Welcome to NHL Predictions: Playoff Edition for May 27th. Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. These are predictions for the May 27th slate of games featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens.
NHL Predictions Featuring Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Series: 3-1 Maple Leafs
Just three of the eight series to start the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs remain undecided. The much-anticipated series between these two storied franchises is leaving much to be desired. The Toronto Maple Leafs have outscored the Canadiens 12-4 in the four games leading up to the do-or-die battle tonight. Toronto scoring is coming from some surprising sources not named Auston Matthews or Mitch Marner. William Nylander leads the team in goals with four. Nylander and Alexander Kerfoot are tied for the team lead with five points. Even former Canadien Alex Galchenyuk had a goal and two assists in Tuesday’s 4-0 win. A bit of insult to injury.
Probably the biggest factor in the Maple Leaf’s success has been goalie, Jack Campbell. He has stopped 110 of 114 shots for a .965 save percentage and 1.01 goals-against average. Behind his stellar play, the Leafs may win their first playoff series since 2004 and eliminate the Canadiens tonight.
Montreal Powerplay woes
The Montreal Canadiens need to find a way to score if they hope to extend this series beyond tonight. Just four goals in four games are not going to cut it against a Toronto team that was sixth in the NHL in goals per game during the regular season. Tyler Toffoli, who had 28 goals this year has yet to find the back of the net. And Jeff Petry, who was second on the Habs in scoring has zero points. The Canadiens could do themselves a big favour by figuring out their powerplay. They currently are 0-13 in this series with the man advantage. The Leafs have also been outscoring the Habs eight to one in the second period. Carey Price has played well, but will need to be spectacular like he was in game 1. Looks like au revoir for the bleu blanc et rouge.
Prediction: 3-2 Maple Leafs
Carolina Hurricanes vs Nashville Predators
Series: 3-2 Hurricanes
This series has been a big surprise between two teams that were 16 points apart in the standings. The home team has won each of the first five games in this series. The Nashville Predators would like to see that continue tonight. It looked like a short series after the Preds lost the first two 5-2 and 3-0. But Nashville pushed the next three games into overtime including two double-overtime wins. As expected the Predators’ defensive core has been a huge factor in their success. Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis have 10 points in the series. Goalie Juuse Saros has been busy in front of them. Facing an average of 45 shots per game he has a .928 save percentage. The Nashville crowd will be ready for this one.
The Carolina Hurricanes have to feel a bit cheated being in this position. They have had their fair share of chances to end this series, but find themselves in a dog fight. Captain Jordan Staal leads the team with four goals, including the overtime winner on Tuesday. Sebastian Aho is tied for the team lead with Staal with five points and 15 Canes have registered points. Like Saros, goalie Alex Nedeljkovic has been busy and excellent. He has face 35+ shots per game and has posted a .927 save percentage. Hard to imagine this one not being another close one.
Prediction: 3-2 Predators in overtime (naturally)
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