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 of our NHL Predictions is the Toronto Maple Leafs vs the Dallas Stars.
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NHL Predictions: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Dallas Stars
Florida Panthers vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0-0 Jets
The Florida Panthers head north as they make their only trip to play the Winnipeg Jets. Florida sits fifth in the Atlantic Division, and the Jets are 2nd in the Central Division. Florida is coming off a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. In Winnipeg’s most recent game, they came out victorious over the Anaheim Ducks. Spencer Knight is expected to play in goal for the Panthers. Workhorse, Connor Hellebuyck, will be back between the pipes for Winnipeg. In his first season in Florida, Matthew Tkachuk has been impressive, posting 34 points in 23 games. The Jets are led offensively by defenceman Josh Morrissey, who has 26 points in 23 games. Look for Florida to come out on top in a tightly contested game.
Prediction: Panthers win 3-2 in overtime
Carolina Hurricanes vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-0 Ducks
In the first meeting between these two teams, the Ducks are streaking. However, not in a good sense, as they have lost six straight. The Carolina Hurricanes are streaking the opposite way, as they have won their last four games. The Hurricanes have scored 18 goals over their previous five and allowed 13. Anaheim have scored just 12 goals and have allowed 27 over their six-game losing streak. The Hurricanes are expected to give Antti Raanta the start in goal, while the Ducks’ John Gibson will start in the opposite end. All streaks must end; look for the Ducks to break out of their losing streak ending the Hurricanes’ winning streak simultaneously.
Predictions: Ducks win 4-2
Montreal Canadiens vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-0 Kraken
The Kraken have been one of the most surprising teams this far into the season. They play host to the Montreal Canadiens tonight in the season’s first meeting between the two. The Kraken were among the best teams in November, going 10-1-1 for the month. Montreal has been a .500 hockey club this season, led by their young stars in the making Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach. Interestingly enough, Shane Wright has been recalled from his AHL conditioning stint just in time to suit up against a Canadiens team that passed him over as the number 1 pick at last summer’s NHL Entry Draft. Should Wright join the Kraken lineup tonight, look for him to be highly motivated, as the storyline is perfect for him to score his first career goal.
Prediction: Kraken win 5-3
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Dallas Stars
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1-0 Stars
In our featured game of the night, the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Dallas Stars in the season’s second meeting between the two. The first matchup required overtime to find a winner as Toronto picked up a 3-2 win on home ice. However, Nick Robertson, brother of Stars forward Jason Robertson, had a night to remember as he scored twice, including the overtime winner for the Leafs.
Speaking of Jason Robertson, he is on an absolute tear scoring 21 goals and 13 assists over an 18-game point streak. Maple Leafs’ star forward Mitch Marner has his own point streak going as he set the record for the longest point streak in Maple Leafs’ history at 19 games. The Stars dropped a shootout decision to the Minnesota Wild after making a substantial third-period comeback after being down 5-1. Toronto most recently suffered an overtime loss at the hands of divisional rival Tampa Bay Lightning.
Both teams will be looking to get back into the win column, and this game will be highly entertaining. The Stars hold the top spot in the Central division, while the Maple Leafs look to close the gap between themselves and the division-leading Boston Bruins.
Like in the first meeting, a Robertson brother will have a front-and-center performance; this time, it will be the Stars forward who extends his point streak and leads Dallas to a big win.
Predictions: Stars win 4-2.
Stay tuned for more NHL Predictions throughout the week.
“You could almost see him computing it in his mind before it happened.”
19-game streak, 15 penalties, 11 games with a point, and 6 straight OT losses: A memorable night in Tampa for Mitch Marner and two star-stuffed hockey teams https://t.co/gw4Nf0kYfM pic.twitter.com/TLFpLA9kAs
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) December 4, 2022
