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 today’s game slate of NHL Predictions.
NHL Predictions
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 1-1 Hurricanes
The first of two Central division games tonight is between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Carolina Hurricanes, who split the season series. Heading into tonight Chicago will look to better their second three-game winning streak of the season by adding another win to the column. Chicago’s goaltender Kevin Lankinen recorded his first NHL career shutout against the Detroit Red Wings. The 25-year-old made 29 saves on Wednesday and has won seven of the Blackhawks nine wins. The Blackhawks share a first-place tie with the Florida Panthers for first in the Central Division with 22 points.
In the last meeting between these two teams, Chicago won 6-4. Patrick Kane, who leads the Hawks in points with 23, had four points in the victory. Carolina currently sits back one point behind Chicago in the Central Division with four games in hand. Vincent Trocheck has been heating up in Carolina as he finds himself on a five-game point streak, producing seven points in that span. Expect this matchup to be high scoring as both teams sit among the top of the NHL for goals per game.
Prediction: Chicago Wins 5-4
Florida Panthers vs. Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Panthers 3-1 Red Wings
The Florida Panthers have just two regulation losses this season and have a favourable chance of keeping it that way tonight. The Detroit Red Wings may have a less impressive record and be down in the season series but, they have already upset the Panthers once. Both teams have scored nine goals in the four games played versus each other, so in some way, things are more even than they appear.
Jonathan Huberdeau has five points in his last two games and reached 20 points in 14 games. This accomplishment would set a franchise record for the fastest Florida Panther to accumulate 20 points in a season. Juho Lammikko scored his first NHL goal in his last game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Chris Driedger has been excellent for the Panthers in between the pipes outshining star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, winning five out of his seven starts. This matchup appears to be lopsided on paper and, it certainly reads that way tonight.
Prediction: Panthers Win 6-2
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Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-1 Flames
Welcome to what should be the main event on tonight’s schedule. It’s a battle that will have a majority of NHL fans tuning in tonight, and so should you! For North division fans, you’re here for a familiar bone-crushing Battle of Alberta, but to keep an eye on the standings. In a cramped North division, the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames would gladly take two points away from one another. Calgary may have the upper hand in the season series and will have a heavy task of slowing down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Expect to step back into the ’80s and enjoy a fast-paced, physical and high-scoring game!
Edmonton has been finding goals recently from other sources than Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. If the team continues to generate offence, it could be a problem for Calgary and the rest of the North division. Calgary’s goaltending has been great this season, even considering Jacob Markstrom may be coming off one of his least impressive performances with Calgary.
The Oilers dropped the last game due to shaky goaltending by Mikko Koskinen, perhaps it’s Mike Smiths‘ turn in an attempt to extinguish the flames? It wasn’t all bad goaltending though, Edmonton took some frustrating penalties and eventually, the team looked gassed. Calgary took advantage of Edmonton’s flaws and made them pay for it. These two teams bring the fight out of each other, it will be a battle the second the puck drops. In a close fast and physical game the Oilers defeat the flames in overtime.
Prediction: Oilers Win 3-2 OT
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Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Jets 0-1 Canucks
The Winnipeg Jets have met the Vancouver Canucks just once so far this season, losing 4-1. This meeting is the first of a back-to-back between the two, and collecting all four possible points would be massive for either team. The Vancouver Canucks sit just two points back of the Jets and would like to even the odds in the standings tonight.
As Mark Scheifele continues to have a great year, he leads the team with 22 points. He is on an eight-game point streak collecting 12 points in those games with no signs of ending it anytime soon. Coming off a big win to the Calgary Flames 5-1 on Wednesday night. Vancouver has not had issues most nights scoring goals, as they sit second in the NHL with 60 goals this season. Brock Boeser has 12 goals on the season and continues to chase down the NHL goal-scoring leader. He trails behind Auston Matthews by two goals. The downfall with Vancouver is keeping the puck out of the net. The Canucks slip and fall to the Jets with all cylinders going for Winnipeg.
Prediction: Jets Win 5-2
That does it for the February 19th games set of NHL Predictions! Make sure to tune in tomorrow for a new set of NHL Predictions!
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