Last Word On Hockey
NHL News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumors
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 Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs roll on.
TV: ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the Carolina Hurricanes looking to extend the series against the New York Rangers. This series has been razor-thin, but the Hurricanes sent the show back to Madison Square Garden. Frederik Andersen will likely get the start, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Sebastian Aho leads the team in points with 10 while Jake Guentzel and Andrei Svechnikov each have nine points. Carolina’s power play finally got going in Game 4 and that will need to be effective once again. However, the Canes’ special teams will need to be great on the penalty kill or stay out of the box.
Igor Shesterkin struggled early on in Game 4, but got better as the game went on. However, the early struggles may have cost the Blueshirts a sweep. New York had won its first seven games before losing to Carolina on Saturday. Mika Zibanejad leads the team in points with 13 while former Hurricane Vincent Trocheck has 12. Alexis Lafreniere is starting to play like a number one overall pick with four goals in the last three games. Filip Chytil was held out of the lineup in Game 4 after playing his first game since early November in Game 3.
Carolina is going to come out hard and fast. If the Rangers can weather the storm, they will advance to the next round.
Prediction: Rangers win 3-2.
TV: ESPN, Sportsnet, TVAS
Our featured game has the Stars trying to gain a massive 3-1 lead over the Avalanche. Dallas has tightened things up on the defensive end and frustrated the Colorado scorers. Jake Oettinger will likely draw the start once again for the Stars, who are 3-1 on the road this post-season. Wyatt Johnston is leading Dallas in goals with five while defenceman Miro Heiskanen leads in points with nine. Tyler Seguin has come as of late with three goals in the last two games. Logan Stankoven also potted his first two Stanley Cup playoff goals in Game 3. The Stars are starting to get goals from multiple sources other than Johnston, which is a key.
Alexandar Georgiev is the projected starter for the Avalanche, who lost two straight for the first time this post-season. Cale Makar has been held without a point in the last two games after a three-point outing in Game 1. Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and Makar each lead the Avalanche with 12 points. However, the dynamic Colorado offence has found much tougher sledding in the last two games. The Stars have done a great job on the defensive end and the Avalanche will need to break that.
Colorado has all to play for in this critical Game 4. The Avs have answered the call mostly in the last two post-seasons.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2.
We’ve got a couple of prop bets to get you through tonight’s action. We like another solid outing from Lafreniere and take the over on +0.5 points. For Carolina, go with Seth Jarvis and the over on +0.5 goals.
In the final game of the night, go with Makar to have a bounce-back game with the over on +1.0 points. As for Dallas, take Jason Robertson on +0.5 assists.
Main photo by: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Longtime sportswriter for the Watertown Daily Times. I have covered minor league and NCAA hockey in women’s Division I and men’s Division III. Also produce the nationally-syndicated Spadora on Sports radio show.
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