Welcome back to NHL Predictions, May 10th 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 slate of NHL Predictions for May 10th, featuring the Edmonton Oilers vs Montreal Canadiens.
NHL Predictions Including Edmonton Oilers vs Montreal Canadiens
New Jersey Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head to Head: Devils 4 – 3 Flyers
Both of these teams had expectations for how this season would go. The Devils are probably right around where they expected to be. The Flyers on the other hand, not so much. This team had big aspirations going into the season after a strong playoff push last year. The Devils have played a strong defensive game all year long and have gotten excellent goaltending from Mackenzie Blackwood. Scott Wedgewood has even looked competent at times. When it comes down to it though, Philadelphia has better forwards. They should win a close one this time around.
Prediction: Flyers win 2-1
Edmonton Oilers vs Montreal Canadiens
Head to Head: Oilers 2 – 5 Canadiens
Connor McDavid has been this season’s MVP and it’s not particularly close. The Oilers captain scored four points in his last game to hit the 100 point mark on the season with three games left on the schedule. Not only is he doing things that we haven’t seen since the days of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, but he is doing it in a short year. The Canadiens will need stellar play from their best defenders if they even want to stand a chance against the Oilers’ offensive onslaught.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-3
New York Islanders vs Boston Bruins
Head to Head: Islanders 5 – 2 Bruins
The fourth-seeded New York Islanders are fighting to climb out of the playoff basement in the East division. The third-place Boston Bruins stand in their way. If they want to avoid a matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round, this is a critical game. Boston has looked rejuvenated since the trade deadline, however. Their offensive firepower is nearly unmatched. Thankfully for the Isles, they still have some questions on defence. Look for one of the best defensive teams in the NHL to exploit that in this game.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-1
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers
Head to Head: Lightning 3 – 4 Panthers
The Battle of Florida has not been a game anyone has cared about in a long time. The Tampa Bay Lightning are a perennial contender in the NHL and the Florida Panthers were irrelevant. Things are turning around in Sunrise under Joel Quenneville. Now this game has become must-watch hockey. With Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau finally gaining the spotlight they have long deserved, they will challenge the reign of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the sunshine state.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3
Vancouver Canucks vs Winnipeg Jets
Head to Head: Canucks 2 – 5 Jets
The Canucks were a team on the rise with the emergence of young stars like Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and Brock Boeser. They had a very disappointing year marred by a long pause due to a COVID-19 outbreak. This team simply never gained any traction this year and should be looking to see what they have for next year. The Canucks will be heavily experimenting with their roster to evaluate the talent they have amassed.
Prediction: Jets win 4-2
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