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 Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres This is our slate of NHL Predictions. Be sure and check out tomorrow’s edition of NHL Predictions.
NHL Predictions
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Sabres 1-0 Canadiens
This our NHL predictions featured early game of the night.
This is the second of four meetings this season between Atlantic Division rivals the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres. Their first matchup came all the way back in October. In that affair, the Sabres squeaked out a victory by a score of 5-4 in overtime. This is a big game for both teams. Both the Canadiens and Sabres are tied with 51 points, just 10 points back on the final wild-card spot. If either team wants to get back into the race for the playoffs a victory on Thursday night will go a long way. The Canadiens are playing better after two eight-game losing streaks, but they have a long way to go to get back into the race. The next few weeks will be telling and determine which direction the Canadiens head in at the deadline.
The Sabres are trying to get back on their winning ways. Buffalo has lost two games in a row. That was after a winning streak of three games. Things will get more difficult now as goaltender Linus Ullmark will be sidelined for the next three to four weeks with a lower-body injury. Ullmark had taken over the starters role for the Sabres. They will rely more on Carter Hutton from here on out. Not to mention they will need players like Jack Eichel, Jeff Skinner, Marcus Johansson, and others to step up. As the Sabres try to climb back into the playoff race, rumours continue to swirl about defenceman likely to be traded. Buffalo will need to focus all the attention on the ice and do not worry about the distractions off the ice.
Prediction: Canadiens win 4-3.
Nashville Predators vs. New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Predators 1–0 Devils
The New Jersey Devils and the Nashville Predators are meeting the second and final time this season. New Jersey is looking for some revenge after losing to the Predators by a score of 6-4 in their first matchup of the season back in December. Neither team is playing great this season. Both teams had expectations coming into the season. Though many more expected to see the Predators near the top of the Central Division rather than six points out of the playoffs. Predators head coach John Hynes is returning back to New Jersey for the first time since his firing. He will want to get a bit of revenge on his former club. But the big thing for the Predators is they need more production from the players at the centre position.
The Devils, on the other hand, are playing much better since the start of the season. Let’s be realistic they are not going to make the playoffs, but there is lots of improvement. With All-Star Nico Hischier leading the way for the Devils, the team will want to carry over their strong play on the road onto home ice. The Prudential Center has been a house of horrors for the Devils this season. The Devils will want to come out with a fast start and look to take advantage of a Predators team that played the night before. If the Devils can keep up their solid play, they will continue to play spoiler against teams trying to make the playoffs.
Prediction: Devils win 4-2.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 2-0 Kings
This is the third of four meetings between the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes have taken the first two games of the season series. Those games came back in November by scores of 3-0 and 3-2 respectively. There are a lot of questions swirling around the Kings especially the players that are going to be traded at the deadline. Two of those players, in particular, are Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli. Neither of which are having stellar years, but can add value to a contending team. With the Kings being in last place, sometimes their opponent can take them for granted which is something the Coyotes can not do.
There is a tight race shaping up in the Pacific Division. On any given night, one of five teams could be in first place. The Coyotes currently occupy the first wild-card position in the Western Conference. Considering how much points are valued in the Pacific, the Coyotes will want to get a win on one of the bottom feeders in the Western Conference. There is a reason why the Coyotes traded for Taylor Hall, for moments like these. Arizona has a chance to make some noise in the playoffs with such a young talented team. With Darcy Kuemper getting close to returning, that can only help the Coyotes efforts moving forward.
Prediction: Coyotes win 3-2.
This does it for NHL Predictions for Thursday, January 30th.
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