This weekend is jam-packed full of top quality NHL action, and we struggled to decide which two games to follow and predict. The good news is that we got there, and the two matchups below are going to be ones to remember. Let’s get straight to the action so you can understand who to put your money behind this weekend.
Panthers vs. Oilers
The Panthers sit just above the bottom half of the NHL Atlantic Division at this stage, and their Stanley Cup playoff hopes hang in the balance. Last time out, they lost their second game in the previous three against the same opposition, and that’s not a good look when the team in question was the Flyers.
We would have expected a much better showing after the encouraging win against the Devils. Still, the Panthers have now won only four of their last ten games. The opposition in this one won’t give them a break either, so you can expect it to be a challenge from the outset.
The Oilers were the form team for much of the first half of the season, and it looked like they would walk into the Stanley Cup playoffs. In recent weeks, though, they have lost their way, and now teams no longer fear coming up against them at home or away.
They still sit in the second position in the Pacific Division, but they got schooled in the last game against the same opposition. We don’t see them losing by that kind of margin again this time out, but anything less than a win to overturn that 6-2 defeat would be considered a failure by their fans.
Our prediction Panthers to take another win over the oilers
Coyotes vs. Capitals
The Coyotes have it all to do after losing four of their last five appearances in the NHL, and the Capitals will not be easy to beat. The Flames have overtaken them in recent weeks, and their position in the table reflects the inconsistency of their play.
Another defeat here would see the Coyotes looking extremely unlikely to make the postseason, and that may well be what happens this weekend.
Top of the highly competitive NHL Metropolitan Division is the Capitals, and they more than deserve to be there at this stage. They slipped up against the Islanders two games ago, and their form in the last ten sees them at a 60 percent success rate, which is way behind their form earlier this campaign.
Can they take another step in the direction of the Stanley Cup this weekend? We’ll find out soon enough, and this game will be packed with drama from start to finish.
Our prediction Capitals to win by more than two goals
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. As the end of the season looms on the horizon, the excitement continues to build. Who can hold it together and make the playoffs? Watch this space to find out.
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