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 Toronto Maple Leafs vs Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL Predictions: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Vegas Golden Knights
Carolina Hurricanes vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-0 Canucks
Are we still in the Jim Benning Travis Green era? Once again on Saturday night, social media was littered with jersey-throwing content. All is well in Carolina. Coming off a loss, the Hurricanes will be drooling over this matchup. In the Vancouver Canucks mind, this could be a win to turn the ship around. Do I think that will happen? No. Thatcher Demko is not Thatcher Demko. After surpassing Marc Andre Fleury with -6.16 GSAX, it makes you wonder if there’s something else to the story.
The Carolina Hurricanes are a Stanley Cup favourite. They dominate teams by having the puck 65% of the time, leading to them being one of the best teams on both ends of the ice. Although they haven’t seen results, Carolina loves shots from the point. Vancouver will definitely need to key in on this as they’re horrible in front of their own net so limiting these shots against will be crucial. On that, Carolina will want to pounce on this opportunity. With the backend of Vancouver, I don’t see this one ending too pretty.
Hurricanes win 5-1
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-0 Golden Knights
The matchup of two of the most disappointing hockey teams, at least in the playoffs. Both these teams have had their indication of success players step up. Those two being 11 million dollar John Tavares and limited effort Jack Eichel. Toronto has had some pretty bad luck finishing-wise with -6.1 goals above expected. These two teams have had a very similar start with Vegas having the edge due to their defensive play. Credits to Bruce Cassidy. The Golden Knights should look to line match when Morgan Rielly is on the ice as he’s struggled hardcore defensively with 8 goals against at 5v5 to start the year. This game could very much come down to special teams. The Maple Leafs are dominant in that area whereas the Golden Knights have struggled immensely.
Vegas certainly plays a more structured game compared to Toronto. In net, Brock University legend Logan Thompson has carried over last season’s excellence to the 2022-23 season. The Leaf’s goaltending woes have carried over from last season with Matt Murray getting the unfortunate luck of an early season injury. Until then, Ilya Samsonov is holding down the fort. So far the former Capital has done a great job. If the Leafs can limit the high-danger chances, Samsonov will make the needed saves. The same goes for Thompson. Both teams play a similar game so it should be a good one. To Vegas, they go.
Golden Knights win 3-2 OT
