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 Pittsburgh Penguins vs Dallas Stars. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-1 Stars
TV: Bally Sports Southwest; Sportsnet Pittsburgh; ESPN+
Our first and featured game of NHL predictions has the Penguins trying to keep their faint Stanley Cup Playoff hops alive against the Stars. Pittsburgh is expected to go with Tristan Jarry in between the pipes. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Sidney Crosby leads the team in goals with 33 while Erik Karlsson has 38 assists.
Dallas is expected to counter with Jake Oettinger in goal in this one. The Stars are 7-3 in the last 10 games and have won two straight. Tyler Seguin scored in his return to the lineup and that could be a huge boost to the club down the stretch. Roope Hintz leads the club in goals with 26 while Jason Robertson is tops in assists with 46. The Stars are in a three-way tie with the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets for first in the Central Division.
Pittsburgh needs to points to save its season. However, the only bad moves Dallas seems to be making is on social media after victories.
Predictions: Stars win 4-2.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 0-0 Avalanche
TV: Altitude; Bally Sports Ohio; ESPN+
The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Rocky Mountains to take on the Avalanche. Columbus is expected to start Daniil Tarasov in the blue paint for this game. The Jackets are 4-4-2 in the 10, but have lost two straight games. Boone Jenner leads the team in goals with 21 while Johnny Gaudreau is first in assists with 40. Zach Werenski is a game-time decision for the Blue Jackets.
Alexandar Georgiev is the expected starter for the Avalanche, who are 9-1 in the last 10 and have seven straight victories. Nathan MacKinnon is making his case for the Hart Trophy with 42 goals and 75 assists. Colorado has been clutch with four one-goal victories in the last five games. The Avalanche are first in goals scored with 256 so far this campaign.
Colorado is playing as well as any team and Columbus will have to do a lot to stop the streak.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-2.
Seattle Kraken vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-1 Coyotes
TV: Root Sports Northwest; Scripps; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Seattle Kraken looking to snap a six-game losing streak. Joey Daccord is expected to get the call in goal for Seattle, which is 3-6-1 in the last 10 games. The Kraken are pretty much playing out the string at this point with pretty much no way back into the post-season race. Jared McCann leads the team in goals with 27 while Vince Dunn leads in assists with 34. However, Dunn may not be in the lineup for this one.
Connor Ingram is the expected starter for the Coyotes, who are 5-5 in the last 10. Arizona has been better since that double-digit losing streak earlier in the season. Clayton Keller is hoping to land a 30-goal season and has 28 so far this season. Matias Maccelli leads the club in assists with 35 this campaign.
Seattle finally breaks through and ends the losing streak with a hard-fought win at Mullet Arena.
Prediction: Kraken win 4-3.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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