three of the last five. Los Angeles is coming off a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. However, LA is still two points off the Pacific Division and Western Conference lead. Adrian Kempe leads the team in goals.
It’s a tough game with two teams in different positions. Calgary is fighting for its life, but Los Angeles seems a little more solid.
Prediction: Kings win 3-2.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
