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 New York Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens. Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions today;
NHL Predictions: Including New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens
Arizona Coyotes vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0-0 Flyers
In a battle between two teams sitting well outside the playoff picture, the Arizona Coyotes visit the Philadelphia Flyers. This is the second and final meeting this season between the cross-conference teams. The Coyotes picked up a 5-4 overtime win over the Flyers on December 11. The Flyers find themselves on a hot streak as they have won three straight entering tonight’s contest. Travis Konecny has had the hot hand lately for Philadelphia with seven goals and four assists during a six-game point streak.
The Coyotes are coming off a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers and are 4-5-1 over their last ten. Arizona has a hard time getting pucks on the net, as they average a league-worst 25.1 shots per game. On the opposite end of the ice, the Coyotes rank 30th, allowing 34.6 shots per game.
Don’t expect the Coyotes’ fortunes to change, as the Flyers will win their fourth straight.
Flyers win 5-2
Nashville Predators vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-0 Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes will be looking to begin a new winning streak after the New York Rangers snapped their franchise-best 11-game winning streak in their last outing. The Hurricanes have claimed the lead in a tightly contested Metropolitan Division. More good news for Carolina is that Max Pacioretty is close to returning to game action as he awaits his Hurricanes debut.
The Nashville Predators have scored 16 goals in their last 3 games, picking up five out of a possible six points along the way. Nino Niederreiter had three assists in the Predators’ 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. He will look to continue the offence in his first matchup against his former team.
The Predators get the edge as they continue to climb back into the Central playoff picture.
Predators win 2-1 in Overtime
Seattle Kraken vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-0 Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Seattle Kraken after dropping their last game against the St Louis Blue 6-5 in a shootout. The Maple Leafs have been playing solid hockey all season but still trail the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins by nine points. Auston Matthews notched his 500th career point against the Blues, becoming the fastest player in franchise history to hit the mark.
The Seattle Kraken are back in third place in the Pacific Division thanks to a 5-2 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers. The Kraken had stumbled recently as they are 5-4-1 in their last ten. They have won two straight as Matty Beniers continues to shine during an impressive rookie campaign.
Toronto puts a halt to the Kraken’s momentum and comes up with the win in this one
Maple Leafs win 4-1
St Louis Blues vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head Blues 0-0 Devils
The New Jersey Devils play for the second consecutive night as they host the St Louis Blues. It will be the first game of the season between the two teams. The Devils trounced the Detroit Red Wings last night by a score of 5-1 and now have a 24-11-3 record. Jack Hughes continues to lead the Devils’ offence with 21 goals and 21 assists in 37 games.
The Blues are streaking again over their last ten games, going 6-2-2. St Louis is currently dealing with key injuries as captain Ryan O’Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Torey Krug are all on the injured reserve. The Blues’ powerplay has been improving as they rank 12th in the league, capitalizing at a 23.4% rate.
St Louis takes advantage of playing New Jersey at the end of a back-to-back to pick up the win.
Blues win 4-3
Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Capitals 0-0 Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are front liners for the draft lottery sweepstakes as they sit at the bottom of the NHL standings. Tonight they play host to the Washington Capitals as the divisional foes meet for the first time this season. The Blue Jackets’ goaltending has been horrid this season, and Capital’s captain Alex Ovechkin will be looking to take full advantage of that. Ovechkin has been on fire lately, with eight goals in his last five games for 28 on the season. The Capitals are 7-1-2 in their last ten and have surged back into playoff contention.
Look for that trend to continue as they blowout the Blue Jackets tonight
Capitals win 6-1
New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head Rangers 0-0 Canadiens
Our featured game of the night is an Original Six matchup as the New York Rangers cross the border to take on the Montreal Canadiens. With so much history between the two clubs, any given night is sure to be an entertaining matchup. The Rangers have also been heating up lately, with a 7-2-1 record over their last ten games. New York is a great puck possession team and allows just 29.2 shots per game while taking 32.6 shots on goal per game. Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox have been leading the way collectively when looking at the Rangers’ offence. Panarin has 44 points in 39 games, while Zibanejad leads the Rangers with 19 goals.
Montreal has lost six straight as they look to have officially entered the race for generational talent Connor Bedard. Cole Caulfield leads the Canadiens with 22 goals in 38 games this season. The lengthy losing streak has seen Montreal fall into last place in the Atlantic Division.
The Rangers remain hot to keep pace with the rest of the Metro as they will top the Canadiens tonight.
Rangers win 5-2.
Thanks for checking out our first set of NHL Predictions.
