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 St Louis Blues vs Nashville Predators.
NHL Predictions: April 17th Including St. Louis Blues vs Nashville Predators
Florida Panthers vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Panthers 2-0 Red Wings
Sometimes a prediction is more just stating the obvious, and this game is a prime example. Florida is arguably one of the best offensive teams in NHL history this season, and Detroit is the second-worst defence in the league this season. Look for Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov to continue their respective hot streaks.
Prediction: Panthers win 5-2
Buffalo Sabres vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Sabres 1-0 Flyers
This game features a battle of bottom dwellers. Both the Sabres and the Flyers are in the bottom 10 in both scoring and defence. Goaltending should play a big part in who will win this one, and that puts the needle decidedly in favour of Buffalo, as Craig Anderson has been the best goalie for either of these teams this season.
Prediction: Sabres win 4-3
San Jose Sharks vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Sharks 1-1 Wild
Much like the first game in this article, this should be a relatively straightforward prediction. The Sharks have been exactly what was expected of them this season – bad. As for the Wild, Kirill Kaprizov has had a breakout season and led the way in impressive fashion.
Prediction: Wild win 4-0
New York Islanders vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Islanders 0-2 Leafs
This game features an Islanders team that has largely underperformed and a Leafs team that has been led by some fantastic play by Auston Matthews. While the Islanders have been better in the latter half of the season, it is hard to see them stopping the scoring touch of Matthews and company.
Prediction: Leafs win 4-3
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 0-1 Ducks
In their second, and final, meeting of the season, the Blue Jackets head to Anaheim to take on the Ducks. Both of these teams are in the latter half of a back-to-back, so this should be an interesting one, to say the absolute least. Neither team has been even remotely decent defensively, so this should be a game of who scores last.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 5-3
St. Louis Blues vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Blues 2-1 Predators
In the featured matchup of the day, we have the St Louis Blues vs Nashville Predators. Both of these teams are well on their way to the playoffs, and both have plenty of players performing admirably as of late, and in the entirety of the season.
For the Blues, they have gotten some great play as of late from Robert Thomas and Vladimir Tarasenko. On top of that, they have continued to be able to rely on and lean on the stellar play in net from Ville Husso.
On the other end, the Predators have seen a revival season from Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen, with an unsurprisingly solid season from Roman Josi as well.
With both teams in the top half of the league defensively and top third in scoring, this will likely be a one-goal game.
Prediction: Predators win 3-2
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