Welcome back to NHL Predictions, March 21st 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 full slate of NHL Predictions for March 21st featuring Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning.
NHL Predictions Including Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Devils 1 – 1 Penguins
The New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins face off in their third matchup of the week. 1-1 on the week and the series, tonight’s game will be the tiebreaker until they meet again. The Devils took the first game, 3-2, with goals from Jack Hughes, P.K. Subban, and Travis Zajac. On Saturday, the Penguins found their offence and defeated the Devils, 3-1. The New Jersey Devils are one of the worst teams in the league, points-wise, currently sitting at 27th. With the Penguins centre depth sorely lacking at the moment, due to Evgeni Malkin on IR, their offence may be off-kilter. However, Pittsburgh is the better team overall. They’ll collect the two points.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-2.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 3 – 0 Kings
The Vegas Golden Knights are undefeated against the Los Angeles Kings so far this season. They are playing their fourth matchup of the season tonight. With a record of 21-6-1, the Golden Knights lead the West Division. On a five-game winning streak, Vegas is one of the most dominate teams in the league. As for the Kings, they currently sit at fifth in the West, five points out of playoff contention. A record of 12-11-6 keeps Los Angeles from being competitive. With Marc-Andre Fleury playing some of the best hockey of his career, the Kings aren’t getting past him.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 5-0.
Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Predators 1 – 3 Stars
The Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators are currently sixth and seventh in the Central Division, respectively. The 10-10-7 Stars face off against the 13-17-1 Predators for the fifth time this season. The Stars had a hot start to the season after a several game postponement, but have gone downhill since. As for the Predators, they’ve been subpar for the whole season. Their offence hasn’t been able to produce. The defence hasn’t quite lived up to seasons past and the goalie tandem of Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros numbers have been on the decline. Dallas will come out on top, tonight.
Prediction: Stars win 2-1.
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Panthers 2 – 1 Lightning
The matchup Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning matchup is a game to watch. Two of the best teams to hit the ice this season, these Florida teams have clear paths to the playoffs. With a record of 22-6-2, the Tampa Bay Lightning sit a first in the league with 46 points. The Panthers are just two points behind them with a record of 20-6-4. An offence led by captain Aleksander Barkov, the Panthers have upped their goal percentage from last year. A defence that has emerged as one of the best in the league puts them miles above last years performance. Not to mention, a Vezina-winning goaltender in net doesn’t hurt.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Playing with much of the same team as last season, the Lightning are nothing short of dominate. Their stars, Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy have been brilliant. But, points have come from all over the roster and their defence is solid. Despite the Lightning railroading most teams, they haven’t been able to do it to the Panthers this season. And, they won’t do it tonight.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
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