Another day of hockey means another day of the Last Word on Hockey NHL Predictions series. Every day, our team keeps you posted with our predictions and analysis for every game on the night’s schedule. We also suggest a featured game that should end up being must-watch hockey. Tonight, it’s a 2011 Stanley Cup Final rematch between the division-leading Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins. This is our early slate of NHL Predictions. Be sure and check out late games too.
NHL Predictions
Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0 – 0 Bruins
This is the Last Word on Hockey featured game for the night.
The Canucks are having a stellar season under head coach Travis Green. As a result, they are in first place in the Pacific Division, supported by a 30-18-5 record and 65 points. Their last game was a 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, a team fighting to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Vancouver has blossomed into a strong offensive team but is closer to average in their end. The team from British Columbia has won three out of their past four games since returning from the All-Star break. Jacob Markstrom continues to help the team with a good season in net, sporting a 20-13-3 record, .917 save percentage, 2.70 goals-against average, and one shutout.
However, they’re up against a popular NHL predictions pick in the Bruins — they’ve held up a 30-10-12 record, 74 points, and first place in the Atlantic Division. They’re confident after a 6-1 trouncing of the Minnesota Wild. While Boston is a good goal-scoring squad, they’re even better at keeping the puck out of the net, stacking up against the league’s best. Boston has won their only two games since play resumed after the All-Star break. They’re led by winger David Pastrnak, who leads the team with 38 goals and 75 points.
While Vancouver is a strong team on a roll, the even-stronger Bruins will ride home ice to a solid victory tonight.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-1.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0 – 0 Sabres
The Colorado Avalanche have taken strides forward this season, rocking a 28-16-6 record, 62 points, and sit in second place in the Central Division. However, their last outing was a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Their team has solid depth scoring, as evidence by a breakout season from Matt Calvert, and does well in terms of keeping the puck out of the net. They’re 0-1 since play resumed. As young centre Nathan MacKinnon enters his prime, he’s guided his team to success by leading the team with 30 goals, 42 assists, and 72 points.
Another frustrating year has manifested itself for the Buffalo Sabres. They now sit in the sixth position in the Atlantic Division with a 23-22-7 record and 53 points. Their last game was a stark success, though, winning out 2-1 over the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sabres are not synonymous with scoring goals, however, they do okay at limiting goals against. They’re one for three since returning from the All-Star break. Jack Eichel continues to be one of the city’s only bright spot, leading the team with 31 goals, 34 assists, 65 points, and 170 shots.
While Buffalo may be feeling confident after a solid win, they’ll be taken down by a dynamic Avs team tonight.
Prediction: Avalanche wins 5-3.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 0 – 0 Lightning
For a team that’s been a safe bet in NHL Predictions in recent years, the Vegas Golden Knights are barely hanging onto a playoff spot with a 27-20-7 record, 61 points, and third-place positioning in the Pacific Division. Their last outing was a solid 3-0 road win against the Nashville Predators. Vegas is rather average so far this year at both ends of the ice. Brighter times may be ahead, however, as they’re two wins richer since the All-Star break ended. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury‘s star power continues to help bolster the third-year team, as, despite an average season, he’s still maintained a 20-12-4 record, .908 save percentage, 2.78 goals-against average, and three shutouts.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have morphed into what we’ve been used to in recent seasons, posting a 32-15-5 record and 69 points, good enough for second place in the Atlantic Division. Similarly to their opponent tonight, they’re coming off a 3-0 win against a Western Conference squad, the San Jose Sharks. While Tampa is a good defensive team, they stack up among the best offences in the entire league. They’re 3-0-1 since returning to game action after their bye week. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has turned his season around after a very poor start, pushing his team to a 26-9-3 record when he’s in net with a .917 save percentage, 2.55 goals-against average, and two shutouts.
Tampa Bay is an extremely hard out right now, making them our pick for tonight’s winner.
Prediction: Lightning wins 4-2.
Montreal Canadiens vs. New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0 – 2 Devils
The Montreal Canadiens have ridden a largely disappointing season to a 24-23-7 record, 55 points, and fifth place in the Atlantic Division. A 4-3 loss to the Blue Jackets on Sunday didn’t help. Since then, Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been demoted to the AHL, and it’s been announced that they’ll be without goalie Carey Price, at least for Tuesday night. While Montreal has done their duty in terms of putting the puck in the net, their defensive struggles have hamstrung them constantly this year. Montreal’s an even 2-2-0 since resuming play. The aforementioned Price has been the only thing keeping this team afloat this season, posting a 22-18-4 record, .911 save percentage, 2.75 goals-against average, and three shutouts despite porous defence in front of him.
