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 Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens. Be sure to check out our NHL predictions for the day.
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 1-1 Panthers
Like many instances tonight, this game wraps up the regular season for both squads involved. For both the Canes and Cats, though, the Stanley Cup Playoffs lie ahead. Preseason NHL predictions squarely placed both in the playoffs. In reality they reached that milestone, but each did so in extremely different fashions.
The Hurricanes played .500 hockey since early March, going 8-8-1 after a 43-13-8 start. In fairness, they clinched a postseason berth early and simply had less on the line each night. That negatively impacts motivation. However, with the Metropolitan Division on the line tonight, Carolina has plenty of motivation to win this one. They receive contributions from across their lineup so there’s no major scoring milestones available for their players. Maybe Martin Necas scores two to hit 30, or even Brady Skjei scores two to hit 20.
In an exact opposite route, the Panthers’ record on January 27th stood at a measly 23-22-6. Since then, they went 19-9-2 to clinch a franchise-record fourth straight postseason appearance. They pushed it right to the brink. Goalie Alex Lyon deserves tons of credit too; his 6-0-1 run over the last couple weeks was the difference-maker. Sergei Bobrovsky regained his health and might get this start to see where he’s at before the playoffs begin. But really, the “Lyon King” saved the season, and might deserve the start in game one of the playoffs as a result.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-3 in OT
Detroit Red Wings vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 2-1 Lightning
This contest really has next to nothing riding on it. The Lightning play the Leafs in round one regardless what happens here. The Red Wings failed to make the playoffs for a seventh straight season. They sit too far ahead of the cellar to care much about the Connor Bedard draft lottery.
That said, Tampa has some milestone-hunting to do before their year ends. Brayden Point sits one goal shy of his first 50-goal campaign. Steven Stamkos needs one more for 35, and Brandon Hagel needs one more for 30. Given the significance of these scoring plateaus in the NHL, it’s a safe prediction that at least one will be reached.
For Detroit, maybe Dylan Larkin scores one point to break 80, or David Perron scores another goal to hit 25. Steve Yzerman has this team trending in the right direction. Their opponents tonight still have his fingerprints all over their roster, too. Detroit can look across at the Lightning to see exactly what their own potential might be, with Yzerman steering the ship.
Prediction: Lightning win 6-1
New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Devils 2-1 Capitals
For the Devils, a win tonight combined with a Hurricanes loss vaults them atop the Metropolitan Division. What an accomplishment that would be, one year after finishing seventh out of eight teams in that same division. They already compiled a whopping 47 more points in the standings this year than they did last.
Jack Hughes exploded this year, and needs just three points to hit 100. Whether or not that happens, the fact he missed four games means he probably would’ve gotten there had he dressed every single night. Using his point-per-game pace puts an NHL point total prediction at 103 for Hughes over an 82-game span.
Their opponent tonight has one foot on the golf course already. Missing the postseason is unfamiliar territory for the Caps, and certainly they don’t want to make a habit of it. Alex Ovechkin wants to catch Wayne Gretzky in career goals, but he’ll need to get healthy first. He missed the last few games, joining T.J. Oshie, Carl Hagelin, Connor Brown, Nic Dowd, Anthony Mantha, and Trevor van Riemsdyk on the injured list.
Prediction: Devils win 3-0
Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Senators 2-1 Sabres
What a great stepping stone year for both the Senators and Sabres. Though neither qualified for the playoffs, both crossed the threshold to post winning records in 2022-23. Most NHL predictions assumed they both would improve, but likely not to the extent they both did simultaneously. Each played meaningful games right down to the bitter end.
Next year, expectations ratchet up even further. Buffalo and Ottawa put the league on notice this year and won’t have anywhere to hide in 2023-24. Maybe Devon Levi takes the reigns in goal for the Sabres, or at least pushes Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. If they get better in net, they’ll be a force to reckon with.
While he didn’t make much of an impact this year, deadline acquisition Jakob Chychrun has another couple years left on his current contract. A full year with him on their top pairing changes their blue line dramatically. Had he stayed healthy, Ottawa very well may have squeaked in this year too.
Prediction: Sabres win 5-3.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Penguins 3-0 Blue Jackets
Well, the Penguins really messed things up for themselves with a regulation loss two nights ago. The Blackhawks moved from dead last in the league to second-to-last with the victory. Ironically, the team now sitting dead last are the Penguins’ opponents tonight. No NHL prediction had them dropping that game, with all that was on the line for their season.
Meanwhile, Columbus got hit with the injury bug so many times this season, its impossible to really know where that team stands. No one on their team played all 82 contests; in fact, only ten players dressed in even 75% of their games. Unsurprisingly, Johnny Gaudreau led the team in scoring, and needs one goal to his 20 on the campaign.
Sidney Crosby and the Pens, with a win, would sweep the four-game season series with Columbus. Whether that means anything to them at this moment is another story.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 2-1 in OT
Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-2 Rangers
Both the Rangers and Leafs know exactly where they stand for the postseason. This contest might feature tons of depth players, as each can safely rest their stars. An NHL prediction on a game like this becomes real difficult, as the motivators in each locker room are hard to flesh out.
The Leafs host the Lightning in round one regardless of tonight’s outcome. Meanwhile, the Rangers start the postseason on the road as the third-placed team in the Metro. Their opponent depends on results elsewhere, as the Devils and Hurricanes jockey above them.
Maybe Mika Zibanejad plays tonight; he needs one goal to reach 40 for the second time in his career. William Nylander sits on 39 himself, and one more would earn him his first ever 40-goal year. Artemi Panarin sits two back of 30 himself, too. But the biggest potential milestone of them all belongs to Mitch Marner. With 99 points in 79 games, he’s just shy of the century mark for the first time in his young career.
Prediction: Rangers win 5-4 in OT
Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Bruins 2-0 Canadiens
Surprise, surprise: the Canadiens sit 0-2-0 against the Bruins this season. Welcome to the club, Montreal. Boston raked in points all year long, and this game serves them one final opportunity to push their record a tad higher. With 133 points, their 64-12-5 record ranks as the best single-season in NHL history.
Now that they own all those records outright (most wins and most points), maybe they rest their roster a bit tonight. After all, it is a road game against a non-playoff rival. The Habs have motivation to close out their year on a high note and likely will bring their “A-game”.
Then again, with no 30-goal scorers, no point-per-game players, no elite defenders and no goalies boasting strong numbers, Montreal’s “A-game” might still not be enough. Boston’s “B-game” could still outrank the best Montreal can muster.
Prediction: Bruins win 3-1
Main photo by: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
