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 Calgary Flames and the St. Louis Blues. Be sure to check out our other sets of NHL Predictions.
NHL Predictions
Minnesota Wild vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Wild 0 – 0 Islanders
The Minnesota Wild let two points slip away when they lost took the ice in a shootout loss to the New York Rangers. Minnesota has lost three in a row and not been enjoying their East Coast road trip. Marc-Andre Fleury is the expected starter, but always check online before setting your fantasy lineups or making wagers. Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild in goals (24) and assists (25) and can help break a game open.
The New York Islanders are also on a three-game losing skid and have lost four of their last five. Offence has been a problem with only four goals in the last three games. Ilya Sorokin is the expected starter and has kept the Isles in the Metropolitan Division race with a .925 save percentage. Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal power the Long Islanders.
The under of 5.5 might be a scary number to deal with, but it’s worth a look.
Prediction: Wild win 3-1.
Calgary Flames vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-2 Blues
It’s the backend of a home-and-home set for the two teams and the Blues are looking to sweep the season series. St. Louis got a 4-3 overtime win in the last outing. Jordan Binnington is the expected starter in this one while Jordan Kyrou leads in goals with 20. The Blues have won four of their last five and are tied with the Edmonton Oilers on points for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
Calgary holds the first Wild Card spot, but hasn’t been playing like a Stanley Cup Playoff team in recent games. The Flames have lost three of its last five games and have been very hot-and-cold. Jacob Markstrom is penciled in as the starter, but Daniel Vladar has been getting more time in the crease. Calgary had the hopes of being a top offence after their off-season pickups, but its only 20th in goals going into Friday’s action.
The Blues have it more together at the moment, but the Flames need points to keep their opponents at bay. This one will go to extra hockey, but Calgary gets the win.
Prediction: Flames win 4-3 in overtime.
Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1-0 Blackhawks
The Colorado Avalanche are puzzling outside the playoffs at this time, but this team is capable of turning it one. Colorado has gone through a run of injuries, but Nathan MacKinnon is back for the defending Stanley Cup champions. Alexandar Georgiev is the current projected starter and has a 2.71 goals-against-average. The offence can still go off thanks to players like Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen.
Petr Mrazek is the confirmed starter for the Chicago Blackhawks, who have won two straight games. Chicago won over Calgary in overtime in its last outing on Jan. 8. The Blackhawks are last in the league in goals for and are 22nd in goals against. Special teams also struggle as they’re 23rd on the power play and 28th on the penalty kill.
Colorado is a sleeping giant and this game could serve as a good wake-up call.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-1.
Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions throughout the season.
