{"id":99684,"date":"2021-02-02T09:20:43","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T14:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=99684"},"modified":"2021-02-05T23:08:58","modified_gmt":"2021-02-06T04:08:58","slug":"nhl-predictions-for-february-2nd-late-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/02\/02\/nhl-predictions-for-february-2nd-late-games\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions for February 2nd – Late Games"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to\u00a0NHL Predictions<\/a>, February 2nd edition! Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This is the late game slate of NHL Predictions for February 2nd. Be sure and check out the early games of NHL Predictions too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>NHL Predictions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Arizona Coyotes vs St. Louis Blues<\/span><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0 \u2013 0 Blues<\/span><\/h4>\n

This is the first of the three Western Division matchups tonight, features in a David vs Goliath scenario. The\u00a0<\/span>Arizona Coyotes<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span>St. Louis Blues<\/span><\/a> will square off for their first game out of the other seven upcoming this season. While one team is looking to go on a run, the other is looking to extend their streak to four.<\/span><\/p>\n

After going goal-less back-to-back games, the Coyotes managed to get one in the bag. After an early turnover in their last game that led to a goal against, the Coyotes played a much smarter and stronger game.\u00a0 <\/span>Darcy Kuemper <\/span><\/a>would make his biggest save of the game as he stopped a short-handed breakaway. Just one minute later and, the reward came, <\/span>Christian Dvorak<\/span><\/a>\u00a0would score the game-winner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Oliver Ekman-Larsson<\/span><\/a> could be ready to play soon, and is traveling with the team. A soon return of Ekman-Larsson could help this team move the puck and find more shots to the net, something the team could use to gain some wins. <\/span><\/p>\n

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On the other side of two teams about to meet for the first occasion, the St. Louis Blues look hot!. They head into tonight with a 6-2-1 record and a winning percentage of .722. All four of the forward lines have contributed and,\u00a0<\/span>Jordan Kyrou<\/span><\/a>\u00a0has not shown any signs of distinguishing. Kyrou and\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Brayden Schenn <\/span><\/a>leads the pack with 10 points.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This matchup could read as a mismatch on paper, except the Coyotes may come into this game howling and clawing. Arizona may have trouble finding ways to get the puck past\u00a0<\/span>Jordan Binnington<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and the defence, but they will not go away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Blues win 3-1<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Calgary Flames vs Winnipeg Jets<\/span><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Flames 0 \u2013 1 Jets<\/span><\/h4>\n

Up next, is one out of the two North Division matchups that will have every North team close by checking the score. This is just one of the continuing rivalries in this division that will have fans viewing closely. A game between the <\/span>Calgary Flames<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Winnipeg Jets<\/span><\/a> should provide great goaltending, end to end action, and a physical game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Jets and Flames offer the best goaltending in the Division, being\u00a0<\/span>Connor Hellebuyck<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Jacob Markstrom<\/span><\/a>. Both goaltenders have contributed their part so far. However, tonight seems that it may be the battle of the backups in the crease.\u00a0<\/span>David Rittich<\/span><\/a>, who allowed four goals in his first start, will take on\u00a0<\/span>Laurent Brossoit<\/span><\/a>. Brossoit has one win in two games and has allowed seven goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Calgary finds themselves in a bit of a hole to start the season and would like to see their bottom-six chip in on the score sheet. Offensively, the big guns are providing offence and,\u00a0<\/span>Johnny Gaudreau<\/span><\/a> is off to a great year. The Flames’ special teams have been near the top of the league, while the Jets has been floating around the middle. Animosity rises this game with tempers flaring, Calgary gets the best of Winnipeg on the special teams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Calgary wins: 5-3<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche<\/span><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Wild 1 \u2013 1 Avalanche<\/span><\/h4>\n

In the second of the third West Division matchups tonight, the <\/span>Minnesota Wild<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span>Colorado Avalanche<\/span><\/a>\u00a0face-off in what always seems to be an exciting game. In the first game, we saw Colorado expose the Wild 5-1 after a tie game in the first period. Colorado would deliver four more goals throughout the remainder to notch the win. A much different game in their second meeting of the season encountered a more disciplined Minnesota team. The Wild would tie the season series with an overtime win by the score of 4-3,\u00a0<\/span>Jonas Brodin<\/span><\/a>\u00a0would bury the winner. These two teams are separated by one point and have their eyes on taking over the West with avoiding overtime or a shootout.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Philipp Grubauer<\/span><\/a> has been outstanding for Colorado as he leads all goalies with six wins, tied for first with two shutouts and has an impressive .930 save percentage. This is a very well put together team with many lethal weapons in their lineup. <\/span>Pavel Francouz<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Devon Toews<\/span><\/a>\u00a0remain day-to-day, looking to get back into the lineup.<\/span><\/p>\n

