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 Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days at the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs kick-off.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes
Season Head-to-Head: Islanders 2-2 Hurricanes
TV: TBS, TruTV, TVAS, MSGSN, BSSO, SN West, SN East, SN Pacific; Sportsnet 360
Our opening game of NHL predictions has the New York Islanders meeting up with the Carolina Hurricanes once again. Ilya Sorokin is the likely starter in this game, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Semyon Varlamov could get some time if Sorokin struggles between the pipes. Mathew Barzal has scored 23 goals with 57 assists for the Islanders. Kyle Palmieri has seven goals and five assists over the past 10 games. The Islanders have a stellar 17-7-4 record when scoring a power play goal.
Frederick Andersen is slated to get the start in goal for Carolina, which looks to knock out New York for a second straight season. The Hurricanes have an amazing 48-7-3 record when scoring at least three goals. Sebastian Aho (the Hurricanes one and not the Islanders one) has scored 36 goals with 53 assists for the Hurricanes. Trade deadline acquisition Jake Guentzel has six goals and seven assists over the last 10 games.
Both teams have fiery head coaches that have been through the wars of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina starts its quest for its second-ever Cup with a victory.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins
Season Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-4 Bruins
TV: Sportsnet; CBC; TruTV; TBS; Max; TVAS
Our featured game has the Maple Leafs looking to finally beat the Bruins for the first time this season. Ilya Samsonov is the projected starter for Toronto, which will need him to be at his best to stand any chance of beating Boston. Toronto hasn’t beaten Boston in a post-season series since 1959 and all the pressure is on them. League leading goal-scorer Auston Matthews, who bagged 69 this season, will need to step up for the Leafs. Mitch Marner led the team in assists with 59 this campaign.
It’s uncertain if Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman will get the call in goal as of press time. However, the B’s can likely go with either goalie and have a great chance to win. David Pastrnak leads the team in goals (47) and assists (63) for Boston. This will be the fourth time these two teams have met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2012-13 season. The Bruins have won all three meetings, including back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019.
Not only is history against the Maple Leafs, but it seems a lot of the current trends are against them. Boston seems better in goal and on defence and Toronto is coming into the post-season on a losing skid. Expect the Bruins to continue that.
Prediction: Bruins win 5-3.
More NHL Predictions with the Prop Bets of the Night
With the limited number of games, let’s reach into the bag and pull out some prop bets. In the opening game, take Brock Nelson of the Isles to get the over on +0.5 goals and Guentzel to get +1.0 on points.
The latter game has some good offensive weapons and take Pastrnak getting the over on +1.0 points for Boston. Go with William Nylander to break out of his late-season funk with the over on +0.5 points.
Main photo by: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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