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 Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs. Keep checking our NHL predictions throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Series: Panthers 0-0 Maple Leafs
Our first and featured game is a battle of two teams that some thought wouldn’t be here. The Florida Panthers pulled off the unthinkable upset of the best regular season team in NHL history. Carter Verhaeghe scored the overtime-winner to stop the Boston Bruins. Sergei Bobrovsky played just good enough to keep his team in the game. He’ll likely draw the start once again and have to deal with another high-powered offence. However, people counted out Florida against Boston and it sprung the upset. Doubt the Panthers at your own risk.
Toronto finally snapped the curse and vanquished the Tampa Bay Lightning to advance past the first round. The Leafs are unfamiliar territory with their first series victory since 2004. John Tavares helped his boyhood team into the final eight. Ilya Samsonov settled down after a shaky first game to guide the Maple Leafs in net.
How will the Panthers look after giving everything they had the Bruins? Will they be drained our are they ready to go? Will Toronto be content with getting past the first round? The Leafs went 3-1 during the regular season against the Panthers and will have home ice.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-2.
Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars
Series: Kraken 0-0 Stars
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Seattle Kraken looking to prolong the magic against the Dallas Stars. Oliver Bjorkstrand powered the Kraken past the Colorado Avalanche with two goals in Game 7. The Kraken are in uncharted waters in making the second round. Philipp Grubauer was a question mark coming into the post-season. However, he was a big part of Seattle’s upset victory. The Kraken have been getting goals from so many sources other than their top players. It’s hard to key on any one line in particular.
The Stars have been without Joe Pavelski for most of the first round, but they managed to oust the Minnesota Wild. Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson shouldered the offensive load in the first round. Jake Oettinger will draw the start in net for the Stars, who get home ice for this round. Dallas has a very good defensive group and is solid on both ends of the ice.
The Stars have been off since Friday and have a couple of extra days of rest. Seattle might still be in the rhythm of playing every other day. However, Dallas is better on the defensive end and should get the lead.
Prediction: Stars win 4-3.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
