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 Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs. Be sure to check out our other NHL predictions for today.
NHL Predictions
Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Flames 2-1 Canucks
Our first and featured game has the Flames continuing their quest to stay alive in the Stanley Cup Playoff race. Calgary is tied with the Winnipeg Jets for the last wild card spot. The Jets also play the Nashville Predators on Saturday and the Preds are one point in back of the two Canadian squads. Jacob Markstrom is the projected starter, but always check social media before locking a daily fantasy starter. The Flames have picked the correct time to win four of its last five.
Thatcher Demko will be the goalie between the pipes for the Canucks, who stopped a losing streak with a 3-0 shutout of the Chicago Blackhawks. Vancouver would love nothing more than to play spoiler to their old rivals. Vancouver’s defence had given up four or more goals in the last four games before the win over the Blackhawks.
Calgary is playoff for its life, but Vancouver won’t roll over for the Flames.
Prediction: Flames win 3-2 in overtime.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 1-1 Kraken
The Chicago Blackhawks look to ruin a party-like atmosphere for the Seattle Kraken. Petr Mrazek is the likely starter for the Blackhawks, who have lost four of its last five games. Chicago has given up over four goals a game in those losses. The season can’t end soon enough for the Blackhawks.
Seattle will be celebrating its first Stanley Cup playoff berth tonight at Climate Pledge Arena. Martin Jones in the probable starter in net for the Kraken, who have won four of their last five. Seattle has averaged over five goals per game in each of the last four wins. The Kraken seem to be locked into the first wild card spot in the Western Conference.
The over on the total of six might be worth a play in this one. Seattle should keep the good times going.
Prediction: Kraken win 6-3.
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-2 Kings
Our final matchup of a busy day of NHL predictions has the streaking Colorado Avalanche taking on the Los Angeles Kings. Colorado has been playing much better in the second half of the season. The Avs have won four of their last five games and given itself a chance to win the Central Division. It’s a tight divisional race between the Avalanche, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild. Colorado and Dallas were tied to start Saturday and Minnesota was only two points behind. Mikko Rantanen eclipsed the 50-goal mark the last time out. Alexandar Georgiev is the projected starter for Colorado.
Pheonix Copley likely gets the start for the Kings, who have lost three of the last five. Los Angeles is seeing its chance to host in the first round slip away. The red-hot Edmonton Oilers have seemingly snatched home ice from the Kings. Edmonton was three points ahead of Los Angeles for second place going into Saturday’s action. Both teams had three games to play heading into the weekend.
Los Angeles is still a good team, but Colorado has been solid as of late and should get the victory.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
