NHL Predictions
St Louis Blues vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Blues 1-0 Canadiens
TV: TSN2; RDS; Bally Sports Midwest; ESPN+
Our opening game of NHL predictions is the Montreal Canadiens hosting their early afternoon Super Bowl Sunday game. The St Louis Blues provide the opposition in this one. Jordan Binnington is the expected starter after Joel Hofer started the day before. However, always check social media before locking a daily fantasy starter. St Louis has won four of the last five, including a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. Pavel Buchnevich and Robert Thomas are tied for the team-lead in goals with 17. Thomas leads the way in assists on the Blues with 36. St Louis is tied with the Nashville Predators for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, the Blues have two games in hand.
Jake Allen is the confirmed starter for the Habs, who have lost three of the last five. Montreal is coming off a 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Cole Caufield is the top Canadiens goal scorer with 17. Team captain Nick Suzuki is first in assists with 31. Montreal’s offence has been hit-and-miss at times this season. The Habs have scored two goals or less in their last three defeats. Montreal is currently 10 points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the last Wild Card spot in the East.
Note the early start time if you have anyone in your fantasy lineup. The Blues play tight games and this should be no different. St Louis picks up the win in this one.
Prediction: Blues win 4-2.
Vancouver Canucks vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-0 Capitals
TV: Monument Sports Network; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Canucks looking to stop a two-game losing streak. Thatcher Demko likely gets the start after Casey DeSmith played the game before. Vancouver is dealing with defensive injuries to Tucker Poolman and Carson Soucy. The Canucks will also be without Nikita Zadorov, who will be serving part of a two-game suspension. Vancouver does have an explosive offence with the likes of leading goal-scorer Brock Boeser, who has 30 this season. Weapons like Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson and Elias Lindholm will also be asked to step up with the defence so depleted. Vancouver is on top of the West by four points over the Stars.
Washington is coming off a 3-0 shutout of the Boston Bruins on Saturday. Darcy Kuemper is the projected starter after Charlie Lindgren got the shutout. Alex Ovechkin has been finding his old form with goals in four straight games. Dylan Strome leads the team in goals with 20 while John Carlson is first on the team in assists. Carlson has 20 helpers so far this campaign. Washington is going to need victories in the worst as way as its seven points off the final Wild Card spot.
The defensive issues might be too hard to ignore for the Canucks in this one. Being down this number of defencemen would be a problem for just about any team. Washington should pick up the victory in this one. Also note the early start time in this game for fantasy or betting purposes.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-3.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
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