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 Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Islanders 1-0 Stars
TV: NHL Network; MSGSN; Bally Sports Southwest
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the New York Islanders taking on the Dallas Stars. The Isles are seven points off the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Patrick Roy has the team playing hard, but the results haven’t come as of yet. New York is 3-4-3 in the last 10 games, including two losses in a row. Ilya Sorokin is the confirmed starter for the Islanders. Brock Nelson leads the team in goals with 25.
Scott Wedgewood is the confirmed starter for the Stars, who stopped a losing streak last time out. Dallas scratched out a 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. The Stars haven’t scored more than three goals in each of the last five games. That’s been a dip from most of the season in which the Stars are third in goals scored. Roope Hintz tops the team in goals with 22.
The Islanders are a tough out, but the Stars are pretty solid on defence as well.
Prediction: Stars win 3-2.
Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Kings 1-1 Oilers
TV: Bally Sports West; Sportsnet1; Sportsnet West; ESPN+
Our featured game of NHL predictions is a rematch of last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. Los Angeles is expected to go with David Rittich in goal, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. The Kings have gone 7-2-1 and have come to life under interim boss Jim Hiller. Trevor Moore leads the team in goals with 21 while Adrian Kempe is first in assists with 32. Both teams love to shoot the puck as they both take 33.7 per game.
Stuart Skinner is the projected starter for the Oilers, who are 4-5-1 after their 16-game winning streak. Zach Hyman continues to put up the goals with 37 while Connor McDavid has dished out 68 assists this campaign. Edmonton’s defence has struggled in recent games by giving up at least four goals per game in the last three. The Oilers great power play unit will get a test against the Kings top-rated penalty kill.
Los Angeles is looking better, but Edmonton get the home win.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-3.
Boston Bruins vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Bruins 0-1 Kraken
TV: NESN; Root Sports Northwest; ESPN+
Our last main game of NHL predictions has the Boston Bruins visiting the Seattle Kraken. Linus Ullmark is the likely starter for the Bruins, who have lost two in a row. Boston is trying to salvage something out of its Western North American road trip. David Pastrnak leads the team in goals (36) and assists (46) and is looking to get another 100-point season. The Bruins are fifth in goals allowed and seventh in goals scored.
Joey Daccord is the projected starter for the Kraken, who are 4-4-2 in the last 10 games. Seattle is seven points off the last post-season spot in the Western Conference. Jared McCann leads the team in goals with 25 while Vince Dunn is first in assists with 32. Seattle’s defence is also in the top 10 with the eighth best in goals allowed.
Boston has struggled to score in recent games, but so has Seattle. It should be a low-scoring game.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-2.
Here’s our other game for tonight’s NHL predictions.
Ottawa Senators vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Senators 1-0 Capitals
TV: Sportsnet; Monument Sports Network; ESPN+
Prediction: Capitals win 4-3.
Main photo by: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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