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 Jersey Devils vs Boston Bruins. Be sure to check out the other NHL predictions for today.
NHL Predictions
Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Flyers 1-2 Islanders
For the Islanders, games such as these against lowly, battered opponents cannot be taken lightly. New York will enter this game tied for the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but just one point ahead of the Penguins for the last Wild-Card spot; each team has three games remaining, including games tonight. Especially considering the lack of difficulty in Pittsburgh’s remaining schedule, every point dropped by the Islanders in this race will likely factor in the outcome of the race instrumentally. Brock Nelson and Pierre Engvall have continued to impress. They’ve boosted the Islanders’ offensive work rate in recent weeks to support the league-best play seen in the net with Ilya Sorokin. Currently, the Islanders are slated to face the powerhouse Boston Bruins side in the first round of the playoffs.
Philadelphia slumps into the night on a five-game losing streak, while allowing four or more goals in all games in that stretch. Despite any poor play from the team in a lottery season, excitement is sporadically spread at the individual level. Travis Konecny and Morgan Frost, who have each set career-highs in all productive categories, are each one goal away from milestone goals on the season; Konecny currently sits at 29, while Frost can continue his strong play as of late with a 20-goal season for the first time in his young career.
Prediction: 3-1 Islanders
St. Louis Blues vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Blues 1-2 Wild
St. Louis enters the Xcel Energy Center freshly outside of a playoff position. However, it still holds six wins in their last 10 games, including wins in back-to-back games. High-end talent drives this Blues team almost exclusively. There’s a 26-point difference exists between the production generated by their top line and Brayden Schenn, compared to that of remaining forward lines on the season. Schenn and Jordan Kyrou haved played at an excellent level in a recent five-game stretch.
The Wild will see the play of Kirill Kaprizov in their lineup tonight for the first time in exactly one month. However in exchange, centre Joel Eriksson-Ek out week-to-week. Minnesota stumbles into the game on a three-game losing streak after clinching a playoff position; seemingly, the surprising stretch of strong offensive play after the Kaprizov injury was concluding. Now, an injury to their top centre will test this team far beyond this game. Minnesota’s offensive output should still improve with Kaprizov’s return, alongside the 30-goal Matt Boldy and his absurd stretch in the past month of play.
In the last match with these two teams, an absolute barn-burner commenced in an 8-5 Wild win in St. Louis. The game featured a suspension levied on goaltender Jordan Binnington. Despite the three-game losing streak Minnesota has endured, this task for the Blues should still prove rather difficult. We predict the Wild ultimately out-muscle the Blues with reemerged talent, but not without an impressive, octane battle.
Prediction: 5-4 Wild
New Jersey Devils vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Devils 0-0 Bruins
Tonight’s featured game of NHL predictions pits two of the league’s most dynamic offences in the Devils and Bruins. New Jersey ranks top five in both goals per 60 and expected goals per 60 (Evolving-Hockey), while Boston ranks top five in the former. For the Devils, sustainably driven play through the neutral zone attacking the goal at an enormous rate defines their offensive game. They have elite possession players maintaining in-zone play, creating an offence with both stellar output quantities and qualities. After a slow start in the Garden State, Timo Meier is goal-per-game in the last five. This includes a two-goal performance in his most recent game against Columbus. Jack Hughes in particular is up to 95 points on the season. There is an exciting possibility for Hughes to become the first 100-point scorer in the history of the club.
Meanwhile, in terms of records, Boston is just two wins away from the all-time wins record of 62. They’re six points from the points record of 132. Boston has continued to rest players, but injuries have also inflicted players such as David Krejci and Charlie McAvoy. The unlocking of the offence; namely, the increase in defender activity in all zones and a more proactive breakout which generates speed-up ice, has bolstered Boston from an elite team to an unholy force. David Pastrnak has now perhaps become at least top three, with an unforgettable season in which 60 goals is still certainly achievable. Pastrnak is up to 57 goals (104 points) with four games remaining. He is currently riding a streak with 10 goals in the last 10 games.
These elite, all-around dynamic teams clash for the final time this season. New Jersey and Boston will likely define this game through the neutral zone.
Prediction: 4-3 Bruins (OT)
Main photo by: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sport
