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. We want to take to thank those who served this United States’ Veterans Day and Canadian Remembrance Day.
NHL Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head to Head: Penguins 0-0 Maple Leafs
It’s the first of three meetings this month between the two teams that have good offences. However, the Penguins have been scuffling in recent games until a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Pittsburgh had lost four straight prior to Wednesday’s win. Jake Guentzel leads in goals with seven while captain Sidney Crosby has nine assists. Defence has been the main problem for Pittsburgh as its 24th in goals allowed coming into Thursday’s games.
The hot-and-cold Leafs are warm again thanks to Erik Kallgren and John Tavares. Kallgren may not be the permanent solution, but he’s done just fine while Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov recover from injuries. Toronto’s captain leads in goals with eight as the Buds have points in their last four after a 4-3 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the last outing. Mitch Marner is tops in assists with 13 and has started to put his game together this season.
The over/under of 6.5 is an interesting play as both teams have the firepower to put up some goals.
Prediction: Leafs win 5-3.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Lightning 0-0 Capitals
It’s the first of a back-to-back set for the old Southeast Division rivals. The Tampa Bay Lightning has won three of its last five, but is coming off a loss to the Edmonton Oilers in the last game. Steven Stamkos leads the way in goals with seven while Nikita Kucherov has handed out 15 assists so far. Andrei Vasilevskiy has settled down and has a .910 save percentage and a 2.90 goals-against-average.
The Caps have lost four of their last five games and are dealing lots of injuries. Washington’s defence has also struggled so far this season with 45 goals allowed. Alex Ovechkin continues to defy Father Time with eight goals already this season and Evgeny Kuznetsov has nine assists this campaign. Darcy Kuemper is the likely expected starter for Washington.
Tampa Bay getting an early lead could spell disaster for Washington as the Bolts have a potent offence.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-2.
San Jose Sharks vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Sharks 0-0 Stars
It’s the Joe Pavelski Cup between the former teams of the American hockey great. Pavelski’s former team has been struggling with four straight losses. The San Jose Sharks also have trouble scoring and letting up goals as they’re 26th in goals for and allowed. Erik Karlsson has really been the lone bright spot with 10 goals and nine assists. James Reimer will go in net for the Sharks.
Pavelski’s current team, the Dallas Stars, has won three of its last five, but is coming off a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Jason Robertson leads in goals with nine while Roope Hintz has 12 assists in a big contract year. Scott Wedgewood will be the starter while Jake Oettinger is still out for the Stars.
Dallas should win despite not having their top goalie, but watch out for Karlsson if you play daily fantasy.
Prediction: Stars win 4-1.
Minnesota Wild vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-1 Kraken
Our final game has two teams that are doing well in recent games. Minnesota does want revenge for a 4-0 loss earlier in the season. The Wild have won three of its last five and beat the Anaheim Ducks, 4-1, last time out. Kirill Kaprizov is already in double-digit goals with 10 while Calen Addison has nine assists. Filip Gustavsson likely gets the start in goal.
The Kraken have won five in a row and are second in the Pacific Division. Seattle has gotten goals from 19 different players so far this season and Jared McCann leads with five. Andre Burakovsky tops the assist rankings for the team with nine. Martin Jones will draw the start in all likelihood.
Both teams are playing well, but Seattle continues to roll.
Prediction: Kraken win 3-2.
NHL weekend preview: Maple Leafs to best undermanned Penguins https://t.co/pOYQRmZcjh pic.twitter.com/7VMHERhkXf
— theScore NHL (@theScoreNHL) October 22, 2021
