The first-year Cap has also recorded three or more shots in nine of his past 12 games since the holiday break, and his 8.79 shots and 19.21 attempts per 60 minutes during the stretch are well above his respective 6.05 and 17.36 marks to start the campaign.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.

Back the Canadiens against a tired Lightning, expect goals in Rangers vs Senators, and ride the Capitals over a McDavid-less Oilers.

The Edmonton Oilers will start a three-game stint without the services of their suspended captain, Connor McDavid when they host the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. It’s never easy to lose a player from the top of your lineup,