Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This will also include a featured game that should be must-watch hockey. Tonight’s featured game is the Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders This is the early game slate of NHL Predictions. Be sure and check out the late games of NHL Predictions too.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0 – 0 Bruins
The Edmonton Oilers head out East to try and gain some ground back in their playoff race. They have slipped into a wild card spot and are in a heated race to get points and fight back in the Pacific. Five teams in the Pacific, including the division leaders, are within five or fewer points of each other. For Edmonton, points here would be crucial. Mike Smith hasn’t been good enough for them this season but Mikko Koskinen has been better than expected. The Oilers will be playing at 1 PM eastern time which is before noon for their normal time. This may have an effect on the game.
For the Boston Bruins, they have struggled to win games lately. However, all their losses have come in overtime or later. Boston is 4-0-5 in their last nine games played. So, even though they are under .500 in that stretch, they have still taken over 70% of the possible points. The Bruins still have a firm grip on first in the Atlantic division. However, teams like Toronto are starting to creep into sight. Their lead is still large but it is no longer double digits. Getting back to winning in high streaks is crucial. Although the overtime points have been massive in helping Boston stay ahead. Today’s game will no doubt come down to the top lines for each team. Whichever team can handle the other stars should win. Boston may have the edge here as they have more rounded talent whereas Edmonton is extremely top-heavy.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-3 in overtime.
San Jose Sharks vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0 – 0 Blue Jackets
The San Jose Sharks are in a world of hurt. They fired their coach but still find themselves near the bottom of the standings. Although things are starting to improve a bit, it may be too little too late. The roster is ageing. Mix that with bad goaltending and you get some poor results. Their big-ticket names aren’t performing up to expectations and even names like Marc-Edouard Vlasic are starting to fall off too. This team still shows their flashes of skill from time to time and any team needs to take them seriously. However, they are also starting at 1 pm which would normally be 10 am their time. This could be a tough one for them to win.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, on the other hand, are one of the hottest teams in hockey. Even after losing their starting goalie they have rattled off two straight wins against good Eastern opponents. This team has no quit. They sit sixth in their division, but just three points back of a playoff spot. Which is somewhere most would not have expected at the mid-season mark. Columbus is a team that has some star power on the backend in Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. As well as many great players upfront including Cam Atkinson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Gustav Nyquist. This should be an entertaining game as it is two teams desperate for points.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 5-3.
Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0 – 2 Sabres
This is another big matchup for NHL Predictions. Both these teams are fighting for the last spot in the Atlantic and are only four points apart. Things can change quickly from just one game. The Florida Panthers have an elite offence. There is no hiding away from that. They even have some depth scoring to boot with names like Noel Acciari chipping in for goals and points. This team’s weakness? Goaltending. Sergei Bobrovsky continues to struggle. Despite having 15 wins this year, he has a .897 save percentage. He just hasn’t been good enough. Luckily, the team the Panthers are facing have had some goal troubles so they may be able to exploit that.
The Buffalo Sabres started hot but have tailed off lately. They now find themselves five points out of a playoff spot and desperately need a change. They made a flurry of moves Thursday, trading away Marco Scandella and bringing in Michael Frolik. However, they also lost Victor Olofsson yesterday. Their scoring depth just hasn’t been there this season and Jeff Skinner also hasn’t lived up to his contract. Jack Eichel has taken this team on his back but one player can only do so much. The Buffalo defence is going to have to try and stop this high powered Florida offence if they want a chance.
Prediction: Panthers win 6-3.
Winnipeg Jets vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Jets 2 – 0 Wild
The Winnipeg Jets have had a wild year so far. They have been hit with multiple injuries and the defence core has been in question all year. Despite this, the team still sits fourth in their division and tied for the wild card spots. Connor Hellebuyck had a rough game Thursday but generally speaking, has been lights out this year and a big reason they have won so many games. Winnipeg still has a very dangerous offence with names like Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler that can score anytime. They are playing a defence first team and will have to try and use their offence to exploit that.
The Minnesota Wild were one of the worst teams to start the year but have dug themselves out of that hole. They now sit four points back of Winnipeg for the wild card spot. This game could be huge for the standings. As mentioned, Minnesota continues to play its defence first style that has helped them be so successful in past years. However, they have lately gotten into a few more shooting matches then they would have wished, which has led to them losing five of their last eight. In those eight games, they have let in three or more in seven of the games. Their defence needs to tighten up again to go back on the winning streak they saw earlier this year.
Prediction: Jets win 4-1.
St. Louis Blues vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Blues 1 – 0 Golden Knights
This should be another close matchup for NHL predictions. These two teams are the division leaders for their respective divisions. The St.Louis Blues have a comfortable lead in theirs as they showed absolutely no signs of a cup hangover this year. It was right back to business. Jordan Binnington continues to prove he is a very solid goalie while names like David Perron are having a career year. Ryan O’Reilly has been great per usual and the defence is solid. This is a team that should be atop the Cup favourite’s list come April.
The Vegas Golden Knights started slow this year but have found their game now. They are on top of the Pacific and likely don’t plan on giving that up. They are only two points above the next team and four teams are within five of them, however. So every point is crucial. Look for Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, and co to keep this team rolling. They have had some big wins recently and will look to take all that momentum into Saturday for a big win against the Western Conference leader. This should be a great game.
Prediction: Blues win 4-3 in overtime.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Leafs 0 – 1 Islanders
This is NHL Predictions featured game of the night. Not only is it two of the best teams in the NHL but it is also John Tavares returning to New York again. Yes, it has happened before. However, each time it is something special to watch. Nothing will be like the first time he came back but each time he does come back the Islanders know to bring a little extra that night. Making it such a thrilling game to watch. The Islanders sit second in their division and have a ways to go to catch up. They have struggled as of late going 2-3-1 in their last six. What better way to snap out of that than to beat your former captain?
As for the Leafs, they have been near unstoppable under new Head Coach Sheldon Keefe. The Leafs have gone 14-4-1 under him and have skyrocketed up to second in the Atlantic. Boston has even come into view for the division lead, although they are still ways out from that. This game promises to be action-packed as Toronto’s elite offence takes on one of the best defensive teams in the league. The Islanders have proven they can stick with there offensive teams for two years now which makes this so thrilling. Keep yourself tuned in to this game for sure.
Prediction: Leafs win 3-2 in overtime.
That’s all for NHL Predictions! Tune back tomorrow for more.
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