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 between the Minnesota Wild and the Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Predictions: Minnesota Wild vs Edmonton Oilers
Winnipeg Jets vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-To-Head: Jets 2-0 Blackhawks
The Winnipeg Jets visit the Chicago Blackhawks in a divisional matchup. Both teams sit on opposite ends of the Central division standings. Winnipeg is in 1st place, while Chicago is sitting in last place. Winnipeg has already picked up two wins over the Blackhawks this season, outscoring Chicago 11-2 in those two games. David Rittich is expected to start in goal for the Jets, and Arvid Soderblom is anticipated to start for Chicago. The Jets are playing on the backside of a back-to-back following their contest with the St Louis Blues last night. With Rittich in net, Winnipeg has a 3-2 record, and the Jets’ backup has a subpar .881 SV% and a 3.07 GAA. On this NHL predictions, we’re betting on Chicago to surprise the Jets and pick up a win.
Prediction: Chicago wins 4-3
New York Rangers vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-To-Head: Rangers 0-1 Avalanche
The season’s first matchup between these two needed a shootout to find a winner. However, the Colorado Avalanche has been hit hard by the injury bug since the first meeting. Most recently, Colorado lost Nathan MacKinnon for an expected four weeks. The New York Rangers are coming off a 5-1 win over the Western Conference-leading Vegas Golden Knights. The Rangers are 3-1-1, and the Avalanche are 1-4 in their last five games. Mika Zibanejad is heating up for the Rangers; he enters on a six-game point streak with five goals and four assists over the stretch.
Our NHL prediction for this game? Expect the Rangers to keep their offence rolling and hand Colorado their fourth consecutive loss.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-1
Minnesota Wild vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-To-Head: Wild 0-1 Oilers
In our featured game of this NHL predictions, Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers host the Minnesota Wild in the first of a home-and-home series. This will be the second meeting between the two clubs. The Wild won the first contest by a score of 5-3, led by Russian superstar Kirill Kaprizov‘s 3-point night. Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to be between the pipes for Minnesota, and Jack Campbell will be starting for Edmonton. Both Fleury and Campbell played in the first meeting as well; Fleury allowed three goals on 21 shots, and Campbell allowed five goals on 30 shots. Campbell has received much criticism this season as fans are growing impatient with their marquee offseason addition.
The Wild and the Oilers have 6-4 records in the last ten games. Edmonton boasts the second-best powerplay in the league, cashing in at a rate of 29.6%. Minnesota will need to play a more disciplined game against Edmonton, as they average a league-high 13.2 penalty minutes per game. Kaprizov leads the Wild with 33 points in 25 games, while McDavid has managed to find yet another level this season as he has posted a remarkable 52 points in 27 games.
Prediction: Oilers win 6-4
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