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 Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
NHL Predictions: Washington Capitals vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Arizona Coyotes vs New York Rangers
Head to Head: Coyotes 0-1 Rangers
The Arizona Coyotes will wrap up their road trip in the Metro area tonight against the New York Rangers. This will be the second and final time these two teams face each other. New York got the best of Arizona in the first meeting in a 3-2 victory at Mullet Arena. Both teams are coming off games the night prior, which could see some fatigue out on the ice.
The Rangers found themselves in a slump as they lost three games in a row before destroying the Detroit Red Wings 8-2. Arizona is currently on a three-game winning streak and has seen their overall play improve. This game features one of the worst possession teams at even strength (Arizona) against one of the best (New York). If the game stays this way, the Rangers have a good chance in this matchup.
A key factor to watch for in this game is special teams’ play. Entering the game, Arizona has the third-best power play (13 goals and 29.5% success rate), whereas New York (8th best, 12 goals and 25% success rate). Both have been proven to excel with the man advantage. Whoever can control the play in this regard and capitalize, could give the team an edge.
With the Rangers finding their groove again, they overtake Arizona.
Predictions: Rangers defeat Coyotes 5-2
Winnipeg Jets vs Seattle Kraken
Head to Head: Jets 0-0 Kraken
This matchup on the NHL Predictions is going to be a fun one. The high-flying Seattle Kraken continue their homestand against the Winnipeg Jets. Seattle is 6-1 in their last seven games, and the Jets overtook the Dallas Stars for first place in the Central Division. Both teams that nobody expected to be at the top of their divisions are playing great hockey.
This matchup features high-profile talent. Aside from veterans such as Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Yanni Gourde, and Andre Burakovsky, it is the young talent that makes this matchup fun. Seattle rookie Matty Beniers takes on Winnipeg rookie Cole Perfetti. Both are the present and future of their respective clubs and are at the top of the rookie points race.
The biggest key to this matchup will be goaltending. Despite Philipp Grubauer going down with an injury, Martin Jones has stepped in and has done well. He is 7-4-1 and his numbers have been solid (2.32 GAA and .910 save percentage). The problem is the opponent he is facing; Connor Hellebuyck. Winnipeg as a team owns the second-best save percentage (.925), and Hellebuyck is playing Vezina Trophy calibre hockey. He has a 1.38 GAA, and a .938 save percentage while also having the second-best goals saved above expected (11.3). This gives the Jets the edge as they walk out of Seattle with two points.
Prediction: Jets defeat Kraken 3-1
Washington Capitals vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head to Head: Capitals 1-0 Lightning
Tonight’s featured game for the NHL Predictions is between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Washington Capitals. As it currently stands, both teams are on the outside looking in and are separated by one point. The teams will be completing the home and home series. In the first matchup, Washington beat the snot out of Tampa Bay 5-1. It is not often Andrei Vasilevskiy lets in five goals, but anything can happen in this league.
The forward group is highlighted by stout veterans. Players that we as fans have appreciated watching play this game for a long time. Washington has roughly $40 million dollars on the injured list. But this game features the great eight Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Evgeni Kuznetsov, Dylan Strome, and Brayden Point. All six of these guys are leading their team in point totals and are a large part of their offensive attack.
Each team has stout players on the back end. But the issue is how well they defend. Both are neck and neck in Corsi For Percentage. In addition, both have let in the same amount of goals in all situations. Against the top line of Tampa Bay, look for Martin Fehervary and Nick Jensen to slot in. Together as a pair, their expected goals against per 60 minutes are 2.17. This means that they suppress the opposition and limit their chances. The goal for Tampa Bay will be to get Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak against Ovechkin. Limiting his space is key as he Is the driving force for Washington. The pair has played over 90 minutes together and has the team’s best-expected goals against per 60 minutes with 2.38.
The key will be goaltending. Washington won that battle in the first round and allowed only one goal. Darcy Kuemper has outperformed Vasilevskiy in every category, and Vasilevskiy will need to be better if Tampa Bay Lightning wants to get into the win column again. The revenge game is on deck and I like Tampa Bay on home ice.
Prediction: Lightning defeat Capitals 4-3
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