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 Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Ottawa Senators vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-0 Hurricanes
TV: Sportsnet, Bally Sports, ESPN+
The opening game in our slate of NHL predictions has two teams with different sets of expectations. Ottawa Senators fans want their team to take the next step and get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There are new players and there is a new owner for the Senators. This means the same old pressure is back on general manager Pierre Dorion. According to the Daily FaceOff, the Sens are likely to go with Joonas Korpisalo in net. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy goalie.
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The Carolina Hurricanes are under a different set of expectation. A good number of experts have tapped the Canes as a Stanley Cup favourite. The defence is still loaded after getting Tony DeAngelo and Dmitry Orlov. However, the offence seems to be the main question. The return of Andrei Svechnikov should help things out, but he’s returning from injury. Frederik Andersen is the supposed started in net for the Hurricanes.
Carolina is very good at home and should pick up the win.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2.
Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-0 Maple Leafs
TV: Sportsnet, ESPN+
The old rivalry returns as the Habs and the Leafs square off. Montreal did make some strides under coach Martin St. Louis. However, there is still work to be done. Jake Allen is the confirmed starter in goal for the Canadiens. Cole Caufield is also back from a long injury layoff and looked solid in the pre-season. This will oddly be only one of three meetings between the two teams with the next slated for March 9.
The Leafs did make it out of the first round last season, but landed with a thud thanks to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ilya Samsonov will likely get the call in goal for Toronto, which has a world of expectations on their shoulders. The club still has plenty of questions to ask on if the defence will be enough to withstand the grind of an 82-game season.
Rivalry games can be hard to figure out, but Toronto finds a way in a tight one.
Prediction: Leafs win 3-2.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-0 Bruins
TV: TNT, Max
It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. TNT is back and gets their first look at Connor Bedard, who got an assist in his first game in the show. Arvid Soderblom will go in goal as the Chicago Blackhawks are the first team to draw a dreaded back-to-back. The Blackhawks did look solid against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 4-2 team, but lets see how they do against a veteran team.
However, that veteran Boston Bruins team underwent plenty of changes. Both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci hung up the skates in the off-season. This means Brad Marchand will be donning the captain’s “C” this season. Linus Ullmark is the unconfirmed starter, but will want to wash the bad taste of that first-round exit away.
Coming off a back-to-back will be hard and it will be difficult against a still decent Bruins team.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-3.
Winnipeg Jets vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-0 Jets
TV: Sportsnet, ESPN+
A lot of anxiety for Winnipeg Jets fans has been lifted with the signings of likely starter Connor Hellebuyck and centre Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg can move forward and concentrate on winning instead of off-ice matters.
The Calgary Flames came off a disappointing year which has them with a new general manager in Craig Conroy and coach with Ryan Huska. There are still clouds surrounding the team and the crop of unrestricted free agents. However, things look a bit brighter.
Both teams still have some questions, but it should be a good one.
Prediction: Jets win 3-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-0 Kings
TV: TNT, Max
Both the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings are coming off first-round exits. Alexandar Georgiev should get the call for Colorado while Cam Talbot likely draws in for Los Angeles.
Goalie is a major question for the Kings while the Avs are seething after their surprise loss.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-3.
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-0 Canucks
TV: Sportsnet, SN360, ESPN+
The final matchup of NHL predictions has the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Vancouver Canucks. Connor McDavid and the Oilers are mentioned among the favourites for the Western Conference title while the Canucks have a lot of unknowns. Stuart Skinner likely gets the start for Edmonton while Vancouver will go with Thatcher Demko.
The Oilers have loads of expectations on their shoulders, but should start the season right.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-2.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
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