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 Florida Panthers vs Pittsburgh Penguins. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Panthers 2-0 Penguins
TV: TNT; Max; TruTV; Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Our first and featured game of NHL predictions has the Panthers looking to keep the momentum going. Florida has gone 6-2-2 in its last 10 games. Sergei Bobrovsky is the confirmed starter for the Panthers. Florida has given up two goals or less in each of the last five games. Sam Reinhart is one goal away from getting to 40 goals this season while Matthew Tkachuk has 39 assists.
Tristan Jarry is the expected starter for the Penguins. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Pittsburgh has lost two straight games and three of the last five. The Penguins haven’t scored more than five goals in each of the last five games. Sidney Crosby continues to lead the way in goals with 28 while Erik Karlsson has 30 assists.
Florida’s defence has been solid and Pittsburgh has struggled to score. The Panthers don’t need to score like Barry White, but they’ll get enough to win.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
San Jose Sharks vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Sharks 1-1 Jets
TV: Sportsnet; NBC Sports California; ESPN+
Here’s our second game of NHL predictions. The San Jose Sharks head up north to take on the Winnipeg Jets in the rubber match of the season series. Both games this season have been low-scoring 2-1 games that have been split between the two teams. Kaapo Kahkonen is the confirmed starer for the Sharks, who are 5-3-2 in the last 10. San Jose will be without leading goal-scorer Tomas Hertl in this one.
Connor Hellebuyck is the projected starter for the Jets, who are 4-5-1 in the last 10. Winnipeg has struggled to score in the last five games and hasn’t scored more than two in the last five. Kyle Connor leads the team in goals with 19 while Josh Morrissey is first in assists with 28. Winnipeg is first in goals against, but needs to bolster its goals and special teams.
This is reading like another low-scoring game, but the Jets get the win. Winnipeg gives its home fans the gift of a Valentine’s Day win.
Prediction: Jets win 3-1.
Minnesota Wild vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-1 Coyotes
TV: Scripps; Bally Sports Wisconsin; Bally Sports North
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Minnesota Wild looking to keep a three-game winning streak going. Filip Gustavsson is the expected starter for the Wild, who are five points behind the St Louis Blues for the second wild card spot. Joel Eriksson Ek is the team’s leading goal-scorer with 23 while Mats Zuccarello tops the assists category with 31.
The Arizona Coyotes are expected to go with Connor Ingram in between the pipes. The Coyotes have lost six straight games and are falling out of the Western Conference playoff race. Could the Yotes have to be sellers once against at the March 8 trade deadline? Clayton Keller leads the team in goals with 21 and assists with 28. The Coyotes did beat the Wild, 6-0, in the only meeting between the two teams this season.
Minnesota is surging at the right time and Arizona is struggling. The Wild show no love the Coyotes with the road victory.
Prediction: Wild win 4-1.
Main photo by: Rich Storry – USA TODAY Sports
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