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 Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Predictions Featuring Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers
Winnipeg Jets vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Jets 1-0 Predators
This is the second meeting of the year between the Jets and the Predators. Winnipeg won the first meeting back in October by a score of 6-4. But, from there both teams headed in opposite directions. After a tough overtime loss Tuesday night to the Capitals, the Jets continue their long January road trip. They have two more games after this one before they return north of the border. Kyle Connor continues to lead the Jets in scoring with 39 points including a team-leading 21 goals. Winnipeg is starting to turn it around under Dave Lowry. Nashville on the other hand, has lost two in a row after the big win against Colorado. Juuse Saros continues to be amazing between the pipes. Ryan Johansen, Matt Duchene, and Mikael Granlund have really stepped up their games this season. Both teams need this game as these games are usually not down drag out affairs. That should be the case Thursday night.
Prediction: Jets Win 3-2
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Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-0 Oilers
This is the first meeting of the season between the Panthers and the Oilers. The Panthers are one of the hottest teams in the league. They have won four in a row before falling to Calgary on Tuesday night. That was a rare stinker from the Panthers. But, it was the start of a five-game road trip. However, the Panthers are adept at bouncing back following a loss. Their road record is not as appealing as their home record. Florida is 5-5-5 on the road compared to 21-3 at home. Still, the Panthers will want to play a better game against another struggling team in the Oilers. And Florida has the firepower to keep up with the Oilers. Jonathan Huberdeau leads the team in scoring with 53 points in 39 games. Anthony Duclair leads the team in goals with 16. The Panthers are very balanced. It also helps to have Aaron Ekblad back in the lineup.
The Oilers are just a mess top to bottom. They have players fighting with reporters. A goalie situation that has not gotten better. And, to top it all off they were the best team in the NHL back on December 1st. But after a rocky December and now a six-game losing streak, they are one of the worst teams and on the outside looking in. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid can only do so much. They need to have more balance in the lineup. Getting good goaltending would help too. But with no trade in sight, the Oilers have to find it in the room. It will not be easy against a good Panthers team.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-0 Kings
Here is a game that might not get a lot of interest, but boy does it have playoff implications! Who would have thought at the beginning of the season, that Colorado and Los Angeles would be a meaningful game for both teams? Colorado is rolling having won eight of their last nine games. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has lost two in a row, but prior to that had won three in a row. This looks like one-way traffic when it comes to who is winning this game. The Avalanche are loaded with talent. Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen get the headlines, but it has been the play of Nazem Kadri that has been impressive. Kadri has 49 points in 33 games. On the other side of the coin, Los Angeles has gotten great goaltending from Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen. The Kings are still a young team, but are progressing nicely.
Prediction: Colorado wins 5-2
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Montreal Canadiens vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-1 Golden Knights
This is the second meeting of the season between the Canadiens and Golden Knights. Vegas won the first came back in November by a score of 5-2. Nothing much changed for the Canadiens since then. They are still one of the worst teams in the league. The Canadiens get lucky every once in a while as they did the other night. Montreal has one win in their last six games. Vegas is where everyone expected them to be atop the Pacific Division. Though Vegas lost their last outing, the Golden Knights are a better team than the Canadiens. The key for Vegas will be goaltending going forward. Do they trust Robin Lehner to get the job done?
Prediction: Vegas wins 5-1
San Jose Sharks vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-1 Kraken
This is the second meeting between the Sharks and the Kraken. Seattle took the first meeting by a score of 3-1 last month. The Kraken, like the Canadiens can get lucky sometimes. However, Seattle is just a bad hockey team top to bottom. Worst off Philipp Grubauer has not performed up to the contract he signed this off-season. Grubauer’s numbers have the Kraken 31st in the league in goaltending. San Jose is sitting in a nice spot at the moment. Beating Seattle will go a long way to securing a playoff spot for the Sharks. It also helps when you have Timo Meier scoring five goals in a game. Does that continue? No, but they need Meier to keep scoring moving forward.
Prediction: Sharks win 3-1
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