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 Calgary Flames vs New York Rangers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Seattle Kraken vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-1 Devils
TV: Root Sports Northwest; MSG SN; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Seattle Kraken visiting the New Jersey Devils. Seattle has lost three of its last five and two straight. Joey Daccord is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a stater. The Kraken are six points behind the St Louis Blues for the last wild card spot out west. Offence has been a problem for the club, which is 27th in goals in the league. Jared McCann tops the team in goals with 21.
Vitek Vanecek is the likely starter for the Devils, who have lost four of the last five. New Jersey is six points behind in the Eastern Conference for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. The Devils have been good at scoring goals, as they’re ninth in goals scored. However, New Jersey is 28th in goals allowed. Tyler Toffoli is the team’s leading goal-scorer with 21.
Seattle is better defensively, but New Jersey gets the win.
Prediction: Devils win 3-2.
Calgary Flames vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-1 Rangers
TV: MSG 2; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our featured game has the Flames looking to keep its four-game winning streak going. Jacob Markstrom is the projected starter for Calgary, which sits three sits off a post-season spot. The Flames have gotten off to a hot start on their Eastern road trip. Blake Coleman is the leader in goals with 21 while Nazem Kadri tops the assist category with 28.
Igor Shesterkin is listed as the starter, but Jonathan Quick might get a look as a late substitute. The Blueshirts also have a four-game winning streak. However, that one seems to be shakier than the one Calgary is on. Artemi Panarin is tops in goals (31) and assists (37) for New York. The Blueshirts also need to fix their power play that has struggled in recent games.
This is a tough game to call, but the Rangers win a close one.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-3.
Arizona Coyotes vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0-1 Flyers
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia; Scripps; ESPN+
The Arizona Coyotes try to stop their five-game losing streak against the Philadelphia Flyers. Connor Ingram is the expected starter for a team struggling to stay in the post-season race. Arizona is led by Clayton Keller, who leads in goals (21) and assists (27). The Coyotes are 25th in goals scored and 14th in goals allowed.
Samuel Ersson is the likely starter for the Flyers, who have won three in a row. Philadelphia holds the third automatic playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. Travis Konecny is the the club’s leader in goals with 27.
Arizona has struggled at both ends of the ice. Philadelphia gets the home win.
Prediction: Flyers win 5-2.
Minnesota Wild vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Golden Knights
TV: Scripps; Bally Sports Wisconsin; Bally Sports North; ESPN+
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Minnesota Wild meeting the Vegas Golden Knights for the first time. Filip Gustavsson is the likely starter for the Wild, who have won three of the last five games. Joel Eriksson Ek is the team’s top goal-scorer with 21.
Adin Hill is the likely starter for the Golden Knights, who have won four of the last five games. Vegas is eight points in back of the Vancouver Canucks for first in the Pacific Division. Jonathan Marchessault leads the team in goals with 26.
Both teams are in form, but the Knights win a close one.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-3.
Main photo by: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
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