NHL Predictions Today: Blues vs Jets

The St. Louis Blues host the Winnipeg Jets in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Friday. Read our preview for Blues vs Jets. Puck drops at 7:00 PM CT at the Enterprise Center, and you can catch the action live on ESPN. The Jets lead the series 3-2 after bouncing back in Game 5 to regain control. St. Louis, facing elimination, will look to recapture their home form and force a decisive Game 7.You can get today’s match tips for all games on MatchPlug. We are a sure prediction site for previews and tips regarding similar matches. Betting Preview For Blues VS Jets Betting On St. Louis Blues The Blues have found offensive success only at home in this series, scoring 4+ goals in both Games 3 and 4. With their season on the line, expect them to come out firing again. Their top-six forwards need to impose themselves early, as a strong first period will be key to avoiding a low-scoring trap against Winnipeg’s disciplined defense. Betting On Winnipeg Jets The Jets snapped the Blues’ momentum in Game 5 and now have a chance to clinch the series. However, they’ve yet to win on the road in this matchup. The defense must stay compact, and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck needs another sharp outing. If the Jets hold the Blues to two goals or fewer, history suggests they’ll punch their ticket to the next round. MatchPlug Prediction For Blues vs Jets This series has been one of the most balanced and thrilling in the first round. Expect another high-intensity matchup with scoring chances for both sides. St. Louis’ offense should show up again at home, but Winnipeg’s structure and goaltending may prove decisive. Final Prediction: Winnipeg Jets

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NHL Predictions Today: Wild vs Golden Knights

The Minnesota Wild host the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday. Read our preview for Wild vs Golden Knights. Puck drops at 5:30 PM CST at the Xcel Energy Center, and the game will be broadcast on TNT and ESPN+. Vegas leads the series 3-2 after two consecutive overtime wins. The Wild are facing elimination and will need their home crowd to spark a bounce-back.You can get today’s match tips for all games on MatchPlug. We are a sure prediction site for previews and tips regarding similar matches. Betting Preview For Wild VS Golden Knights Betting On Minnesota Wild Despite trailing in the series, the Wild have gone unbeaten in regulation across their last four games, showing resilience and strong defensive play. Game 6 at home offers a prime chance to tie the series, with star winger Kirill Kaprizovexpected to step up. Minnesota needs to tighten their penalty kill and find more finish in transition to break down Vegas’ structured defense. Betting On Vegas Golden Knights The Golden Knights are one win away from advancing but haven’t won a game in regulation since Game 1. Back-to-back overtime wins showed grit, but questions remain about their offensive rhythm. Vegas must avoid playing reactive hockey and focus on striking first. If they can generate early offense, they’ll put immense pressure on the Wild to chase the game. MatchPlug Prediction For Wild VS Golden Knights This is a high-pressure situation for both teams. Vegas wants to avoid a Game 7, but Minnesota has the edge playing in front of their home fans. Given the tight nature of the series and the Wild’s fight to stay alive, this looks set for another close contest. Final Prediction: Minnesota Wild

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NHL Predictions Today: LA Kings VS Edmonton Oilers

The Los Angeles Kings face off with the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Sunday. Read our preview for LA Kings VS Edmonton Oilers. Puck drops at 10:00 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena, and you can catch the game live on TBS or ESPN+. Edmonton leads the best-of-7 series 2-1 after a 7-4 comeback win in Game 3.You can get today’s match tips for all games on MatchPlug. We are a sure prediction site for previews and tips regarding similar matches. Betting Preview For LA Kings VS Edmonton Oilers Betting On Los Angeles Kings The Kings let Game 3 slip after mounting an impressive comeback. Special teams were both a strength and weakness: they struck twice on the power play but surrendered a crucial man-advantage goal after a failed challenge. LA has shown they can score against the Oilers, but defensive lapses and penalty trouble are major issues heading into a must-win Game 4 at home. Betting On Edmonton Oilers The Oilers’ high-octane offense came alive in Game 3. Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard are leading the charge, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is creating problems for LA early in games. With the power play operating at a dangerous level, Edmonton’s firepower and composure in key moments give them the edge, even when falling behind. MatchPlug Prediction For Kings VS Oilers Los Angeles is in a tough spot. After blowing a second-period lead and giving up seven goals at home, the pressure is heavy. The Oilers are clicking on offense and have the better special teams right now. Unless the Kings tighten up defensively and stay out of the box, this could be another tough night. Final Prediction: Oilers

