Sports Circuit

There were 10 matchups across the National Hockey League last night. Yesterday, I took a look at all 10 games and tried to predict the winners of each of them. It didn’t work out too well… I predicted the correct winner in only 3 of the 10 games (thank you Avalanche, Wild, and Flyers), and failed to correctly predict the scoreline for any of the games. Despite all of that, today is a new day and we’re going to get back to winning ways. Today I’ll be looking at each matchup and giving my predictions. I come into today with a prediction record of 3-7. Four games on the slate tonight, time to get back on track.

Los Angeles Kings @ St. Louis Blues — 7:30pm EST

The Kings head to the Enterprise Center tonight to take on the St. Louis Blues. This will be the third and final matchup between the two teams this season, with the Kings beating the Blues 5-1 in November and the Blues beating the Kings 4-3 in OT back in January. The Kings are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, while the Blues are 4-5-1 in their last 10. The Kings sit in the 3rd spot in the Pacific Division. The Blues find themselves 8 points out of a playoff spot, chasing several teams. Both teams are coming off solid wins in their last outings, with the Kings beating the Islanders and the Blues beating the Bruins in Boston. It appears both teams play has been up and down as of late, but I like the Kings to take the two points on the road.

Prediction: Kings beat Blues 4-2

Nashville Predators @ Winnipeg Jets — 7:30pm EST

The Predators head north of the border tonight to take on the Jets. Both teams hold playoff spots currently, with the Jets sitting in 2nd in the Central and the Preds holding that 1st Wild Card spot. Both teams have been playing well lately. The Preds are 8-0-2 and the Jets are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. I look at the net minders for this game and see two talented goaltenders. Nashville G Juuse Saros (2.85 GAA & .907 SV%) and Winnipeg G Connor Hellebuyck (2.30 GAA & .922 SV%) have been outstanding this season. I expect a low scoring affair with the home team taking the victory.

Prediction: Jets beat Predators 3-1

Washington Capitals @ Edmonton Oilers — 10:00 pm EST

The Capitals meet the Oilers tonight in Edmonton. The Oilers beat the Caps 5-0 in the first of two meetings this season between the teams. Both squads are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. This game has plenty of star power and will draw a lot of attention, with the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Alex Ovechkin playing tonight. The Oilers sit 2nd in the Pacific, while the Capitals sit 3 points out from that last Wild Card spot in the East. I see the Capitals struggling to contain the firepower upfront for the Oilers.

Prediction: Oilers beat Capitals 5-3

Colorado Avalanche @ Vancouver Canucks — 10:30pm EST

This may be the best matchup of the evening. Two heavyweights in the Western Conference with Cup aspirations meet in Vancouver. The Avalanche took the first two meetings of the season series with the Canucks, 5-2 and 3-1. The Avalanche are 7-2-1 in their last 10, while the Canucks are 5-4-1 in their last 10. Both teams are coming in winning their last four games and I expect a great game. Players to watch closely tonight are Colorado F Nathan MacKinnon and Vancouver F J.T. Miller. Both are immensely important to their squads. This one could really go either way and I see both teams getting at least a point out of the game.

Prediction: Avalanche beat Canucks 5-4 in Overtime