Welcome back to NHL Predictions, April 20th edition! Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each. This is the third set of games featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Vancouver Canucks. Be sure and check out the early NHL Predictions for today, too.
NHL Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Leafs 3-3 Canucks
Welcome to tonight’s featured game, which should be an epic battle in the North Division. The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped their last outing against Vancouver Canucks 2-3 to split the series. This will be the second consecutive contest between the two teams leaving two games remaining versus each other. Currently, the Maple Leafs are riding a four-game losing streak hoping to snap the skid.
The Maple Leafs lead the North division with 61 points and only four points ahead of their next opponent, the Winnipeg Jets. Toronto ranks seventh in the NHL with 146 goals scored and 11th with allowing 120 goals. Auston Matthews leads the league and his team with 33 goals making the star forward the front runner for the Maurice Richard Trophy. Matthews also leads his team with 54 points. Mitch Marner leads Toronto with 40 assists and has nine helpers over his last 10 games.
Vancouver seemed to surprise quite a few fans after their recent victory versus Toronto. If the team can string some wins together, things will get interesting in the North division. The Canucks are seventh in their division, sitting 10 points out of a playoff spot. Vancouver has five games in hand on the Montreal Canadiens and seven games in favour of the Calgary Flames. So there is still hope! Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser lead their team with 16 goals and, Boeser leads with 34 points. Horvat has been racking the points as he scored five goals and registered six helpers over his last 10 games.
Prediction: Toronto Wins: 5-2
Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Ducks 2-1 Kings
Both the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings have dropped their recent two games. A note to add about the team’s losses is that all four games were against Vegas Golden Knights. Anaheim and Los Angeles seem to be scoring a low volume of goals this season. Each team ranks at the bottom of the West division with goals scored. Dustin Brown for the Kings leads both teams with 16 goals on the season.
Anaheim goaltender John Gibson may get the start between the pipes as he has earned 12-6-0 in his career versus the Los Angeles Kings. Gibson versus Los Angeles has a .924 save percentage. Calvin Petersen could get the start tonight and, versus Anaheim, he is 0-1-1 in his career. Petersen owns a .881 save percentage against the Ducks. If Jonathan Quick gets the nod, he is 22-13-8 versus the Ducks in his career with a .908 save percentage.
Prediction: Ducks Win: 2-1
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