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NHL Prediction Today: Maple Leafs vs Senators

The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the road to face the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday, May 1. Read our preview for Maple Leafs vs Senators. Puck drops at 7:00 PM ET at the Canadian Tire Centre, and you can catch all the action on ESPN. Toronto leads the series 3-2, but Ottawa has all the momentum after winning back-to-back games to extend the series.You can get today’s match tips for all games on MatchPlug. We are a sure prediction site for previews and tips like this. Betting Preview For Maple Leafs VS Senators Betting On Toronto Maple Leafs The Leafs have squandered a 3-1 series lead and are coming off back-to-back losses. Their stars, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, have struggled to step up in series-clinching situations, a pattern that’s haunted them in past playoffs. If Toronto is going to close this out, they’ll need a big response offensively and far more urgency on both ends of the ice. Betting On Ottawa Senators Ottawa enters Game 6 full of confidence. After a shutout in Game 5, Linus Ullmark has emerged as a difference-maker between the pipes. The Senators have been strong at home in the playoffs and have shown they can outwork Toronto. They arguably should be ahead in the series, and with momentum on their side, they’ll feel confident about forcing a Game 7. MatchPlug Prediction For Maple Leafs VS Senators Toronto is under pressure and struggling to finish the series, while Ottawa has momentum and better goaltending right now. We expect a close game, but with the way the Senators are trending and the Leafs’ stars going quiet again, Ottawa looks likely to extend the series. Final Prediction: Senators

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Bruins Believe in Leadership, but Question Interim Coach Sacco’s Role

The Boston Bruins are focused on returning to Stanley Cup contention. However, they may be parting ways with interim coach Joe Sacco. During their end-of-season press conference on Wednesday, Cam Neely and Don Sweeney were backed by Charlie Jacobs as the right leadership to steer the franchise back to glory. “I’m proud to sit alongside these two gentlemen because I know we have the right people in the right seats on the bus to bring this franchise back to glory,” Jacobs said. Despite the team’s struggles, Neely and Sweeney remain confident in their vision. The season was marked by significant moves. Jim Montgomery was fired on Nov. 19 and key players such as captain Brad Marchand and longtime Bruins like Charlie Coyle and Brandon Carlo were traded. Their trade signaled a potential retooling of the roster. The team acknowledged that the current mix was underperforming. While they plan to rebound quickly, the process begins with finding a new head coach.

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Lightning Look to Rebound on Penalty Kill in Game 2

The Tampa Bay Lightning want to improve their penalty kill in their match against Florida Panthers on Thursday.After a poor performance in Game 1, the Lightning are focused on bouncing back. At the start of the 2023-24 season, the Lightning’s penalty kill struggled at just 72.2% through the first 10 games, which ranked 27th in the league. However, they managed to rebound and finish in the top 10 by the end of the season. This experience has given them confidence as they look to turn things around. “We really have to play catch-up to make ourselves get into the top six or seven and we did that for 60-plus games,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “Our PK’s been exceptional of late, and hopefully Game 1’s performance is an aberration.” The Lightning are determined to return to their strong penalty-killing form.

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Ullmark Focused on Moving Forward, Looking to Crowd for Support in Game 3

Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark is never one to dwell on the past, no matter the circumstances. “For me, it’s just about enjoying the ride a little bit,” Ullmark said after an off-ice workout at the Canadian Tire Centre ahead of Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. “Every game is a new beast to tame, in a way. So, you can’t really think that the last game is going to be the same thing as [Thursday’s] game. Every game is a new opportunity to prove yourself.” Down 2-0 in the series following a 6-2 loss in Game 1 and a Max Domi overtime winner in Game 2, the Senators are looking to turn things around at home. Ullmark’s stats have struggled with an .800 save percentage and a 4.39 goals-against average through the first two games. Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz, meanwhile, has been exceptional, stopping 57 of 61 shots. When asked to assess his play in the series, Ullmark responded with a playful grin: “What do you think?”. He knows how to use humor as a way to cope with tough situations, keeping his mind focused on the next opportunity.

