Welcome back to the Last Word on Hockey team’s daily NHL Predictions! Every article gives our predictions and a detailed analysis of every game on the day’s slate. For a Tuesday, this night’s schedule is light comparatively with only three games. This includes a featured game that is must-see TV. Today’s featured game is the Dallas Stars versus Chicago Blackhawks.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Bruins 0-1 Canadiens
The Boston Bruins dropped their first tilt with the rival Montreal Canadiens 5-4 back on November 5th. They enter tonight’s match with a sizable injury list, a list that includes names like Patrice Bergeron David Backes, Par Lindholm, Kevan Miller, and John Moore. Some of these names have been out all season. Despite this, the Bruins are second in goals per game with 3.61 and fourth in goals against per game with 2.43, tied with the New York Islanders. Moreover, their power play is third in the league at 31.0 percent. Their penalty kill isn’t as good, though, as they’re 16th in the league with an 82.2 percent success rate.
They’re led in scoring by the well-loved Brad Marchand, as he’s got 16 goals and 39 points in just 23 games. David Pastrnak leads the team in goals with 20. Starter Tuukka Rask has put up elite numbers this year, tallying an 11-2-2 record with a 2.18 goals-against average (GAA) and a .928 save percentage.
Montreal has had some interesting games recently, especially their horrific 6-5 loss Saturday to the New York Rangers. They’re eight in goals per game with 3.39, and 20th in goals against per game with 3.22. Montreal’s power play is sitting at 17th in the league at a 19.4 percent rate of success and their penalty kill is tied for 25th at 73.6 percent. Tomas Tatar continues his strong play as he leads the Habs in points with 20, but Brendan Gallagher has the most goals on the team with nine in 23 games. Carey Price has been much more pedestrian this season than we’ve gotten used to, posting up a 10-6-3 record combined with a 2.89 GAA and .907 save percentage. Given Montreal’s lack of star power and poor goaltending, expect Boston’s strong offence to overpower them as the Habs drop another decision at home.
Prediction: Boston wins 4-2.
Minnesota Wild vs. New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Devils
The Minnesota Wild have turned it around a little bit as of late after a horrific start to the season. Their stats haven’t supported that, however, as their offence still ranks 22nd with 2.75 goals per game. They rank 26th in goals allowed with 3.33 per game. Their special teams are nothing special either, as their power play is tied for 20th in the league with an 18.3 percent conversion rate and their penalty kill is 15th, sitting at 82.2 percent. They’re led in points by Eric Staal who has 17 and led in goals by Zach Parise who has nine. Goalie Alex Stalock has almost stolen the starter’s crease from Devan Dubnyk, as Stalock has put up a 5-3-2 record along with a 2.80 GAA and .907 save percentage.
The New Jersey Devils have seen a slight increase in their play, having won three of their past five games. They still have the league’s 29th-ranked offence, though, putting up only 2.55 goals per game, and they’re 28th in defence, allowing 3.45 goals per game. New Jersey’s power play is 25th with a 13.8 percent success rate, and their penalty kill is 22nd at 77.3 percent. In NHL Predictions, neither team is a popular bet. However, Minnesota’s hot streak has to come back down at some point, and the Devils will end it tonight as they start to figure things out on their end.
Prediction: New Jersey wins 2-1 in a shootout.
Dallas Stars vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Stars 1-0 Blackhawks
The Stars won the two teams’ previous meeting 2-1 in a shootout three nights ago. They have been a slam dunk in NHL Predictions. Roope Hintz scored his tenth goal of the season and Joe Pavelski and Tyler Seguin scored in the shootout. Dallas’ offence is ranked 19th in goal-scoring with 2.84 goals per game. Their defence is second in the league allowing 2.32 goals per game. Their power play success is low, 25th in the league with a 15.1 percent rate, but their penalty kill is fourth at 85.7 percent. Seguin leads the team in points with 21. Hintz leads them in goals with 10 despite missing seven games with an injury. Ben Bishop has a 9-5-1 record with a 2.24 GAA and .926 save percentage.
The Blackhawks have lost three straight games, including the shootout loss. They’re 18th in the league in terms of goals per game with 2.87. Their defence is 21st allowing 2.87 goals per game. Chicago’s power play ranks near the bottom at 28th, tallying a 12.5 percent success rate. Their penalty kill is 17th (80.8 percent). Their offence is spearheaded by Patrick Kane, who has 11 goals and 30 points in 23 games. Robin Lehner has been the better of their two goalies, posting a 5-4-3 record, .938 save percentage and 2.38 GAA. Chicago played well against Dallas last time and will snap out of their funk at home.
Prediction: Blackhawks win 3-0.
Main Photo:
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