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. New Jersey Devils.
NHL Predictions with Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-head: Penguins 0-0 Coyotes
Pittsburgh Penguins‘ Evgeni Malkin, despite being sidelined with a knee injury, put up 42 points in 41 games, which is more than all but four players on last season’s Arizona Coyotes team: Clayton Keller, who had 63 points in 67 games; Nick Schmaltz, who had 59 points in 63 games; Phil Kessel, who had 52 points in 82 games and Shayne Gostisbehere, who had 51 points in 82 games. And with Kessel on the Vegas Golden Knights now, this seems likely to be a pretty one-sided game. Not to mention the firepower Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang bring to the Penguins.
And this matchup won’t have the added intrigue of Mullett Arena, as the Coyotes don’t play at Arizona State University until Oct. 28.
Prediction: 4-1 Penguins
Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators
Head-to-head: Sabres 0-0 Senators
The Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators both finished with 75 points or less last season in the Atlantic Divison, but they both have some exciting aspects to them.
The Sabres have a young core that is still developing but should be exciting to watch nonetheless, like Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson, who had a breakout year with 68 points in 78 games last season.
Ottawa, on the other hand, went all out over the offseason, signing Claude Giroux, trading for Alex DeBrincat and signing Tim Stüzle and Joshua Norris to extensions and more. The Senators will be looking to prove right off the bat that they can compete, so this matchup should be a fun start to both team’s seasons.
Prediction: 3-2 Senators
New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-head: Devils 0-0 Flyers
The John Tortorella era for the Flyers truly begins against the Devils. It will also be the first full season without longtime captain Giroux. They didn’t make any huge moves over the offseason, but they did get Anthony DeAngelo, who put up 51 points in 64 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season.
If Jack Hughes can stay healthy, the best season of his career may be in store. He’s one of the most electric young players in the game right now. He had a career-high 56 points in 49 games last season despite a dislocated shoulder early in the season and an MCL injury to end the season. Adding two-time Stanley Cup champion Ondrej Palat didn’t hurt either.
The Devils and Flyers finished next to each other in the standings, with 63 and 61 points, respectively. Both teams should do a little better, but the Devils looked like they have improved more.
Prediction: 3-0 Devils
New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers
Head-to-head: Islanders 0-0 Panthers
If the prospect of a Matthew Tkachuk–Aleksander Barkov–Sam Reinhart line doesn’t excite you, it should. Yes, this is Tkachuk’s regular-season debut as a Florida Panther since the Jonathan Huberdeau trade in the offseason. Let the way-too-soon arguments over who won the trade continue. The Panthers are looking to start strong after getting swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the playoffs last year.
The New York Islanders are also looking for a hot start, but for a different reason. They missed the playoffs entirely last season after three straight trips and are eager to get back to where they believe they belong. And they are hoping newly-extended forward Mathew Barzal can improve and help them get back. This should be a fun game.
Prediction: 4-3 Panthers
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals
Head-to-head: Leafs 0-0 Capitals
The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off their season against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, and the Washington Capitals started with a matchup with the Bruins. So, Thursday’s game is the second half of a back to back for both clubs. But since it’s so early in the season, hopefully nobody’s legs are too tired yet because this has the potential to be a really fun matchup.
Auston Matthews put up 106 points in 73 games last year, surpassing 100 for the first time in his career. And Mitch Marner broke his career high in points as well with 97 in 72 games.
And of course, Alex Ovechkin scored 50+ goals for the ninth time in his career. He’s now just 21 goals away from Gordie Howe and 114 goals away from Wayne Gretzky, and considering he hasn’t slowed down yet, he could get there. This battle of the superstars should be fun.
Prediction: 4-2 Leafs
