{"id":102274,"date":"2021-03-02T09:15:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-02T14:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=102274"},"modified":"2021-03-02T00:02:17","modified_gmt":"2021-03-02T05:02:17","slug":"nhl-predictions-early-games-for-march-2nd-including-philadelphia-flyers-vs-pittsburgh-penguins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/03\/02\/nhl-predictions-early-games-for-march-2nd-including-philadelphia-flyers-vs-pittsburgh-penguins\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Early Games for March 2nd Including Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, we will take a look at the games that are happening and give our predictions for each one. This is the early edition of predictions, be sure to check out the late games on the site too. As well, we also offer a featured game of the day, which is a game that we think is must-watch TV. Today\u2019s featured game is the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> vs Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

NHL Predictions Including Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

New York Islanders vs New Jersey Devils<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Islanders 1 \u2013 1 Devils<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>New York Islanders<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are coming off a 2-0 victory in their last outing. Goaltender\u00a0<\/span>Ilya Sorokin<\/span><\/a> recorded the second shutout of his career, both coming from his previous two starts. The Islanders are creeping up on a top spot in the East, trailing the first spot by two points. <\/span>Nick Leddy<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Oliver Wahlstrom<\/span><\/a>\u00a0have the hot hand for the Islanders as they each possess five points in their last five games. While the\u00a0<\/span>New Jersey Devils<\/span><\/a>\u00a0find themselves on the side of a two-game losing streak, youngster\u00a0<\/span>Pavel Zacha<\/span><\/a> has been on a mission, putting up seven points in his last five games. The New Jersey Devils shut out the Islanders in their last meeting back in January, and as much as they would like to narrate, they will face challenges tonight against a much better Islanders’ team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Islanders win 3-1<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Buffalo Sabres vs New York Rangers<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Sabres 1 \u2013 1 Rangers<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

In the second of three East divisional matchups for the night, the\u00a0<\/span>Buffalo Sabres<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>New York Rangers<\/span><\/a> collide together for the third time this season. Each team clinches a win versus the other, and their previous games saw a score of 3-2. Just one point divides these two teams and, both hold an identical record in their last 10 games played with a 4-5-1 record. The Buffalo Sabres will begin a five-game road trip tonight, and honestly, with a better road record than at home, this could be good. Buffalo continues to be a bottom team that struggles each year with no answer and, their competitiveness level seems almost non-existent. When will the pain and suffering end?<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Rangers win 4-0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Flyers 2 \u2013 0 Penguins<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

In a battle of Pennsylvania, only two points separate the\u00a0<\/span>Philadelphia Flyers<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Pittsburgh Penguins<\/span>. The rivals will see each other for three straight games with six points up for grabs, which will be crucial in terms of making the post-season. Philadelphia has built up a three-game winning streak and come within striking distance of first in the MassMutual East division. However, to get there, they will have to face the challenge of fighting off their rival and a division that results in the first place to fifth being tightly crammed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The player to watch in this game is\u00a0<\/span>Sean Couturier<\/span><\/a>. The centre has played eight games and recorded points in all but one. Couturier has a six-game point streak riding while collecting 10 points in the span. For the Penguins, the player to watch is <\/span>Bryan Rust.\u00a0<\/span><\/a>The winger is third on the team in points and had a great start to the season, only to be on a five-game scoring drought. Pittsburgh was held off the score sheet in their last game and could use offence from a player like Rust.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Flyers win 5-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Red Wings 1 \u2013 1 Blue Jackets<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Both the\u00a0<\/span>Detroit Red Wings<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Columbus Blue Jackets<\/span><\/a>\u00a0have struggled to keep the puck from hitting the back of their net, costing them. Unfortunately, the Blue Jackets look to be stuck on a rough path and hitting every bump along the way. Could the franchise make another shake-up? The Blue Jackets sit six points out of a playoff spot and, their desire to get there is lacking. The four teams ahead do not seem to be letting up any hopes either. On the brighter side of things,\u00a0<\/span>Bobby Ryan<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Jack Roslovic<\/span><\/a>\u00a0have been great stories for their teams this season. Ryan leads the Red Wings in points with 12.\u00a0<\/span>Elvis Merzlikins<\/span><\/a>\u00a0remains out for Columbus with an\u00a0<\/span>upper-body injury<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and,\u00a0<\/span>Joonas Korpisalo<\/span><\/a>\u00a0will continue to get the nod in goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Red Wings win 3-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>