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 Colorado Avalanche.
NHL Predictions: March 5th including Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche
Seattle Kraken vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Kraken 1-0 Capitals
This game is truly a tale of two cities. The Kraken have been widely mediocre this season, and have failed to drum up any sort of consistency in their inaugural season. As for the Capitals, they have had periods of poor play, but they are undoubtedly the better team in this one.
It is hard to see the Kraken stopping Evgeny Kuznetsov and company.
Prediction: Capitals win 5-2
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 0-0 Bruins
Both of these teams have been playing well as of late, but the Blue Jackets really seem to be hitting their stride. Patrik Laine finally seems to be settling into life in Columbus, and this has paid dividends in the form of a renewed winning way for the Blue Jackets.
Expect to see Laine get on the score sheet in what will be a tightly contested matchup.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 3-2
Montreal Canadiens vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-1 Oilers
If this game were to have been two to three weeks ago, this would have been a clear-cut win for the Oilers. This is not because the Oilers were playing well by any measure, but because the Canadiens were arguably the worst team in the NHL at that point.
A couple of weeks can change a lot, and the Canadiens are no exception to that statement. They have gone 6-4-0 in the last 10 games, which accounts for nearly half of their 14 wins on the season. Nick Suzuki, Josh Anderson, and Cole Caufield deserve their fair share of credit for this recent revival.
Despite how well they have been playing, it is hard to see a circumstance in which the Montreal defense and goaltending are able to stop Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-3
Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Predators 1-0 Sharks
One of these teams has been good, and one of them has been not so good this season. The Predators have been experiencing a bit of a slump in play, but the Sharks have been seeing much of the same. There is not much to analyze here outside the fact that Juuse Saros will do what he always does, and the Sharks will find it nearly impossible to stifle Roman Josi and company.
Prediction: Predators win 3-1
Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-0 Avalanche
This is head and shoulders above the rest of the games for the day. The Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche matchup should make for some great hockey to watch. Calgary has been red hot as of late, and Colorado has been steadily steamrolling nearly everyone in their path this season.
Neither of these teams has done anything but win lately, so this is arguably the toughest pick of the season. With how well Andrew Mangiapane has been playing recently and the fact that Jacob Markstrom has continued to prove himself as a bonafide top-tier goaltender, it will be tough for the second-best offense in the league to make their impression felt.
Despite all of that, and the honorable performances of Markstrom, it would be hard to see anything playing out that didn’t include Gabriel Landeskog and Cale Makar making their presence known.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-3
