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. Be sure and check out the late games of NHL Predictions too.
Several games were postponed today due to COVID-19 protocol. Now on to the predictions.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Senators 1 – 0 Canadiens
Surely everyone thought the Montreal Canadiens were going to wipe the floor with the Ottawa Senators. Except the opposite happened. However, the angry Senators came out hard against their rival. The overconfident Canadiens took the Senators too lightly as the Senators defeated the Canadiens by a score of 3-2. Matt Murray stood on his head for Ottawa. But it was only a matter of time before the Canadiens lost a game like this. Not to mention, the Senators were playing so poorly and they were bound to win a game eventually. The young Senators were ready to take on the best team in the North Division. But it was a perfect situation for the Senators to come into the Bell Centre and win.
The Canadiens were riding high after defeating the Vancouver Canucks. Nobody expected them to win every game, but surely they could defeat a team like the Senators. Unfortunately, the opposite happened. Montreal came out flat-footed, and even though they scored the first goal it was all downhill after that. Ottawa scored three unanswered goals before the Canadiens scored another short-handed goal. Again penalties hurt this team. The Canadiens have a good team, but the only thing that can stop them is themselves. Look for Montreal to play a better game against the Senators. Thursday night’s loss was a wake-up call and that isn’t a bad thing.
Prediction: Montreal Wins 4-2
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Arizona Coyotes vs. St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 1 – 1 Blues
Originally to play the Colorado Avalanche, the St. Louis Blues had a change of plans thanks to COVID-19. However, the Blues were able to rearrange the schedule to play and resume their series with the Arizona Coyotes. The Blues and Coyotes split the first two games of the season series by the same score of 4-3. The Blues sit near the top of the West Division, while the Coyotes are in the middle and towards the bottom of the division. Arizona is looking for a big win in the West Division. The Coyotes are one of the teams battling for the final spot in the division with the Minnesota Wild. It will be interesting who will get the start. Antti Raanta got the last win for Arizona against St. Louis. Conor Garland, Phil Kessel, and Nick Schmaltz are leading the way for this young Coyotes team.
On the side of things, the Blues are sitting near the top of the division. For St. Louis, it is all about the team and not about individuals. They have been able to transition without Alex Pietrangelo by replacing him with Torey Krug. Also, the Blues are without Vladimir Tarasenko, but it doesn’t matter as Mike Hoffman has come in and filled in nicely. Not to mention a young guy like Jordan Kyrou is leading the way for the Blues. Of course, the regular guys Ryan O’Reilly, Brayden Schenn, Jaden Schwartz, and David Perron are producing points. This will be a fun series to watch considering it was put together on such short notice and to be played in the afternoon.
Prediction: Blues Win 4-3
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