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 Seattle Kraken vs Winnipeg Jets. Be sure to check out our other Valentine’s Day edition of our NHL Predictions.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs St Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-1 Blues
Our first game features the Florida Panthers visiting the St. Louis Blues. The Blues won the first game of the season in Sunrise, Fla., 5-4. Florida had won three games in a row before a 5-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche prior to Monday’s game. Spencer Knight should get the start with Sergei Bobrovsky getting the start on Monday. Florida is second in goals for, but defence has been a problem with it being 26th in goals against.
The Blues should get the start from Jordan Binnington in goal. St. Louis snapped its losing streak with a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. The Blues are nine points off the second Western Conference Wild Card spot. Things seem to be going south and the Blues may actually be forced to sell at the March 3 trade deadline.
Florida needs points to stay in the Stanley Cup Playoff race. The Panthers’ offence should get the win,
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
Seattle Kraken vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Kraken 1-1 Jets
Our featured game of NHL Predictions is between two teams chasing the top seed in their respective divisions. Seattle and Winnipeg have traded 3-2 victories in the first two meetings this season. Philipp Grubauer is pencilled in as the starter but always check online before making a decision fantasy hockey wise. The Kraken stopped a three-game losing streak in their last outing. Seattle is fourth in goals scored heading into Monday’s games. Jared McCann leads the team in goals with 24 and Vince Dunn is tops in assists with 30.
Winnipeg is trying to keep pace in the Central Division. Connor Hellebuyck is slated to be the starter in between the pipes for the Jets. The club is fourth in goals allowed and does a great job of playing team defence. This shows as the Jets are second at killing off penalties at 83.7 percent. Mark Scheifele leads Winnipeg in goals with 32 while Josh Morrissey is on top of the assists category at 44.
This should be a good game in a list of pretty good matchups. It may be another 3-2 score, but Winnipeg comes away with the win.
Prediction: Jets win 3-2.
Boston Bruins vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Bruins 1-0 Stars
It’s a battle of two first-place teams when the Boston Bruins travel to the Dallas Stars. Boston is actually coming into the game with losses in four of the last five games. Linus Ullmark should get the call in goal for the Bruins. Boston is still second in goals for and first in goals against. David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in goals (38) and assists (34) in a contract year.
Scott Wedgewood is listed as the starter, but don’t be surprised if Jake Oettinger does get put into goal. Dallas has lost three of its last five games. Dallas was beaten by the Tampa Bay Lightning the last time out. The Stars are ninth in goals for and second in goals against. Jason Robertson leads in goals (33) and assists (36) for the Stars.
Boston is 3-1 in the last four meetings against Dallas. This trend should continue.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-1.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Lightning 1-0 Avalanche
It’s the second meeting between the Lightning and the Avalanche in less than a week. Tampa Bay blanked Colorado, 5-0, on the last time the two teams met. The Lightning have wins in three of their last five games and starting to look like a Stanley Cup contender again. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the projected starter for Tampa Bay for this game. The Lightning are only two points out from second place and home ice in the opening round in the Atlantic Division.
Alexandar Georgiev is slated to be the starter for the Avalanche. Colorado has lost three of its last five but did beat Florida the last time on the ice. The Avalanche have worked their way into one of the automatic playoff spots in the Central Division. Injuries have slowly healed and Colorado is making a charge up the standings. Mikko Rantanen leads in goals with 34 and Nathan MacKinnon is on top of assists with 42.
Tampa Bay blitzed Colorado in a rematch of Stanley Cup finalists. However, Colorado should get a dose of revenge.
Prediction: Avalanche win 3-2.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-1 Sharks
Our last game of NHL Predictions has the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the San Jose Sharks. San Jose beat Pittsburgh, 6-4, in the first meeting of the season. Casey DeSmith is the projected starter for the Penguins. Pittsburgh is 16th in goals for and goals against and 12th on the penalty kill.
Kaapo Kahkonen is likely to get the start in goal for the Sharks. San Jose is 19th in goals for and 29th in goals allowed. The Sharks might be looking to deal some pieces, but have wins in three of their last five games. San Jose won’t give Pittsburgh an easy game.
Pittsburgh is trying to keep pace and should scratch out the win.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-3.
Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions in the coming days.
Main photo by: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
