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 Edmonton Oilers vs the Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL Predictions Including Oilers vs Golden Knights
Edmonton Oilers vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Oilers 2-1 Golden Knights
The Oilers and the Golden Knights will wrap up their season series in our featured game of the night. These two teams faced off just two days ago, with the Golden Knights coming out on top after a dramatic overtime goal by Nicolas Roy. The Golden Knights are currently first in the West and will want to pick up any extra points that they can to stay ahead.
As has been the theme for the Golden Knights this season, the goalie carousel will keep spinning. Vegas played four different goalies in consecutive games this week. With Logan Thompson out with yet another injury, they will likely keep a rotation with Jonathan Quick and Laurent Brossoit. Head coach Bruce Cassidy has not made it clear which goalie will get the start against Edmonton.
Edmonton’s stars have continued to shine. Connor McDavid has been expectedly excellent, and Leon Draisatl and Zach Hyman have continued to supplement the Oilers with scoring. Their real strength in this matchup is on special teams. The Oilers have a power play that is scoring 31.6% of the time, good for first in the league. This goes up against an uncharacteristically weak penalty kill for the Golden Knights, ranked 19th. If Edmonton can capitalize on their opportunities on the power play, the game could easily go their way.
Oilers defeat Golden Knights 5-4 in OT.
Vancouver Canucks vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Canucks 1-1 Blues
Our next game on the NHL Predictions is between two non playoff teams. The Canucks and the Blues will also finish up their season series. The Blues have found their offence lately, scoring six goals in their last two games. However, it wasn’t enough to beat the Kings last time out, losing 7-6. Kasperi Kapanen leads the Blues with four goals in his last five games. Jordan Binnington likely gets the nod in the net. Vancouver has won three games in a row, with J.T. Miller leading the way with four goals and nine points in the last five games. Both teams are eliminated from playoff contention, but are evenly matched, and should make for a fun game between two sides with nothing to lose.
Prediction: Blues defeat Canucks 5-3.
Dallas Stars vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Stars 2-1 Blackhawks
Our next game on the NHL Predictions is a Central Division showdown. The Dallas Stars will travel north for a Central division matchup with huge implications for the standings. While the Stars are one of the most well-rounded teams in the NHL, a few rough stretches have pushed them down to third in the Central division, one point behind Minnesota and Colorado. A win here would push them back to the top of an extremely tight race, but to the top nonetheless. They’ll be looking to Jason Robertson and Joe Pavelski to make the difference here. Chicago has lost four games in a row and won’t want to extend that streak any further. Taylor Raddysh leads the Blackhawks with 20 goals on the season, but he’s on a six-game scoring drought after a hat trick against Boston on March 14. Chicago will need him to get going if they want to put up a fight against Dallas.
Prediction: Stars defeat Blackhawks 3-1.
Los Angeles Kings vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Kings 2-1 Flames
Our next game on the NHL Predictions is a division showdown. This game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Calgary Flames is also an important one for the playoff race. The Kings are two points behind the Golden Knights for first in the Pacific division, and the Flames are four points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the second Wild Card spot in the West. Both teams desperately need a win, so expect this to be a hard-hitting, high-energy game. The Kings’ power play is ranked second in the league, so they’ll have the advantage if emotions start running high.
Prediction: Kings defeat Flames 3-2.
Winnipeg Jets vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Jets 0-1 Sharks
Our final game in these NHL Predictions is the Winnipeg Jets versus the San Jose Sharks. This game matters for the Jets much more than the Sharks. Winnipeg currently holds the second Wild Card spot in the West, and will be trying to keep a slim lead over the Flames. The Jets had a tough 4-1 loss to the Kings two days ago and need the two points to stay ahead in the playoff race. The Sharks are already eliminated from the playoffs, but finishing the season out strong could help morale heading into an offseason that is sure to be full of changes.
Prediction: Jets defeat Sharks 2-0
Main Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
