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 Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days at the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs kick-off.
NHL Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers
Season Head-to-Head: Lightning 1-2 Panthers
TV: ESPN, Sportsnet, TVAS, BSSUN, BSFL; Sportnet
Our opening game of NHL prediction has the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers resuming the Battle of Florida. Tampa Bay likely goes with Andrei Vasilevskiy in between the pipes for this game. The Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov won his second Art Ross Trophy this year with an NHL-best 144 points. Kucherov also became the third player ever with at least 40 goals and 100 assists in the same season.
Sergei Bobrovsky likely gets the call in goal for the Atlantic Divisions champions. Florida is hoping to get back to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in team history. Sam Reinhart had a career-season with 57 goals and a red-hot 24.5-percent shooting percentage.
This is going to be an intense series, but the Panthers take Game 1 at home.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers
Season Head-to-Head: Capitals 2-2 Rangers
TV: ESPN, Sportsnet, TVAS, MSG, Monument Sports Network
Our second game has the Washington Capitals taking on the President Trophy winning New York Rangers. Charlie Lindgren is expected to draw the start for Capitals, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Washington was left for dead in early March, but made the post-season despite a bad goal differential. Alex Ovechkin finished with 31 goals. This is including 23 over his last 36 games.
Igor Shesterkin is the likely starter in goal for the top-seeded Blueshirts. No one thought that head coach Peter Laviolette would help unlock this team’s potential. However, the playoffs are an entirely different animal. This team does struggle at times in even strength situations. Artemi Panarin leads the way for the Blueshirts with 49 goals and 71 assists. Another four Ranger players also eclipsed the 70-point mark.
Tempo will decide this game. Washington wants a slugfest while New York wants a fast-paced game.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets
Season Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-3 Jets
TV: ESPN2, Sportsnet, TVAS
Our featured game of NHL predictions has the Avalanche looking to break into the win column against the Jets. Alexandar Georgiev is the projected starter in this game for Colorado. This is the first-ever playoff meeting between the two franchises. Hart Trophy nominee Nathan MacKinnon had a franchise-record 140 points (51 goals, 89 assists). Jonathan Drouin will miss the first round due to injury.
Connor Hellebuyck will be tasked with trying to stop a good scoring Colorado club. The former UMass-Lowell goalie ended his season with a .921 save percentage and made 1,656 saves. Hellebuyck also locked up the William Jennings Trophy for allowing the least amount of goals this season. Winnipeg just gave up 198 goals this season and won all three games by a 17-4 margin. Kyle Connor led the team in goals with 34.
This is another clash of styles, but Winnipeg gets the early series lead.
Prediction: Jets win 3-2.
Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-3 Canucks
TV: ESPN, Sportsnet, SN 360, TVAS
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Nashville Predators looking to spring the upset against the Vancouver Canucks. Juuse Saros is the probable starter for Nashville, which made a great run to get a post-season spot. Filip Forsberg led the Predators with a career-high 94 points. The Swede also set a franchise-record with 48 goals.
Thatcher Demko recently returned to the lineup after a lengthy IR stay and will likely get the start. Quinn Hughes has played a Norris Trophy quality season with 92 points, which led all defencemen in the NHL. J.T. Miller led Vancouver with 103 points and has been clutch in game-winning goals with nine.
The health of Demko will be key this series, but Vancouver gets off to a good start.
Prediction: Canucks win 4-2.
Main photo by: Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
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