Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. There are only two games on the NHL slate for Wednesday, February 10th.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Bruins 0 – 0 Rangers
It’s an East Division matchup on the American side of things as the Boston Bruins take on the New York Rangers. Many people felt the Bruins time at the top was done. However, that is not the case, the Bruins are one the best teams in the East Division again. The return of David Pastrnak to the lineup has made the Bruins a scary team to play. That top line of Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand is rolling. Charlie McAvoy is a stud defenceman and the rest of the league is finding out this season how well he really can play. And no lead is too big for the Bruins to come back from. It will be a tough task for the Rangers to overcome.
Speaking of the Rangers, they are playing much better since the Tony DeAngelo situation. However, they were shutout in their last game against their rivals the New York Islanders. The Rangers have the weapons to compete with the Bruins, however, it will be a tall order. Igor Shesterkin has played the last three games for the Rangers, so they are electing to turn to Alexandar Georgiev in this one. The Rangers will be looking for some offence, especially from Alexis Lafreniere. However, the Bruins are a more experienced team, but these two have a history of playing close games. This should be another close one.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-2
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1 – 0 Canadiens
It is the matchup everyone has been anticipating since the opening night of the season between the Toronto Maple Leafs battling the Montreal Canadiens. Many people said these two teams will be battling for the top spot in the North Division. Both teams are rolling into this matchup and it is the featured stand-alone game in Canada. Their first matchup was fun to watch with the Maple Leafs rallying from a 3-1 deficit to win 5-4 in overtime. Toronto has continued to play well despite injuries to Wayne Simmonds, Joe Thornton, and Nicholas Robertson. Auston Matthews has become a scoring machine as he leads the league with 11 goals. Playing with Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman has sure helped his game. Not to mention the Maple Leafs are playing better defensively. In addition, Frederik Andersen has stood on his head.
On the flip side of things, the Canadiens probably played their two worst games of the season against the Ottawa Senators. And this is the thing they need to kick start things again. Montreal has filled every need to compete in the North Division. The additions of Tyler Toffoli and Josh Anderson are proving to be great. Both guys are on the score sheet each night. Carey Price and Jake Allen make a great tandem for the Canadiens. And defensively Montreal is playing well with Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, Ben Chiarot on the blue line. This will be a tough matchup, but Montreal will be ready. Playing your rival always brings the best out in a team. And this one will be another fun game to watch. The question will be can Montreal take advantage of a Maple Leafs team that beat up on the Vancouver Canucks.
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Prediction: Canadiens win 3-2
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
