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 St. Louis Blues vs Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Predictions with St. Louis Blues vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Colorado Avalanche vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 1 – 0 Sabres
Today’s matinee will feature the league’s best team against one of the worst. The last meeting between the Avs and Sabres was just three weeks ago in Denver. Colorado won 4-1.
After shutting out Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, the Avalanche will take their road trip to the East. Over the last six games against Buffalo dating back to 2018, the Avalanche are 6-0, outscoring the Sabres 27 to 9. Regardless of who stands in their way though, Colorado has been torching the league. They have an incredible 18-1-2 record over their past 21 games. They’ll look to keep it rolling this afternoon.
It’s no question that the Sabres will have their hands full today. Dustin Tokarski will get a chance to exact revenge, after suffering the loss just three starts ago in his first-ever game against the Avalanche. If he’s equal to the task, the offence is going to need to pull their weight too. With the way the top line of Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner have been playing lately, that’s a realistic possibility. The trio has combined for 33 points over their last 10 games.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-1
Edmonton Oilers vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Oilers 1 – 1 Jets
This will be the third and final installment of the season for this all-Canadian matchup. The Jets won game one convincingly back in November. Two days later, the Oilers responded with a shootout victory. The all-important rubber match is set for 4 pm EST.
The Oilers are on a roll under new head coach Jay Woodcroft, winning all four games while only allowing six goals against. Three of those wins belong to Mike Smith, who finally seems to have gotten over the hump after being plagued with injuries multiple times this season. With the Oilers set to play their first game of a back-to-back, it’s unclear whether he or Mikko Koskinen will get the call today. What is certain however is that both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will likely find the scoresheet. Both players remain in lockstep for the league lead in points with 68 apiece. The Oilers will be without Jesse Puljujarvi, as it was recently announced that he will miss about four weeks with a lower-body injury.
Like Edmonton, the Jets are coming into today’s action on a high as well after back-to-back victories over the Minnesota Wild and Seattle Kraken. They currently sit just outside the playoff picture with 52 points. Based on how tight the Western conference is (excluding Colorado), every game against opponents in front of you is important. Amidst recent injuries to Andrew Copp and Cole Perfetti, Captain Blake Wheeler will look to continue his high-scoring ways. He has 11 points in his last four games.
Prediction: Jets win 4-2
Boston Bruins vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Bruins 2 – 0 Senators
The Bruins have owned the Senators so far this season. Their most recent win was a 2-0 shutout victory just a week ago. Earning the shutout was Jeremy Swayman, who has outplayed Linus Ullmark since the retirement announcement of Tuukka Rask. Swayman will likely get the start again tonight. With Brad Marchand’s six-game suspension upheld, Taylor Hall will continue skating on the top line next to Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. He had the lone goal and added seven shots in a 4-1 loss to the Islanders last game.
If it seems like the Senators are playing every day, it’s because they almost are. Tonight will be their eighth game in 13 nights. During this busy schedule, Brady Tkachuk has led the way with four goals and six points. In goal will likely be Anton Forsberg as Matt Murray’s status is in question. Forsberg has won all three starts since the break, sporting a solid .953 SV% and 1.59 GAA.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-2 in overtime
St. Louis Blues vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Blues 0 – 1 Maple Leafs
If this game is anything like their last meeting, we’re in for a treat tonight. Just over a month ago, the Leafs and Blues met in St. Louis. Toronto won 6-5 thanks to a late third period goal by Ilya Mikheyev.
Jordan Binnington was on the hook for all six goals that night. Since then, he’s only started twice. He lost 7-1 against the Flames and 7-4 against the Devils. Because of poor play that’s seen Binnington post a sub .900 SV% in 10 of his last 15 starts, the Blues have turned to Ville Husso. Husso has been far superior. He ranks first in goals against average (1.91) and second in save percentage (.937) among goalies who have played at least six games. At this time, a goalie has not been named for tonight. Based on the numbers it’s evident the Leafs and their fans would prefer to face Binnington.
The Maple Leafs’ number one goaltender has been far more stable. Despite some shaky numbers that began in St. Louis and lasted for a handful of games, Jack Campbell has been steady recently, coming off two solid performances in a row. He will likely get the call tonight. Upfront, superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have been firing on all cylinders. Since their last meeting with the Blues 12 games ago, Matthews has 23 points and Marner has 24. They are undoubtedly one of, if not the best duos in the National Hockey League.
Expect another exciting game with the top two powerplays in the league going head-to-head. With both teams bound to create plenty of offence, the netminders are going to have to stand on their heads in the one.
Prediction: Blues win 4-3
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