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 Minnesota Wild and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Be sure to check out our other predictions for Friday.
NHL Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-2 Panthers
Goals may be the name of the game when the Buffalo Sabres face the Florida Panthers. Buffalo is fourth in goals scored and Florida is even better at third. The Sabres defence is 22nd in the league while the Panthers are 29th. Craig Anderson is going to draw the start in goal for Buffalo. Tage Thompson is four goals away from 40 with 36 so far this season.
Sergei Bobrovsky is the likely starter, but always check online before deciding your fantasy lineup. Both the Panthers and Sabres have wins in three of their last five games. The teams are trying to do all they can to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Carter Verhaeghe hit the 30-goal mark and is the team’s leading scorer.
The over/under of seven is intimidating, but is reachable.
Prediction: Panthers win 5-3.
Minnesota Wild vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Wild 0-1 Maple Leafs
Our featured game has the Wild going with confirmed starter Filip Gustavsson in goal. Minnesota has wins in four straight games and own the second wild card spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The Wild’s defence has been great with allowing one goal or less in three of the four wins. Kirill Kaprizov leads the team in goals with 33 this season.
Toronto will likely go with Ilya Samsonov in net as it has wins in three of last five games. Ryan O’Reilly is already paying dividends as he got a hat trick against Buffalo the last game out. Toronto has the fifth-best goal-scoring offence and eighth-best goals against. The Leafs defence has been patched together and will be without Jake Muzzin for the rest of the season.
Special teams could tell the story of this game, but Toronto always seems to play up to its competion.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 3-2.
Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Canadiens 1-0 Flyers
Jake Allen is the confirmed starter in goal for the Montreal Canadiens, who are dealing with a lot of injuries. Montreal was busy on Thursday making lineup changes and putting people on the injured list. The Canadiens do have wins in three of their last five games. Montreal’s penalty kill and power play are both 28th in the league.
Carter Hart is the projected starter in between the pipes for the Philadelphia Flyers. Philadelphia has lost four of its last five games. The Flyers’ power play is dead-last in the league. Travis Konecny has been one of the few bright spots with 27 goals this season.
Both teams are struggling, but Philadelphia should scratch out a win with Montreal’s patchwork lineup.
Prediction: Flyers win 4-3 in a shootout.
Ottawa Senators vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-0 Hurricanes
Our last game of NHL Predictions is the first meeting of the season between the Ottawa Senators versus the Carolina Hurricanes. Kevin Mandolese is the projected starter, but that could change with Ottawa playing back-to-back games. The Senators have won three of the last five, but did lose to the Boston Bruins last time out.
Carolina will probably go with Frederik Andersen in net. The Hurricanes defence is stingy and second-best when it comes to goals allowed. The Canes also have the fifth-ranked penalty kill and will go up against the Senators’ fourth-rated power play. Carolina has four straight victories going into this game.
The Hurricanes are looking the part of a Stanley Cup contender. It should show here.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-1.
Main photo by: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
