Jim Feist NHL Picks Archive

The Edmonton Oilers are set to face the Florida Panthers tonight at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. This matchup serves as a compelling rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, where the Panthers edged out the Oilers in a thrilling seven-game series. The Oilers (34-20-4) are currently navigating a challenging period, having lost four consecutive games since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Their most recent defeat was a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. During this slump, Edmonton has conceded 22 goals, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. Despite these struggles, the Oilers maintain a potent offense, averaging 3.26 goals per game, ranking seventh in the NHL. Key players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid continue to be central to their offensive efforts. The Panthers (35-21-3) have been in strong form, winning nine of their last 13 games, including a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. Florida boasts a robust offense, averaging 3.3 goals per game. However, they will be without star forward Matthew Tkachuk, who is sidelined due to a lower-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations tournament. In Tkachuk's absence, players like Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe will need to step up to maintain offensive momentum. This season, the Panthers secured a 6-5 win over the Oilers in Edmonton on December 16. This looks to be a great game tonight. I will side with Edmonton even though they have lost four straight. The loss of Tkachuk is huge for Florida and the difference for me in this one. Play Edmonton. 

The New Jersey Devils (32-21-6) continue their five-game road trip with a matchup against the Colorado Avalanche (33-24-2) on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Ball Arena in Denver. Both teams are aiming to build momentum as they approach the final stretch of the regular season. The Devils began their road trip with a commanding 5-0 victory over the Nashville Predators. Goaltender Nico Daws recorded his first NHL shutout, making 29 saves. Forwards Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes continue to lead the team offensively, each amassing 68 points this season. However, the team has faced inconsistency, alternating wins and losses over their past ten games. The Avalanche are on a two-game losing streak, with their latest defeat being a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Despite the setbacks, forward Nathan MacKinnon remains a dominant force, leading the team with 87 points. Defenseman Cale Makar has also been pivotal, contributing 64 points. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, acquired earlier in the season, holds a 14-7-2 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. With New Jersey's starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom still sidelined due to injury, Jake Allen is expected to start. Allen has a 9-12-1 record with a 2.58 GAA and a .909 save percentage this season. Both teams are eager to secure a win to enhance their playoff positioning. The Avalanche's home-ice advantage and offensive depth, led by MacKinnon and Makar is the difference for me in this one. Take Colorado. 

The Florida Panthers (34-21-3) are set to face the Nashville Predators (20-29-7) tonight at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Panthers are aiming to rebound after a narrow 2-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken, while the Predators seek to recover from a 5-0 defeat against the New Jersey Devils. The Panthers boast a strong offensive lineup, averaging 3.26 goals per game, ranking 7th in the NHL. Sam Reinhart leads the team with 31 goals and 31 assists, totaling 62 points. Aleksander Barkov Jr. has contributed 14 goals and 38 assists, amassing 52 points. Notably, Matthew Tkachuk, with 22 goals and 35 assists (57 points), is currently sidelined due to a lower-body injury. Defensively, Florida allows 2.88 goals per game, placing them 12th in the league. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky holds a 23-13-2 record, with a 2.65 goals-against average (GAA) and a .903 save percentage. Historically against Nashville, Bobrovsky is 11-10-1 with a 3.12 GAA and a .900 save percentage. The Predators have struggled offensively, averaging 2.59 goals per game, ranking 30th in the NHL. Filip Forsberg leads the team with 21 goals and 32 assists, totaling 53 points. Jonathan Marchessault has added 18 goals and 28 assists, accumulating 46 points. Despite these individual efforts, the team has faced challenges in generating consistent scoring. Nashville's defense allows 3.3 goals per game, ranking 26th in the league. Goaltender Juuse Saros has a 12-23-6 record, with a 2.90 GAA and a .900 save percentage. Against the Panthers, Saros holds a 3-8 record, a 2.74 GAA, and a .926 save percentage. Panthers are favored on the road here tonight and for good reason. They have the superior offensive metrics and the Predators' have struggled in recent games. I look for the Panthers to win this game by a couple of goals tonight at least. Play Florida

 The Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars are set to face off on Friday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. This matchup features two of the Western Conference's top teams, each looking to assert dominance as the season progresses. The Stars boast a 29-17-1 record, including a strong 17-7-1 performance on home ice. They have a +30 goal differential, having scored 147 goals while allowing 117. The Golden Knights lead the Western Conference's Pacific Division, averaging 3.4 goals per game and allowing 2.9 goals against per game. They have a shots per game average of 30.0 and a save percentage of .809. Dallas Stars: Center Roope Hintz has tallied 14 goals and 6 assists, totaling 20 points this season. Matt Duchene is leading the team with 30 points, including 13 goals and 17 assists. Vegas Golden Knights: Ivan Barbashev is contributing 15 goals and 15 assists, accumulating 30 points. Jack Eichel is leading the team with 42 points, comprising 9 goals and 33 assists. The Stars and Golden Knights have developed a notable rivalry in recent years, meeting in the playoffs multiple times. Their most recent playoff encounter was in the 2024 Western Conference First Round, where the Golden Knights emerged victorious. This game is anticipated to be a tightly contested battle between two well-matched teams. I will take the Stars at home in this matchup. Play Dallas.

The Buffalo Sabres continue their four-game road trip with a matchup against the Calgary Flames on Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Sabres recently snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-2 comeback victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Tage Thompson leads the team with 21 goals in 42 games. The Flames are coming off a 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, marking their 22nd victory of the season. Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf has been impressive, boasting a 2.51 goals-against average (GAA) and a .917 save percentage, with 11 wins in 14 home starts. Buffalo Sabres: Jiri Kulich: The 20-year-old rookie had a standout performance against Vancouver, contributing a goal and two assists. Calgary Flames: Jonathan Huberdeau: Leads all active Flames in career scoring against the Sabres, with 13 goals and 41 points in 38 contests. The Sabres will aim to build on their recent victory and leverage the momentum from their top line's performance. The Flames, with a strong home record and solid goaltending from Dustin Wolf, will look to continue their success on home ice. I like Calgary here at home at this small price. Play Calgary.