Welcome back to NHL Predictions, where the Last Word on Hockey team provides insight into all of today’s games. On Wednesday, March 11th’s edition of NHL Predictions, we’ll take a look at five games. Today’s featured game is a battle between the New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche.
NHL Predictions
San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Sharks 2-0 Blackhawks
For the third and final time this season, the Chicago Blackhawks face the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks won’t play at home until next week, and it’s probable they won’t get to play in front of their home crowd at all. Nevertheless, no restrictions because of the novel coronavirus in Chicago, as of yet. The Hawks had won four straight games, just to lose their last two contests to halt their playoff momentum.
Now, the Blackhawks are almost 10 points out of the playoff spot in the Western Conference, their playoff hopes are thin as the ice. The Sharks won’t make the playoffs for sure. San Jose has lost its most recent three contests, all at home. However, the Sharks have won both head-to-head meetings versus Chicago this season. Both contests brought a total of 15 goals. We should expect a goal-scoring feast tonight.
Prediction: The Blackhawks win 4-3.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Jets 1-1 Oilers
For the third and final time this season, the Winnipeg Jets will square off against the Edmonton Oilers. Despite losing at home on Monday night, the Oilers still own the second spot in the Pacific Division. For the first time in three years, Edmonton should make the playoffs again. One of the teams desperately trying to snatch a wildcard spot in the Western Conference is Winnipeg.
The Jets recovered from a two-goal deficit on Monday at home versus the Arizona Coyotes to win 4-2. Winnipeg has now won three games in a row and four of its last five contests to enter the playoff picture in the West. On the road, the Jets have lost four in a row and eight of their most recent 10 road contests. This season, both teams prevailed at home in the head-to-head matchups, with Edmonton beating Winnipeg 3-2 at Rogers Place.
Prediction: The Jets win 3-2 in overtime.
St. Louis Blues vs. Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Blues 1-1 Ducks
In the third game of the NHL Predictions, we have a postponed game between the Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues. Exactly a month ago, on February 11, Jay Bouwmeester had collapsed on the Blues’ bench, and the game has been postponed for a later date. Tonight at Honda Center, Bouwmeester won’t take part in the game. However, the veteran defenceman is in good condition, as nothing life-threatening happened to him following a scary cardiac episode suffered a month ago.
The game will resume at the 12:10 of the first period with a score of 1-1. The Ducks opened the score, with the Blues responding to tie it up. The Blues have lost at home on Monday night, still leading the Western Conference with 92 points. The Ducks are well outside of the playoff frame, they will be playing on back-to-back nights after playing at home on Tuesday night.
Prediction: The Blues win 5-3.
New York Rangers vs. Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Rangers 1-0 Avalanche
For the featured game of tonight’s NHL Predictions, the Colorado Avalanche will host the New York Rangers. The Avalanche chase the Blues for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Avalanche are only two points behind the Blues with one game in hand. Even if Colorado fails to land a top-seed spot in the Western Conference, they should finish second at worst in both their conference and the division.
The Avs have lost three of their last four tilts. Prior to this streak, Colorado has won seven games in a row. On the other side, the Rangers have completely different problems. On Tuesday, they visited the struggling Dallas Stars, and tonight, they visit Denver. It’s a key back-to-back set of games for the Blueshirts this season. Before this important stretch, the Rangers had lost four of their prior five games. Without the injured Chris Kreider, New York has hit a slump at the worst time of the season.
Nevertheless, the Rangers are still in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Every point matters now, and a victory on a back-to-back night on the road in Colorado would be golden. This should be an interesting contest, the Rangers won their first head-to-head meeting of the season at the Madison Square Garden with a score of 5-3.
Prediction: The Avalanche win 4-3 in overtime.
Ottawa Senators vs. Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Senators 1-0 Kings
For the final time this season, the Los Angeles Kings meet the Ottawa Senators. It’s the battle of the two hottest teams in the NHL. You read it correctly. Before the game on Tuesday against the aforementioned Anaheim, the Sens have won four out of five games. The Kings have won six games in a row. If only that meant a mighty playoff push of either team.
Instead, it’s the one final attempt to make their fans happy before the regular season ends, and a long offseason awaits. From their six victories in a row, five have come on home ice at Staples Center for the Kings. In their first head-to-head matchup of the season, Tyler Toffoli tied the game late, but the Sens prevailed 3-2 in overtime, where Jean-Gabriel Pageau hit the overtime winner. Both players have already changed their teams before the playoffs. The Senators have won three straight vs. the Kings.
Prediction: The Kings win 4-2.
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