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 Ottawa Senators vs Detroit Red Wings. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa Senators vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Senators 2-1 Red Wings
TV: Bally Sports Detroit; Sportsnet; ESPN+
Our first and featured game has the Red Wings hosting the Senators in the fourth and final meeting of the season. Joonas Korpisalo is the expected starter for the Senators, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Ottawa has won three of the last five games after a narrow victory over the Nashville Predators. Brady Tkachuk leads the team in goals with 21 and Tim Stutzle tops the assist category with 36.
Alex Lyon is the confirmed starter for Detroit, which has won three of the last five games. Dylan Larkin is the team’s leader in goals with 22 while Lucas Raymond is first in assists with 28. Detroit currently holds the second wild card spot by five points over the New York Islanders. The Red Wings fifth in goals for, but 22nd in goals against.
Ottawa has actually pretty good this season against Detroit, but the hosts earn the season split.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-2.
Los Angeles Kings vs Nashville Predators
Head-t0-Head: Kings 0-1 Predators
TV: TNT; Max; Bally Sports West
The Los Angeles Kings try to stop the bleeding with David Rittich in net. Los Angeles has lost four straight games and is tied with Nashville on points in the Wild Card race. The team’s offence has struggled at times during this recent losing skid. Los Angeles is still first on the penalty kill and fourth in goals allowed. Trevor Moore is the team leader in goals with 21.
Juuse Saros is the expected starter for the Predators, who have lost three of their last five. Nashville is still in the mix for a post-season spot and leapfrog Los Angeles with a victory. Filip Forsberg is the team’s leader in goals with 23 while Roman Josi is tops in assists with 32. The Predators have struggled on special teams this season with them being 20th on the power play and 26th on the kill.
Nashville is still seething from a controversial loss to Ottawa the other night. The Preds will get the win in front of the home crowd.
Prediction: Predators win 5-3.
San Jose Sharks vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Sharks Sharks 1-1 Ducks
TV: NBC Sports California; Bally Sports San Diego; Bally Sports San Diego; ESPN+
Our final game of NHL predictions has the San Jose Sharks looking to wrap the first half strong against the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks got a 2-0 shutout last night against the Seattle Kraken. Kaapo Kahkonen will likely get the start with Mackenzie Blackwood starting the night before. The Sharks have actually won four of the last five games. Leading scorer Tomas Hertl was out for the last game and might miss tonight’s game.
John Gibson is the projected starter for the Ducks, who have lost three of the last five. Frank Vatrano is the team’s leading goal-scorer with 21 while Troy Terry leads in assists with 21. Injuries have wreaked havoc on the roster as Alex Killorn, Trevor Zegras and Pavel Mintyukov are dealing with long-term injuries.
The Sharks aren’t usually favoured, but their form and the Ducks injuries should lead them to go end of the first half.
Prediction: Sharks win 5-3.
Main photo by: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
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