Archive note: Technical commentary has been removed. This remains historical pregame coverage; original selections have been retained where stated.
March 09, 2026 brings an intriguing slate of five NHL matchups with several compelling storylines. The Ottawa Senators continue their impressive run as heavy favorites against the struggling Vancouver Canucks, while the Columbus Blue Jackets look to maintain their strong form against a Los Angeles Kings team searching for consistency.
Los Angeles Kings @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Kings arrive in Columbus looking to snap out of a troubling stretch, sitting at 3-6-1 with just two wins in their last five games. Backup Darcy Kuemper draws the start and will need to be sharp against a Blue Jackets team that's been one of the Eastern Conference's pleasant surprises this season.
Columbus enters this matchup with a commanding 7-1-2 record and three wins in their last five, demonstrating the consistency that's made them one of the league's toughest opponents. Joonas Greaves has been an absolute workhorse in net with a 20-12-7 record, providing Columbus with the goaltending stability that separates contenders from pretenders.
WP Hockey Predictor's Pick: The Columbus Blue Jackets are favored at to win this matchup, with the Los Angeles Kings. The combination of Columbus's superior recent form and Greaves' goaltending advantage makes the Blue Jackets the lean in this one.
New York Rangers @ Philadelphia Flyers
Igor Shesterkin carries a respectable 19-12-6 record but will face a Flyers team on the upswing with four wins in their last five games.
Philadelphia's home crowd and recent momentum provide a significant edge in this matchup. Backup goalie Daniil Vladar (20-10-6) continues to provide excellent value, and the Flyers' four-win stretch demonstrates they're capable of stringing together consecutive victories. This is a team starting to find its identity under pressure.
WP Hockey Predictor's Pick: Philadelphia is favored at to win, with New York.
Calgary Flames @ Washington Capitals
This matchup represents the tightest contest on today's slate, with both teams hovering around in our free NHL picks analysis. The Calgary Flames sit at 4-5-1 with just one win in their last five games, suggesting a team in transition. Daric Wolf draws the start in goal and will need to make timely saves against a Capitals team that's slowly climbing the Eastern Conference standings.
Washington's 6-4-0 record reflects a team that's found some stability after an earlier rough patch. Logan Thompson has settled into the starter's role with a 21-18-4 record, providing Washington with the depth they need. This is genuinely a pick-'em situation in the strictest sense.
WP Hockey Predictor's Pick: Washington receives a marginal edge at to win, with Calgary. This is essentially a toss-up that could easily go either direction—perfect for bettors seeking value in underdog pricing on the Flames.
Utah Mammoth @ Chicago Blackhawks
Utah comes into the United Center as one of the day's strongest favorites, and the analytics back it up decisively. The Mammoth are 6-4-0 with four wins in their last five, representing a team firing on all cylinders. This is the kind of team that makes runs deep into the playoffs.
Chicago presents a stark contrast as one of the league's worst teams at 2-6-2, and they're playing on the second leg of a back-to-back disadvantage. Goaltender Silent Knight (16-18-8) has struggled significantly, creating a perfect storm of poor execution and weak netminding. Utah should control this game from start to finish.
WP Hockey Predictor's Pick: Utah Mammoth are heavy favorites at to win, with Chicago. The combination of Utah's elite goaltending, superior analytics, and Chicago's back-to-back disadvantage makes this Utah's game to lose.
Ottawa Senators @ Vancouver Canucks
Ottawa represents the single most dominant team on today's slate, and their matchup against Vancouver is the day's most one-sided affair. This is a team generating dangerous chances at an alarming rate and converting them efficiently.
Vancouver's struggles are well-documented at 2-5-3, and their analytics are among the league's worst. Backup goaltender Kevin Lankinen (7-20-5) is clearly overmatched, and Linus Ullmark stepping into the starting role for Ottawa only widens the talent gap in goal. The Canucks have no answer for Ottawa's multi-dimensional attack.
WP Hockey Predictor's Pick: Ottawa Senators are heavily favored at to win, with Vancouver.
Today's slate offers everything from lopsided matchups to virtual pick-'em situations.