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 Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators.
NHL Predictions: May 9th including Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators
Florida Panthers vs Washington Capitals
Series: Panthers 1-2 Capitals
To say how this series is going is surprising would be a massive understatement. This series was widely seen as a formality for a Panthers team that averaged over four goals-per-game in the regular season. Add in that the Capitals were hot-and-cold at times, and it looked to be a straightforward one. That has not been the case to this point.
This is, and this could go without saying, a must-win for the Panthers. For a team that many have picked as a Stanley Cup contender, going down 3-1 could very well be an insurmountable task. This is especially true if they continue to lack scoring on the man advantage, which they have yet to do in this series.
With the amount of firepower they have offensively, it is hard to see the Panthers not kicking into high gear and making their special teams known. Look for Jonathan Huberdeau and company to even this series up at two-all.
Prediction: Panthers win 5-2
New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Series: Rangers 1-2 Penguins
This has arguably been the most offensively exciting matchup of the playoffs so far. Each game has seen seven or more goals in it, with Saturday’s game seeing 11 in total. This will likely continue to be a great series to watch, but don’t expect Vezina Trophy hopeful Igor Shesterkin to continue to allow goals at this frequency.
Pair the improved play from Shesterkin with the fact that the Penguins are currently playing a balancing act with Louis Domingue in the net, and you have the recipe for a Rangers win in this one. The one caveat to that is that Tristan Jarry seems close to returning and could easily steal another game for Pittsburgh in this series.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2
Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars
Series: Flames 1-2 Stars
Outside of the obvious other candidates, the Flames are arguably the most disappointing performers so far in this Stanley Cup Playoffs. For a team with two 100-plus point scorers, they have been nothing short of flaccid so far this series. They have only managed to score three goals in the first three games, being shut out once along the way.
To further this point, the Flames should be thanking their lucky stars (pun intended) that Jacob Markstrom is playing as well as he is, posting a .924 save percentage in the series thus far. If they are to stand any chance of not falling even further behind, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk are going to have to pull their weight.
Prediction: Flames win 3-2
Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators
Series: Avalanche 3-0 Predators
For the featured game of the day, we have the Colorado Avalanche vs the Nashville Predators. This game features the first elimination opportunity of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Unsurprisingly, the Avalanche are a part of that possibility.
With all due respect to the Predators, the Avalanche have looked the much better team in nearly every facet of this series. Connor Ingram has performed admirably in the absence of Juuse Saros, but it still hasn’t been enough. Take into account that he has faced 122 shots in three games and you start to see why the series is 3-0 in favor of Colorado.
Even if Saros somehow comes back for this game, there is a slim chance he will be able to do enough to stop the avalanche of shots and goals coming his way. Look for Cale Makar to continue to prove he is an elite talent as Colorado works their way to the only series sweep of the first round.
Prediction: Avalanche win 6-2.
