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 Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers. We want to wish you and your family a Happy Easter if you celebrate. Us at Last Word on Hockey also want to wish a Happy Passover to those that observe.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Bruins 2-0 Flyers
Our featured game of the small day of action in the NHL sees the Bruins in Philadelphia to face the Flyers. Both Boston and Philadelphia enter on the second half of back-to-backs, with Boston presented an incredibly unique opportunity; a win tonight would be their 63rd of the season, which would break the all-time NHL record of 62 originally set by the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings, and tied last night in their 2-1 win against New Jersey. In the game, Pavel Zacha scored both goals for Boston in the opening five minutes, breaking a 12-game goalless drought but marking his fifth and sixth points in his last five. David Pastrnak continues to impress, with seven points in his last five, and looking for 60 goals on the season (currently sitting at 57 with three games remaining, including tonight).
Philadelphia fell 4-0 to the New York Islanders last night, preventing them from collecting the 30th win of their expectedly miserable season. Clearly out of a playoff position, the Flyers’ goals may lie exclusively in spoils and pride. Such is especially prevalent in a game against an opponent looking for history, so a significant fight from the Flyers squad should be expected. The team has a lot of fight much like its head coach John Tortorella. They’ll still give the Bruins some fits in this game.
This game could mark a very special night for not just Boston, but the history of the league. We say the Bruins march on in their unlikely quest.
Prediction: 5-2 Bruins
Colorado Avalanche vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1-1 Ducks
These inter-conference opponents face off for the final time this season, with each team collecting a win in the previous two matchups. Last night, Colorado narrowly snuck by the Los Angeles Kings, while the Ducks lost to Arizona in overtime. Colorado currently ranks tied for first place in the Central, with a game in hand on Minnesota and Dallas with 102 points and the tiebreaker placing them ahead of Dallas. Despite massive, persistent injuries throughout the season, Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Devon Toews have pushed the team through tough weeks alongside already solid depth at both skater positions. Rantanen enters the night on a career-high in goals and points, with a chance to reach 100 points for the first time in his career.
Aside from a mildly-broken record broke in a much less mild fashion, the Anaheim Ducks are not especially alive late in this season. Their ambitions are inverse to that of the Colorado Avalanche; with three games remaining on the season, Anaheim ranks 30th, one point ahead of both Chicago and Columbus for the last-place position and highest draft lottery odds.
Ultimately, this game shouldn’t be particularly close. Colorado is looking like a contender once again while the only thing Anaheim is contending for is Connor Bedard.
Prediction: 6-0 Avalanche
Be sure to check out our other NHL predictions in the upcoming days as we close in on the end of the regular season.
Main photo by: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
