{"id":65174,"date":"2020-01-03T09:00:27","date_gmt":"2020-01-03T14:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=65174"},"modified":"2020-01-02T22:49:13","modified_gmt":"2020-01-03T03:49:13","slug":"nhl-predictions-jan-3rd-including-washington-capitals-vs-carolina-hurricanes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/01\/03\/nhl-predictions-jan-3rd-including-washington-capitals-vs-carolina-hurricanes\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Jan. 3rd – Including Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here are today\u2019s NHL Game Day Predictions. Daily, Last Word on Hockey brings you a prediction and analysis of every game on the schedule. This will also feature a significant game on the schedule that is must-watch hockey. Today\u2019s featured game is the Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes in an abbreviated schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n

NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n

Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Head to Head: Capitals 0 – 2 Hurricanes<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Washington Capitals<\/a> have had a tough season in terms of penalties. The physical edge they bring on a nightly basis comes at a cost. There have been 146 penalties against them, 21 more than the league average of 125. That\u2019s why it comes in handy to have a penalty kill as good as they do. The Caps kill off 84.9% of all penalties against them. But while they do a great job at killing off penalties, that turns into time wasted as they are not generating offensive opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

A surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season has proved to not be a fluke so far this season. The Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> currently sit in the top wild-card spot and have plenty of time to improve their position. Another win against the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals would give them the season series and prove that they have what it takes to beat the best teams in the NHL. A solid defence will be key for the Hurricanes and solid goaltending from Petr Mrazek<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and James Reimer<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0has allowed this team to pile up wins.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Hurricanes win 5-3<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Detroit Red Wings vs Dallas Stars<\/span><\/h3>\n

Head to Head: Red Wings 0 – 0 Stars<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Detroit Red Wings<\/a> have had a dismal season and have little to look forward to except a likely high lottery draft pick. The recent loss of Anthony Mantha<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0won\u2019t help things as this is a team that struggles to both score and keep the puck out of their own net (last place in the NHL in both goals against and goals for). Dylan Larkin<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Tyler Bertuzzi<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0continue to be bright spots for the Red Wings but they can\u2019t do everything on their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Winter Classic could not have been a much better game for the Dallas Stars<\/a>. They got off to a rough start, giving up the first two goals, but managed to mount a third-period comeback to win 4-2. They want to continue their winning ways at home against Detroit and that should not be too much of a problem for the team. The one downside is that Dallas could potentially be without Corey Perry<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0as he is meeting with the Department of Player Safety later today due to an elbowing call on Ryan Ellis<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in the Winter Classic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Stars win 3-0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

That does it for today\u2019s NHL Predictions. Be sure to check back tomorrow for another slate of games.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>