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 Anaheim Ducks and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Check out our other NHL Predictions during the day.
NHL Predictions: Anaheim Ducks vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Anaheim Ducks vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-To-Head: Ducks 1-0 Maple Leafs
Anaheim grabbed a 4-3 overtime win in the first encounter out West. However, that was one of the lowest points of the Toronto season. The Ducks are more likely to be in the mix for Connor Bedard than a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. John Gibson will likely get the start with Lukas Dostal playing the Ottawa Senators the night before. Anaheim is 30th in goals for and 32nd in goals allowed.
Mitch Marner is looking to add to his 22-game point streak for the red-hot Leafs. William Nylander has also scored in six of his last eight games to help pace Toronto. Matt Murray likely gets the start and he’s been playing well since coming off injured reserve. Toronto is fourth in goals against and top 11 in penalty kill (11th) and power play (8th) ratings. It seems like the Leafs are hitting on all cylinders, but they will take this game seriously due to the loss last time out.
An early goal by Toronto could challenge the 6.5 over/under ranking and this could get ugly in a hurry.
Prediction: Leafs win 5-2.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1-0 Panthers
The Columbus Blue Jackets are banged up, but they have won two straight. Elvis Merzlikins will get the start with Joonas Korpisalo being injured. The Blue Jackets are still either at or near the bottom in power play (32nd) and goals against (30th.) Columbus is playing better, but it still looks like it’s a couple of years away from being a contender.
The Florida Panthers have lost two straight and three of its last five games. Florida’s defence has given up nine goals in its last two games and will look to get on track with Sergei Bobrovsky in net. The Panthers’ offence is eight in goals for, but struggling on special teams and goals against. Florida will need to get the backend back on track if it wants to mount a serious challenge.
Columbus has been playing well, but Florida is a team that needs a win.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
Dallas Stars vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Stars 0-0 Devils
It’s an unexpected heavyweight matchup between the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils. Both teams are coming off back-to-backs, so we’ll get different netminders barring anything shocking. Dallas will likely go with Scott Wedgewood after Jake Oettinger started on Monday night. The Stars are second in goals for and third on the penalty kill. Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz power a deadly Stars’ attack.
This game could see Akira Schmid get the call in between the pipes as Vitek Vanecek started at MSG on Monday night. The Devils are sixth in goals for and second in goals against. Nico Hischier is on pace for 88 points this season and New Jersey gets contributions from multiple sources.
This will be a tough game to call, but the Stars should scratch out a win.
Prediction: Stars win 3-2 in a shootout.
Los Angeles Kings vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Kings 0-0 Sabres
The Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres have both lost three of their last five games. L.A. lost a wild 6-5 game to Columbus in its last outing. Jonathan Quick should get the start for the Kings in net.
Both teams are 1 (Buffalo) and 2 (Los Angles) in goals-for, so the over of 6.5 might be worth a play.
Predictions: Sabres win 5-4 in overtime.
Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions coming later today.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
