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 Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers.
NHL Predictions: Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers
Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head Hurricanes 0-0 Lightning
This matchup will be entertaining as both the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning entered the 2022-23 season as strong Stanley Cup contenders. The Hurricanes have collected at least one point in seven of their first nine games, putting together a record of 6-2-1. Tampa Bay started the season on the wrong foot. However, they are now climbing the Atlantic Division standings as they ride a three-game winning streak coming into tonight’s game.
Carolina has depth down the centre of the ice. That is vital in the faceoff circle leading to increased puck possession. The Hurricanes are very stingy defensively, allowing an average of 26.2 shots on goal per game. Across the ice, the Lightning are 6-4-0 through ten games and, to no surprise, have been led by their core of Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point and Victor Hedman. Lightning goalie, Andrei Vasilevsky, has yet to find his elite form this season. In their first matchup of the season, look for the Hurricanes to shut down Tampa Bay’s offence route to securing the victory.
Hurricanes win 3-1
Vegas Golden Knights vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head Golden Knights 0-0 Senators
Three straight losses have resulted in the Ottawa Senators free-falling to the bottom of the Atlantic division. After a solid start to the season and all the hype surrounding new additions Claude Giroux and Alex Debrincat, the Senators were dealt a significant blow with the injury to Josh Norris. There is uncertainty surrounding the franchise as word has spread that the owners are looking to sell the team. On the other hand, Vegas Golden Knights have been spectacular this season under new bench boss Bruce Cassidy. Vegas has allowed a league-low 1.73 goals against per game. Jack Eichel has returned to superstar form, and Shea Theodore looks on the way to a career year. Unfortunately, the Senator’s three-game slide is extended as Vegas tromps the Sens in this one.
Golden Knights win 5-2
Washington Capitals vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head Capitals 0-0 Red Wings
The Washington Capitals season hasn’t gone as expected is a vast understatement. The Capitals are struggling early on this year with a 5-4-2 record. Two glaring stats for the Capitals are their 29th ranking in shots on goal per game with 27.4 and are dead last in the league with a 42.9% faceoff winning percentage. Alexander Ovechkin leads the Caps’ offence with five goals and four assists for nine points in 11 games. Their host, the Detroit Red Wings, are coming off an embarrassing 8-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. However, the Red Wings have shown some growth and improvement early this season. Led by newcomer Dominik Kubalik and captain Dylan Larkin with 11 points each, the Wings are sure to come out hot following the shellacking from Buffalo.
Red Wings win 4-3 in OT
Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head Bruins 0-0 Rangers
Our feature matchup of the night is the Boston Bruins vs the New York Rangers, which will be a beauty to watch. The Bruins have shocked many off-season doubters as they currently sit on top of the league standings with a 9-1 record through 10 games. However, after last season’s emergence and Eastern Conference Final appearance, the New York Rangers are making it known that they are genuine contenders this season. Through 11 games, the Rangers sit second in the Metropolitan Division with a 6-3-2 record.
The Bruins’ start is the best in franchise history. They have had several players stepping up on the way to doing so. Last season’s trade deadline acquisition, Hampus Lindholm, has been stellar this season. The left defenceman has posted over a point a game through his first ten, something that no Bruins defenceman has been able to do since the great Ray Bourque. In addition, David Pastrnak is playing his way to a big payday coming out of the gates flying as his play earned him the 2nd star of the month honours for October.
The Rangers have enjoyed the play of MVP candidate goaltender Igor Shesterkin. However, it seems he can’t take a night off as back-up, and former Bruin Jaroslav Halak has had horrible showings when he starts a game. The Rangers are 6-0-2 with Shesterkin between the pipes and 0-3 with Halak in goal. Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad have led the way for the Rangers with 16 and 13 points, respectively.
This will be the Bruins’ toughest test of the season; expect the game to go right down to the wire. But, while all streaks must come to an end at some point. The Bruins’ winning streak won’t end tonight as they take down the Rangers.
Bruins win 4-2
On this day in 2019, the Bruins’ top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak combined for 13 points in a 7-4 victory over the Rangers #Hockey365 #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/czLQGowQuq
— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) October 27, 2022