The New Jersey Devils haven’t been a popular pick in NHL predictions, dragging themselves along to an 18-24-9 record, 45 points, and last place in the Metropolitan Division. However, two of those 18 wins came in November against Montreal, winning 4-3 and 6-4. The Devils are bad offensively, but pack some truly terrible defensive structure along with them as well. New Jersey is 1-0-2 since the break. Young goalie MacKenzie Blackwood, despite not having a stellar season, has still arguably been the team’s best player, maintaining a 15-12-7 record, .904 save percentage, 3.00 goals-against average, and one shutout.
Despite New Jersey’s dominance over Montreal this season, Montreal’s desperation game will show through tonight and get them a win at The Rock.
Prediction: Canadiens win 3-2.
Dallas Stars vs. New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Stars 1 – 0 Islanders
The Dallas Stars‘ successful season continues, as they sport a 30-18-4 record and 64 points for second place in the Central Division. Their 3-1 win against the New York Islanders occurred back on December 7th, 2019. After missing two games Roope Hintz returned to the lineup helping the offensive side of things. Dallas is a bit of an enigma, having success with a terrible offence and elite defensive ability. Since returning from the break, they’ve won two out of three games. Goalie Ben Bishop has been at his best again this season, boasting an 18-11-3 record, .925 save percentage, 2.31 goals-against average, and two shutouts.
The Islanders have been the Stars of the Eastern Conference this season, holding onto a 29-15-6 record, 64 points, and fourth place in the Metropolitan Division. Their last outing was a 4-3 loss to the Pacific-leading Canucks. Like Dallas, the Islanders struggle to score goals, but among the league’s elite defensively. The Islanders are 0-0-1 since the break. Goalie Semyon Varlamov‘s renaissance season continues to boost the team, posting a 15-8-4 record, .915 save percentage, 2.59 goals-against average, and two shutouts.
Despite Dallas’ track record against the Isles this season, New York should use home ice to eke out a win tonight.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-1.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Kings 0 – 1 Capitals
The Los Angeles Kings‘ season has gone poorly as expected, tallying a 19-29-5 record, 43 points, good enough for the last place in the Pacific Division. They dropped a 3-1 decision to their rival Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. Los Angeles isn’t a skilled team at either end of the ice. The Kings are 1-2-0 since returning from the bye week. Anze Kopitar continues to be one of the team’s better players, leading them with 17 goals, 30 assists, and 47 points.
The Washington Capitals are world-beaters again this year, using their 35-13-5 record and 75 points to place themselves first in the Metropolitan Division. They previously beat the Kings 3-1 back on December 4th, 2019. The Capitals are an elite team offensively but are more league-average defensively. The Capitals are an even 2-2-0 since the bye week. Defenceman John Carlson has still been amazing, leading the squad with 49 assists, and 62 points.
A strong Washington team should take advantage of the lowly Kings in an easy victory.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2.
Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Panthers 1 – 1 Blue Jackets
The Florida Panthers are in a playoff dogfight right now with a 29-17-5 record, 63 points, and sit in third place in the Atlantic Division. Their victory against the Blue Jackets was a 4-1 win back on December 7th, 2019. Florida is an elite offensive squad, truly, but struggles at keeping the puck out of the net. Florida’s dropped their only game since returning to action. Winger Jonathan Huberdeau is having a career season, leading the team with 47 assists, 65 points, and a +11 rating.
The Blue Jackets continue to surprise legions of hockey fans everywhere, pushing their way to a 28-16-9 record, 65 points, and third place in the Metropolitan Division. They also had a 4-1 victory against the Panthers, coming back on New Years’ Eve. However, they’ll be without centre Alexander Wennberg for the near future. Columbus struggles to score but is among the league’s best defensive teams. They’re 1-0-1 since the break. Defenceman Zach Werenski has been one of their best, providing great offensive and defensive play.
Columbus’ motivation should win out over a tired Panthers team tonight.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 3-2.
That does is for the early slate of games of NHL Predictions for February 4th.
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