Dallas Stars - Tampa Bay Lightning
The Stars really, really need to win now, to close the gap to Nashville. But the Bolts are a better team, and they want to win in order to catch Carolina in the Race for first. Dallas have a high peak level, so they definitely could do some damage, but they are the underdog here. Tampa Bay wins!
Montreal Canadiens - Ottawa Senators
This one is hard to call. The Habs have won a bunch of games in a row now. It's been really close ones though, and the Sens have a really strong trend. I feel this one could go either way. The way the Habs have come back from behind game after game should give them wind in the sails though, so I think they have a slight edge. Montreal wins!
Washington Capitals - New York Rangers
What to think of this one? It feels like anything could happen, after what went down the other night. Washinton has a much more physically strong team though, so it will be hard to for the Rangers to get back at them for Wilson's shenanigans in the last game. And I think they will be more focused on winning the division, and thus the game, while the Rangers might have the wrong focus here. Washington wins!
Nashville Predators - Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus made an amazing comeback in the last game, where Bemström scored a hattrick. The Predators ended up winning in overtime though. And they are the better team. The Blue Jackets can be hard to score against, but they don't score a lot themselves. They are definitely underdogs here. Nashville wins!
Anaheim Ducks - St Louis Blues
The Blues are way better right now. They have some issues with injuries, but I don't see the Ducks as a major threat to them. St Louis wins!
Vegas Golden Knights - Minnesota Wild
This is a great matchup between two really good teams. The last one ended up with the Wild as the winner, but it was really close. The Golden Knights rarely lose two in a row, so I think they will get their revenge here. Vegas wins!
Winnipeg Jets - Calgary Flames
The Jets have had a good time against the Flames this season, but they have lost seven games in a row, and Calgary are hard to beat right now. Much comes down to if the Flames have given up or not. But they shouldn't give up quite yet, as they still have a chance, even though it would take a lot of losses for the Jets or the Habs. But the Jets have been good at losing lately, and the Habs have a really hard schedule remaining. Anyway, I believe more in the Flames here. Calgary wins!
Colorado Avalanche - San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have given the Avs a run for the money in these games, but in the end, they are an inferior team. Colorado wins!
Los Angeles Kings - Arizona Coyotes
Here we have two teams that are not trending in a very positive way. The Yotes have a theoretical chance to make the playoffs though, although the Blues look like they won't let up. But that should give them the motivation to go for the chance while it still exists. Arizona wins!
In summary, my winners are:
Tampa Bay Lightning
Montreal Canadiens
Washington Capitals
Nashville Predators
St Louis Blues
Vegas Golden Knights
Calgary Flames
Colorado Avalanche
Arizona Coyotes
