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 Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Predictions with Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-0 Maple Leafs
Toronto is coming off a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night, which stopped a five-game winning streak. John Tavares has picked up his play in recent games and leads the team with seven goals so far this season. Mitch Marner may not be scoring goals, but has 10 assists for the Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell does have six wins this season in net, but is looking to shake off a shaky outing against Los Angeles.
The Flyers are winners of three of their last five and beat the Washington Capitals, 2-1, in their last game. Philadelphia has third-best goals-against in the league with 24 allowed in 10 games. Martin Jones has revived his career after struggling his last couple seasons with the San Jose Sharks. Cam Atkinson is tops in goals for the Flyers with six while captain Claude Giroux has seven assists for 12 points.
[pickup_prop id=”9767″]
The game will be decided by who can dictate the style of play. Philadelphia will want to keep it tight while Toronto wants their skill players to shine. Early goals by the Leafs could make the over (6 to 6.5 was the number on some sites) a strong play. However, the Flyers are 6-0-1 in the last seven against the Leafs when they have two or more days off. Take the Flyers and the under in this one.
Prediction: Flyers win 3-2.
Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-0 Stars
It’s the first meeting of the season between the Central Division rivals. Nashville edged out Dallas last season for the fourth and final playoff spot in last year’s makeshift Central. Both teams are coming off loses, but the Predators have won three of their last five. Dallas has struggled against Nashville as they are 1-0-5 in its last six meetings.
Matt Duchene has bounced back so far this campaign with five goals while Juuse Saros has five of the clubs six wins. The Finn has a 2.31 goals-against-average and .925 save percentage. Nashville’s power play has been better than recent years as it’s sixth in the league.
Tyler Seguin leads in goals with four, but Miro Heiskanen has been solid with nine assists. Braden Holtby and Anton Khudobin have split time in the crease, so check around to see who gets the start.
[pickup_prop id=”9773″]
Both these teams have similar stats and are strong on defence. The under of anywhere from five to six goals might be the right move. The Predators have been more solid, but it will be close.
Prediction: Predators win 2-1.
Minnesota Wild vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-0 Coyotes
The Wild have dominated the last three seasons with an 11-3 mark against the Coyotes. Minnesota comes in winners of three straight and have been racking up goals with the ninth-most in the league at 36. Ryan Hartman is your surprise goal-leader for the Wild with six and Mathew Dumba is leading in assists with seven. Cam Talbot has shouldered the load, but Kaapo Kahkonen likely starts with this being first of a back-to-back.
Arizona finally got off the skids with a 5-4 victory over the Seattle Kraken. The Yotes look to be the frontrunners for Shane Wright in the 2022 NHL Draft. However, fellow Kingston Frontenac Lawson Crouse leads Arizona with four goals on the season. Scott Wedgewood might get the call since the Yotes have been off since Saturday.
Arizona could have some confidence after the win and Kahkonen likely starting. However, the Wild have plenty of firepower to win this.
Prediction: Wild win 4-2.
