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’s featured game is between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vancouver Canucks. Be sure to check out our earlier set of NHL Predictions.
NHL Predictions: Colorado Avalanche vs Vancouver Canucks
New York Islanders vs Edmonton Oilers
Head to Head: Islanders 1-0 Oilers
The first on our NHL Predictions is between the New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers. Last time these two teams met up, New York secured a 3-0 shutout victory. Edmonton will look to turn those tides, especially since they are barely hanging on to a wild card spot.
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This matchup features a team that can score a ton of goals, and a team that doesn’t offer you much. Edmonton has the leagues best Power Play, and they average 3.54 goals per game. New York ranks sixth with 2.67 goals against per game. Connor McDavid and Co. did not have much luck last time around and will have to solve Ilya Sorokin on home ice.
Prediction: Oilers defeat Islanders 3-2
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head to Head: Penguins 1-0 Golden Knights
These team’s will be meeting for the second and final time. The Pittsburgh Penguins travel to take on the Vegas Golden Knights. Pittsburgh won the first meeting in a 4-3 Victory, but things have changed since then.
Things are not going well in Penguins land. Tristan Jarry got injured at the winter classic, and the team has lost five games in a row. In the tightly contested division, this is not ideal. Vegas has gone 4-2 in their last six and has overcome their injuries nicely. With things looking gloomy in Pittsburgh, a good defensive team like Vegas will have a victory.
Prediction: Golden Knights defeat Penguins 4-2
Boston Bruins vs Los Angeles Kings
Head to Head: Bruins 0-1 Kings
The third game on our NHL Predictions is between the Boston Bruins and the Los Angeles Kings. This is the second of two meetings, where Los Angeles took the first meeting in a 3-2 victory.
Boston is coming off a 2-1 thrilling victory at the Winter Classic, but it came at a price. Jake DeBrusk suffered a broken fibula and will be out. Boston still sits in first place in the Atlantic, whereas Los Angeles remains in second and is closing in on Vegas. This begins a three-game California road trip for Boston. Los Angeles will want to be at their best as they aim to close out the homestand strong.
Prediction: Bruins defeat Kings 3-2
Colorado Avalanche vs Vancouver Canucks
Head to Head: Avalanche 0-1 Canucks
Tonights featured game on the NHL Predictions is between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver took the first meeting in a 4-3 victory.
Colorado will look to get back on track. Health has been their biggest issue but it appears that getting bodies back in starting. The Avs are on a four-game losing skid, and Nathan MacKinnon has returned to the lineup. They are hanging on, but sit outside the playoff picture for now.
Like Colorado, Vancouver is on a three-game losing streak. They sit at the near bottom of the division and well out of the playoff race. Plenty of talent to enjoy watching though as they do have Quinn Hughes, and Bo Horvat is having a career year. With Vancouver ranking 30th in goals against per game, Colorado is poised to have a scoring frenzy.
Prediction: Avalanche defeat Canucks 4-1.
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