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 Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild. Keep checking our NHL predictions throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers
Series: Bruins 3-2 Panthers
Our first game of NHL predictions has the Boston Bruins getting another chance to close out the Florida Panthers. Boston played well analytically, but a couple of errors have forced this Game 6. An early screw-up by Tyler Bertuzzi and a late gaffe by Linus Ullmark cost the Bruins a chance to clinch at home. Ullmark will likely get the chance to redeem himself and has a good chance to do so.
Sergei Bobrovsky will once again get the start for the Panthers in this elimination game. Florida did all it could to stay alive and took a second road victory in the series. However, they’ll need another performance against a motivated Bruins squad to stay alive. Matthew Tkachuk has been great in the series and has been a thorn in Boston’s side.
David Krejci could return and that would be a big boost for the Bruins, who should get the job done.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-2.
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders
Series: Hurricanes 3-2 Islanders
The Carolina Hurricanes look to finish out the series against the rival New York Islanders. Antti Raanta will get the call again for the Hurricanes. Carolina lost another forward as Jack Drury will not make the trip to Long Island. The Hurricanes’ forward group has been banged, but the defence has been solid for the most part. Someone will need to step up and be an unlikely hero.
Ilya Sorokin has been great in the two wins for the Islanders. New York has been able to limit the opportunities in a tightly-contested series. Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri have been great this series and lead the team in points. This series has the feeling of a rock fight and the Islanders are prepared to win something like that.
Carolina does display plenty of toughness, but there are too many injuries. This series is going to a Game 7.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-1.
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild
Series: Stars 3-2 Wild
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Stars looking to close out the Wild in the Twin Cities. Jake Oettinger has been great this series in the three victories. Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson have been as good as advertised for Dallas and lead the team in points. Tyler Seguin has four goals and stepped up for the injured Joe Pavelski. Speaking of “Captain America,” he is travelling with the team and is a game-time decision for Peter DeBoer’s club. Getting Pavelski would be a major lift to the Stars lineup.
Filip Gustavsson will get the call to save the Minnesota season at home. Marcus Foligno has become a microcosm of the Wild’s woeful penalty killing this series. Dallas has been opportunistic and cashed in on extra-man chances. Minnesota will have to stay out of the box if it can’t stop Dallas’ power play. Kirill Kaprizov will have to get it going if the Wild want to force a winner-take-all Game 7.
Dallas seems to have found the right formula and Oettinger’s goalie play will push them into round two.
Prediction: Stars win 5-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Seattle Kraken
Series: Avalanche 2-3 Kraken
This is the final game for Friday night’s NHL predictions. Who would have thought the Seattle Kraken would be in a position to eliminate the defending Stanley Cup champions? The Colorado Avalanche will turn to Alexandar Georgiev to extend their season. Cale Makar will return after serving a one-game ban. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen will need some other players to step up and provide some extra scoring.
Philipp Grubauer has been motivated to beat his old team and he’ll start once again in net. Climate Pledge Arena should be rocking with the city’s first chance at a hockey-series victory over 100 years. Seattle has found scoring from multiple players and plenty of unlikely sources like Jaden Schwartz and Justin Schultz. The Kraken has also found a way to rally and make the Avs have to earn everything. Jared McCann‘s status for this game is uncertain.
Makar’s return will be a big boost for the Avs and the champs force a Game 7.
Prediction: Avalanche wins 4-3.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
