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 the Carolina Hurricanes.
NHL Predictions Carolina Hurricanes at Calgary Flames
Philadelphia Flyers at Nashville Predators
Predators vs Flyers Head to head 0-0
The surprise team in the league is taking on a top-three favourite in the Central Division. This is a beautiful matchup to tune into if you are into goaltending. Juuse Saros is not off to a spectacular start but is still a good goaltender in this league. The biggest surprise is Carter Hart. A significant reason for the early success of the Philadelphia Flyers, he looks like he returned to his 2019-20 form. He owns a 3-0 record, a 2.00 goals-against average, and a .943 save percentage. He ranks third in goals saved above expected with 3.9. The flyers have been stingy on defence, allowing 2.50 goals per game. The lacklustre offence for the Nashville Predators will need to come through if they want to secure the two points.
Prediction Flyers defeat Predators 4-2
Buffalo Sabres at Vancouver Canucks
Canucks vs Sabres Head to head 0-0
The Buffalo Sabres are fun again. Currently ranked second in the Atlantic Division, they’ve picked up where they left off. After ending the year on a hot streak, they have carried that momentum over into this season. The high-flying Sabres are led by Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin and have an offence that is fourth in goals scored per game (4.25). The defence and goaltending give them the edge in this match. It simply has been better. The Vancouver Canucks are winless through five games and have made history in the wrong ways. They’ve blown leads in every game so far and a leaky defence has been their downfall. You’d think young star Thatcher Demko would steal the show, but it is Eric Comrie instead.
Prediction: Sabres defeat Canucks 5-3
Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights
Golden Knights vs Avalanche Head to head 0-0
The battle of the two giants in the western conference. Sin City gets to play host to the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Colorado Avalanche. Star power is on display at both ends of the ice and will shine brightly. Jack Eichel vs Nathan MacKinnon at the centre position. Mark Stone vs Mikko Rantanen on the wings. The complementary pieces surrounding those stars is even on both ends of the ice. Each team is deep on the blue line as it features high-calibre talent in Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Alex Pietrangelo, and Shea Theodore.
The edge in this matchup is the goaltending. Logan Thompson has been huge for the Vegas Golden Knights. He has 2.03 goals against average and a .938 save percentage. He has outshined Alexander Georgiev, which will help seal a victory for the Golden Knights.
Prediction Golden Knights defeat Avalanche 5-4
Carolina Hurricanes at Calgary Flames
Hurricanes vs Flames Head to head 0-0
This could be a preview of the Stanley Cup final. Both of these teams are elite contenders in this league and two of the best in their respective conferences. A very even matchup in all aspects of the game. Each team has the perfect blend and recipe for success. Deep forward groups highlighted by good defensive structure. Both teams are very well-coached and are constantly Jack Adams-worthy coaches.
The forward groups are very deep, and both have a balanced scoring attack. Each team possesses a star centre, with Carolina having Sebastian Aho and Calgary with Elias Lindholm. Scoring contributions come up and down the lineup, especially on the wings. Jonathan Huberdeau enters tonight with four points, and Andrei Svechnikov is coming off his first-ever hat trick in the league. The one forward to watch for is Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas. He has seven points in four games and is becoming the player they hoped he would be.
This game features a good offence against a good defence. The Calgary Flames come into tonight ranking 10th in goals for per game with 3.75. A stingy defence in Carolina ranks fourth in goals against per game with 2.25. It’s a battle of two Goliath’s on the ice.
This game could come down to goaltending. Each team had a Vezina calibre goaltender in the net. Frederik Andersen has received the bulk of the starts, but boasts a 2.00 goals against average. Jacob Markstrom is off to a rocky start posting a subpar .891 save percentage. The game could come down to who makes the timely save—a great matchup overall between two great teams.
Prediction: Hurricanes defeat Flames 4-3
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
