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 the New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins. Be sure to check out our NHL Predictions for today.
NHL Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Lightning 2-1 Sabres
It’s the fourth and final meeting of the season between the Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay has lost four of its last five games. The Lightning have back-to-back games, so deciding the starter between Brian Elliott and Andrei Vasilevskiy may not be known til right until game time. These games between Buffalo and Tampa Bay have been high-scoring ones.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the possible starter, but always check online before setting your fantasy lineup. The Sabres have lost two straight, but have been scoring plenty of goals. However, they do miss Rasmus Dahlin and Alex Tuch in the lineup. Buffalo is hoping Jordan Greenway can be in the lineup for today’s game.
The over on the 6.5 number should be a safe play in this one as Tampa wins this.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-4.
Detroit Red Wings vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 1-1 Islanders
It’s the rubber match in the season series between the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders. The winning team has gotten a shutout in each of the first two meetings. Detroit has lost four straight games and may go with Magnus Hellberg to stop the streak. The Wings didn’t buy as much as one would think at the deadline.
Ilya Sorokin is the likely starter going for an Isles team that has three wins in their last five. New York and Detroit have both scored 184 goals this season, which is tied for 22nd in the league. The Islanders defence hasn’t given up more than three goals in its last five games.
The under of six might be a smart play in this as the Isles continue their strong second half.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-1.
New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Rangers 0-2 Bruins
Our featured game of NHL predictions has two teams that went for it at the trade deadline. The Rangers lost in Patrick Kane‘s debut to the Ottawa Senators. However, lineups take time to gel and one game is a really small sample size. Igor Shesterkin will be a busy man if he is the starter in goal for the Blueshirts. New York has lost three of its last five games. However, Vladimir Tarasenko is starting to warm up for this new club and has started to mesh with his new teammates.
Linus Ullmark is slated to be the starter in goal for the Bruins. A victory for Boston would give it a 10-game winning streak, as it reached 100 points in 61 games. The Bruins also made some big additions at the deadline like Tyler Bertuzzi. He’ll cover up for the loss of Taylor Hall, who is out long-term with an injury. Boston is first in goals allowed and second in goals scored, so beat the B’s is a tall order.
The Rangers will give it a good game, but the Bruins will get by.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 2-0 Stars
Our final game of this round of NHL predictions has the surging Colorado Avalanche taking on the Dallas Stars. Alexandar Georgiev is tentatively listed as the starter, but Colorado will be in the first of back-to-back games. The Avs recently had their winning streak end at the hands of the New Jersey Devils. Colorado didn’t do much at the deadline, but its been a lot better since healing its injuries.
Jake Oettinger is the probable starter in goal for the Stars, who won three of its last five. Many thought general manager Jim Nill would add some more scoring depth at the deadline, but that didn’t happen. Dallas is third in goals against and on the penalty kill.
Colorado is starting to put it together and looks to reclaim its spot on top of the division.
Prediction: Avalanche win 3-2.
Main photo by: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
