Saturday, February 13 NHL Predictions
Ottawa v Winnipeg
The Ottawa Senators will once again look to find some hope for their season today. It is Hockey Day in Canada, so this leads things off as the afternoon game! The Sens have had a miserable season, especially against Western teams. Today, they look to steal two points from a Winnipeg Jets team that has won each matchup so far this season. Overall, the Sens haven’t played too poorly against the Jets. However, like most of their season, it’s been some huge mistakes that cost them the game. Whether it be a poor goal let in or a defensive collapse, they need to play their best today. Matt Murray is out with an injury, so that leaves the net to Marcus Hogberg.
The Jets are forming into a pretty solid team that should make a good run for a playoff spot. They have been in the spotlight quite a bit because of the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade, which they will hope helps them win the game today. The Jets are a balanced team that is going older on the blueline now too, sending some of their younger players to the AHL. Today, Winnipeg just needs to play their game and control the high danger opportunities against Ottawa. If they do that, they should win.
Boston v N.Y. Islanders
The Boston Bruins have been one of the league’s hottest teams to start this season. However, one of their losses did come to the New York Islanders in their only meeting of the season so far. For Boston, this game will be about keeping their hot streak alive. They have won five in a row and are 9-0-1 in their last 10. Rolling on all wheels right now, this is a Boston team to be feared.
Prediction: Bruins win 2-1 in Overtime
St. Louis v Arizona
Head-to-Head: Blues 2 – 3 Coyotes
It is fair to say the St. Louis Blues are likely sick of seeing the Arizona Coyotes, who have now won three of the five matchups. St. Louis got the win Thursday 4-1 so they may hold some of the momentum. However, it will be interesting to see how these teams continue to adjust to one another while playing each other so often. It is literally like a playoff series in a normal season. St. Louis has been average in both CF% and xGF% this season, hovering just below or above in both. Getting back to the point where they are controlling possession and keeping teams playing their style will be the key to success.
For the Coyotes, taking three out of five has been huge already, and now they have a great opportunity to take more. That fourth playoff spot in the division looks wide open for the taking, why not Arizona? It isn’t confirmed, but it might be a battle of the backups tonight. Antti Raanta vs Ville Husso, and if that is true, the edge may go to Arizona as Raanta is one of the strongest backups in the league. The Coyotes will need to come ready to play if they want to win this one.
Prediction: Blues win 3-2.