Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one. Breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers.
NHL Predictions with Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Kings 0 – 0 Leafs
The Los Angeles Kings are entering this one on a four-game winning streak. The Kings have bucked an early six-game skid in a big way by rattling off four wins, but it will be tough on the road against an equally hot Toronto Maple Leafs team. The Leafs were off to a miserable start to their season and they lacked any production from their stars. But a bit of line juggling by coach Sheldon Keefe has his team firing at a rate we all expected them to this season.
The 30-million dollar men, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and John Tavares have been lights out the last three games. At least one member of that trio has contributed on 10 of their last 11 goals scored. Expect those sticks to stay hot in this matchup.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-2
Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0 – 0 Capitals
The Buffalo Sabres have been quite the surprise this season. Expected to finish at the basement of the league for a second straight year, the Sabres have put together some excellent performances. They currently sit at 5-4-2 and sport the fifth-best power play and third-best penalty kill in the league. They will not be the doormat they were last year. Sabres could catch the Capitals off guard in this one.
Washington Capitals captain, Alex Ovechkin, continues to out-duel Father Time. The Russian Machine leads the league with 10 goals in 11 games thus far. Ovechkin has had plenty of success against the Sabres over his career. He’s scored a remarkable 35 goals in 56 games against them. With being one goal shy of Brett Hull for fourth on the all-time goals list, you can expect a motivated Ovechkin to reach that milestone sooner than later.
Prediction: Washington wins 5-2
Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0 – 0 Rangers
The Florida Panthers enter this game as the hottest team in the NHL right now. The ‘Cats have yet to lose in regulation and they flexed their depth on Saturday with a convincing 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes whilst missing Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, and Sergei Bobrovsky.
The New York Rangers are limping back home to the ‘Garden after a brutal finish to their road trip out west. The Rangers went 1-1-2 and while it started out well with a win over the Seattle Kraken, they would then lose in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks, blow a three-goal lead to the Edmonton Oilers to lose in overtime, and then close it out with a 6-0 thumping by the Calgary Flames.
The Rangers will be motivated to get back on track in front of their fans. But it’ll be no easy task against the seemingly unbeatable Panthers. Barkov could return to the lineup for this one and if he does, the once-hot goaltending tandem of Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev will surely feel the heat of the goal lamp on their necks courtesy of this high octane Florida offence.
Prediction: Florida wins 4-2
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