Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, we will look at the games that are happening and give our predictions for each one. This is the second of three sets of predictions for Saturday, April 10th. Be sure to check out the other two sets of predictions for today as well. In addition, we also offer a featured game of the day, which is a game that we think is must-watch TV. With that, the Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs matchup is our featured game.
NHL Predictions With Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 4 – 2 Blue Jackets
The Chicago Blackhawks (18-18-5) and Columbus Blue Jackets (15-9-8) will wrap up their eight-game season series over the next two games. The Blackhawks are still very much in the playoff hunt in the Central Division. Just four points back of the Nashville Predators, they have been on a bit of a slide. They have won only two of their last seven games, scoring just 13 goals over that span. Chicago did make a trade that will bring in forward Brett Connolly and defenceman Riley Stillman, indicating they may be up for a push. Both players will not be available as they go through mandatory COVID quarantine coming from Florida.
The Blue Jackets’ playoff hopes are fading fast. They are seven points back and bleeding points rapidly lately. They have two wins in their last 10 games, shockingly both against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Teams will be looking to the Jackets as sellers for the upcoming NHL Trade deadline. David Savard, Nick Foligno, and Elvis Merzlikins are high on most draft boards. Keep an eye on game-time “healthy scratches” as teams protect trade assets.
Prediction: 3-2 Blackhawks
Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Senators 3 – 4 Maple Leafs
Despite being on opposite ends of the Noth Division standings the Battle of Ontario series has been very competitive. The Ottawa Senators (13-24-3) seem to get up for the games vs their provincial rival. They have won three of four and have even kept the score close. They have only been outscored 26 to 23. The Senators are not in good form coming into this one though. Losers of five of the last six with just 12 goals in those games. Perhaps a visit from the boys in blue may be just what they need.
The Toronto Maple Leafs (27-10-3) will look to extend their five-point lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the North. Goaltender Jack Campbell has been white-hot. He set a Maple Leafs franchise-record winning his 10th game in a row on Wednesday. Frederik Andersen is close to returning, but will he be a super backup? Maybe a good problem to have. Auston Matthews will also look to add to his NHL leading 28 goals. He has goals in six of his last seven games.
Prediction: 5-2 Maple Leafs
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Lightning 5 – 1 Predators
Another division series will come to a close when these two Central Division rivals clash tonight and on Tuesday. The Tampa Bay Lightning (27-11-2) find themselves in an unexpected dog fight in the division. Tampa as well as the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are all within one point of each other. They managed to snap a two-game skid with an impressive 6-4 win over Columbus on Thursday. It was their first game with more than three goals since March 21st. Steven Stamkos could miss this one as he is day-to-day with a lower-body injury picked up in the win.
The Nashville Predators are the hottest team in the NHL, winning nine of their last 10 games. They have shot up the Central Division standings into the fourth and final playoff spot. They have a four-point cushion and are no longer the trade deadline “sellers”.They have done all this in large part without some of their key players, all out on injury. That list includes Matt Duchene, Ryan Ellis, and Filip Forsberg. Can goaltender Juuse Saros keep the streak going? He has won seven of his last eight starts allowing just 10 goals and recording two shutouts.
Prediction: 3-1 Lightning
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
