Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in key head-to-head matchups.

BOTTOM LINE: The Anaheim Ducks face the New York Islanders in a non-conference matchup. Anaheim has a 27-28-7 record overall and a 14-14-2 record in home games. The Ducks have allowed 190 goals while scoring 162 for a -28 scoring differential.

The Ducks, who trail Vancouver by eight points in the wild-card standings, look to shake a tough loss to the Blues

The veteran defenseman in one day was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the New York Islanders, who then flipped him to the Ducks for future considerations

The New York Islanders have already made a big move on Thursday, as they have sent Brock Nelson along with William Dufour to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Calum Ritchie, Oliver Kylington, a pair of first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and a conditional pick in the third round of the 2028 NHL draft.

The Avalanche and Islanders receive their grades after completing the Brock Nelson trade late on Thursday night.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Brayden Schenn scored twice to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. With the Blues leading 4-3, Schenn scored his second of the game on a wrist shot with 1:47 left in the third period with an assisted from Justin Faulk.

The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders.