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 Calgary Flames vs Anaheim Ducks.
NHL Predictions feat. Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
San Jose Sharks vs. New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-0 Rangers
San Jose comes into the “Big Apple” tonight to play their fourth of five road games. Travelling from California to Chicago, now to the Empire State. The San Jose Sharks have travelled many miles in a short period. Stealing wins in Chicago and New Jersey, Timo Meier will do everything in his power to continue that trend. San Jose has a chance with James Reimer playing lights out on the backend. Yet, it is still a slim one.
On the other hand, the New York Rangers are playing some of their best hockey yet. Posting an 8-2 record in their last ten games; It will take everything the Sharks have to come out on top, whether it is Artemi Panarin or Adam Fox who lead things on the player’s front. With Igor Shesterkin or Alexander Georgiev in the net, tonight’s match-up will come down to the men in between the pipes.
Prediction: Rangers win 3-1
New Jersey Devils vs. Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Devils 0-0 Jets
Both the Winnipeg Jets and New Jersey Devils need to find their way back into the win categories. The Jets have gone 1-6 in their last seven games, while the Devils have gone 2-5 in their previous seven. With both teams desperate for a win, this is sure to be an intense and physical game from the drop of the puck. In comparison, not a lot was expected of New Jersey this season. On the other hand, Winnipeg was looked at as an undercover Stanley Cup contender in the west. The Devils are ecstatic to have Jack Hughes back at tonight’s match-up. They will need his skill and swagger to help them against the Jets. While on the other side, Kyle Connor and Pierre-Luc Dubois have come into tonight to protect their home and gain two points.
Prediction: Jets win 4-2
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Vegas Golden Knights vs. Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Knights 0-0 Coyotes
After an incredibly brutal start to the season, the Arizona Coyotes have slowly been able to pick things up. With a 4-6 record in their last ten, three of those games came down to overtime or a shootout. While not many expect much from this Coyotes team, the guys on the roster are not concerned with winning the draft lottery. But instead worried about trying to win games now, But they still have a long way to go. Yet, as they say, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Meeting for the first time this season, the Vegas Golden Knights will look to take advantage of the lacklustre Arizona Coyotes. Dealing the injury bug extremely early into the season, Vegas hasn’t played close to what we expected of them. Some of their players are coming back into the lineup now, like Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone. Due to that, the Golden Knights are bound to turn this season around, starting with the Coyotes. Now that the Golden Knights superstars have their game lungs back, this team should go on a tear heading into the end of the year.
Prediction: Knights win 5-1
Edmonton Oilers vs. Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-0 Kraken
Meeting for the first time just over a month ago; The Edmonton Oilers have continued the struggles the first-time franchise in Seattle faces. Recording a 4-51 record in their last ten games, the Seattle Kraken are coming off a shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Seattle will look to bounce back in a big way for their home crowd. Seattle, another team dealing with the injury bug, recently lost their two top producers in Jordan Eberle and Jaden Schwartz. While they could both be game-time decisions, it will be a long night for the Kraken if Seattle is missing those guys.
On the other ice, the highly offensive Edmonton Oilers come to town. With the goals, assists and points leader all on one line. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will come to play against the Kraken. Given that the Oilers scored the second-most goals per game, and the Kraken are 28th in goals against. It should be another fun night for the Oilers’ top players.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-0
Calgary Flames vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-1 Ducks
This second-round fight between the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks should make for some good TV. As two of the hotter teams within the league this year. The Ducks currently sit just one point behind the Flames for eighth overall in the league. Led by young studs Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras, the Ducks will look to take a second game from the Flames. Winning their previous meeting in overtime, the Ducks may not be so lucky this time around.
The real story is between the guys in the goal crease for this match-up. While John Gibson is playing well, Jacob Markstrom is playing better. With a league-high of five shutouts and currently sporting a .938 save percentage, Markstrom has been playing like a Vezina Trophy candidate. Yet, John is not that far behind him in the rankings. Ranking 10th in save percentage with at least 15 games played, Gibson has been a big part of the Duck’s surprising early-season success.
Prediction: Flames win 3-0
