{"id":134558,"date":"2023-01-07T11:36:40","date_gmt":"2023-01-07T16:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=134558"},"modified":"2023-01-07T11:36:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-07T16:36:40","slug":"nhl-predictions-january-7-including-the-colorado-avalanche-vs-edmonton-oilers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/01\/07\/nhl-predictions-january-7-including-the-colorado-avalanche-vs-edmonton-oilers\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: January 7 Including The Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span class=\"s1\">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 between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/avalanche\/\" target=\"_self\">Colorado Avalanche<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/oilers\/\" target=\"_self\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a>. Be sure to check out our other<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/01\/07\/nhl-predictions-january-7-including-detroit-red-wings-vs-toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_self\"> NHL Predictions<\/a> for Saturday.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">NHL Predictions: Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Los Angeles Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Kings 1-1 Golden Knights<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tonights first game of our NHL Predictions is a Pacific Division showdown. The Los Angeles Kings take on the Vegas Golden Knights. These are the top two teams so this should be a great matchup.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"dhK1Qbv9TcBNIOn1AN7dYg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1452962783\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'dhK1Qbv9TcBNIOn1AN7dYg',sig:'J-ffbuPh64uhhaQIWKmyHkSbe7liWVg-ciqKCv7i44I=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1452962783',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Both teams have great forward groups capable of scoring. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/eicheja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Eichel<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/smithre01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Reilly Smith<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stonema01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Stone<\/a> lead the way for Vegas, whereas <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/fialake01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Fiala<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kopitan01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anze Kopitar<\/a>, and Gabriel Villardi get it done for Los Angeles. One player to really watch for is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stephch02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chandler Stephenson<\/a> who leads the team in points, and has four in his last five games. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The major key in this one could come down to the goaltending. Vegas has the better tandem in the league as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nhl\/team\/2022-23-vegas-golden-knights-38\/stats\/2023\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">they rank 9th<\/a> overall in team save percentage. All-star nominee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/thomplo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Logan Thompson<\/a> is a large part of that. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Golden Knights defeat Kings 4-3<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Boston Bruins vs San Jose Sharks <\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Bruins 0-0 Sharks<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tonight\u2019s second game on the NHL Predictions is a interconference matchup. The Boston Bruins continue their California road trip as they take on the San Jose Sharks. Boston is coming off an impressive 5-2 victory thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/fredetr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Frederic<\/a>. San Jose has gone 1-3 in their last four games. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Bruins are the much more superior team, however there is one aspect of this game thagnis closer than most think. Special team&#8217;s play is something to watch for. San Jose owns the second-best penalty kill, whereas Boston has the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nhl\/team\/2022-23-boston-bruins-6\/2023\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">fourth-best power play unit<\/a>. Boston also has the best penalty kill in the league. In the end, the superior team will reign Supreme. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Bruins defeat Sharks 4-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Avalanche 0-0 Oilers<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tonights featured matchup on the NHL Predictions is a juicy one. The Colorado Avalanche take on the Edmonton Oilers. Star power and big names is exactly what this game is all about. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The star power up front alone is enticing. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdavco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor McDavid<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/draisle01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leon Draisaitl<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mackina01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nathan MacKinnon<\/a>, and Miko Rantanen are the elite. You also cant forget about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/makarca01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-01-07_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cale Makar<\/a> on the back end. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This game is important as both teams are clinging on to playoff spots. Colorado is finally getting healthy again and Edmonton is largely being carried by their entire top six unit. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Avalanche defeat Oilers 4-3.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"ibRCtisgSPV4SERzjpYRKg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1241150487\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ibRCtisgSPV4SERzjpYRKg',sig:'hlSO-2U7N4HPCXkgUpshrMm3Yci7cuUREmHCQlsYTXQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1241150487',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4194,"featured_media":134565,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4524,28,23,4547,4548],"tags":[6085,138,6017],"class_list":["post-134558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-avalanche","category-oilers","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-colorado-avalanche-predictions","tag-edmonton-oilers","tag-edmonton-oilers-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134558"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134558\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}