NHL Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Penguins 1-0 Wild
TV: BSN, BSWIX, SportsNet PT; SN East, SN Pacific; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the Minnesota Wild. Tristan Jarry is expected to get the start tonight for the Penguins. However, always check social media before locking a daily fantasy starter. Jarry logged his sixth shutout of the season last time out against the Winnipeg Jets. Sidney Crosby leads the club in goals with 27 while Erik Karlsson has 28 assists. Pittsburgh has won two in a row.
Marc-Andre Fleury will square off against his old team as he’s the confirmed starter for the Wild, who have won three of the last five. Jonas Brodin was out for the last game against Chicago and Pat Maroon will be out the next few weeks after surgery. Joel Eriksson Ek tops the team in goals while Mats Zucarello has racked up 31 assists. The Wild are 5-4-1 in their last 10.
Both teams are playing better, but Jarry gets the win against the Wild thanks to his strong play as of late.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-2.
New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Rangers 1-0 Blackhawks
TV: NBC Sports Chicago, MSG; ESPN+
Our featured game has the Rangers looking to sweep the season series against the Blackhawks. The Blueshirts have three straight wins and likely go with Igor Shesterkin, who would be playing in his first game since the All-Star Break. Jonathan Quick has taken the crease the last two games, but Shesterkin should get the call in this one. Former Blackhawks Artemi Panarin leads in goals (31) and assists (36) for the Rangers. New York is top five on the power play and penalty kill.
Petr Mrazek likely gets the start for the Blackhawks, who have lost five in a row. Chicago is really feeling the pain of not having Connor Bedard in the lineup. The Blackhawks have only scored a total of three goals during the last five games. Bedard still holds a tie for the team lead in goals with 15 with Jason Dickinson. The top pick also leads in assists with 18 despite being out a while.
This game is designed to hopefully give Shesterkin a confidence boost. Chicago will put up a fight, but New York gets the win.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-1.
Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-t0-Head: Oilers 2-0 Ducks
TV: SN West; BSSC, BSSD; ESPN+
Our final game of the night has the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Anaheim Ducks. Edmonton had its 16-game winning streak stopped against the Vegas Golden Knights last time out. The Oilers will go with Calvin Pickard as the team’s starting goalie in this one. Edmonton has a total of 15 goals between two games against Anaheim this season. Zach Hyman leads the team in goals with 30.
John Gibson is the expected starter for the Ducks, who have won three of the last four. Anaheim has been in three straight one-goal games during this recent run. The Ducks are led by leading-scorer Frank Vatrano, who has 22 this season. Troy Terry tops the team in assists with 22. Anaheim’s special teams will be tested against Edmonton’s top-five power play and penalty kill.
The Oilers have been sitting for a couple days. They’ll win, but it’ll be closer.
Prediction: Oilers win 6-3.
Main photo by: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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