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 Buffalo Sabres vs Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out our other NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa Senators vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-1 Hurricanes
The opening game of NHL predictions features the Ottawa Senators taking on the Carolina Hurricanes. Ottawa is pretty much out of contention and playing out the string at this point. The Senators will likely go with Leevi Merilainen in goal, but always check online before locking in a starter. Ottawa has lost three of its last five.
Carolina has won two straight going into this matchup. The Hurricanes do need to keep winning to keep the New Jersey Devils from nabbing the Metropolitan Division crown. Antti Raanta is the projected starter for Carolina. The Canes defence has looked much better in the last two games, but will need secondary scoring to pick up if they want to make a push.
Ottawa has shown some offensive pop in games, but Carolina’s defence should get the job done.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 3-1.
Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 2-1 Canadiens
It’s an Atlantic Division matchup as the Detroit Red Wings take on the Montreal Canadiens. Detroit will likely go with Ville Husso in net as it looks to build off recent momentum. The Red Wings have won three of their last five, including a victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. There is some promise with this team, but the Yzerplan didn’t get Detroit a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.
Montreal is pretty banged up and pretty much playing as the Laval Rocket. David Savard was the latest player to get bitten by the injury bug. Cayden Primeau is the projected starter as the Habs are pretty much limping to the end of the season. Montreal has lost three straight games heading into this one.
These late-season games might be tough to predict. However, the Wings have just a little more healthy talent.
Prediction: Red Wings win 5-2.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-3 Devils
It’s the final meeting of the season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils. Pittsburgh owns the last wild card spot in the East by one point over Florida. The Penguins will go with Tristan Jarry in a must-win game. Pittsburgh has won three of its last five games.
Vitek Vanecek is the likely starter for a Devils team still in the mix for the division title. New Jersey has won three of its last five. However, it’s coming off a 6-1 thumping at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets last time out. The Devils want to get the taste of that game out of their mouths.
Both teams have something to play for, but New Jersey completes the season sweep.
Prediction: Devils win 4-2.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1-1 Maple Leafs
The Columbus Blue Jackets will go with Jet Greaves in goal against Joseph Woll for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Columbus got the surprise win the last time out. However, the Jackets only recently stopped a losing streak with a victory over the Senators. Columbus seems to be in the mix to get Connor Bedard.
The Leafs are looked into a matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs. Toronto will go with Woll after Matt Murray left the game against Detroit via injury. The Maple Leafs have lots of pressure on them to finally get out of the first round. This is a chance to fine-tune some things.
Leafs games are always tough to predict, but they should win this.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 6-2.
Buffalo Sabres vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Sabres 1-2 Panthers
Our featured game is a pivotal game for the playoffs. Devon Levi will be put into another pressure situation in goal for the Sabres. Buffalo has won four of its last five games to sit five points behind the last playoff spot. Alex Tuch‘s return to the lineup has seemingly boosted Buffalo’s chances in the late going. The Sabres have the fourth-best goal-scoring offence in the league and are eighth on the power play.
Alex Lyon is the confirmed starter in goal for the Panthers, who are one point behind the Penguins. Florida has the third-best goalscoring offence in the league. However, defence has been an issue for both teams this season. Florida has won three straight games, including a 7-0 rout of Columbus last time out.
This game is going to have goals, but Florida pretty much eliminates Buffalo.
Prediction: Panthers win 5-4.
Philadelphia Flyers vs St Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Flyers 1-0 Blues
Our last game of NHL predictions has two teams playing out the strings as the St. Louis Blues host the Philadelphia Flyers. Samuel Ersson gets the call for the Flyers while the loveable Jordan Binnington goes for the Blues. Philadelphia has lost three straight while St. Louis has dropped two in a row.
St. Louis played just a bit better against Boston, so the Blues should win.
Prediction: Blues win 4-3.
Main photo by: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
