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 New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders.
NHL Predictions
Calgary Flames vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Flames 0 – 0 Blue Jackets
To kickstart the NHL predictions for today, let’s take a look at the first meeting between the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is the first meeting between the two teams this year. This means it is the first time Johnny Gaudreau will face his former team. It should be a super fun game to watch. Of course, the Flames are the visiting team and we’ll have to wait a few more weeks to see him back in Calgary, where the most unhinged game awaits him. But for now, let’s look at what this matchup will look like.
Calgary is currently 13-10-3 for the season and coming off of a 5-3 win to extend their winning streak to three games. Now, Columbus is coming out of a 9-4 loss and are currently 8-15-2. Pretty chaotic game too. So, for tonight’s game, it’s easy to believe it’ll be a pretty good matchup between two teams that want to win for two different reasons. But because this is the first time Gaudreau is facing his old team, Last Word predicts a Columbus win.
Prediction: Columbus wins, 5-3
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0 – 1 Sabres
This will be an interesting game. For the middle matchup of this NHL predictions set, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres face each other for the second time this year. Their last meeting resulted in a 6-3 win for the Sabres which left a pretty bad taste in the Penguins’ mouth. Tonight, they’ll be coming for the win. Both teams are on a roll, having won their past two games. however, the Sabres are coming from a 9-4 win against the Blue Jackets – and Tage Thompson is destroying the league. It should be a really fun matchup tonight.
However, to make things extra fun and even better than the last time, this game will go to overtime and the Sabres will win.
Prediction: Buffalo wins, 6-5 (OT)
Seattle Kraken vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Kraken 1 – 0 Capitals
These two faced each other a week ago and the Seattle Kraken took the win in overtime. This time, they’re coming to Washington and it should be a hell of a game. To say that Seattle is surprisingly good this year is an understatement, as they’re 15-7-3 and stand second in the Pacific Division. This means they’ll do everything to keep their spot and try to beat the Washington Capitals again. Now the Capitals are still without Darcy Kuemper, who’s day-to-day with an injury but Charlie Lindgreen is doing okay for now. And they really need him to continue holding on there because this team needs to get to a playoff spot. Washington needs to win.
And just because Seattle won last time, the Caps will extend their winning streak to three games tonight. And it’ll be a really good game too.
Prediction: Washington wins, 4-3
New York Islanders vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Islanders 0 – 1 Devils
The NHL predictions featured game of the night is between the Islanders and the Devils. The young New Jersey Devils are almost unstoppable this season, having won eight out of their past 10 games. The Islanders are considerably better than last year and are currently in a wild spot for the playoffs. However, if they want to continue there, they have to win this game – and continue winning from now on. Their last meeting was a 4-1 win to the Devils and it was embarrassing for the Islanders. This time around, they need to be faster, smarter and really good defensively. And that’s something they can be if they focus on the game.
Because of their situation, the Islanders should be more desperate to win this game and that’s exactly what they’re going to do. But the Devils won’t go down without a fight!
Prediction: New York wins, 4-3 (SO)
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