Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets.
NHL Predictions with Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 0 – Blue Jackets 0
The Vegas Golden Knights have 20 points in 17 games and won their last game against the Detroit Red Wings 5-2. They are led by Chandler Stephenson, who has five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 17 games, Jonathan Marchessault, who has nine goals and four assists for 13 points in 15 games and goalie Robin Lehner, who has a .917 save percentage and a 2.87 goals against average. They are also boosted with the addition of Mark Stone, who has been back their past three games after sitting out for a month with a lower-body injury.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have 18 points in 14 games and come into the game on a two-game winning streak. Oliver Bjorkstrand has five goals and 12 assists for a team-leading 17 points in 14 games. Jakub Voracek has one goal and 14 assists for 15 points in 14 games. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins has a .919 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.64. Surprisingly, they have pretty similar numbers so this one could be fun.
Prediction: 4-3 Golden Knights
Edmonton Oilers vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0 – Blackhawks 0
While the Chicago Blackhawks come into the game on a four-game win streak, their defence isn’t likely to stand a chance against the Edmonton Oilers’ human highlight reel Connor McDavid. He basically danced his way through three Winnipeg Jets players Thursday night. McDavid has 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points in 16 games, an average of 1.9 points per game. Not to mention McDavid’s partner in crime, Leon Draisaitl, who has 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points in 16 games, an average of 1.9 points per game.
They both put the Blackhawks point leader, Patrick Kane, to shame even though he’s averaging more than a point a game himself. Kane has six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 12 games, an average of 1.4 points per game.
Blackhawks goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has tremendously improved upon his horrible start to the season when he lost the first five games. He’s won his past three and has improved his overall stats to a 3.36 goals against average and a .901 save percentage but with that defence in front of him, the Blackhawks will be no match for McDavid.
Prediction: 5-2 Oilers
San Jose Sharks vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0 – Capitals 0
Even with T.J. Oshie still sidelined with a foot injury, the Washington Capitals are still in third place in the NHL. They’re coming off a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. Speaking of human highlight reels, enter the player with the fourth-most goals in NHL history, Alex Ovechkin. He has 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 17 games. Evgeny Kuznetsov is also averaging more than a point a game with six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 17 games.
The San Jose Sharks, on the other hand, are barely above .500, with an 8-7-1 record. They’re coming off a 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday and they’ve had one less day of rest than the Capitals. The Sharks’ most exciting player, Timo Meier, has six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 11 games. The Capitals should be able to secure a win pretty easily.
Prediction: 3-1 Capitals
Arizona Coyotes vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0 – Red Wings 0
It’s a matchup between the worst team in the NHL and a below .500 team. The 32ndplace Arizona Coyotes are coming off a shootout loss to the Blue Jackets on Thursday. Defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere is leading the team in points with 13 in 17 games. Lawson Crouse is leading the team in goals with five.
The 8-9-2 Red Wings come into the game on a three-game losing streak. But, they have an exciting rookie, Lucas Raymond, who leads the team in points with 18 in 19 games. They also have Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin, who have 17 and 15 points, respectively. Detroit’s talented players are doing much better than Arizona’s this season.
Prediction: 3-0 Red Wings
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