{"id":59926,"date":"2019-10-27T09:00:57","date_gmt":"2019-10-27T13:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=59926"},"modified":"2019-11-08T11:10:38","modified_gmt":"2019-11-08T16:10:38","slug":"nhl-predictions-october-27th-bruins-vs-rangers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/10\/27\/nhl-predictions-october-27th-bruins-vs-rangers\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: October 27th – Including Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to NHL Predictions, where Last Word on Hockey provides insight into all of the day’s games. In Sunday, October 27th’s edition of NHL Predictions, we’ll take a look at seven games, split into two separate articles. This article features the day’s early games, including the featured game: the Boston Bruins<\/a> vs New York Rangers<\/a>. Be sure to tune in to the late-game<\/a> NHL Predictions as well, which includes the featured Anaheim Ducks<\/a> vs Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> matchup.<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n

Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Panthers 0 – 0 Oilers<\/h4>\n

The Edmonton Oilers<\/a> have been in an emphatic slump over the past few days. They are coming back to Earth after a red-hot start to the year. A 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings <\/a>sparked this downward slide, ending Edmonton’s seven-game win streak that they opened their season with. Following their loss to Detroit, the Oilers just barely topped the Winnipeg Jets<\/a> in their next game, winning 1-0 in a shootout. They then did the impossible: a team featuring superstars Connor McDavid<\/a><\/strong> and Leon Draisaitl<\/a><\/strong> was shutout by the league-worst Minnesota Wild<\/a>. The Wild beat Edmonton 3-0 last week, limiting the Oilers to only 25 shots.<\/p>\n

Edmonton was able to regain some ground when they toppled the strong Washington Capitals<\/a> in overtime, winning 4-3. That game saw both McDavid and Draisaitl score, the latter netting a pair, effectively breathing life back into the team. Now, the Oilers have the perfect opportunity to rekindle their hot-start against a struggling Florida Panthers<\/a> team. The Panthers rank 25th in goals-against and 20th in hits-per-game. Both of these stats should excite the Oilers offence, a bunch that has relied almost solely on their speed and elite goal-scoring thus far. With a fairly lacking, non-intrusive, Florida defence in the way, the Oilers could be in shape for a return to form in Sunday’s bout.<\/p>\n

All-in-all, while the Panthers have been admirable this year, with a 4-2-4 record so far, the offensively-minded Oilers should have no trouble toppling the team. Edmonton’s potential for success is only heightened by their strong defence and goaltending, which ranks in the top-10 in goals-allowed so far.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Oilers win 4-1<\/em><\/p>\n

St. Louis Blues vs Detroit Red Wings<\/h3>\n

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

The St. Louis Blues<\/a> had a dramatic 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday but have still looked much improved from their early-season selves. After a handful of poor performances, the Blues are looking much more like the team that won the Stanley Cup<\/a> less than a year ago. That is, perhaps an improved version. The addition of Marc Savard<\/a><\/strong> as an assistant coach has clearly fueled the Blues. This summer, Savard noted how he was going to focus the bulk of his efforts on revamping the team’s abysmal power-play. So far, he has done just that. The Blues have the tenth-highest power-play percentage this season, with eight goals on 35 chances. While this can be improved on, it is a notable step up from the poor special teams that plagued the team last season.<\/p>\n

The Red Wings have been far less successful in the early-going. They currently boast a bleak 3-8-0 record. While the top line of Tyler Bertuzzi<\/a><\/strong>, Dylan Larkin<\/a><\/strong>, and Anthony Mantha<\/a><\/strong> has clicked very well, the rest of Detroit’s lineup has yet to find their footing. In an effort to address this, the team inexplicably broke up the top-line in their latest matchup against the Buffalo Sabres<\/a>. This ultimately proved to be a poor decision, with the team being shutout by Buffalo.<\/p>\n

Sunday’s matchup seems to be fairly one-sided but could end up being closer than some may hope for. The Blues will likely start the struggling Jake Allen<\/a><\/strong>, who has looked very weak to start the year. They are also without star winger Vladimir Tarasenko<\/a><\/strong>, who aggravated a shoulder injury in a recent game. The team is also coming off of a Saturday game against Boston that was very physical. They are banged up and tired but should still topple a struggling Detroit lineup.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Blues win 3-2.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Bruins 0 – 0 Rangers<\/h4>\n

The Blues aren’t the only 2019 Stanley Cup Finalists who are returning to form. The Bruins have also made it clear that they are still a force to be reckoned with. Their top-line of Brad Marchand<\/a><\/strong>, Patrice Bergeron<\/a><\/strong>, and David Pastrnak<\/a><\/strong> has undeniably been the best in the league to start the season. Through 10 games, both Marchand and Pastrnak have double-digit points. Bergeron is close behind with eight of his own. Tuukka Rask<\/a><\/strong> has also been as dominant as always. He has won five of his six starts so far this year, with the only loss coming in overtime.<\/p>\n

Rask is expected to get a much-needed rest on Sunday. This opens the door to Jaroslav Halak<\/a><\/strong>, who has also been strong so far. Halak has a record of 2-1-1 through four games. This includes one shutout. He has allowed nine goals on 131 shots. So while New York avoids the intimidating Rask, his replacement isn’t a much better site to behold.<\/p>\n

The mix of dominant Boston goaltending and lights-out offence could be enough to stifle a New York team that looks admittedly confused to start the year. Only three days ago, the Rangers dominated the red-hot Sabres, winning 6-2. Prior to that, though, the team hadn’t won a game since their second of the season. They sit on a 3-4-1 record heading into Sunday, with a lot of blown hopes already filling their lineup. Facing off against a daunting Boston team isn’t going to solve their issues. Legendary goaltender Henrik Lundqvist<\/a><\/strong> is expected to be in between the pipes for New York and will certainly be counting his blessings, as the Bruins are likely to defiantly win Sunday’s game.<\/p>\n

Prediciton: Boston wins 5-2.<\/em><\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>