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 Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders. Keep checking our NHL predictions throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders
Series: Hurricanes 2-1 Islanders
Our featured and opening game of NHL predictions has the Islanders looking to tie up the series against Hurricanes. Carolina might go with Antti Raanta, but there’s always Frederik Andersen always in the background to start. The Hurricanes forward group has been depleted with a number of injuries. However, Carolina does get plenty out of the remaining forward and the defence. Someone is going to have to step up in order to give Carolina a 3-1 series lead.
Ilya Sorokin will get the call in goal for the Islanders, who looked very happy in the first home post-season game at UBS Arena. The Islanders play ugly hockey, but it gets the job done. New York is going to try to muck it up and slow the game down. Carolina can play a defensive game and get just a physical as New York.
This will be a tough game to dictate, but Carolina goes how with the series lead.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-1.
Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers
Series: Bruins 2-1 Panthers
Linus Ullmark will get the start again as the Boston Bruins are dealing with injuries again. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci will both by out according to head coach Jim Montgomery. Boston has adjusted without its two top centremen in Bergeron and Krejci. However, Pavel Zacha has stepped up and filled the void.
Sergei Bobrovksy is getting the start in goal after Alex Lyon was shaky in Game 3. Florida has given a good account of itself, but needs to win this game to avoid being down 1-3 in the series. The Panthers need to come out firing if they want to win this.
Boston may have some holes in the lineup, but its experience will help them out.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-2.
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild
Series: Stars 1-2 Wild
The Dallas Stars will go once again with Jake Oettinger in goal for a Stars team looking to knot the series at two games apiece. The Stars will still be without Joe Pavelski due to a concussion he suffered in Game 1. Dallas will need goal-scoring if it wants to get back to a tied series. Roope Hintz has been farly solid this series. However, he’ll need help from others in the bottom six.
Minnesota Wild head coach Dean Evason will hopefully end the Marc-Andre Fleury experiment and start Filip Gustavsson in net. This has been the best series so far and the Wild have gotten timely goals and good defence. This has all the makings of going the distance.
Dallas will find a way to score and Oettinger will step up like he did in Game 1.
Prediction: Stars win 4-2.
Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings
Series: Oilers 1-2 Kings
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Edmonton Oilers trying to tie the series against the Los Angeles Kings. Stuart Skinner is the starter once again for the Oilers, who are trying to find their way past Joonas Korpisalo. Connor McDavid tried to get Edmonton the series lead with two goals, but Trevor Moore‘s overtime-goal helped the Kings grab the surprising lead.
Los Angeles has played well on defence and limited McDavid’s chances. Phillip Danualt has been great on defence and been a thorn in McDavid’s side. This Kings team is pesky and get win games.
However, the Oilers even this series because of Leon Draisaitl and others.
Prediction: Oilers win 3-2 in overtime.
Main photo by: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
