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 Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche. Be sure to check out our earlier NHL Predictions for Monday.
NHL Predictions
Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 1-1 Avalanche
Our featured game of this round of NHL predictions is a heavyweight matchup in the Western Conference. Vegas has been busy getting assets like Ivan Barbashev on Sunday. The Golden Knights have won three of their last five games, but lost to the Dallas Stars the last time out. The two teams have traded 3-2 wins so far this season. Adin Hill is slated to be the starter, but always check social media before deciding on your fantasy lineup. Vegas is seemingly making moves to fill the gap of losing Mark Stone to injury.
Alexandar Georgiev is scheduled to start in goal for the Avalanche. Colorado has won five straight games to put itself back into the mix for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche have outscored their opponents 22-10 during the five-game winning streak. Mikko Rantanen leads the team in goals with 38 and Nathan MacKinnon is tops in assists with 49. The Avalanche are seeing other teams make moves and may be inclined to make one in hockey’s arms race.
This one is a tough one to call, but the Colorado offence is firing on all cylinders.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 1-1 Ducks
We now go to a game that doesn’t have the hype as the featured game of the NHL Predictions. This is a game that could play a hand in landing coveted top-pick Connor Bedard. The two teams have also traded 3-2 victories during the season. Petr Mrazek is penciled in as the starter in goal for the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago is trying to climb towards respectability and have surprisingly won five in a row. Four of those victories have been by one goal, so the team is getting better at winning close games. Patrick Kane may also be held out of this game in order to work out a trade.
The Anaheim Ducks have won two straight in its own right, but are still the worst team in the league after Chicago’s recent run. John Gibson is currently listed as the starter in goal for the Ducks. Anaheim’s defence has only allowed two goals in those victories. However, the team’s defence is still dead-last in goals allowed. The Ducks are only two goals away from having a -100 goal differential. Trevor Zegras leads the team in goals (19) and assists (31) for the young Ducks.
Both these teams are struggling, but Chicago looks like its piecing things together a little better.
Prediction: Blackhawks win 4-3.
