Welcome back to NHL Game Day Predictions. Daily, Last Word on Hockey brings you a prediction and analysis of every game on the schedule. This will also feature a significant game on the schedule that is must-watch hockey. Today’s NHL Predictions featured game is the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens. Check out NHL Predictions to late games here.
*All statistics used were as of 10-25-19
NHL Predictions
Chicago Blackhawks vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0 – 0 Hurricanes
These two teams have gotten off to very different starts this year. The Carolina Hurricanes have continued to dominate play with a winning record. Their skill and quickness has overpowered teams as they started the year hot. Petr Mrazek has been the starter the Canes were hoping he was. All things have been solid for Carolina.
However, on the other side of things, the Chicago Blackhawks have gotten off to a brutal start. Their defence is one of the worst in the league and there isn’t much that will change that in the short-term The team has started 2-4-2 and has lost three in a row. Traveling for a 1 pm East Coast game may not benefit them much here.
Look for the Hurricanes to use their speed and move past the Hawks defence core. Moving the puck up ice quickly and in transition will put the Hawks at a big disadvantage.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-1.
St. Louis Blues vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Blues 0 – 0 Bruins
This is a rematch of the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals and it should be a good one. The St. Louis Blues have started 5-2-3 and while that places them third in their division, there is no doubt they’d like to improve on that. The team has still been solid and has been competing in just about every game they have played. Jordan Binnington should get the start tonight which is good news for St. Louis.
The Boston Bruins have started 6-1-2. They are hungry for revenge from last year and know they have a long way to get back. David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron are still the same formidable opponents as usual. Look for the Garden to be rocking on a Saturday night. No doubt this team will want a bit of a moral win to get themselves back on a winning streak. Tuukka Rask will be in net and he has been solid this year so far too.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-3.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Jackets 0 – 0 Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers sit at just 4-3-1 but have had one of the toughest schedules this season. They started in Europe and then soon after that had a Western Canada road trip. They then played two at home and followed that by a trip to Chicago, now back home again. The league didn’t do themselves any favours this season but despite that, they are above .500. They’re on a two-game winning streak and will look to extend that against a division opponent. It seems likely Carter Hart will get the start in net for the Flyers tonight.
On the other side, the Columbus Blue Jackets have come into this year with something to prove. Losing lots of talent in the offseason, they have found themselves with a 5-3-2 start that puts them fourth in the Metro. Their balanced offensive attack mixed with studs Zach Werenski and Seth Jones on the backend has surprised some teams. They look to keep that up and surprise some teams that may have taken them too lightly at the beginning of the season.
Prediction: Flyers win 5-3.
Nashville Predators vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Predators 0 – 0 Lightning
These two teams are some of the most talented in the NHL. However, the Tampa Bay Lightning have gotten off to a much slower start then they projected. Brayden Point is now back but there have been times this team has looked very pedestrian. They lost to the Ottawa Senators already this year in what was a pitiful outing. It is games like that which have fans worried. However, some believe they are simply saving some energy for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Overall, this team has too much talent not to break out soon. Look for Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos to lead the way in that breakout.
As for the Nashville Predators, their season has started off nicely. Matt Duchene has made a great impact and they are second in their division. On a one-game road trip, the travel may affect them. However, look for Pekka Rinne to shut it down between the pipes for the Predators. Their much talked about Defence Core will have a great challenge trying to shut down the Tampa Bay offence tonight. This should be a game to keep an eye on.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-4 in OT.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Leafs 0 – 1 Canadiens
The last time the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs played, the Leafs blew a 4-1 lead. This time they will look to not have that happen. However, that will be tough. They are on game two of a back-to-back after winning at home Friday night. They then had to travel to Montreal where a rested Canadiens team is waiting for them. Michael Hutchinson will get the start in net and he has struggled for Toronto this year. This will be a tough game for Toronto to win. If they wish to do it, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly will have to lead the way with captain John Tavares still out.
For Montreal, they will have Carey Price start in net and look to take two more points from a divisional rival. They will look to guys like Max Domi, Jonathan Drouin, and Shea Weber to lead the way. A classic rivalry in the Bell Centre on a Saturday night should be absolutely rocking. It’s why it is the NHL Predictions game of the night. This is one to keep your eye on. The added rest should play into Montreal’s favour here.
Prediction: Canadiens win 4-2.
That’s all for NHL Predictions, tune in tomorrow for more!
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