Welcome back to NHL Predictions, April 24th edition! Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each. This is part two of today’s predictions featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets. Be sure to check out the first and third parts of NHL Predictions for today, too.
NHL Predictions Featuring Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Leafs 5-3 Jets
The first-placed team in the North division will take on the second-placed team for our featured matchup. This will be the second last meeting between the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets. Coming into tonight’s matchup, Toronto has won the last three of four games against Winnipeg. Toronto so far on the seasons holds a 29-13-5 record, while the Jets own a 27-16-3 record.
The Leafs will attempt to keep the Jets winless during their five-game homestand and improve their winning streak to two. A season-long five-game losing streak has finally ended for the Toronto Maple Leafs as Jack Campbell picked up his 12th win of the season. Campbell is 4-3-1 versus Winnipeg with a .934 save percentage. Toronto has the 10th best power play with a 22.1 percent completion rate and ranks 27th on the penalty kill at 76 percent. Auston Matthews leads his team with 34 goals and 58 points.
Winnipeg looks to avoid losing three consecutive games for the first time this season. Connor Hellebuyck has won 21 games for Winnipeg this season and owns a .917 save percentage The Jets rank 10th in most goals scored with 147 and sit ninth for fewest goals allowed with 125. The team holds the fourth-best power play while converting on 25.7 percent of their opportunities. Kyle Connor leads Winnipeg with 22 goals, and Mark Scheifele leads with 54 points.
The Toronto Maples Leafs hold a six-game winning streak in Winnipeg, heading back to October 2017. The Maple Leafs have defeated the Jets in Winnipeg each time this season, but the Jets narrate tonight’s fate.
Prediction: Winnipeg Wins: 4-3
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Capitals 4-2 Islanders
The Washington Capitals shut out the New York Islanders on Thursday evening ending in a shootout victory 1-0. Ilya Samsonov would record his third career shutout while making 26 saves. Evgeny Kuznetsov scored in the third round to reward Washington with the victory. The Islanders shut out Washington on April 6th with a score of 1-0. Brock Nelson scored the lone goal to give the Islanders their second win over the Capitals this season. Semyon Varlamov recorded his 32nd shut out.
Washington leads the East Division with 64 points and the NHL in shooting percentage at 12 percent. The New York Islanders are one point behind the Capitals and could gain first in the East with a win tonight. Mathew Barzal has 25 assists on the season, leading the Islanders. He as well leads his team with 38 points. For the Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin has six goals in his last 10 games, leading his team with 24 goals. Unfortunately for Washington, their Captain Alex Ovechkin has suffered a lower-body injury and will be day-to-day.
Prediction: Islanders Win: 5-4
Dallas Stars vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Stars 5-2 Red Wings
In tonight’s Central Division matchup, the Dallas Stars will clash head to head with the Detroit Red Wings for the final of four consecutive matches. This contest will also be the last meeting of the season between the two. Dallas won the first two outings, but Detroit surprised their opponent winning their most recent matchup 7-3. Jakub Vrana scored four goals in the Red Wing’s recent victory giving the 25-year-old 16 goals on the season.
The Dallas Stars are two points out of a playoff spot and have two games in hand on the Nashville Predators, making this contest crucial for winning. Dallas is 6-2-2 in their last 10 and must keep adding wins to the column if they want to put a stamp on a playoff spot. Dallas ranks second in their division in goals-against with 120 and owns a 7-9-4 record on the season while away.
Prediction: Red Wings Win: 2-1
Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Knights 6-1 Ducks
The Vegas Golden Knights will visit the Anaheim Ducks for the last time this season. Vegas has won the last three meetings against Anaheim and has outscored their opponent 12-4. The Golden Knights were the first team to clinch a playoff birth this season and will look to extend their current winning streak of eight games. Anaheim has lost seven straight home games recently and is on a three-game losing streak.
Max Comtois leads the Ducks with 13 goals and 28 total points. For Vegas, Mark Stone leads the Golden Knights with 53 points, and Max Pacioretty leads the pack with 22 goals. Max Pacioretty has accumulated nine assists over his last 10 games for Vegas and is riding a six-game point streak.
Prediction: Knights Win: 6-2
Main Photo
