Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, we will take a look at the games that are happening and give our NHL predictions for each one. There are two games today. Today’s featured game is the Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more NHL predictions.
NHL Predictions
Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Series: 2-1 Maple Leafs
Game two was how most people imagined this series to go. In Game 1, we saw the horrific John Tavares incident which clearly shook the young Leaf’s core. In Game 2, they rallied back with a dominating 5-1 win. Toronto will look to capitalize on the powerplay after having struggles with it at the end of the regular season and in Game 1. Montreal will look to contain Auston Matthews as he heated up in game 2 and will only get more dangerous as the series goes on.
In Game 2 we saw the Leafs get 20 shots in one period. If Montreal can contain Toronto’s star-filled offence and get the puck on Jack Campbell they should have a chance against the Maple Leafs. In Game 3 we saw a really tight game between the two Canadian teams but Toronto prevailed with a 2-1 win along with a 2-1 series lead.
In Game 4 the Canadiens will need to be more disciplined as they don’t want the Leafs’ powerplay to end them. A key to winning for the Canadiens is Carey Price. He was great in game one for Montreal as he stopped 35 of 36 shots with 2.33 goals saved above expected. With not much net-front action from the Maple Leafs in game 1, Price succeeded, that was a different story in game two. All Toronto needs to do is create chaos in front of the veteran and they should have a good outcome. Expect the Canadiens to come out physically and quickly.
Prediction: Leafs win 4-3
Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators
Series: Tied 2-2
The Nashville Predators have definitely surprised a lot of people. To many, this team probably reminds them of the 2017 Predators who made a run to the Stanley Cup Final. Nashville will look to control veteran Jordan Staal and youngster Sebastian Aho. Bridgestone Arena was rocking for both games, being a big factor in the Predator’s success. Carolina will look to shut down Ryan Johansen who has been a pleasant surprise for Nashville. Although Johansen hasn’t produced for the Predators in years, he’s shown up for the Preds this series collecting five points in four games.
In Games 1 and 2 we saw Carolina dominate the Predators with scoring help from all four lines. Games 3 and 4 were a completely different story. Both games were extremely tight as Nashville rallied for two double-overtime goals to tie the series 2-2. Carolina will need to take advantage of the momentum from their fans as they did in the first two games. The Hurricanes will look to Andrei Svechnikov to get going as he’s been quiet in round one. They’ll look to solve Juuse Saros who’s been at Vezina calibre for the Predators all season. Nashville will need to contain the shoot first Hurricanes. In Game 4, Carolina had a total of 61 shots on goal. That goes to show how much the Predators depend on goaltender Juuse Saros.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 2-0
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
