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 St Louis Blues vs Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 2-1 Rangers
TV: MSG; Bally Sports Ohio; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers wrapping up the season-series against each other. Columbus has done surprisingly well against New York this season with two victories. The Blue Jackets ended the Rangers 10-game winning streak on Sunday night with a 4-2 win. Elvis Merzlikins is the expected starter for the Blue Jackets. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Columbus has won three of its last five games, but are still the worst team in the Eastern Conference. Boone Jenner leads the squad in goals while Johnny Gaudreau is tops in assists with 34.
The Rangers are expected to go with Igor Shesterkin in between the pipes for this game. Shesterkin was the NHL’s third star of the week and is slowly finding his form. The Blueshirts had a rare bad game in February against the Blue Jackets on Sunday. However, New York still holds first in the Metropolitan Division. Artemi Panarin leads the team in goals (33) and assists (46).
One thing the Rangers usually do after a bad game is bounce back. The teams split the season series in this.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2.
St Louis Blues vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Blues 1-0 Oilers
TV: TNT; Max; Sportsnet
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Blues taking on the Oilers in Alberta. St Louis is six points off the second wild card spot in the Western Conference behind the Nashville Predators. Jordan Binnington is the likely starter for the Blues, but Joel Hofer has also seen action in big games. St Louis seems to be in a no-man’s land when it comes to whether to buy or sell. These next few games will determine where the team goes at the March 8 trade deadline. Pavel Buchnevich is the team’s scoring-leader with 23 goals while Robert Thomas is first in assists with 47. The Blues have lost four of the last five games going into this one.
Edmonton is likely to go with Stuart Skinner once again in the blue paint. Edmonton stopped a three-game losing streak in a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers are three points off second place in the Pacific Division that is currently being held by the Vegas Golden Knights. However, the Oilers have three games in hand as of now. Zach Hyman leads the team in goals with 38 while Connor McDavid has 70 assists.
Both teams have their own reasons to get the victory. However, the Oilers pick up the win to keep pace with the Golden Knights.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
With the limited action tonight, we have a special prop bet of the night. Let’s go back to the first game of the night for our prop bet of the evening. Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere has put together a solid campaign. He’s gotten at least three shots in all but one game this month. We’ll take Lafreniere with the over +2.5 shots in this game against the Blue Jackets.
Main photo by: Jeff Curry – USA TODAY Sports
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