Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
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 NHL 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 Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators.
NHL Predictions: February 13 with Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators
Arizona Coyotes vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0 – 1 Predators
For a good portion of the season, the Predators looked solid. Today, though, they continue sliding in the wrong direction in the standings. Their opponents tonight, on the other hand, started at the bottom and remain there. This game excites scouts of other teams more than it does anyone else. These squads fall squarely into the “seller” category ahead of the trade deadline. Unfortunately for Nashville, all their best players already sit on long, fat contracts that make trades extremely difficult.
Karel Vejmelka, despite the awful team in front of him, continues playing fantastically between the pipes. His .908 save percentage and 14-17-4 record actually should turn heads. On any other franchise, those stats feel mediocre at best. But in Arizona? That’s incredible. Expect plenty of trade partners to line up for the 26-year-old netminder. Oh, also for a little-known defenceman named Jakob Chychrun. People might want him, too.
Prediction: Coyotes win 3-2 OT
Florida Panthers vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Panthers 1 – 0 Wild
The Panthers and Wild both feel the pressure and desperately need wins down the stretch. If either or both qualify for the postseason, it’ll likely be as a wild card team. Most pundits expected both of these clubs to be playoff teams come spring, but the parity in the league today makes pre-season NHL predictions look foolish year after year.
The Panthers, after winning the President’s Trophy last year, have to win basically two out of every three games just to have a chance at the playoffs. They have done just that lately, and in the process have begun looking more like last season’s club.
Matthew Tkachuk has been worth the blockbuster as far as production is concerned, but maybe the ramifications on top-to-bottom roster chemistry are to blame for their circumstances today. Interestingly, Matt Dumba sits on every trade deadline bait board out there. If the Wild don’t cement themselves in the playoff picture, perhaps they part ways with the defenceman.
Prediction: Panthers win 8-2
Detroit Red Wings vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 1 – 0 Canucks
These squads just met up a couple nights ago, and wrap up their season series tonight. Neither franchise sits in a great spot in the standings though, so the game feels like the least exciting one on the docket. If anything, fans watch the Canucks to get a glimpse of Brock Boeser. He sits atop the “likely to be traded” list in Vancouver, now that Bo Horvat left town.
The Red Wings have a good chunk of players on expiring contracts that could wind up elsewhere before the trade deadline, too. That said, they’re trending in the right direction and may want to hold their cards. Tyler Bertuzzi floated in some rumours, but he and Dylan Larkin (both pending UFAs) likely still feature in the franchise’s long-term plans.
Prediction: Canucks win 3-1
Buffalo Sabres vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Sabres 1 – 0 Kings
In their first matchup, the Sabres blew the Kings out of the water by a 6-0 score. The Kings want redemption at home and need the points, too. They made the postseason last year and want to stay there. Their opponents remain in the race out East but face a steeper hill to climb. That said, they own games in hand on the teams immediately ahead of them.
Games in hand mean nothing if they don’t turn into wins, though. And against a Kings team looking for vengeance, this might not go Buffalo’s way. Tage Thompson leads their team in scoring by quite a large margin, similar to Kevin Fiala in LA. A fun NHL game for predictions, this one has a redemption story on the line for the Kings.
Prediction: Kings win 4-1
Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Flames 0 – 0 Senators
This marks the only matchup of the night featuring two teams who have yet to cross paths this season. The Senators sit on the outside looking in, likely too far behind to make a run this year. Meanwhile, the Flames need all the wins they can get in a tight Western Conference.
Nazem Kadri scored 1.22 points per game last season. Jonathan Huberdeau scored even more, at 1.44 points per game. This year they both fell way back, each significantly below the point-per-game mark. Those aggressive acquisitions this past summer looked great on paper, at least to try and replace Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau. Many predictions around the NHL placed the Flames well within the playoff picture. But in reality, Calgary bought high on both Kadri and Huberdeau and bought big. Both will be over 30 years old next season, with at least seven years remaining on each of their deals. Gulp.
Ottawa may not be in a better position standings-wise today, but their future outlook certainly is. Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle leads their offence, Thomas Chabot leads their defence, and their goaltending remains a work in progress. This team continues growing, but this year won’t be the year yet.
Prediction: Flames win 5-4 OT
