{"id":123946,"date":"2022-01-13T11:40:26","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T16:40:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=123946"},"modified":"2022-01-13T11:40:26","modified_gmt":"2022-01-13T16:40:26","slug":"nhl-predictions-january-13th-with-pittsburgh-penguins-vs-los-angeles-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/01\/13\/nhl-predictions-january-13th-with-pittsburgh-penguins-vs-los-angeles-kings\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: January 13th with Pittsburgh Penguins vs Los Angeles Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today\u2019s featured game is the Pittsburgh Penguins vs Los Angeles Kings. Be sure to check out our other set of predictions, as well.<\/em><\/p>\n

NHL Predictions with Pittsburgh Penguins vs Los Angeles Kings<\/h2>\n

Seattle Kraken vs St. Louis Blues<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-0 Blues<\/h4>\n

It’s the inaugural meeting between the two clubs in the Arch City. Seattle is coming off a 5-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. Chris Driedger<\/a> likely draws the start with it being back-to-back games. The Kraken are last in the league in goals allowed with 130 and 23rd in goal for with 97.<\/p>\n

St. Louis has wins in four of its last five, but has been off since Jan. 9. Jordan Binnington<\/a> likely gets the start with all that time off. The Blues leading goalscorer is Jordan Kyrou<\/a> with 14 goals in his breakout campaign.<\/a> Seattle should be worried if they go shorthanded because the St. Louis power play is second in the league.<\/p>\n

The Blues are rested and in the hunt in the Central. A main concern could be rust, but they should overcome it.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Blues win 5-1.<\/p>\n

Buffalo Sabres vs Nashville Predators<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-0 Predators<\/h3>\n

Another year and another bad season for the Sabres. Buffalo likely starts Aaron Dell<\/a> in net after the constant struggles with injuries in net. The Sabres are in the bottom-half of the league in goals allowed (28th) and goals for (25th).<\/p>\n

Nashville continues to play well despite injuries and constant lineup shuffles. Juuse Saros<\/a> may start, but it could be a chance to give backup David Rittich<\/a> a game in net. The Predators are 3-1 in the last four against the Sabres.<\/p>\n

The struggles in goal for Buffalo are too large to ignore as the main concern should be if Nashville covers the over\/under or spread.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Predators win 4-2.<\/p>\n

Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago Blackhawks<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 1-0 Canadiens<\/h3>\n

The Habs will be face with plenty of back-to-back games after having so many moved so far in the 2021-22 campaign Samuel Montembeault likely draws the starting assignment with the 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night. Montreal is last in power play and second-last in goals for and goals against.<\/p>\n

Chicago has won two straight after a three-game losing skid. The Blackhawks are just looking for some sort of consistency this season. Marc-Andre Fleury<\/a> probably gets the start for Chicago, which is also in the lower part of the league in most categories.<\/p>\n

Montreal is hoping all of this leads to getting a high draft pick. Chicago is still trying to figure out if they’re in or out of the post-season race.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Blackhawks win 3-2.<\/p>\n

Ottawa Senators vs. Calgary Flames<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Senators 0-1 Flames<\/h3>\n

It’s the first game for Ottawa since New Year’s Day when it got blown out by Toronto, 6-0. Keep an eye on how the Senators look early to get a read on the betting line. Will Ottawa be rusty or will it have extra jump in its step?<\/p>\n

Calgary has lost three straight and also hasn’t played since Jan. 7. This is a team in need of a win and might be going all in at the deadline to ensure a long Stanley Cup Playoff run.<\/p>\n

It’s going to be interesting to see which team gets out to an early lead. Don’t be surprised with extremes of zero offence or a wild shootout.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Flames win 2-1.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Los Angeles Kings<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-0 Kings<\/h3>\n

Our feature game has two teams that have won four of their last five. Pittsburgh welcomed Evgeni Malkin<\/a> back to the lineup with a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The Pens get a lot of headlines for their offence with Jake Guentzel<\/a>, Sidney Crosby<\/a> and Malkin. However, their penalty kill is at the top of the league with 90.7 kill rate.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles is third in the wild and weird Pacific Division and got a key 3-1 win over the New York Rangers in its last game. Jonathan Quick<\/a> has returned to form that made him a dangerous goalie last decade with a .921 save percentage.<\/p>\n

This will be a tight one and the under may be the play at 5.5. Pittsburgh gets just enough to win this one.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Penguins win 3-2.<\/p>\n

New York Rangers vs San Jose Sharks<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Rangers 1-0 Sharks<\/h3>\n

New York is continuing its West Coast road trip with a game they need to get points for. The Rangers got 1-0 win in the other meeting thanks a Ryan Strome<\/a> power play goal. Alexandar Georgiev<\/a> could get a start to give Igor Shesterkin<\/a> a break. New York does have Ryan Reaves<\/a>, Barclay Goodrow<\/a> and Dryden Hunt<\/a> in COVID protocol at this time.<\/p>\n

San Jose earned an overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings last time out. They’ve won three of the last five like the Rangers have. Adin Hill<\/a> could get the call in net as the Sharks look to make it four in a row.<\/p>\n

New York did get Artemi Panarin<\/a> back last game and that should help them get the road wim.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Rangers win 4-2.<\/p>\n

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