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 Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Predictions With Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Senators 1 – 1 Sabres
The Ottawa Senators are right on the Buffalo Sabres’ heels. The two teams are sixth and seventh in the Atlantic Division, as Ottawa looks to tie up Buffalo in standings points. In the Senators’ last game, it was the young players who shined, with Parker Kelly, Tim Stützle, and Erik Brannstrom all scoring at least a point. For Buffalo, Alex Tuch recorded a goal and an assist against the New York Islanders to extend his point streak to four games. With a two-game win streak under their belts, the Sabres have all the momentum – expect them to get another victory in tonight’s contest.
Prediction: Sabres win, 5-2
Detroit Red Wings vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0 – 0 Rangers
At third in the Metropolitan Division, the New York Rangers sit mere points out of second behind the Carolina Hurricanes. They’re riding a three-game win streak, the last of which was a shootout victory over the Boston Bruins. K’Andre Miller scored the game-winning goal, and Igor Shesterkin stopped 31 of 32 shots. On the other hand, after dropping a game to the Minnesota Wild, the Detroit Red Wings need a win to close the significant gap between themselves and the Bruins. Dylan Larkin will look to extend his point streak – he has 13 points through his last six games. Despite this, the Rangers should have the edge over the Red Wings.
Prediction: Rangers win, 3-1
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Penguins 2 – 0 Maple Leafs
The Pittsburgh Penguins are heating up. They sit at the top of the Metropolitan Division with 70 standings points. Furthermore, the Penguins enter tonight’s contest on a four-game winning streak. In Pittsburgh’s last win, Sidney Crosby scored his 500th career goal and logged an assist on Jake Guentzel‘s game-tying tally as well.
After falling to the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks last week, the Toronto Maple Leafs have rebounded with a dominant 6-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. In that contest, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews combined for a goal and four assists. Marner has five goals and five assists through his last five games; Matthews has four goals and four assists in that same stretch.
Although Pittsburgh took the last two meetings with Toronto, it’s worth noting that the teams’ most recent clash was back in November. Consequently, the head-to-head isn’t an accurate representation of how either group is playing now. Based on recent records, the Penguins should be the ones with the advantage in this game. However, the Maple Leafs are still a competitive team that has the ability to pull off surprising victories against elite teams – see last week’s win over the Hurricanes for an example. It will be close, but Toronto might have some more underdog success tonight.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win, 4-3
Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Capitals 0 – 1 Flyers
Though the Philadelphia Flyers came out on top the last time they played the Washington Capitals, this meeting isn’t likely to go the same way. The Flyers have a three-game losing streak, whereas the Capitals are fresh off a win over the Nashville Predators. For Philadelphia, Scott Laughton has a six-game point streak and recorded a goal and an assist in each of his last two games. But for Washington, Alex Ovechkin is getting back to his usual self after a bit of a cold stretch, with two goals against the Predators. The Flyers’ streak has to end at some point, but it won’t be against the Capitals.
Prediction: Capitals win, 4-2
St. Louis Blues vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Blues 1 – 0 Canadiens
While the Montreal Canadiens remain at the bottom of the league, the St. Louis Blues are hanging around the top of the Central Division. In their last game, the Blues put together a dominant 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. Pavel Buchnevich, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Robert Thomas all recorded three points. On the other hand, the Canadiens have not gotten a win since mid-January. Nick Suzuki leads the team in goals, assists, and points, but had no points in his last two games. Naturally, the Blues should take away a very decisive victory tonight.
Prediction: Blues win, 6-2
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