Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, we will take a look at the games that are happening and give our predictions for each one. This is the early edition of predictions, be sure to check out the late games on the site too. As well, we also offer a featured game of the day, which is a game that we think is must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Predictions Including Toronto Maple Leafs vs Edmonton Oilers
Minnesota Wild vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Wild 0 – 0 Golden Knights
In a year that’s been isolated to Division-only play, it’s a bit surprising to hear two West Division teams have yet to play each other. But that’s the storyline behind the Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights, who have had successful climbs up the 2020-21 standings without coming across the other’s path. That’ll be resolved today, though. And it’ll be a game to watch. Minnesota is barreling through a six-game win streak where they’ve looked completely unmatched. Vegas has had their own success too, though, going 4-2-0 in their last six games. All six have been close, though, with Vegas failing to net over three goals since the start of the month. Still, Vegas is a talented team. Minnesota is a red-hot team. Seeing them butt heads will be incredible exciting.
Prediction: Wild win 5-3.
St. Louis Blues vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Blues 2 – 0 Ducks
The St. Louis Blues are a shattered team right now, dealing with copious injuries. This includes blows to top-defenceman Colton Parayko, reliable centreman Tyler Bozak, and top-six locks Robert Thomas and Jaden Schwartz. It’s been a tough time to be a Blues fan, as the team has struggled to manage a full lineup on any given night. But they’re facing fair opposition. The Anaheim Ducks are on a six-game losing streak. What’s worse, they only have one regulation win in their last 14 games. It’s been a tough road for them but they’re facing a battered Blues lineup, which could create a very interesting parallel come gametime.
Prediction: Blues win 6-4.
Colorado Avalanche vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 2 – 0 Sharks
The San Jose Sharks looked absolutely dynamic in their last outing against the Blues. They scored 17 seconds into the game and ended up running the scoring up to six goals per-side, before falling to the Blues in a game that ended with a staggering 7-6 score. But San Jose had their offence churning, ultimately crumbling thanks to an iffy defence. That could be a hole that the Colorado Avalanche exploit very easily. The Avs are among the strongest offensive teams in the league this season. When they’re on, they’re on, with an ability to score six-or-more games on any given night. Against a weak defensive team like San Jose, they might be able to flip the switch once again.
Prediction: Avalanche win 7-2.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Leafs 2 – 1 Oilers
And finally, the night’s featured game: the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Edmonton Oilers. This is not only a matchup of some of the best hockey players in the world, it’s a matchup between some of the best teams in the NHL right now. The Oilers have the NHL’s two leading scorers. Connor McDavid in particular has continued to prove his worth as the world’s best hockey player, with 40 points through only 23 games this season. He’s been incredible to watch. As has Leon Draisaitl, who has 34 points of his own in the same length of time. With so much production, it’s needless to say that the Oilers are first in the NHL in scoring through the first month-and-a-half of the year. It’s been enough to climb them up to third in the North Division in point-percentage. Still, there’s room to improve on their defensive side.
The Leafs are much more well-rounded than Edmonton, though… despite what their critical media may make one think. While the Edmonton Oilers have the number-one and number-two scorers in the NHL, the Leafs have numbers three and four in Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Toronto also has the second-most goals in the league up to this point, with a modest 13th-overall ranking in goals-against. They have, quite simply, been the best NHL team in the league this year, topping the NHL in both points-percentage and total points through 22 games. And they showed their superiority over Edmonton on Saturday, when they toppled them by a dominate 4-0 score. That same strength will surely shine through in Monday’s game, where Toronto is simply the better team.
McDavid and Draisaitl will surely put up a fight after being shutout in their last game. But Toronto is too good; they can handle the dangerous duo.
Prediction: Leafs win 4-3.
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