Welcome back to NHL Predictions, March 8th edition! Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This is the first slate of NHL Predictions for March 8th featuring the Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild. Be sure to check out the second slate of NHL Predictions, too.
NHL Predictions Featuring Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild
Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Knights 2-0 Wild
Tonight’s featured game will see Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild face off in the first of two straight games. This will generate their third meeting of the season as Minnesota attempts to snag a victory from the Knights. As most would have assumed, Vegas leads the West Division by two points. So far earning 33 points this campaign. The Knights have defeated the Wild in both games so far this season. Each team has scored five goals in each of the games. However, the Knights have outscored the Wild 10-5.
Vegas looks to sustain their 6-2-0 away record and expand their impressive winning streak to seven wins. The team continues to entertain and conquer with a winning record of 8-2-0 in their last ten games played. They lead the league in the fewest goals surrendered with 45 and lack issues scoring. Mark Stone‘s first contest versus Minnesota this season is one they would like to steer from. Stone recorded one goal and six assists, registering a point on every Vegas goal.
Minnesota has surfaced its way into the middle of the pack among the West division. The team sits six points behind Vegas and holds three games in hand over them. Currently, they sit in fourth place with 27 points fighting to keep a top-four spot, while two teams below chase them. In the Wild’s last ten games they hold a winning record of 7-2-1. Whether the games are at home or away, it hasn’t seemed to matter, as both records are above .500. This game could be similar to their first meeting of the season that needed overtime. Either way, how could you not enjoy Kirill Kaprizov while displaying highlight-reel plays.
Prediction: Vegas Wins 3-1
St. Louis Blues vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Blues 3-2 Sharks
The St. Louis Blues will come to the end of a six-game road trip after tonight’s match. So far, winning four out of their five road games has bettered the Blues away record to an impressive 10-2-1. To end tonight with a victory could land St. Louis a tie in the West division. All though this will depend on what happens in Minnesota.
In the last meeting between these two teams, the San Jose Sharks captured the first lead. Not long after, St. Louis forced a tie, continuing back and forth goals. The fourth time the Blues tied the game, they would gain traction, taking the lead in the third period to win the game, 7-6.
Timo Meier suffered a lower-body injury Saturday night versus Vegas and is considered day-to-day. High-scoring games don’t come much as a surprise in this season series, as their first five meetings have seen a total of 39 goals scored.
Prediction: Blues Win 5-3
Ottawa Senators vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Senators 4-0 Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are coming off a much-needed victory in their last outing vs. Calgary Flames. Mike Smith once again delivered the goaltending this club desperately needs, only if the matter could appear on a more consistent note. Connor McDavid ended his three-game point drought hustling a goal and two assists on Saturday night. The Oilers moved onto a record of 15-11-0, giving the team 30 points. Although Edmonton has scored the most first-period goals this season, the team has not scored a first-period goal in their last five games.
The Ottawa Senators own the worst points percentage in the league, automatically making them the last in the North. Their next three games happen to be against the Edmonton Oilers, a team with the second-most goals scored for in the league. Unfortunately for Ottawa again, the team finds itself among the bottom allowing 102 goals against them. Drake Batherson leads the Senators in points with 18, and he has been displaying a show! Throughout his last five contests, he has earned six points. An interesting fact regarding Ottawa, their top five point leaders on this team are aged 24 or younger. Tim Stutzle is the youngest at the age of 19.
Prediction: Oilers Win 4-0
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
