Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Every day Last Word on Hockey brings you a prediction and analysis of every game on the schedule. In the early-games edition of the November 27 NHL Predictions, we’ll cover seven games. There will also be a featured game on that is must-watch hockey. Today’s NHL Predictions featured game is the Detroit Red Wings vs the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Be sure to also check out the late game NHL predictions to stay informed.
NHL Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-0 Flames
You’d be hard-pressed to find two teams in the league that are struggling as hard as the Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames. The Buffalo Sabres are reeling as of late, losing 10 of their last 12 games. This is the second straight year the Sabres have followed up a hot start with a prolonged collapse. If there are any bright spots to this recent run, it’s that Buffalo has lost 5 of their 10 recent losses by just one goal. They haven’t been playing great hockey, but they may not be as bad as their recent record.
The Calgary Flames, on the other hand, are experiencing difficulties on the ice and in the front office. The Calgary Flames recently fired their head coach Bill Peters after racist comments came to light. Past the off-ice issues, the Flames have been one of the most disappointing teams to start the season. With reports that Peters is not well-liked, the team may play harder for a new head coach in their first game.
Prediction: Flames win 3-2
Detroit Red Wings vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0-0 Maple Leafs
The Detroit Red Wings are one of the worst teams in the league this season. This isn’t unexpected, as The Red Wings seem to be committed to earning a high draft pick in the next NHL Entry Draft. One of their best players, Anthony Mantha, will not be playing in this game due to injury. Though Mantha is out, Detroit did recently call up Filip Zadina from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have suffered a disappointing season, but it may be time to throw that start out of the window. The Maple Leafs look like a different team after the firing of former head coach Mike Babcock. Toronto won it’s first two games under their new bench boss, Sheldon Keefe. This trend should continue against one of the weaker teams in the league.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-2
Tampa Bay Lightning vs St. Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Lightning 0-1 Blues
The Tampa Bay Lightning appear to be breaking out of their early-season slump. Tampa Bay has won its last three games and is 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. That being said, one of those losses is against their opponent in this game, the St. Louis Blues. The Lightning were unable to mount much offence in that game, only registering 18 shots on goal against Jordan Binnington.
Despite injuries, the St. Louis Blues continue to enjoy a successful season. Part of this has been playing close games. The Blues have lost more games in overtime more than in regulation. Another contributing factor to the Blues’ success is that Binnington has followed up a breakout season with an even more impressive sophomore effort. Binnington is 11-4-4 with a .926 save percentage.
Still, Tampa Bay appears to be turning things around and their team is talented enough to beat anyone on any given night.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-3
New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes:
Head-to-Head: Rangers 1-0 Hurricanes
The New York Rangers have been a hard time to predict this season. They have a lot of talent, but not too much depth. This leads to some interesting trends like New York defeating the league-leading Washington Capitals in the same week that they get blown out 9-3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Carolina Hurricanes are back on track and back into a playoff spot. They’ve won their last two games and are finally getting production from their best player. After a disappointing start, Sebastian Aho has turned on the jets, scoring six goals in his last seven games. When you combine Aho’s production with the breakout performance of Andrei Svechnikov and Dougie Hamilton‘s career year, The Hurricanes are a formidable team.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 3-1
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-0 Canucks
Coming into the season, many predicted that the Pittsburgh Penguins could be falling apart. With extensive injuries to both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, it would be hard to blame the team for taking a step back. Yet, they’re still holding on to a playoff spot and playing relatively strong hockey. Malkin and Crosby have always been adept at carrying the Penguins through injury-laden times and this year has been no different.
The Vancouver Canucks have been held to two or fewer goals in three of their last four games. Despite fairly strong goal-tending, that’s not good enough for a roster with their firepower. The Canucks are a young team with lots of talent but have shown their inexperience through inconsistency.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-2
Washington Capitals vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-0 Panthers
The Washington Capitals have quietly moved into first in the NHL. They have the highest-scoring offence in the league, but their versatility is underrated. If you shut down their offence, Braden Holtby can steal games. If you want to play rough, Tom Wilson can do it better than just about anyone else in the league. Alex Ovechkin continues to be a premier talent in the league. The Capitals are dangerous in any style of game.
If anyone can keep up with Washington’s scoring-attack, it’s the Florida Panthers. The Panthers are second in the league in scoring currently with 88 goals. As much as they score, they give up an equal amount of goals. Only the Detroit Red Wings have given up more goals than the Florida Panthers. This is especially concerning given the monumental contract given to Sergei Bobrovsky in the offseason.
With two high-powered offences, this game could be a shootout. The Capitals have shown more ability to limit mistakes when it matters, which gets them the win.
Prediction: Capitals win 5-4
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 0-1 Flyers
The Columbus Blue Jackets have enjoyed a solid run recently, winning three of their last four games. Two of these wins, however, come against the lowly Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings. Despite the wins, they still sit seventh in the Metropolitan Division. The Blue Jackets play hard but don’t have the talent to succeed like they have the past few years.
The Philadelphia Flyers have made an annual tradition of starting slowly. This often leads to the team missing the playoffs, despite having the talent to be a bubble playoff team. This year the team seems to be finding a way to overcome that quickly. The Flyers are a respectable 5-2-3 in their last 10 games and currently hold the second wildcard position. Philadelphia recently called up one of their top prospects, Morgan Frost. Frost impressed early, scoring a goal in each of his first two career games.
Though Columbus plays hard, the Flyers have more talent on the roster. They should win a close game.
Prediction: Flyers win 4-3
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