{"id":136458,"date":"2023-03-23T11:55:06","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T15:55:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=136458"},"modified":"2023-03-23T11:55:06","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T15:55:06","slug":"nhl-predictions-march-23-with-penguins-vs-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/03\/23\/nhl-predictions-march-23-with-penguins-vs-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: March 23rd with Pittsburgh Penguins vs Dallas Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>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\/2023\/03\/22\/nhl-predictions-penguins-avalanche\/\" target=\"_self\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/03\/16\/dallas-stars-winger-set-to-miss-significant-time\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars<\/a><\/em>.<em>\u00a0Be sure to check out our NHL predictions for the coming days.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">NHL Predictions<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3>Seattle Kraken vs Nashville Predators<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Kraken 1-0 Predators<\/h4>\n<p>Our opening game of NHL predictions features the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/seattle-kraken\/\" target=\"_self\">Seattle Kraken<\/a> trying to solidify playoff positioning against the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/predators\/\" target=\"_self\"> Nashville Predators.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesma02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Jones<\/a> is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyfaceoff.com\/starting-goalies\/2023-03-23\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the projected starter<\/a>, but always check social media before setting your fantasy lineup. Seattle got a big 5-4 win over Dallas to give itself a boost going into the stretch drive. The Kraken looked to be locked into the first wild card spot as of press time.<\/p>\n<p>Nashville will likely go with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sarosju01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Juuse Saros<\/a> in net for a team coming off a 7-3 victory against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/sabres\/\" target=\"_self\">Buffalo Sabres<\/a>. The Predators have still lost three of its last five, but are still only five points off the final wild card spot in the West. There are a lot of younger players on this Nashville team, but they&#8217;re showing a lot of guts late in the season.<\/p>\n<p>Picking games against teams with nothing left to lose is hard, but Seattle should pick up the victory.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Kraken win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Vegas Golden Knights vs Calgary Flames<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 1-2 Flames<\/h4>\n<p>It&#8217;s a Pacific Division matchup as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/vegas-golden-knights\/\" target=\"_self\">Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> battle the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/flames\/\" target=\"_self\">Calgary Flames<\/a>. Vegas will likely once again go with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/q\/quickjo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Quick<\/a> in net, who has been strong since <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/03\/03\/jonathan-quick-traded-again\/\" target=\"_self\">coming over at the deadline<\/a>. The Knights have won four of their last five games and are tops in the Western Conference. However, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/kings\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a> are only two points behind for the division and conference lead.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vladada01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daniel Vladar<\/a> is the projected starter in between for the pipes for the Flames. Calgary has lost three of its last five games, but got a huge 5-1 victory over the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/ducks\/\" target=\"_self\"> Anaheim Ducks<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/03\/22\/analyzing-jonathan-huberdeaus-abysmal-2022-23-season\/\" target=\"_self\">Flames need players<\/a> like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/huberjo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Huberdeau<\/a> to step up as they are four points out with 10 games left.<\/p>\n<p>Vegas has been solid as of late and should withstand a hungry Calgary squad.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Golden Knights win 5-3.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Pittsburgh Penguins vs Dallas Stars<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Penguins 1-0 Stars<\/h4>\n<p>Our featured game has the Penguins coming off a win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/avalanche\/\" target=\"_self\">Colorado Avalanche<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/desmica01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Casey DeSmith<\/a> will probably get the start with Pittsburgh coming off a game the night before. The Pens stopped their losing streak with that massive win over the Avalanche. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/crosbsi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sidney Crosby<\/a> turned back the clock with a fantastic goal. Pittsburgh did leapfrog over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Florida Panthers<\/a> for the second wild card spot, but only lead by a point. The Pens have 11 games left to solidify their Stanley Cup Playoff place.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/oettija01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Oettinger<\/a> will once again likely start for the Stars, who have lost three of their last five games. Dallas is eighth in goals for and in converting power play chances. The Stars are fourth on the penalty kill and ninth in goals against. Dallas and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/wild\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Wild<\/a> are tied for first in the Central Division while Colorado is only two points behind. The field is catching up to a Stars team that got off to a great start.<\/p>\n<p>Pittsburgh got a big emotional win, but Dallas is solid at home. The Stars get the win, but the Penguins get a point.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Stars win 3-2 in overtime.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-3 Canucks<\/h4>\n<p>It&#8217;s another Pacific Division matchup as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/sharks\/\" target=\"_self\">San Jose Sharks<\/a> try to avoid the season-sweep against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/canucks\/\" target=\"_self\">Vancouver Canucks<\/a>. San Jose has lost seven straight games and will likely go with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/reimeja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Reimer<\/a> in goal. The Sharks have sank to the worst team in the west and the second-worst team in the league.<\/p>\n<p>Vancouver is projected to go with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/demkoth01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thatcher Demko<\/a> in goal. The Canucks have won three of their last five, but lost to the Golden Knights in the last outing. Vancouver has played better on defence, but is still 27th in goals allowed.<\/p>\n<p>The Canucks should wrap up the season sweep in the game.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Canucks win 5-1.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Winnipeg Jets vs Anaheim Ducks<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Jets 2-0 Ducks<\/h4>\n<p>Our final game of NHL predictions has the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/jets\/\" target=\"_self\">Winnipeg Jets<\/a> taking on the host Ducks. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/helleco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Hellebuyck<\/a> is likely to draw the start for the Jets, who got a vital win over the Arizona Coyotes last time out. The offence hasn&#8217;t gotten the goals, as its only scored three goals or more twice in the last five games.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=gibsojo02,gibsojo01&amp;search=John+Gibson&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-22_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Gibson<\/a> is the probable starter for the Ducks, who have lost four of the last five. Anaheim is -104 in goal differential this season, but have played with some fire in the second half.<\/p>\n<p>The Jets defence will scratch out the victory in this last game of NHL predictions.<\/p>\n<p><em>Predictions: Jets win 3-1.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/em><\/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":2352,"featured_media":136459,"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":[4524,29,4547,4548,12],"tags":[6124,6123,140],"class_list":["post-136458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-stars","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-penguins","tag-dallas-stars-predictions","tag-pittsburgh-penguins-predictions","tag-sidney-crosby"],"modified_by":"Tommy Bennett","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136458","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\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=136458"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136458\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/136459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=136458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=136458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}