Sports Circuit

Ten games on the slate tonight around the National Hockey League and I’m going to take a look at each matchup and share my predictions. Although we are nearing the end of the regular season, I hope to make this a routine blog topic as I’ll keep track of my prediction record and see how I did by the end of the season.

Detroit Red Wings @ Buffalo Sabres — 7pm EST

Detroit enters the matchup just inside the playoff picture, as the Islanders lost against the Kings last night in Los Angeles. Both the Red Wings and Islanders sit on 72 points, with Detroit having the slight advantage of more regulation wins. Buffalo is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. Detroit has lost 5 straight, but I don’t foresee that streak lasting any longer.

Prediction: Red Wings Beat Sabres 4-3 in Overtime

New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes — 7pm EST

It’s a battle of two Metropolitan Division heavyweights in Raleigh tonight. Both teams come in on quite a run sporting a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games. Both teams have excellent special teams units and I see this game being one of the best matchups of the evening. The season series is tied at 1, with the Rangers taking a 2-1 win back in November and the Hurricanes getting the 6-1 victory in January. I expect the crowd to get into it tonight and give the home squad a slight advantage.

Prediction: Hurricanes Beat Rangers 3-2 in Regulation

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Montreal Canadiens — 7pm EST

These two teams will face off in the Bell Centre tonight and look to gain some momentum as we near the end of the regular season. Both teams sport a losing record and look to be on the outside looking in, in terms of the playoff picture. Montreal, with 58 points, sit 7th in the Atlantic Division, while Columbus, with 54 points, sit 8th in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus has been very up and down in their play lately, having a 5-5-0 record in their last 10 games, while Montreal is struggling immensely, having won 2 of their last 10 games. With the Canadiens besting the Blue Jackets in the first two matchups this season, I expect Columbus to have a solid road performance and take the two points.

Prediction: Blue Jackets Beat Canadiens 4-2

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators — 7pm EST

The Penguins square off with the Senators tonight in Canada. Ottawa has taken two wins from the first two matchups between the teams this season. Both teams have struggled to trend in the right direction, as the Senators have won 4 of their last 10, while the Penguins have mustered up 2 wins in their last 10. I’m sure that trade deadline for Penguins fans was quite disappointing with long time Pen Jake Guentzel heading to Carolina in a trade. The aging core for the Penguins will continue to fight for a playoff spot, but if they don’t start stringing together wins, their season will be over sooner rather than later. Senators fans probably weren’t thrilled seeing Vladimir Tarasenko being traded either, as they look to the future and hope for better results next season. I expect the Penguins to get a result tonight against the Senators

Prediction: Penguins Beat Senators 5-3

San Jose Sharks @ Philadelphia Flyers — 7pm EST

The Flyers head home for a matchup against the Sharks on Tuesday night. The Flyers will be without Head Coach John Tortorella, after the league handed down a 2-game suspension and $50k fine after his actions in Tampa on Saturday night. The Flyers are still in the thick of things in terms of the playoff picture and I expect a fiery response from the team on home ice. The Sharks have struggled all season and have traded several players, including star Tomas Hertl. They continue to rebuild and look to the future. I expect the Flyers to defend home ice.

Prediction: Flyers Beat Sharks 4-1

Florida Panthers @ Dallas Stars — 8pm EST

This is one of the best matchups of the night no question about it. Both teams have high aspirations this season and are looking to make deep playoff runs. The Panthers come in with an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games. The Stars have a 6-3-1 recored in their last 10. I look to the goaltenders tonight and see two very talented players in Sergei Bobrovsky and Jake Oettinger. It’s clear both teams can put the puck in the net consistently, with the Panthers averaging 3.31 GF/GP (Goals For/Games Played), while the Stars average 3.62 GF/GP. I expect a tight checking game that could go either way.

Prediction: Stars Beat Panthers 4-3 in a Shootout

Arizona Coyotes @ Minnesota Wild — 8pm EST

The Coyotes square off with the Wild tonight in the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild lead the season series 2-1, winning the last two matchups. The Coyotes sport a 3-6-1 record in their last 10, while the Wild have earned a 5-4-1 record in their last 10. The last time out for the Wild, they won a thrilling game in overtime against the Nashville Predators. I expect them to carry that momentum into the matchup against the Coyotes on Tuesday night.

Prediction: Wild Beat Coyotes 5-2

Anaheim Ducks @ Chicago Blackhawks — 8:30pm EST

The Ducks and Blackhawks square off in Chicago on Tuesday night. Both teams have struggled mightily this season, with the Blackhawks already being eliminated from playoff contention. Chicago took the first game of the season series, 1-0. These teams meet Tuesday, and then again on March 21st in Anaheim to wrap up the season series. Both teams struggle on special teams and can’t seem to keep the puck out of their net. Connor Bedard is the favorite for the Calder and will continue his charge for the trophy with a good performance tonight, although his team will fail to take two points.

Prediction: Ducks Beat Blackhawks 3-2 in Overtime.

Colorado Avalanche @ Calgary Flames — 9pm EST

The Avalanche head into Alberta, Canada for a matchup against the Flames. The Avs are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, while the Flames are 6-4-0 in their last 10. Colorado has taken the first two games against the Calgary this season and will look for the season sweep on Tuesday night. The Avs have won their last three games and Nathan MacKinnon has been on a tear this year, accumulating 40 goals and 71 assists (111 points) in 65 games. I expect Colorado to continue their winning ways.

Prediction: Avalanche Beat Flames 5-3

Vegas Golden Knights @ Seattle Kraken — 10pm EST

The two newest franchises in the NHL square off at Climate Pledge Arena Tuesday night. The teams have split the season series so far, 1 game a piece. The Golden Knights are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games, while the Kraken are 6-3-1 in their last 10. The Golden Knights made a couple significant trades at the deadline last week, acquiring F Tomas Hertl and D Noah Hanifin. Vegas holds that second Wild Card spot currently with 75 points. Seattle, sitting on 67 points, is looking to gain ground on Vegas tonight and make a run for that final playoff spot in the Western Conference. I’m sure many expect Vegas to take the win, but I believe the Kraken will find a way to gain ground and make things interesting down the stretch.

Prediction: Kraken Beat Golden Knights 3-2 in Regulation