Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This is the early game slate of NHL Predictions for February 7th. Be sure and check out the late games of NHL Predictions too.
NHL Predictions February 7 – Early Games
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0 – 0 Capitals
The second-place Philadelphia Flyers and third-place Washington Capitals face off tonight in an East Division matchup. The Flyers look to have gotten back on track since their rough first series against the Boston Bruins. They swept both the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. Unfortunately, the Bruins returned to hand the Flyers two more losses. The FLyers are looking to rebound against the Capitals.
The Capitals have been scraping by. Starting the season off strong, they are now third in the East with a record of 5-2-3. The Caps have lost two games in a row, including to the lowly New York Rangers. With starting goaltender Ilya Samsonov still out, the Capitals will have to do a better job defending in their own end. Not to mention forward Evgeny Kuznetsov is still day-to-day, along with defenseman Justin Schultz and right-wing Conor Sheary.
The Flyers have also been struggling with injuries with Philippe Myers, Sean Couturier, and most recently their starting goaltender Carter Hart out, it will be tough for the Flyers to stay in this game. Brian Elliot doesn’t hold a candle to Hart and he lets in softballs. You can’t do that against an offensive core as powerful as the Capitals. If Washington can hold down their blueline, they will collect two points and move into second place in the East Divison.
Prediction: Capitals win 5-3.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Kings 0 – 1 Golden Knights
Trouncing the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 on Friday, the Vegas Golden Knights are looking to do it again. The Golden Knights currently sit a third in the West Division with a record of 6-1-1. Not to mention, they’ve played three fewer games than the Colorado Avalanche or the St. Louis Blues. The Kings are holding steady in the last spot in the West, only the Detroit Red Wings, and Ottawa Senators rank below them throughout the entire league.
While Kings head coach Todd McLellan continues to entertain the idea of Los Angeles in the playoffs, it’s a longshot, at best. While the Kings can score some goals, their defence is an issue. With the Kings struggling in their own zone and Jonathan Quick no longer able to carry the team, it seems like an uphill battle. If the Kings want to win, they are going to need to insulate Quick much better than they have so far this season.
As for the Knights, they’re killing it. Coming off a 10-day postponement of games due to COVID-19, Vegas didn’t miss a beat. Expect to see them leading the West in just a few games. And, expect to see them collect two points against the Kings tonight.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 6-1.
