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 Philadelphia Flyers vs Tampa Bay Lightning.
NHL Predictions with Philadelphia Flyers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-head: Ducks 0-0 Devils
This will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Anaheim Ducks. They started the season with a 5-4 overtime win against the Seattle Kraken and then lost 7-1 to the New York Islanders before facing the New York Rangers on Monday. Before that, the Ducks had multiple players averaging at least a point a game: Troy Terry (4 points), Ryan Strome (3), Trevor Zegras (2), John Klingberg (2), and Mason McTavish (2).
The New Jersey Devils have lost both their previous games 5-2, to the Philadelphia Flyers and the Detroit Red Wings. They’ll be the fresher team heading into this matchup. Jesper Bratt leads the team with three points in two games, and Dougie Hamilton has two points in two games.
Prediction: 3-2 OT Devils
Boston Bruins vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-head: Bruins 0-0 Senators
This is the second game of a back-to-back for the Boston Bruins. They started the season with a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals and then beat the Arizona Coyotes 6-3. They face off with the Florida Panthers on Monday night. Before that game, David Krejci and David Pastrnak led the team with four points each.
The Ottawa Senators have gotten off to a rough start, losing 4-1 to the Buffalo Sabres and 3-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs. New Sen Claude Giroux leads the team with two points. Captain Brady Tkachuk scored in the first period of their first game but hasn’t put up any points since then.
Prediction: 4-2 Bruins
Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-head: Canucks 0-0 Blue Jackets
This is the second game of a back-to-back for the Vancouver Canucks, who faced the Capitals on Monday night. They started the season 0-2 after losing 5-3 to the Edmonton Oilers and 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers. Before Monday night’s matchup, J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser led the team with two points each in two games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets come into the game winless, losing 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and 5-2 to the St. Louis Blues. The Jackets don’t have anyone averaging a point a game, but Gustav Nyquist, Johnny Gaudreau, and Erik Gudbranson each have two points through three games.
Prediction: 3-2 Blue Jackets
Philadelphia Flyers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-head: Flyers 0-0 Lightning
The Lightning are 1-2 to start the season. They lost 3-1 in a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Rangers, beat the Blue Jackets 5-2, and lost 6-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. To the surprise of surely no one, Steven Stamkos has gotten off to a hot start with four goals and one assist for five points in three games, leading the team, and adding four minutes in penalties. But that hasn’t equaled as many wins as the Lightning are looking for.
The Flyers are 2-0 to start the season. They kicked things off with a 5-2 win over the Devils and then beat the Canucks 3-2. Travis Konecny leads the Flyers with three goals and one assist for four points in two games. The Flyers and new head coach John Tortorella likely won’t remain undefeated for long as they face the Lightning followed by a matchup with the Panthers.
Prediction: 3-1 Lightning
Main photo:
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