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 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Bostons Bruins. Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions that are out today.
NHL Predictions: Including Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins
Vancouver Canucks vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-1 Panthers
The Florida Panthers play host to the Vancouver Canucks in a cross-conference battle between two teams sitting outside the playoff picture. This is the second time the two teams will play this season, as the Panthers picked up a 5-1 victory in the first meeting. The Panthers are 4-6-0 over their last ten games and most recently dropped a 4-2 contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. Florida has far too many defensive lapses and hasn’t gotten strong goaltending this season.
The Canucks are also 4-6-0 in their last ten and lost their most recent game 5-4 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Like Florida, the Canucks defence is a weakness for the team. However, offensively the Canucks are getting more from their forwards than the Panthers. Look for the Canucks to end their three-game losing streak tonight.
Canucks win-4-3
Arizona Coyotes vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0-0 Wild
The Minnesota Wild picked up a 4-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes the last time these two Central division foes met. The Wild hold the third spot in the Central with a 23-14-4 record this season. Minnesota last picked up a come-from-behind win over the New York Islanders. Kirill Kaprizov will look to continue his strong play, as he has accumulated 51 points in 41 games. The Coyotes are again destined to land a high draft pick with a realistic possibility of selecting Connor Bedard at next summer’s draft. Arizona enters on a seven-game losing streak. However, all things must come to an end. The desert dogs stun the Wild for a rare victory tonight.
Coyotes win 3-2
Buffalo Sabres vs Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-0 Predators
The Buffalo Sabres head to Tennessee to take on the Nashville Predators. This is the first game of the season between the two clubs. Nashville last to the Montreal Canadiens in their last game to finish a five-game road trip with a 3-2 record. The Predators have made a push recently in the Western Conference standings. Filip Forsberg leads the team with 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points in 41 games. Buffalo will be looking to right the ship as they have lost three straight entering tonight’s contest. The Sabres’ lethal offence hasn’t been enough to propel them into a playoff position as they sit six points back of the last wild card position in the Eastern Conference.
Sabres win 4-1
Seattle Kraken vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Kraken 0-1 Blackhawks
The Seattle Kraken are one of the hottest teams in the NHL amidst a franchise-high seven-game winning streak. Most recently, the Kraken shut out the NHL-leading Boston Bruins 3-0, handing the Bruins their first regulation loss at home in the process. They will visit the lowly Chicago Blackhawks tonight as they look to go perfect on their seven-game road trip. Chicago holds last place in the NHL standings; however, they have reeled off three consecutive wins. Patrick Kane is also set to return to the Blackhawks lineup tonight. The Blackhawks improve to 2-0 against the Kraken this season, ending Seattle’s impressive winning streak.
Blackhawks win 5-3
Tampa Bay Lightning vs St Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Lightning 0-0 Blues
The Tampa Bay Lightning will visit the St Louis Blues in another cross-conference meeting. The Lightning picked a 5-2 win in the first game between the two clubs. The Lightning has struggled on the road this season with a 9-9-0 record. However, they have picked up two straight wins and are 6-4-0 in their last ten. Nikita Kucherov has eight points in his previous four games. The Blues are 5-3-1 over their last ten and suffered a 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames in their last game. St Louis must continue their disciplined play and limit the Lightning’s powerplay opportunities to seal the win tonight.
Blues win 4-2
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1-0 Bruins
Our featured game of the night is an Atlantic Division battle between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins. The two Original Six franchises have built a rivalry with each other stemming from multiple playoff matchups over the last decade. While the Bruins have prevailed in each of the postseason series against the Maple Leafs, the tables have been turned in the regular season. In their first meeting this season, Toronto beat the Bruins by a score of 2-1.
The Maple Leafs trail the Bruins by nine points in the Atlantic division. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten games, including a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Auston Matthews will return to Toronto’s lineup following a 2-game absence. Boston will be looking to bounce back from their first home regulation loss of the season at the hands of the Seattle Kraken. They were also shut out in the contest for the first time this season. Expect the Bruins to come out strong after they’ve been criticized for sloppy starts over the past month or so.
Toronto hands the Bruins their second straight loss in an overtime thriller.
Maple Leafs win 4-3 in overtime.
