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 Calgary Flames vs the Toronto Maple Leafs. Be sure to check out our other set of NHL Predictions for the early games.
NHL Predictions with Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Buffalo Sabres vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-To-Head: Sabres 0-1 Penguins
The Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins face off for the second time in as many nights. Last night’s game required overtime before Penguins forward Jeff Carter scored the power play winner. Tristan Jarry and Craig Anderson started last night so expect the night off for both of them. Pittsburgh is heating up as they’ve won four straight and are 8-1-1 in their previous ten. The Sabres also may be without forward Jeff Skinner as he awaits a hearing for cross-checking Penguins Jake Guentzel. Buffalo is 5-3-2 over their last ten games.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-3
Los Angeles Kings vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-To-Head: Kings 0-0 Canadiens
The Los Angeles Kings make their only visit to play the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal has had an extended break, as they last played on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. The Kings are coming off a 5-0 shutout loss against the Maple Leafs. Jonathan Quick is expected to be the between the pipes for LA, while Jake Allen will get the nod for the Canadiens. Both netminders have very similar stats for the season, as Quick has an 8-8-2 record with a 3.42 GAA and a .887 SV%. Allen has an 8-9-0 record with a 3.42GAA and a .895 SV%V. Cole Caulfield, AKA “Goal Caulfield,” leads Montreal with 15 goals this season. Look for the underdog Canadiens to surprise the Kings and pick up the victory.
Prediction: Canadiens win 3-2
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders
Head-To-Head: Hurricanes 0-0 Islanders
The New York Islanders host the Carolina Hurricanes in a meaningful divisional matchup. The Islanders are playing on the backside of back-to-back nights, picking up a win over the Metropolitan-leading New Jersey Devils. Pyotr Kochetkov will start for the Hurricanes, and Semyon Varlamov is expected to start for the Islanders. On paper, this game looks to be a low-scoring affair, as both teams are strong defensively. However, the Hurricanes will have some rust to shake off, as they haven’t played since Tuesday. Islanders should have a jump in their legs early on, but it may fade as the game wears on. This is the second meeting for these two clubs; New York beat the Hurricanes 6-2 in their first contest.
Prediction: Islanders win 2-1 Overtime
Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-To-Head: Wild 1-0 Canucks
In their second matchup, the Vancouver Canucks will be looking for redemption for the 4-3 loss against the Minnesota Wild earlier this season. The Canucks have won three straight games in overtime, most recently over the San Jose Sharks. The Wild are playing consecutive nights as they dropped the decision to the Edmonton Oilers yesterday. Spencer Martin has put up a 8-2-1 record and will see more starts with Thatcher Demko sidelined for four weeks.
Prediction: Canucks win 7-5
Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-To-Head: Flames 0-0 Maple Leafs
Our feature game of the night is an all-Canadian matchup. This is the first game between the Flames and Maple Leafs. Mitch Marner has been on an absolute tear as he leads the Leafs with 33 points. His lengthy points streak is still intact, and Marner is looking to make it 22 consecutive games with a point. On the other end, Calgary had their three-game winning streak ended by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Dan Vladar will be in the crease for the Flames, and Matt Murray looks to be the goalie tonight for the Maple Leafs. Murray played spectacularly in a shutout victory over the Dallas Stars. Vladar has the confidence of his coach and teammates as Markstrom has struggled this season. Toronto remains hot on the heels of the Boston Bruins for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, while the Flames currently sit in fifth place in the Pacific Division.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-4
After setting each other up for goals in Tuesday night’s win against the Flames, what makes Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews so tough to defend?
More from @jamiemclennan29, and trying to make sense of Calgary’s slow start to games: https://t.co/Kbwhcm2A4y#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/551hsyMi8r
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 27, 2021
