The 2022 NHL playoffs are scheduled to begin on May 2, 2022. With the 2022 NHL postseason fast approaching, every game that remains on the 2022 NHL schedule is important for teams who hope to hoist the Stanley Cup at the conclusion of the season.
Before we look at three of the more intriguing games on this weekend’s NHL schedule, check out the odds for the 2022 NHL Playoffs and the latest odds on Stanley Cup Futures.
St. Louis vs. Edmonton
Date & Location: Friday, April 1 at Rogers Place in Edmonton,AB
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Sportsnet NOW, NHL Live
An incredibly important NHL Western Conference game takes place tonight when the St. Louis Blues face the Edmonton Oilers. The Blues are the No. 4 team in the Western Conference with 83 points, while the Oilers are in the No. 7 spot in the conference with 81 points. St. Louis has two games in hand over the Oilers. Tonight’s game marks the third meeting of the 2022 NHL season between these clubs. Edmonton won at home in November (5-4) and St. Louis won their home game in December (4-2).
Both teams are on two-game winning streaks heading into this contest, but Edmonton has the better record over its last 10 games. The Oilers are 7-2-1 over that span, while the Blues are 5-3-2.
Edmonton has the two leading scorers in the NHL on their roster. Connor McDavid has 100 points on the season and Leon Draisaitl has 97 points. Draisaitl also leads the NHL in goals with 49. Draisaitl has been potent in the team’s past five games with seven goals and 10 points. David Perron is the hot player on the St. Louis roster. He has eight points (five goals) in the team’s past five outings.
St. Louis has the goaltending advantage in this matchup. Ville Husso has a 2.40 goals-against average, and a .923 save percentage. Edmonton’s netminder, Mikko Koskinen, has a 3.10 GAA and a .902 SVP.
Edmonton’s offence is too much right now, and that will give them the win.
Pick: Edmonton to beat St. Louis.
Pittsburgh vs. Colorado
Date & Location: Saturday, April 2 at Ball Arena in Denver, CO
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Sportsnet NOW, NHL Live
The Colorado Avalanche became the first team to hit 100 points in 2022 with a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. Colorado is 47-14-6 on the season and sports a 26-4-3 record on home ice. The Western Conference’s top team, the Avalanche host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Pittsburgh is the No. 5 team in the Eastern Conference with 90 points. The Pens have been one of the best road teams in the NHL in 2022, with a 21-8-5 record as the visiting club.
Both teams are 6-3-1- in their past ten games. Saturday marks the first meeting between these clubs this season.
Evgeni Malkin missed most of the season, but since he returned to the Pens roster, he has scored 33 points (16G, 17A) in 31 games played. Malkin has five goals in the team’s past five games, but Sidney Crosby is the team’s leading scorer over that span with nine points. (3G, 6A). Nazem Kadri is Avalanche’s best scorer in his team’s past five outings. Kadri has seven points over that span (3G, 4A). Meanwhile, Mikko Rantanen has four goals in Avalanche’s past five outings.
The goaltending in this game is very competitive. Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry has a 2.37 GAA and a .921 SVP, while Darcy Kuemper of the Avalanche has a 2.38 GAA to go with a .924 SVP. Jarry has four shutouts. Kuemper has earned five shutouts this season.
I expect this to be a very competitive game, but I’m going with the home team to triumph.
Pick: Colorado to beat Pittsburgh
Minnesota vs. Washington
Date & Location: Sunday, April 3 at Capital One Arena
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Sportsnet NOW, NHL Live
The No. 8 team in the Eastern Conference plays host to the No. 3 team in the Western Conference on Sunday when the Minnesota Wild travel to face the Washington Capitals. As of this writing, the Wild are the hottest team in the NHL with seven straight wins and an 8-1-1 record over their past 10 games. The Capitals are 6-3-1 in their 10 most recent outings.
As good as the Wild have been playing, it needs to be noted that they are not a particularly strong road team. While Minnesota is 24-7-1 at home, they are 17-13-3 on the road. All the team’s seven straight wins have come at home. The club’s most recent road game was a 3-2 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 11. Washington has been a better road team than the home team this season. The Capitals are 16-14-5 at home as opposed to 21-7-5 on the road.
Minnesota has the momentum in this matchup.
Pick: Minnesota to beat Washington.
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