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 Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins. Be sure to check out our NHL predictions for today.
NHL Predictions
Detroit Red Wings vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0-2 Flyers
Our first game of NHL predictions features the Detroit Red Wings looking to avoid the season sweep against the Philadelphia Flyers. Alex Nedeljkovic is the confirmed starter in goal for the Red Wings. Detroit has lost four of its last five games and has fallen hard out of the Stanley Cup Playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Dylan Larkin leads the team in goals and assists for the club.
Carter Hart is the unconfirmed starter for the Flyers, but always check social media before setting your fantasy lineup. Philadelphia has won three of its last five games and has scored at least five goals in those three wins. The Flyers power play is still dead-last in the league and 28th on the penalty kill.
Some teams just have other team’s number and the Flyers find a way to win.
Prediction: Flyers win 4-3.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Lighting 1-2 Bruins
Our featured game of this round of NHL predictions is an Atlantic Division battle and possible second round matchup in the post-season. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the expected starter for the Lightning, who have lost three straight games. Tampa Bay hasn’t looked like itself for plenty of times during the season. However, this team can still give contenders plenty of problems. The offence needs to get going with only scoring two goals each in those losses. Tampa Bay is starting to get healthy at the right time and has the third-best power play in the league.
Jeremy Swayman is the expected starter for a Bruins team that’s won five straight games. There’s always a worry about a team peaking too early, but the Bruins seem to be ready. This team wants to buck the recent curse of the President’s Trophy. David Pastrnak leads the way in goals (49) and assists (46) for a Bruins’ offence that’s second in goals scored. Boston is first in goals against and on the penalty kill. This shows the B’s are great in all phases of the game.
Tampa is always a tough out, but Boston has been rock solid this entire season.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-2.
Seattle Kraken vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Kraken 1-1 Predators
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Seattle Kraken taking on the Nashville Predators. There’s some uncertainty in who gets the call for the Kraken in goal betwen Joey Daccord or Philipp Grubauer. However, the Seattle offence will have play better as it lost 2-1 to Nashville the last time out. The Kraken have lost three of their last five games, but are six points safe in the Wild card. However, the Winnipeg Jets are only point from overtaking Seattle for the top wild card spot.
Juuse Saros is the projected starter for a Predators team that’s giving all it can in pursuit of the post-season. Nashville has won two straight games and still has an outside shot at crashing the party. However, the 26th-rated power play and 28th-best goal-scoring offence is going to have to get moving. Saros can help steal a game if he’s on.
It’s put-up-or-shut-up time for Nashville and it finds a way in this one.
Prediction: Predators win 3-1.
Main photo by: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
