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 and the Washington Capitals
NHL Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs vs New Jersey Devils
Head to Head: Maple Leafs 0 – 1 Devils
The first game on our NHL Predictions is must-watch hockey. Just a few nights ago, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime to keep their win streak alive. Since then, the Devils have kept the streak going and have tied their franchise record with 13 straight wins. Toronto has gone 1-1 since that loss to the Devils and both teams will enter play looking to get a win before turkey day.
The Devils have continued their dominance. In their last four games, they’ve outscored their opponents 18-6. Currently the Devils average 3.84 goals per game and average 2.32 goals against per game (both 2nd in the league). They are not an easy team to play against. But neither are the Leafs. Their offence is as lethal as any, and the big guns are getting it done for them. The last game was very close, so just like that matchup, this one will be the same.
The streak cannot last forever and Toronto will get revenge in this matchup.
Prediction: Maple Leafs defeat Devils 3-2
Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings
Head to Head: Predators 0 – 0 Red Wings
This has the makings of a great game. Steve Yzerman‘s high-flying Detroit Red Wings take on the Nashville Predators. Nashville has been better as of late and currently sits fifth in the competitive Central Division. A large part of the recent success has been Juuse Saros. In his last five starts, he has put up a 2.34 GAA, and .928 save percentage. He is currently 4-0-1 and is performing precisely the way they need him to, as he is a large part of the team’s success.
Detroit currently sits fourth in the gauntlet of the Atlantic Division. After dropping for games in a row, they have been better winning their last two games and outscoring their opponents 13-5. The offence is led by captain Dylan Larkin and after looking resurgent in the last two games they will face a red-hot goaltender as well.
As good as the offence has been, the hot goalie will prevail.
Prediction: Predators defeat Red Wings 4-3
Edmonton Oilers vs New York Islanders
Head to Head: Oilers 0 – 0 Islanders
This game on our NHL Predictions features an inter-conference matchup. The Edmonton Oilers continue their road trip through the metro area. After losing to the Devils 5-2 two nights ago, they take on a New York Islanders team who is coming off a victory.
The Islanders currently sit third in the Metropolitan Division. After a sluggish start, they’ve gotten on the right track. Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, and Anders Lee are leading the charge for an Islanders offence that is sixth in even-strength goals (45). The biggest key for them has been Russian phenom Ilya Sorokin. He has been playing Vezina Calibre goaltending for the Islanders. Sorokin has a 2.37 GAA and a .926 save percentage. His goals saved above-expected ranks fourth (10.1). The Islanders are getting good goaltending and good offence while also boasting the fifth-best penalty-kill unit.
That’ll come in handy with facing an Oiler’s power play that ranks second in the league. The Oilers also boast the two best players in the game in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Keying on those two goes a long way to victory as the depth scoring outside of those two and Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is bland. Given how good the Islanders are defensively and the goaltending they have is why they will win this game.
Prediction: Islanders defeat Oilers 3-2
Philadelphia Flyers vs Washington Capitals
Head to Head: Flyers 0 – 0 Capitals
Tonight’s featured game is between two metropolitan division rivals. The Philadelphia Flyers travel to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Capitals. Both teams are separated by one point and sit on the outside looking in at a playoff spot. It is still early, but that’s still something you can look at.
This matchup features one of the greatest goal-scorers in the game and one of the better goaltenders to start the season. Alexander Ovechkin is paving the way for the injured Capitals team and Carter Hart is a large reason why the Flyers are off to the start they are.
After starting the season 7-3-2, the Flyers have lost seven games in a row. They came crashing back down to earth after exceeding expectations early on. Things have not gone well for Washington either, as they are on a four-game losing streak. Two struggling teams enter play this evening looking to get into the win column before the holidays.
Given it is almost Thanksgiving, one player the Flyers are thankful for is Hart. Hart has been the team’s most valuable player and is rocking a 2.68 GAA and .920 save percentage. The Philly goaltender leads the league in goals saved above expected with 14.2. He has cooled down a bit as the team is getting creamed, but he has been very good for the Flyers and will be the X-factor for them in tonight’s matchup.
This game will come down to goaltending, and Darcy Kuemper has been everything they’d hoped for when they signed him. He has a 2.83 GAA and .907 save percentage. Given the Flyers’ offence has been sluggish, Kuemper will be more than enough to get the job done.
Prediction: Capitals defeat Flyers 5-1
Second period.
📺 @NBCSWashington
🖥 https://t.co/rqB0TgOfSY pic.twitter.com/NeD7FsN8TW— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 20, 2022
