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 the Minnesota Wild vs Detroit Red Wings. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Minnesota Wild vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Red Wings
TV: Bally Sports Detroit; Bally Sports North; Bally Sports Wisconsin; ESPN+
Our featured game is an early 1 p.m. Eastern Time matchup. The Wild are losers of six straight and need to find a way to stem the tide. Filip Gustavsson is the confirmed starter and Minnesota is 25th in goals allowed. The Wild need to get some goals out of people other than Joel Eriksson Ek and others. Eriksson Ek leads the team with nine goals while Mats Zuccarello has 15 assists.
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Detroit will roll with Alex Lyon in between the pipes in this Sunday matinee. The Red Wings are coming off two big wins over the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. Alex DeBrincat still leads the team in goals with 12 while Dylan Larkin has 12 assists. The Wings are in the top five in goals scored early in this campaign.
Make sure you set your lineups early with the afternoon start. Detroit has been solid the last two games and they keep it going.
Prediction: Red Wings win 5-2.
St Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Blues 0-0 Blackhawks
TV: NHL Network; Bally Sports Midwest; NBC Sports Chicago
It’s the first meeting of the season between the St Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. Jordan Binnington is the expected starter, but always check social media before locking in a starting goalie. St Louis got rocked by the Nashville Predators, 8-3, the last time out. Robert Thomas has been solid in scoring and helping out in goals for the Blues.
Chicago may go with Petr Mrazek in the crease for this 1 p.m. Central time game. Rookie sensation Connor Bedard already has 10 goals for the Blackhawks. The team will be without Corey Perry, who has decided to step away for the time being. Philipp Kurashev has benefited from being on the same line with Bedard.
Both teams are in the bottom five in goals scored, so the under may be worth a play. Chicago will miss the steadying force of Perry.
Prediction: Blues win 3-2.
Winnipeg Jets vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Jets 1-0 Predators
TV: Bally Sports South; TSN3; ESPN+
This game could have made an argument for the featured game of NHL predictions. The Winnipeg Jets have five wins in a row and Rick Bowness is back behind the bench. Connor Hellebuyck is the expected starter for a Winnipeg team that’s been rolling. Kyle Connor has 14 goals while Josh Morrissey has handed out 15 assists for the Jets. Winnipeg is sixth in goals for and eighth in goals allowed.
Juuse Saros is the projected starter for the Predators, who have four straight wins. The Predators have scored at least four goals in each of these victories. Filip Forsberg has been leads in goals (11) and assists (13). Nashville hasn’t given up more than three goals per game during the current run.
Both teams have been scoring well, but both have solid netminders. Winnipeg scratches out the victory.
Prediction: Jets win 3-2.
Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Ducks 0-0 Oilers
TV: Bally Sports Southern California; Bally Sports San Diego; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions is a Pacific Division battle. The Anaheim Ducks are likely go with John Gibson in net. Anaheim is looking to stop a five-game losing skid after a red-hot start. Frank Vatrano continues to score goals with 13 so far this season. Ryan Strome is tops in assists with 13, but other Anaheim players need to step up.
The Edmonton Oilers are coming off a 5-0 shutout of the Washington Capitals the last time out. Stuart Skinner will likely get the call again, but there needs to be more consistency in net. Zach Hyman leads Edmonton in goals while Leon Draisaitl has 18 assists for the club. A win here would help the Oilers try to dig out of a tough start.
Anaheim can put good games together, but Edmonton gets the victory.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-3.
Main photo by: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
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