We will all have our eyes set on <\/span>Kirill Kaprizov<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Jordan Greenway<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>and <\/span>Joel Eriksson Ek<\/span><\/a> who have been paving their way with the offence. The three young talented forwards lead the team in points and have all recorded a point in their last game. The Wild have won two of their last five and have a goal differential of -4. Injuries seem to be playing a factor on the team and, the loss of <\/span>Matt Dumba<\/span><\/a>\u00a0adds salt to the wound defensively.\u00a0<\/span>Cam Talbot<\/span><\/a> will most likely get the nod against the high-fire powering Avalanche tonight. Minnesota will need a fast and strong start as the game gets underway. Otherwise, the game could unfold fairly quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Colorado Wins 5-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings<\/span><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Ducks 0 \u2013 0 Kings<\/span><\/h4>\n

A battle in California will consist of two teams quite familiar with one another. The\u00a0<\/span>Los Angeles Kings<\/span><\/a>\u00a0will host the<\/span>\u00a0Anaheim Duck<\/span><\/a>s in their first meeting of the season. Each team is tied for fifth in the West Division with eight points. Victory will be huge for either team tonight, as they will find themselves one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights<\/a>. Getting to and maintaining the fourth spot in the West standings for these two will be very difficult to do considering the teams in front of them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Kings dropped their last game after almost completing the comeback. After two straight powerplay goals in the second period, the team was within reaching distance of the Minnesota Wild. However, a late goal in the second by the Wild and an early one in the third would hold the parade off. Los Angeles being led by their veteran players so far, standing tall this season as the rest of the league are double-checking that they have gone back in time. <\/span>Anze Kopitar<\/span><\/a> leads the Kings with 12 points in eight games played.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

John Gibson<\/span><\/a> and the Ducks focus their sights on a much-needed rebound tonight. The goaltender holds a .921 save percentage and has started every game this season for the Ducks. Perhaps he starts again with the team having a few recent nights off. After dropping their last two games and being outscored 10-2, against St. Louis, the Ducks are licking their wounds. Both Anaheim and Los Angeles will dig desperately for a hard-fought win tonight. Gibson comes up huge tonight and, the Ducks offence clicks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Ducks win 4-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Ottawa Senators vs Edmonton Oilers<\/span><\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Senators 0 \u2013 1 Oilers<\/span><\/h4>\n

The second and final North Division matchup features a high scoring goal-fest and a lot of offensive talent. Two teams that lack the defensive side of things and goaltending that reads a recipe for 80’s scoring hockey. If\u00a0<\/span>Edmonton Oilers<\/span><\/a>\u00a0wants to be a playoff team going forward they will need to clean up their mistakes defensively.\u00a0<\/span>Stuart Skinner<\/span><\/a>, who made his NHL debut and gave\u00a0<\/span>Mikko Koskinen<\/span><\/a>\u00a0his first night off, showed signs of the first game jitters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily for Edmonton, star forwards\u00a0<\/span>Leon Draisaitl<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Connor McDavid<\/span><\/a>\u00a0put on a display of fireworks. Draisaitl recorded six assists, three of them on the powerplay. Connor McDavid had himself a spectacular night as well, notching one goal and four assists. A worthy mention of\u00a0<\/span>Dominik Kahun<\/span><\/a>\u00a0scoring his second goal of the game just eight seconds in to start the game. The Oilers looked like they were going to run away with the game in the first period when it was 5-1. However,\u00a0<\/span>Ottawa Senators<\/span><\/a> scored two straight goals after the Oilers had scored their third powerplay of the game. Edmonton’s powerplay connected for four out of five opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tim Stutzle<\/span><\/a>\u00a0sniped a beauty his last game against the Oilers and should look for more opportunities to take advantage of Edmonton’s questionable defence and streaky goaltending. The Ottawa Senators are full of young talent about to turn heads and surprise some teams soon. The offseason acquisitions strengthened this team, however, the pieces are not altogether yet. Ottawa will struggle with the fast-paced and high scoring Oilers tonight. Whether the Oilers dress Koskinen or Skinner, it doesn’t end well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Oilers win 6-3<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>That does it for February 2nd late games set of NHL Predictions! Make sure to tune in tomorrow for a new set of NHL Predictions!<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>