Week 21 of the 2022 NHL season is winding down. The schedule is packed for the weekend with several high stake games in the mix that could play a part in the race for the 2022 Stanley Cup.
Before we look at three of the more intriguing games on the weekend’s NHL schedule, check out the odds for the 2022 NHL Playoffs and the latest odds on Stanley Cup Futures.
Washington vs. Carolina
Date & Location: Friday, March 18 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Sportsnet NOW, NHL Live
As of this writing, the Carolina Hurricanes are one point behind the Florida Panthers for the top spot in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Tonight, the Canes are at home against the No. 8 team in the East, the Washington Capitals. The game marks the third time the teams have faced off during the 2022 NHL season. The Caps are up 2-0 on Carolina this year.
Washington is one of the most prolific goal-scoring teams in the NHL with 201 goals this season. Carolina is not far behind the Capitals, with 198 goals. Where the teams differ is in goals against. Washington has allowed 172 goals, which if good enough for sixth-fewest in the NHL, but a far cry from Carolina’s NHL low of 139.
This game might come down to goaltending. Carolina has one of the best goalies in the NHL in Frederik Andersen. He leads the NHL in goals-against average (2.06), is second in save percentage (.929) and tied for second in wins (30). Washington’s netminder, Vitek Vanecek is solid but not nearly as good as Andersen.
Evgeny Kuznetsov leads the Capitals in scoring in their past five games with eight points and Alex Ovechkin has four goals over that span. Meanwhile, Sebastian Aho has paced the Hurricanes with five points and three goals.
Pick: Carolina to beat Washington.
Toronto vs. Nashville
Date & Location: Saturday, March 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Sportsnet NOW, NHL Live
Two clubs are looking to shore up their playoff positions for the 2022 NHL postseason meet on Saturday night in Nashville. In that game, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are the No. 4 team in the Eastern Conference face the Nashville Predators, who are the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference. Saturday’s meeting is the second meeting between these clubs this season. The Leafs scored a 3-0 shutout win over the Preds in November.
The Maple Leafs are the third highest-scoring team in the NHL this season with 223 goals for. Nashville is in the middle of the pack in goals for with 194. Both teams are also on the right side in goal differential with the Leafs at plus-42 and the Preds are at plus-27.
The Maple Leafs have been without their starting goalie, Jack Campbell, since March 10 and the team expects him to miss at least another week. With that, goaltending is a big concern for Toronto. Nashville’s goalie, Juuse Saros has played 50 games for the Preds this season and posted a 2.41 GAA and a .924 SVP, which are both in the top-10 in the league.
Auston Matthews, who leads the NHL in goals with 45, has six goals in his past five games. He is the Maple Leafs’ player to watch in this game. Meanwhile, Roman Josi has 10 points in Nashville’s past five games.
Pick: Nashville to beat Toronto.
Winnipeg vs. Chicago
Date & Location: Sunday, March 20 at United Center in Chicago, IL
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Sportsnet NOW, NHL Live
Two struggling franchises face off on Sunday when the Winnipeg Jets head to Chicago to meet the Blackhawks. The Jets are the No. 6 team in the Central Division. They are one spot and seven points ahead of Chicago in the standings in that division. Sunday marks the third meeting between these clubs this season. Winnipeg won the first game (5-1) in November. Chicago evened the series in February with a 3-1 win.
The Jets have scored 189 goals this season and allowed 190. The Blackhawks have put the puck in the net 162 times and allowed their opponents to score 210 goals. As goal differentials go, the Jets are minus-1 and Chicago is an eye-popping minus-48.
Chicago has not won back-to-back games since they won four straight between January 8 and January 24. The Jets have been inconsistent this season. They are 6-4 in their past 10 outings and have won games where they have scored eight, seven and five goals over that span.
Kyle Connor is the hot player for the Jets, he has 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in the team’s past five games. Patrick Kane has 12 points in Chicago’s past five outings (10 assists) and Dylan Strome leads the team in goals over that span with five.
Pick: Winnipeg to beat Chicago.
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