Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL games all season long. This time around, we’re taking a closer look at a matchup featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers.
NHL Predictions New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Season Series: Leafs 1-0 Rangers
How To Watch: TSN4, MSG
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Rangers storylines
The New York Rangers haven’t played well all season. They ended the break badly, and that has continued after the break. Things will go from bad to worse, with Vincent Trocheck’s trade looming and JT Miller hitting the injured reserve list. The Rangers managed to win against the Penguins on Saturday, before falling 4-0 to the Columbus Blue Jackets. They almost came back, but Columbus shut the door in overtime.
Gabe Perrault was the Rangers’ best player against the Blue Jackets, and it seems he’s beginning to get used to the big leagues. Perrault still has plenty of things to work on, but a three-point game spells the start of something good for the young forward. With Panarin gone, the Rangers have been waiting for him to step up, and he may be finally ready for the challenge.
A 3️⃣-POINT NIGHT FOR GABE! pic.twitter.com/pblJepeJ33
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 3, 2026
Even so, the Rangers are still not a good team. They’ve been horrible defensively, and Igor Shesterkin is quickly tired during games because of it. New York is rebuilding, and with this game potentially being Trocheck’s last game as a Ranger, wins are needed to give a bit of a morale boost. That will help both players and fans feel better about the direction of the team.
Maple Leafs storylines
Toronto has become a shadow of what they once were. A team with so much forward talent, even the best defensive teams in the league feared facing them. Now? Toronto is without Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews is having one of the worst statistical seasons of his career, and William Nylander plays like he doesn’t want to be there. Just like the Rangers, the Leafs have fallen from grace and are looking toward next season. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and many others have been scratched as Toronto prepares to trade them to other teams.
F Scott Laughton, F Bobby McMann and D Oliver Ekman-Larsson will not dress for tonight’s game in New Jersey for roster management purposes.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) March 4, 2026
The Leafs are on a five-game losing streak, worse than the Rangers. Most of those losses have been by several goals, but there might be a bit of hope. The Rangers are not good defensively, and Toronto has arguably better talent at the forward position. New York may have better goalies, but they have struggled against teams that can dominate possession on offence. Toronto will need to focus on that to beat them.
Prediction and Key Bets to Watch
We’ll take Toronto in this matchup. Both teams have been bad, but the Rangers just don’t have the same level of high-end talent that Toronto has. The Leafs will need to keep the Rangers in their defensive end, but Matthews and Nylander should have no problem maintaining control.
Maple Leafs 4-2 Rangers
For bets to watch, look out for Gabe Perrault on the Rangers. Perrault just played his best game, and he will see more time on the ice against Toronto. Expect him to continue to build his game and score at least one point.
For Toronto, John Tavares is familiar with the Rangers, and he’s played well against them throughout his career. That level of familiarity will help him in this tilt. Look for him to score at least one point as well.
Main Photo: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
