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 Dallas Stars vs Seattle Kraken. Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions for your Saturday.
NHL Predictions
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-0 Islanders
Our first game of NHL predictions is a Metropolitan Division matchup between the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders. Darcy Kuemper is the projected starter, but always check online before setting your fantasy lineup. Washington is five points off the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Caps have lost two straight and three of the last five games. Washington does have the ninth-best penalty kill.
Ilya Sorokin is the likely starter in goal for the Islanders. New York has won three straight and four of the last five games, including a huge 4-3 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Isles are eighth on the penalty kill and in goals allowed. It may not be pretty, but New York gets the job done.
The Islander defence gets the job done in this one.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-1.
Dallas Stars vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Stars 0-0 Kraken
Our featured game in our NHL predictions has two teams pretty much locked into the Stanley Cup Playoff position. Dallas is coming off a 10-4 pasting of the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. The Stars could be without Tyler Seguin after suffering a nasty laceration on his leg. Jake Oettinger is the likely starter in goal for a Dallas team that’s won four of the last five. Offence has not been a problem for the Stars, who have netted 30 goals in the last five games. Dallas is also great on special teams with it being fourth on the penalty kill and eighth on the power play. The Stars offence is seventh in goals for.
Philipp Grubauer is the projected starter in between the pipes for the Kraken. Seattle just had its winning streak snapped against the Ottawa Senators the last time out. The Kraken are only four points off the division lead, but are also tied with the Edmonton Oilers for third. Every point is going to matter as the Kraken want to avoid the wild card matchup and a division leader in the first round. Seattle is fourth in goals scored, but 17th in goals allowed. This team is going to have to win games by scoring many more goals.
The over/under of six should be a worth a shot at if you’re playing the over. Dallas has been so strong on offence and it continues.
Prediction: Stars win 5-3.
Ottawa Senators vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-1 Canucks
It’s an All-Canadian matchup between the Ottawa Senators take on the Vancouver Canucks. Ottawa has been making a push to get one of the Eastern wild card spots with its recent run. The Senators have won four of their last five and look to extend it with Mads Sogaard in goal. Ottawa adding Jakob Chychrun has been a big boon to the club.
Thatcher Demko will likely get the call for the Canucks, who also won four of its last five. Vancouver is out of the post-season mix, but have tightened things up under new coach Rick Tocchet. There are some positives going for the Canucks right now.
Ottawa is trying to stay in contention and scratches out a win.
Prediction: Senators win 3-2 in a shootout.
Minnesota Wild vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-2 Sharks
The Minnesota Wild go into this matchup without leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov, who will be out about a month. Marc-Andre Fleury is slated to be the starter in goal for the Wild, who have won four of its last five. Minnesota’s defence has the third-best defence and will have to rely on that.
Kaapo Kahkonen will likely draw the start for the San Jose Sharks, who have lost four of their last five. San Jose has averaged six goals allowed in its last four losses. The Sharks have beaten the Wild in their previous two meetings.
Goals may be hard to come by without Kaprizov, but the Wild find a way.
Prediction: Wild win 3-1.
Nashville Predators vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Predators 1-1 Kings
Our final matchup of NHL predictions has the Nashville Predators visiting the Los Angeles Kings. Juuse Saros is the likely starter for Nashville, which has lost three of its last five. The Preds have made a bunch of lineup changes, but are showing a little more energy.
Joonas Korpisalo is the probable starter in goal for the Kings, who have won five straight games. Los Angeles is tied with the Vegas Golden Knights for the top spot in the division. The Kings have given up just two goals apiece in each of the last four games.
LA is cooking and Nashville is playing out the string.
Predictions: Kings win 4-2.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
