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 Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Predictions with Buffalo vs Toronto
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0 – 0 Jets
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Winnipeg Jets are facing off for the first time this season. Winnipeg enters the contest currently in the battle for the top spot in the Central Division. The Jets have found their game early into this season and now hold a record of 10-4-1. Jets’ forward Kyle Connor notched a hat trick en route to a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
While the Penguins got off to a solid start to the season, their play has been going off the rails lately with a 7-7-3 record they currently sit seventh in the Metropolitan Division. However, superstar Sidney Crosby is coming off a four-point performance with two goals and two assists in a 6-4 win over the Minnesota Wild.
Crosby and the Penguins find their offence and beat the Jets and Vezina candidate Connor Hellebuyck.
Pittsburgh win 4-3
Chicago Blackhawks vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0 – 0 Bruins
In a repeat of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final for NHL Predictions, the two Original six franchises meet up for the first time in the 2022-23 campaign. The Boston Bruins have been playing some unreal hockey through the first quarter of the season and now sit with an NHL-best 15-2-0 record. Boston is also undefeated on home ice. Bruins’ sniper David Pastrnak leads Boston with nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points through 17 games. In addition, Jeremy Swayman, the Bruins’ backup goalie, has returned to total health. He is expected to start in the Bruins’ net as Linus Ullmark played in all but one of the games Swayman missed due to injury.
The Chicago Blackhawks have been playing as expected this season while going through a full-on rebuild. The Blackhawks are led offensively by superstar winger Patrick Kane, who scored two goals and 11 assists through 16 games.
Boston’s offence won’t have a hard time finding the back of the net in this one.
Bruins win 5-3
Colorado Avalanche vs Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0 – 0 Capitals
During the off-season, the Washington Capitals signed the Colorado Avalanche’s former starter Darcy Kuemper. After winning a Stanley Cup with Colorado, Kuemper will get his first start against his former team. Washington has struggled this season, sitting in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Capitals find themselves on a three-game losing streak. Washington’s powerplay, the team’s strength during the Ovechkin era, has struggled and ranks 24th in the league. Colorado has flipped the page on a mediocre October, winning five of their last six. The defending champs have the league’s most lethal power plays in the league, converting at a 37% success rate.
With captain Gabriel Landeskog on the shelf, the trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar have been world-class. Expect the Avalanche to continue their play of late, winning this one.
Colorado wins 4-3
Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0 – 0 Blue Jackets
The Detroit Red Wings have seen a resurgence this season under new head coach Derek Lalonde. The Red Wings are 8-5-4 on the season and have gotten solid netminding from off-season acquisition Ville Husso. Detroit ended a four-game losing streak in their last outing, picking up a 7-4 win over the lowly San Jose Sharks.
Columbus has had a forgettable season, as they are currently planted at the bottom of the Metropolitan standings. The Blue Jackets are averaging a league-worst 4.33 goals against per game and recently lost defenceman Zach Werenski and forwarded Patrik Laine to injuries. On the plus side, the Blue Jackets should be in contention for the Connor Bedard sweepstake by the season’s end.
Look for Detroit to pick up another win, keeping pace in the Atlantic Division.
Detroit wins 3-2 in Shootout
Philadelphia Flyers vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0 – 0 Canadiens
The Philadelphia Flyers and the Montreal Canadiens meet up for their first matchup of the season tonight. Montreal has been led offensively by their young guns, Captain Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach. The Canadiens have an 8-8-1 record and sit in sixth place in the Atlantic. The Flyers’ season started strong, mainly due to the solid play of goalie Carter Hart. However, the Flyers are riding a five-game losing streak heading into this game.
Montreal performs on a Saturday night showcase as they beat the Flyers.
Montreal Wins 5-2
Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0 – 0 Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are hosting the Buffalo Sabres in our featured game for NHL Predictions tonight. The Maple Leafs entered the season with questions about their goaltending after adding both Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov during the off-season. The newly acquired netminders both have been injured early this season. Murray returned to the crease last week after missing a month. Against his former team, Murray had a strong showing as the Leafs’ topped the Penguins 5-2. While surrendering three goals, Murray also started in the Leafs’ last game, dropping the decision 3-2 in overtime.
We have recalled goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from @AmerksHockey.
Details: https://t.co/7DKbdbptux pic.twitter.com/YmJfkoROzi
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) November 17, 2022
Toronto has the sixth-best powerplay in the league. However, reigning Hart Trophy winner Auston Matthews has potted just seven goals on the season and is due for an offensive explosion. Mitch Marner leads the Leafs with 19 points through 17 games played. Toronto has a record of 9-5-4 and sits in second place in the ultra-tight Atlantic.
Buffalo played solid hockey to start the season, however, after the strong start, they are now riding a seven-game losing streak. Rasmus Dahlin has taken a massive step in his development this season and has seven goals and 12 assists through 16 games. Highly touted rookie defenceman Owen Power has yet to find the back of the twine this season but has played well for the young Sabres putting up eight assists. The Sabres are a high-scoring team this season, sitting sixth in the league with a 3.53 goals-per-game average.
Look for Matthews to have himself a night as viewers across the Nation tune in to Hockey Night In Canada.
Maple Leafs win 4-0
