{"id":125664,"date":"2022-02-20T09:20:36","date_gmt":"2022-02-20T14:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=125664"},"modified":"2022-02-20T08:48:38","modified_gmt":"2022-02-20T13:48:38","slug":"nhl-predictions-minnesota-wild-vs-edmonton-oilers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/02\/20\/nhl-predictions-minnesota-wild-vs-edmonton-oilers\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: February 20th, Including Minnesota Wild vs Edmonton Oilers"},"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 Minnesota Wild vs Edmonton Oilers.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

NHL Predictions With Minnesota Wild vs Edmonton Oilers<\/b><\/h2>\n

Buffalo Sabres vs Columbus Blue Jackets<\/b><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Sabres 0 – 2 Blue Jackets<\/b><\/h4>\n

While the Buffalo Sabres are struggling to stay afloat in the Atlantic Division, the Columbus Blue Jackets are stuck in limbo in the Metropolitan Division. There’s a healthy gap between them and the trailing New York Islanders<\/a> – but also a large space between them and the fourth-place Capitals. In the Blue Jackets’ latest victory, Patrik Laine<\/a> logged a hat trick to extend his point streak to eight games. For the Sabres, keep an eye on Tage Thompson<\/a>, who leads the team in points with 37 after scoring a hat trick against the Colorado Avalanche<\/a>. Buffalo has kept up with better teams than Columbus, so an upset might be in the cards for them tonight.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Sabres win, 4-3<\/em><\/p>\n

Dallas Stars vs Arizona Coyotes<\/b><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Stars 2 – 0 Coyotes<\/b><\/h4>\n

With a narrow victory over the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>, the Dallas Stars extended their current winning streak to two. In that game, Jason Robertson<\/a> and Jacob Peterson<\/a> scored shootout goals. For his part, Jake Oettinger<\/a> shut out the Blackhawks and stopped five of six of Chicago’s shootout attempts. Conversely, the Arizona Coyotes remain chaotic as usual. Sometimes, they look surprisingly good – a one-goal loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> and a shootout win over the Avalanche, for example. But more often than not, it makes sense that they’re at the bottom of the Central Division. Coming off the first game of a back-to-back won’t help their case against the Stars.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Stars win, 3-1<\/em><\/p>\n

Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks<\/b><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 0 – 0 Sharks<\/b><\/h4>\n

The Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks – Pacific Division rivals – will kick off their season series tonight. The Golden Knights sit near the top of the division with a three-game losing streak, and the Sharks have fallen to seventh with a five-game losing streak of their own. On Vegas’ end, Jack Eichel<\/a> will be the player to watch for the Golden Knights. In his first two games this season, he recorded an assist. For San Jose, Timo Meier<\/a> will look to reestablish his scoring touch. Prior to the Sharks’ last game, he had not recorded a point since late January. With Golden Knights reeling, the Sharks will have a good opportunity to get back on their feet.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Sharks win, 3-2<\/em><\/p>\n

Minnesota Wild vs Edmonton Oilers<\/b><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Wild 1 – 0 Oilers<\/b><\/h4>\n

Both the Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers are in the top halves of their respective divisions. But while the Oilers have put together a winning record under new head coach Jay Woodcroft, the Wild are on a two-game losing streak. The teams’ last meeting fell in early December, with Minnesota putting together a convincing 4-1 victory. However, that game was amidst the first of Edmonton’s two extended losing streaks – and the Oilers have rebounded nicely since then.<\/p>\n

Edmonton’s high-powered offence has been firing on all cylinders in recent wins. As usual, Connor McDavid<\/a> and Leon Draisaitl<\/a> are racking up points at a scary pace – they combined for two goals and two assists in the Oilers’ 7-3 demolition of the Anaheim Ducks<\/a>. More surprising, though, is the resurgence of Evander Kane<\/a>, who has proved to be a productive scorer after being signed by Edmonton less than a month ago.<\/p>\n

Minnesota’s own star, Kirill Kaprizov<\/a>, has also been living up to his reputation. He has eight points – four goals and four assists – through his last five games, and leads the Wild in every scoring category. Also not to be overlooked is Matt Boldy<\/a>, who with 15 NHL games under his belt is nearly at a point-per-game pace.<\/p>\n

With these teams both being very good, tonight’s contest could really go either way. But after suffering two out-of-character losses, it should be about time for the Wild to bounce back.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Wild win, 6-5<\/em><\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>