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 Buffalo Sabres and the Winnipeg Jets. Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions for today.
NHL Predictions
Philadelphia Flyers vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-0 Wild
It’s the first meeting of the season for the Philadelphia Flyers and the Minnesota Wild. Philadelphia has lost two in a row and is pretty much adrift in the Stanley Cup Playoffs race. Carter Hart is the likely starter and has been doing his best to keep things going while the defence struggles around him. Travis Konecny has been the bright spot on offence with 24 goals.
The Wild will likely go with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal for tonight’s matchup. Minnesota has lost three straight and there’s been some trade talk involving some of their defence. Kirill Kaprizov powers the Minnesota offence with 27 goals and 30 assists. The Wild are ninth in goals against and can play tidily on defence when things are clicking.
This should be a chance for a get-right game for the Wild. Taking the under of six could be worth a look as well.
Prediction: Wild win 3-1.
New Jersey Devils vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Devils 0-1 Predators
It’s the John Hynes Bowl as the New Jersey Devils take on the Nashville Predators in Smashville. The Predators got a 4-3 overtime win in Newark in the first meeting of the season. Vitek Vanecek is the likely starter, but always check social media before locking in on regular or daily fantasy. The Devils have won four of their last five and seemingly have staying power after an unlikely hot start. Jack Hughes already has 30 goals and 30 assists while Jesper Bratt also has 30 helpers.
Juuse Saros will be the probable starter for the Predators in goal. Nashville also has won four of their last five games to insert themselves into the Western Conference playoff race. The Predators are just three points behind the Calgary Flames heading into Thursday’s games. Nashville’s defence has only allowed one goal in three of the four victories.
Both teams are hot as of now, but New Jersey will have just a little more to get the win.
Prediction: Devils win 3-2.
Buffalo Sabres vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-1 Jets
Our featured game has two teams that are showing tremendous upside. The Sabres have won four straight games and are within three points of the second wild card spot in the East. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is slated to be the starter in between the pipes for Buffalo. Tage Thompson has 33 goals to power the Sabres’ league-leading offence. Rasmus Dahlin is playing like a first-overall draft pick with 39 assists. Buffalo is sixth in converting power-play chances with a 25.7-percent success rate. The one weakness the Sabres do have is they are 22nd in goals allowed.
Connor Hellebuyck is pencilled in as the starter for the Jets, who have lost three of its last five. Winnipeg suffered a 2-1 loss to Nashville in its last time out. The Jets are 10th in goals for and eighth in goals against. Winnipeg is looking to overtake the Dallas Stars for first in the Central Division and the Western Conference. The Jets penalty kill is second-best in the league at 84.1 percent.
This should be a fun game and the first goal will be important. Buffalo scoring early would force Winnipeg to chase the game. However, the Jets have an ace in goal with Hellebuyck.
Prediction: Jets win 4-2.
