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 Winnipeg Jets vs Nashville Predators
NHL Predictions with Winnipeg Jets vs Nashville Predators
Philadelphia Flyers vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0 – 1 Red Wings
The news of Sean Couturier being out for the remainder of the season is another huge blow in the Flyers’ season. Injuries have been piling up for the Black and Orange and are easily the biggest contributing factor for their lost season. The Flyers were able to shake a 13 game slide with their 4-3 overtime win against the LA Kings. They followed it up with another win against the Jets for their first winning streak since December 14.
But it was back to the losing column following a 6-3 beatdown from these same Red Wings. It’s a home-and-home series here and Detroit should grab this quick sweep without much trouble. Statistically, the Red Wings are only slightly better than the Flyers. But Detroit has the luxury of more “game-breaker” players throughout their roster at the moment. Dylan Larkin leads the way for the Detroit offence with eight points in their last five games.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-2
Ottawa Senators vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Senators 0 – 1 Bruins
The Boston Bruins will be navigating the next six games of their season without the services of their star forward, Brad Marchand. For the eighth time (a league record) Marchand will be serving a suspension. Also, missing time is captain Patrice Bergeron, who is shelved with an upper-body injury.
The depleted top line of Boston is something the Senators must take advantage of here. Ottawa has come out of the All-Star Break with some excellent efforts. They took wins off New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes, and kept it close in a 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is all thanks in large part to goalie Matt Murray finding his rhythm as of late. IF he can keep up this stellar play, he gives his team in front of him a chance to collect two points every night.
Prediction: Senators win 3-2
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1 – 0 Canadiens
It’s an eight-game losing streak (and probably counting), for the Montreal Canadiens. New bench boss Martin St. Louis got his first taste of NHL action as the man in the suit, the other night versus the Washington Capitals. It did not go well. I mean, let’s not blame the guy, the reason Montreal is doing poorly has less to do with a coach and more to do with what sort of roster they ice every night. St. Louis will get the chance for his first NHL to win against fellow first-year bench boss, Brad Larsen, and his Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets are going to need to go on a RUN if they want any chance at making the playoffs. The Eastern Conference is all but established for the eight teams that will be representing it. The Blue Jackets are 10 points out of the final wildcard position. That team they will need to leapfrog? The Boston Bruins. With the B’s missing Bergeron and Marchand for an extended time, the time for Columbus to make its move is now. A favourable matchup against the lowly Canadiens is a great launching point.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 5-2
Winnipeg Jets vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Jets 1 – 1 Predators
Tonight is the third installment of the four-game series between these two clubs. They split the first two meetings, with Nashville taking the latest battle, 6-4 on January 20.
Nashville is currently sitting in second place in the Western Conference. They are looking to show the league, during the second half of the season, that this is no fluke. The underlying numbers show that Nashville has certainly been over-performing. Many players on their roster are performing at offensive paces well above their career averages. But sometimes you just have to take those analytic numbers with a grain of salt. And that’s what is being preached in the locker room.
The St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild remain hot on the heels of the Predators. They will surely be pushing them for a place in the top three of the Central Division, right to the season’s end.
The Winnipeg Jets are currently 10 points out of the final wild-card spot in the west. but they have five games in hand. So, with a run, they are right back in the race. but a run is easier said than done. The Jets haven’t had back-to-back wins since a three-game win streak was snapped on January sixth. And their longest win streak was a four-game run back at the start of the year, which ended October 28. So let’s keep our expectations real. The Jets are certainly scrambling to find their footing on the season. Prior to the All-Star break, the Jets had lost eight of 10 and the season looked to be slipping away.
Perhaps the break was what the doctor ordered to get them back on track and save their season. The Jets came out of the break with a hard-fought 2-0 win over the Wild. Let’s see if they can keep that momentum going tonight.
Prediction: Jets win 4-3
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