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 New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers. That does is for NHL Predictions for February 28th
NHL Predictions
New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Flyers 1 – 0 Rangers
This is the NHL Predictions featured early game of the night.
The game of the night features two teams from the Metro Division battling for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. The New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers are only separated by a handful of points and the next two games will determine a lot for either team. The Flyers currently occupy the third spot in the division, while the Rangers are two points out of the final wild-card spot. The two teams play a home-and-home series this weekend. That is an eight-point swing either way. The Flyers already took the first matchup, but the Rangers are coming in red-hot. While they will be on the backend of back-to-back games, the Rangers have the talent to keep up with the Flyers. With players like Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and others the Rangers will keep this game close. Keep an eye out on who starts for the Rangers.
For the Flyers, it would be ideal to knock out one of the rivals before the playoffs begin. But that means they will need to play at their best. The Metro Division is stacked and the Flyers are playing well as of late. Claude Giroux is heating up and that is a bad thing for the Rangers. Giroux alongside Travis Konecny, Jakub Voracek, and Sean Couturier make the Flyers tough to play against. Not to mention former Ranger Kevin Hayes is living up to his contract and will want revenge on his former club. This has the makings of a classic bout between two teams that do not like each other. All eyes will be on this one.
Prediction: Philadelphia Wins 4-3.
Minnesota Wild vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Wild 1 – 0 Blue Jackets
This is the backend of a home-and-home series between the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets. Both teams are in must-win situations as they are battling for playoff spots in their respective conferences. The Wild took the first game of the series in a close battle by a final score of 5-4. The Wild are within three points of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota will be playing two games in two nights. After coming off a win against the Detroit Red Wings, the Wild are looking for wins in five of their last six contests. Even with the trade that didn’t happen, the Wild are sticking around, they are a tough team to eliminate.
Just like their counterpart in the Blue Jackets. The injury bug continues to hit the Blue Jackets and you have to wonder how much longer they can hold on. Head coach John Tortorella has really gotten the most out of the team even with top players missing. Now Josh Anderson could be lost for the season. He joins a list that includes Seth Jones, Elvis Merzlikins, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Cam Atkinson, and Riley Nash. Columbus is holding on by a thread to the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They just need to win and collect points until those players come back.
Prediction: Columbus Wins 4-3.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 1 – 0 Avalanche
As the schedule winds down, each game means more to those competing for playoff spots. This is the case for the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes. The Avalanche are battling for the top spot in the Central Division. Colorado is dealing with injuries to some of their top players. However, that has not slowed them down. They are within five points of the St. Louis Blues for the top spot and within one point of second place in the division. The Avalanche have won four games in a row as they embark on a three-game road trip. Even without Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon is stepping up and showing why he is one of the best players in the league.
Just like with the Blue Jackets, the Hurricanes are dealing with some injuries, specifically to their defence and goaltending. Carolina addressed the defensive needs with acquiring Sami Vatanen and Brady Skjei at the deadline. Not having Petr Mrazek or James Reimer definitely hurts the Hurricanes who are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs. The addition of Vincent Trocheck was really good to bolster an offence that has Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. The Hurricanes know what they need to do to make the playoffs and that is to play solid defence against an Avalanche team that has firepower on offence.
Prediction: Colorado Wins 5-3.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Sabres 1 – 0 Golden Knights
This is the second and final meeting between the Buffalo Sabres and Vegas Golden Knights. While the Sabres are going to have a tough time climbing back into the playoffs, they did beat Vegas in their first meeting of the season. Buffalo has the talent to make life miserable for the Golden Knights. The Sabres are in the midst of a four-game road trip that started off with a loss. Buffalo is going to try to rechannel the same game plan that beat the Golden Knights in the first meeting. But that will be tough.
With Vegas rolling coming into this matchup, they are looking to extend their winning streak to eight games. However, they cannot think this will be an easy game. This has the potential to be a trap game. New head coach Peter DeBoer has the Golden Knights playing like everyone expected them to play at the beginning of the season. The addition of Alec Martinez has solidified the defence; while Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone are piling up the goals on offence. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury could see more rest down the stretch with the addition of Robin Lehner.
Prediction: Vegas Wins 4-1.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Penguins 1 – 0 Ducks
This is the second and final meeting between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks. The Penguins took the first meeting of the year way back in October by a score of 2-1. Both teams are heading in different directions at this point in the season. Pittsburgh is in the midst of a four-game road trip. They have lost the first two games and are in a need of a win with teams below them right behind them in points. The Penguins will want a better start to this one against a weaker team. Getting Conor Sheary, Patrick Marleau, and Evan Rodrigues used to the system may take a game or two, but the Penguins are in it for the long haul.
The Ducks are just waiting for this season to be over. Even though the Ducks are coming off a win against the Edmonton Oilers, they will be in tough against a Penguins team that is loaded on offence. With no Ondrej Kase on the team anymore, the Ducks are clearly looking towards the future. This lineup should not scare the Penguins, but if the Penguins do not play their best against the Ducks, they could wind up on the wrong side of the ledger.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Wins 5-3.
That does it for NHL Predictions for Friday, February 28th.
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