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 Vancouver Canucks vs Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Predictions: Vancouver Canucks vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-1 Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers just defeated the Ottawa Senators last week on November 5th. In that game, netminder Carter Hart played brilliantly for the Flyers, saving 33 of 34 shots in a narrow 2-1 victory. Hart has been the best part of the Flyers’ young season so far and is the biggest reason why they remain competitive in the division. There’s little reason to doubt that he can’t claw the Flyers to another victory today, on home ice and against a struggling Senators team.
Prediction: Flyers win 3-1
Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-0 Panthers
The Edmonton Oilers are fresh off of losing Evander Kane to injury, and just got clobbered by the Carolina Hurricanes. It’s been a rough eastern road trip for the team and it caps off today against the Florida Panthers. It’s a tough matchup for the Oilers, as the Panthers have won two in a row. They also just got Matthew Tkachuk back from suspension and Aaron Ekblad back from injured reserve today. The deck is stacked against the Oilers in a big way today, and they haven’t shown nearly enough life lately to overcome it.
Prediction: Flyers win 4-2
Arizona Coyotes vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0-0 Devils
Credit to the Arizona Coyotes, amid calls for their roster being one of the worst ever, they’ve held relatively strong so far. Their 6-6-1 record isn’t stellar, but compared to their expectations, it’s an improvement. Heck, they just shut out the New York Islanders on the road, 2-0, to bump their winning streak to three games. They’re certainly over-performing and this trend is going to take a major test tonight against the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are on a winning streak of their own, except theirs is a whopping eight games. Normally, this would be a slam-dunk prediction for the Devils; however, the Coyotes are playing pretty well right now and all long winning streaks must come to an end sometime. This one seems like a bit of a trap game, where an underdog Coyotes team could catch the Devils off guard.
Prediction: Coyotes win 4-3
Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Bruins 0-0 Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres were one of October’s best stories. They shot off to a wicked start, dominated a western road trip, and looked like they were poised to finally become a contender. Not so fast. The Sabres now find themselves on a rough four-game losing streak, which has lowered their record to 7-7. If the Sabres truly are a contender, they need to find a way to bust streaks like this before they get completely out of hand. Unfortunately, that just doesn’t seem likely against the Boston Bruins. The Bruins are 12-2, they are at or near the top of the league in goals per game, goals against per game, and combined special teams. Even their goaltender, Linus Ullmark, has been nothing short of sensational. Tough to see them losing here against a team with doubt in their mind.
Prediction: Bruins win 5-3
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-1 Canadiens
The Pittsburgh Penguins just beat the Toronto Maple Leafs last night, so they’ll be on the second half of a back-to-back. After a horrid stretch of games, the Penguins have rebounded positively, winning two in a row, including the game against the Leafs. The Montreal Canadiens aren’t quite up to the quality of the Leafs, so in theory, this should be an easier matchup for the Penguins. One potential x-factor for the Canadiens in this tough matchup is forward Nick Suzuki. He’s been on a tear lately, with five goals in his last five games, with a total of seven points. He helped lead his team to a win against the Canucks in their last game and he might just be able to do the same here.
Prediction: Canadiens win 3-2 (OT)
Vancouver Canucks vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-0 Maple Leafs
Even with the Leafs on the second half of a back-to-back, they still have to be the heavy favourite in this one. The Canucks have looked sloppy all season long and vulnerable in almost every facet of the game. One particular surprise is the unusually poor play from netminder Thatcher Demko. He only has one, yes one win on the season. He has a goals-against average north of four and his save percentage is a lowly .874. That’s not all on him, as the Canucks have been prone to mind-numbing errors, but it’s still not very good at all.
That type of weakness in goaltending is definitely something that the Leafs can take advantage of with their firepower. They should be ticked off after last night’s regulation loss to the Penguins and will face a much easier matchup in order to make amends. Mitch Marner has eight points in his last five, and John Tavares has been red-hot with four goals in his last five games. These guys could and should be expected to take advantage tonight against one of the western conference’s weakest teams.
Prediction: Leafs win 5-2
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