Welcome back to NHL Predictions, where the Last Word on Hockey team provides insight into all of today’s games. On Wednesday, January 29th’s edition of NHL Predictions, we’ll take a look at all six games. Today’s featured game is a battle of Alberta between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-0 Stars
It’s the first head-to-head meeting of the season between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Dallas Stars. Both teams saw their bye-week break come to an end on Monday night. The Stars downed the Lightning at home in overtime, while the Maple Leafs impressed in their 5-2 win in Nashville.
The Stars occupy the third spot in the Central Division, with a comfortable six-point lead over the fourth-placed and fifth-placed Chicago and Winnipeg. Dallas also has two games in hand. The Stars have been playing well as of late, going 7-3 in their last 10 games.
On the other side, Toronto still sits outside of the playoff picture in the East, two points out of the third spot in the Atlantic Division, where the Florida Panthers currently sit with 61 points. The Leafs have been struggling as of late. Their win over Nashville was their second in the last seven games. The Maple Leafs have won four of their last five games at the American Airlines Center. The Leafs won their last meeting in Dallas 7-4. The Stars returned the favour, beating the Leafs in Toronto 2-1.
Prediction: Stars win 4-2.
Nashville Predators vs. Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-0 Capitals
The Washington Capitals continued their league dominance with a 4-2 victory on Monday in Montreal. The Nashville Predators lost to the aforementioned Maple Leafs. This Wednesday Night Hockey matchup from Capital One Arena, the Predators will need two points. With 51 points, Nashville is six points out of the wild-card spots, and nine points out of the third spot in their division. The Preds have lost three of their most recent four contests. There is no more time for excuses for the slumping Predators.
The Capitals, on the other hand, are sitting comfortably atop the Metropolitan division. The Capitals are also sporting a four-game winning streak and are 7-3 in their last 10. The Capitals have their sights set on the Presidents Trophy currently sitting atop the NHL standings. However, the Preds have won four of their last five contests disputed here in DC.
Prediction: Predators win 4-3 in overtime.
Arizona Coyotes vs. Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 2-1 Ducks
The Arizona Coyotes return from their mandatory break and embark on a California road trip, starting against the Anaheim Ducks. While the Ducks lost on Monday night in San Jose, they will try to get back on track against the Coyotes. Both clubs met on Opening night, with the Ducks winning 2-1. Anaheim is will be playing for pride as they are not part of the playoff conversation sitting 14 points out of a playoff position.
The Coyotes will try to forget what happened before the break. The Yotes have lost five of their last six games, including four straight losses on the road. Arizona will attempt to bounce back from a bad stretch and bank two points from Anaheim. The Coyotes are tied with the Flames, Oilers, and Golden Knights for second in the Pacific Division with 57 points. It’s that close in the Pacific Division, and every point matters.
Prediction: Coyotes win 3-2.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Lightning 1-0 Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are making their return from a break on Wednesday night. The Tampa Bay Lightning returned Monday with an overtime loss in Dallas. On paper, this might seem like a mismatch, but the last two meetings between the teams ended in shootout wins for Tampa. When they met earlier in January, Tampa Bay tied it up with 75 seconds left in the third period.
On their last visit to the Staples Center, the Lightning won 6-2, as they have won their last three games in Los Angeles. Before the break, the Kings have lost seven of their last eight games, including an active four-game losing skid. Tampa Bay is 2-2-1 in their last five tilts with only one regulation victory. With 63 points, the Lightning team is seven points away from the top spot in the Atlantic Division with two games in hand.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-3.
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Flames 2-0 Oilers
In the featured game of our NHL Predictions for Wednesday, we take a look at the Battle of Alberta between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. The Flames have won both head-to-head meetings this season with a combined score of 9-4. For the second time this campaign, both rivals will meet at Rogers Place in Edmonton, where Calgary won 5-1 earlier this season. Both teams were tied on points heading into the All-Star break. It’s an incredibly significant game for both teams.
Will Zack Kassian look for retaliation on Matthew Tkachuk? That’s also one of the most interesting stories before this heated rivalry game. The Oilers and Flames are playing well before the break. The Oilers are 6-1-1 record in their last eight games while the Flames went 6-2-0. The Oilers will have a slight advantage as the Flames had to face the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday at home. It’s a back-to-back situation for Calgary.
Edmonton is 5-2-0 in its last seven home contests versus Calgary, but the Flames have won the last two.
Prediction: Oilers win 4-3 in overtime.
Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Canucks 2-1 Sharks
To close out tonight’s edition of the NHL Predictions, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks lead the Pacific Division with 60 points, but only hold a three-point lead on the Flames, Oilers, Coyotes and Golden Knights. Vancouver beat St. Louis at home on Monday night, while the Sharks beat the Ducks at home. The Sharks have one last attempt to salvage their season. With 48 points, they are nine points out of the playoffs in the Western Conference.
At home, the Sharks are enjoying a four-game winning streak, they have already gone 1-1 this season at the SAP Center facing the Canucks. In their most recent head-to-head contest in Vancouver, the Canucks won 4-1. San Jose has won eight of its last nine home clashes against Vancouver.
Prediction: Sharks win 2-1.
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