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 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks. Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions for Sunday.
NHL Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1-0 Blackhawks
Let’s get our featured game of NHL Predictions out of the way early. The Leafs are coming off a 5-1 win over the archrival Montreal Canadiens. Joseph Woll will draw the start with Toronto playing on back-to-back nights. The Maple Leafs took care of business on Wednesday night with a 5-2 win over the Blackhawks in Toronto. Ryan O’Reilly picked up an assist in his first game with the club and he also won 12 faceoffs.
Petr Mrazek will be the likely starter for the Blackhawks, who did win over the Ottawa Senators the last time out. Chicago is in the mix to land Connor Bedard with the top pick of the draft. This team will likely have a fire sale at the deadline to gather assets for the lengthy rebuild. The Hawks are dead-last in goals allowed coming into Saturday’s games. Chicago will face the seventh-best offence on Sunday.
The over might be the right call as the number is 6.5 and the teams have hit the over three of the last four times. Toronto will likely do most of the heavy-lifting on that number.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-2.
Winnipeg Jets vs New Jersey Devils
Head-to-Head: Jets 0-0 Devils
It’s the first meeting of the season between the Winnipeg Jets and the New Jersey Devils. Mackenzie Blackwood will probably get the call in goal with the Devils playing on back-to-back nights. New Jersey did score a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins as it tries to hold of the New York Rangers for second in the Metropolitan Division. Jack Hughes has returned and Nico Hischier scored twice in the victory. The Devils have won three of the last five.
Connor Hellebuyck is currently listed as the starter, but the Jets will play the Rangers on Monday night. The starting goalie could change to David Rittich in net, so keep an eye on social media for confirmation. Winnipeg had won three straight before a surprising loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mark Scheifele leads the team in goals scored with 32.
The return of Hughes should help New Jersey get the win.
Prediction: Devils win 3-2.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Arizona Coyotes
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 0-1 Coyotes
The final game in our NHL Predictions is a battle for Bedard between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Arizona Coyotes. This game is also unique as tradeable defencemen Vladislav Gavrikov and Jakob Chychrun are each being held out for trade-related reasons. Columbus has won three out of its last five. Elvis Merzlikins should start with the Jackets playing on back-to-back nights.
The Coyotes did beat the Blue Jackets, 6-3, in the first meeting of the season. Karel Vejmelka was pulled in Saturday’s game versus the Los Angeles Kings, so the starter may be unknown. Connor Ingram has played well in his last two games in goal.
Both teams have shown out lately, but the Coyotes have a little more hope.
Prediction: Coyotes win 5-4.
Main photo by: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
