Welcome to NHL Predictions, where each day we take a look at all of the games around the NHL. Giving analysis and predictions for the results. This also includes a featured game to keep an eye on. Today’s featured game is the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Colorado Avalanche. Check out the other seven games here.
NHL Predictions
Vancouver Canucks vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0 – 1 Capitals
The last time the Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals played, it was an absolutely insane game. The Capitals stormed back with four unanswered goals to tie it 5-5. The game ended with a Capitals win in the shootout. The Capitals have been on an absolute roll since then, going 8-2-1. The Caps currently sit in first in the Metro, although they have played more games than the second-placed team. They are a solid team everywhere, scoring, defence, goaltending, depth.
For the Canucks, they have been off to a solid start this season. Additions J.T. Miller and Tyler Myers have been a massive help, and they seem to have an overflow of talent. While they are not a team to be taken lightly, the timing may affect them here. The game starts at 12:30 EST which is 9:30 am in Vancouver. That is an insane time for any team to start a game and even though it’s in Washington, it feels safe to assume Vancouver may feel that one. Overall, it should be a solid game to start off a very busy day of hockey. However, look for the Capitals to stay sharp.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2.
Calgary Flames vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Flames 1 – 0 Flyers
The Calgary Flames have been on a brutal slide lately, losing their last six contests. This has led them to be in NHL Rumours as well, however, they appear to just be sticking with it. Names like Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau need to start producing more. The Flames have fallen to seventh in their division despite playing more games than anyone in the entire league. This will be an 11 am local time start for Flames fans to watch. They really need a bounce-back game to get themselves back in the race.
The Philadelphia Flyers currently hold the second wild-card spot with 26 points. They have had a decent start to the year but have been overshadowed by the crazy starts by other teams in their division. No doubt they will be hungry to make up some ground. Carter Hart has started to find his game and this team needs him to really get rolling. The Flyers will be at home while the Flames travelled from St. Louis the other night. Look for Philly to take advantage of this.
Prediction: Flyers win 5-2.
Arizona Coyotes vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 1 – 0 Kings
The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings played on Monday. This saw the Coyotes win 3-0 in a shutout game. Arizona has really put on a great performance this season. They are second in their division and have done all this despite some injury troubles. Phil Kessel hasn’t lit up the scoreboard as he did in years past but has been a welcome addition to this team. They have a great duo in net with Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta. No matter who is in the net, you will be very challenged to score.
The Kings have trended the other way this season. One of the worst teams in the NHL they are very clearly rebuilding. Jonathan Quick has been rough, they haven’t had much depth and stars like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty haven’t been able to pull this team through. Look for them to treat this as a rebuilding year as they sell off pieces like Tyler Toffoli and possibly more. For today, however, look for them to struggle against an Arizona team looking to keep their season rolling.
Prediction: Coyotes win 4-1.
Detroit Red Wings vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0 – 0 Devils
The first of our 7 pm slate for NHL Predictions sees two struggling teams going at it. The Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils are both dead last in their divisions. This game may be more of a tank game than anything else. The Devils have the added challenge of playing on back-to-back nights. They lost last night which has been a common trend this season. Their offseason additions just haven’t boosted them as they would have hoped. P.K. Subban, Nikita Gusev, and Jack Hughes have all struggled to adjust. With how they have started, it may be Taylor Hall‘s last season as a Devil. However, this team will be no doubt focused on here and now.
For the Red Wings, they didn’t have many expectations heading into this season. Seeing growth from their young players is key but a high draft pick is an ultimate goal. They do have the benefit of rest and that should go in their favour. Both Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier have been subpar this year and if they want to win they need to get some goaltending. The defence in front of them isn’t great so they will need some big saves. Look for them to come out motivated to snap their current four-game losing streak.
Prediction: Red Wings win 6-5 in Overtime.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 0 – 0 Jets
The Columbus Blue Jackets enter this game four points out of a playoff spot. Given the talent, they lost in the offseason that is not a bad place to be in at all. Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, and Cam Atkinson are all still great talents, among others. This team will make it hard to take points each and every night. It is how John Tortorella teaches them to play. The Jackets will make their opponent’s fight for every goal and that’s all fans can ask for after witnessing last season. They paid the price to go all in and while the ultimate goal was missed, they did win their first-ever playoff series.
The Winnipeg Jets have been a depleted squad all year. They still have some great offensive pieces but the blue line is a mess. They will need to try and grind down the Jackets and use their talent to their advantage. Getting guys like Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine going is huge. If the offence can step up the Jets will be fine. Connor Hellebyuck is having a massive year in net and that has been huge. If he is in net, look for the Jackets to have an insanely hard time scoring.
Prediction: Jets win 3-2.
Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0 – 1 Hurricanes
This was almost the NHL Predictions game of the night. However, it was just edged out. The Florida Panthers have been one of the most interesting teams in hockey. They have allowed three or more goals in five of their last six games. Despite that, they have won four of those games. Sergei Bobrovsky has really struggled this season but the offence has picked him up big time. Still, they really need him to get going as they just handed him a mega-deal this offseason.
The Carolina Hurricanes are a high-event team who have very strong underlying numbers. A solid start to the year has been overshadowed by the teams above them, however, they are not to be taken lightly. Petr Mrazek looks comfortable as a full-time starter and this team is looking to kick it into a higher gear. This should be a thrilling back-and-forth game to watch. Keep an eye out for it.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 5-4 in Overtime.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0 – 0 Avalanche
The reason this is NHL Predictions game of the night is because of all the storylines going into it. The Toronto Maple Leafs are fresh off of firing Mike Babcock. Sheldon Keefe picked up his first NHL win the other night in Arizona. It will be very interesting to see if this team can keep it up under him. It is also Tyson Barrie‘s return game to Colorado. He scored his first of the season the other night after a very slow start. No doubt he will be motivated to play in his old building.
On the other side of things, the injured Colorado Avalanche finds a way to keep on rolling. Cale Makar has been more than dominant this year. He should be a shoo-in for a Calder finalist, he may even generate some Norris talk. Nathan MacKinnon is a beast per usual and hasn’t missed a beat without Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen who are both hurt. It is also Nazem Kadri‘s first game against his old team. He has been open about how he felt betrayed by Toronto and wanted to play there. He will be another guy super motivated. This is why it is the NHL Predictions game of the night.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-3.
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