{"id":102164,"date":"2021-02-28T09:59:31","date_gmt":"2021-02-28T14:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=102164"},"modified":"2021-02-28T09:59:31","modified_gmt":"2021-02-28T14:59:31","slug":"nhl-predictions-february-28th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/02\/28\/nhl-predictions-february-28th\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions; February 28th Feat: Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to\u00a0NHL Predictions<\/a>, February 28th edition! Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. There are six games on the NHL schedule for Sunday and today’s edition of NHL Predictions will feature the Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers.<\/p>\n

Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Bruins 2 – 1 Rangers<\/h4>\n

The Bruins will look to bounce back and wrap up their 3 game road trip in New York with a second matchup vs the Rangers.\u00a0 Boston, coming off a 7-3 loss to the Islanders on Thursday took another thrashing at the hands of these Rangers, Friday, losing 6-2.\u00a0 Boston had won the previous two matchups this season 3-2 (OTW) and 1-0.\u00a0 Matt Grzelyck will make his return to the lineup for the Bruins, but David Krejci<\/a>, Jeremy Lauzon<\/a>\u00a0and Kevan Miller<\/a> are back in Boston. Artemi Panarin<\/a> (personal) and Jacob Trouba<\/a> will be out for New York.<\/p>\n

Look for Boston to put in an extraordinary effort in this matchup.\u00a0 Coach Bruce Cassidy<\/a> has called out the defence and middle group of forwards to step up their game.\u00a0 A tight, defensive game should be in the works.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Bruins win 2-1\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Philadelphia Flyers vs Buffalo Sabres<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Flyers 2 – 1 Sabres<\/h4>\n

The Flyers and Sabres will go at it for the 2nd afternoon in a row, Sunday.\u00a0 Philly took the opener convincingly 3-0, outshooting the Sabres 39-23 in the process.\u00a0 Buffalo is 2-6-1 in their last 9 and nothing seems to be going right.\u00a0 Forward Jack Eichel<\/a> is expected to miss this game again with a lower-body injury, while $9 million for Jeff Skinner<\/a> continues to be a healthy scratch.\u00a0 The Flyers are starting to get healthy and have looked better after their 7-3 loss in Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 It is looking like a tight 5 horse race for 4 spots in the Eastern Division, where every point counts.\u00a0 Look for the Flyers to feast on the Sabres for points.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Flyers win 4-2\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Nashville Predators<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Predators 4 – 1 Blue Jackets<\/h4>\n

A battle between two teams on the outside looking in on the Central Division playoff race.\u00a0 Columbus, who has lost 4 in a row, are now 5 points back of the 4th place Blackhawks.\u00a0 Things cannot be pleasant at practice and in the dressing room with Coach John Tortorella.\u00a0 Nashville is 8 points out, albeit with 2 games in hand.\u00a0 The great news for the Preds is they have owned the Jackets this season going 4-1 including a 2-1 victory last night.\u00a0 Defenceman Mattias Ekholm<\/a> returned from injury to score both goals in the contest.\u00a0 This should be another tight one, as these are huge points for both teams.\u00a0 Keep an eye on the starting goalies.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Blue Jackets win 3-2\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Washington Capitals vs New Jersey Devils<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Capitals 2 – 0 Devils<\/h4>\n

Two teams on the opposite side of the Eastern Division standings.\u00a0 The 1st place Washington Capitals have been finding ways to win, despite numerous losses to key players throughout the year. Evgeny Kuznetsov<\/a> is the latest Capital on the shelf, missing yesterday with a lower-body injury. The big bruising style of hockey has served them well going 11-5-4, despite having only a +3 in goal differential. The 7th place Devils are a young, fast team that may be on the climb in the future.\u00a0 Mackenzie Blackwood<\/a> has been outstanding for New Jersey with a 5-3-1 record, 2.52 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.\u00a0 He faltered last night against these Caps, as the Devils lost 5-2.\u00a0 Washington is 2-0 vs New Jersey this year. And dating back to the 2014-15 season the Capitals have won 21 of the 27 games played against the two teams. Craig Anderson<\/a> and Aaron Dell<\/a> are expected to get the starts in goal.\u00a0 Take the over.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Capitals win 5-3<\/em><\/p>\n

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Penguins 4 – 1 Islanders<\/h4>\n

The marquee matchup of the day, at least as far as playoff implications go. The Islanders sit in 3rd place in the East, just a single point ahead of the Penguins who sit in 5th. This is the 6th time these two teams will meet…this month! Pittsburgh is 4-1 in those meetings including 4 in a row. They won yesterday’s matchup when\u00a0 Kris Letang<\/a> scored with 26 seconds left in the 3 on 3 OT to give the Pens the 4-3 win.\u00a0 Look for New York to try and stifle Sidney Crosby<\/a> and Evgeni Malkin<\/a> with a trapping defence in this back-to-back showdown.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Penguins win 2-1\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 4- 1 Red Wings<\/h4>\n

Sunday wraps up with an original six matchup and the 6th matchup between these old rivals this year.\u00a0 Chicago was 4-0 against Detroit until yesterday’s 5-3 loss.\u00a0 Malcolm Subban<\/a> was not sharp for the Hawks in the net in this one and the last place Wings took full advantage.\u00a0 Unfortunately for the Detroit, rookie of the year candidate Kevin Lankinen<\/a> should be back in goal tonight.\u00a0 He is 8-3-3 on the year with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.\u00a0 Even worse news, he is 3-0 against Detroit this season allowing only 3 goals in the 3 games.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Blackhawks win 3-1\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

That does for this edition of NHL Predictions. Stay tuned for a new edition when the calendar flips to March.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>