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NHL Hits Leader Cal Clutterbuck Announces Retirement After 16 Seasons

Cal Clutterbuck, the NHL’s all-time leader in hits with 4,029, officially announced his retirement. The announcement was made on Wednesday in an Instagram post. His retirement closed the book on a 16-season career spent with the Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders. “After 17 years, it’s time to hang up the skates,” the 37-year-old forward wrote. “I’m beyond grateful for every teammate, coach, fan, and moment along the way. Hockey gave me everything — a purpose, a brotherhood and a lifetime of memories.” Drafted by the Wild in 2006 (No. 72 overall), Clutterbuck played 1,064 regular-season games, tallying 293 points (143 goals, 150 assists). He also contributed 20 points (12 goals, 8 assists) in 81 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. Traded to the Islanders in 2013 for Nino Niederreiter, Clutterbuck became a fixture on the team’s iconic “Identity Line” alongside Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas. Known for their gritty, physical style, the trio became fan favorites on Long Island. “To Matt and Casey — it was an honor to go to war with you night in and night out,” he said. “What we built together means more than words can say.” After playing all 82 games in the 2023-24 season and notching 19 points, Clutterbuck transitioned into a television analyst role with MSG Network. His legacy as a hard-nosed, team-first player remains a defining chapter of his career. “And to the Islanders faithful — your passion, loyalty, and love made Long Island home. Thank you all. On to the next chapter.”

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NHL Expert Picks: Pittsburgh Penguins VS Tampa Bay Lightning

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning face off on Tuesday night at Amalie Arena, with both teams looking to snap their losing streaks. Read our preview for the Pittsburgh Penguins VS Tampa Bay Lightning.  The game is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on Tuesday. Pittsburgh is out of the playoff race, while Tampa Bay is still battling to stay in the division.  Matchplug is your surest plug for your football predictions and analysis. Let’s get into the preview for this match. Betting Preview for Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting on the Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a challenging season and won’t be making the playoffs.  They enter this game on the back of a 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers, their second loss in the last three games.  Sidney Crosby (78 points) continues to lead the team, with help from Rickard Rakell (62 points) and Bryan Rust (54 points), but their defensive issues have been a major concern all season. If they want to win this match, they will need to step up their game. Betting on the Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to bounce back from a 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.  Despite their two-game loss, they remain in the chase for a division title. Nikita Kucherov (98 points), Brandon Hagel (77 points), and Brayden Point (68 points) lead a strong offense, while Andrei Vasilevskiy provides stability in net.  Lightning’s home advantage gives them an opportunity to get back to winning ways.   Match Plug Prediction for Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Pittsburgh’s defensive struggles and inconsistent performances make this matchup a tough one for them.  Tampa Bay have the better offense and with Vasilevskiy in net, they have the edge on both ends of the ice.  Our prediction for this game is for the Lightning to dominate and finish with a much-needed win.   Final Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline

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NHL Expert Picks: Blues vs Canadiens

This Tuesday Night, the NHL regular season heats up as the St. Louis Blues take on the Montreal Canadiens in a critical matchup. Read the match preview for the Blues VS Canadiens match. With both teams fighting for playoff spots, this game is a must-win for each side. Matchplug has the surest predictions and picks for all NHL matches. Betting Preview for Blues vs Canadiens Betting on the St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are on a roll, having won five straight games, including key victories that have helped them build a 4-point lead over the Calgary Flames.  Although this winning streak has put them in a solid position for the playoffs, they can’t afford to slow down. They’ll need to maintain their high level of play to secure a spot in the postseason.   Betting on the Montreal Canadiens After dropping two overtime losses to the Colorado Avalanche and New York Islanders, they’re at risk of losing their Wild Card position. Although montreal has the talent to surprise, their offensive struggles could be their downfall against a well-rounded team like the Blues.   Match Plug Prediction for Blues vs Canadiens This matchup is expected to be closely contested, but the Blues’ current form and offensive depth give them a clear edge.  While Montreal may have won the first game in their regular-season series, St. Louis has been on fire lately. We see them carrying that momentum into this game.  Our Prediction for the game is for St. Louis Blues to win. Final Prediction: St. Louis Blues Over/Under

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