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 Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days.
NHL Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-0 Panthers
TV: Bally Sports Florida; TSN4
It’s a rematch of the Eastern second-round series and the featured game of NHL predictions. Toronto will go with Ilya Samsonov in goal, but always check social media for other goalie options for daily fantasy. The Leafs are coming off a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, which their defence looked exposed. Toronto can score goals thanks to talented players like Auston Matthews and William Nylander. However, it needs to stop them as well.
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Florida will roll with Sergei Bobrovsky and looks to make it two games in a row. The Panthers got off the schnide with a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils. Sam Reinhart and Leafs tormentor Mathew Tkachuk are off to solid starts this season.
Both teams are looking to get on track, but Toronto gets the win.
Predictions: Leafs win 4-3.
Calgary Flames vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Flames 0-0 Sabres
TV: Sportsnet West, ESPN+, MSG+
The Calgary Flames take on the Buffalo Sabres in this one. Dan Vladar gets the start in goal for the Flames while Devon Levi gets the call for the Sabres. Calgary is 1-1-1 and coming off a loss to the Washington Capitals.
Buffalo held off the Tampa Bay Lightning to get into the “W” column. Zach Benson is continuing to turn heads and making things hard when it comes to his nine-game trial.
The Sabres got a big confidence boost and they’ll carry it over.
Prediction: Sabres win 4-2.
Vancouver Canucks vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-0 Lightning
TV: Bally Sports Sunshine; Sportsnet 360
The Vancouver Canucks are looking to get something out of their Eastern trip. Thatcher Demko is the confirmed starter for the Canucks while Jonas Johansson should get the call for the Lightning. Vancouver has gotten off to a good start thanks to Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson.
Tampa Bay’s defence has struggled in recent games. Brandon Hagel leads with four goals, but the defence needs work.
Vancouver is a little more sound on the back end and gets the win.
Prediction: Canucks win 4-3.
Edmonton Oilers vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Oilers 0-0 Flyers
TV: Sportsnet One; ESPN+, Hulu
The Edmonton Oilers put it on the Nashville Predators in the last outing. Jack Campbell is the likely goalie for Edmonton, who are trying to get back to .500. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are carrying the water once again for the Oilers on the offensive end.
Carter Hart gets the call for a Philadelphia Flyers squad that has looked solid in spots this season. Travis Konecny has continued his solid play from last season and has three goals already.
This will be a game dictated by pace and style. If Edmonton can get going early, it should win.
Prediction: Oilers win 5-3.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets
Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 0-0 Jets
TV: Scripps; TSN3
The Vegas Golden Knights have been playing like Stanley Cup Champions. Can anyone stop the Knights this season? Logan Thompson likely goes again in goal for the Knights. However, the defence has been banged up with Zach Whitecloud being out and Alex Pietrangelo missing Saturday’s game.
Former Vegas goalie Laurent Brossoit will go for the Jets in between the pipes. Mark Scheifele has celebrated his new contract with three goals this season.
Vegas has been solid so far this season, but we’ll roll the dice on Brossoit getting a measure of revenge.
Prediction: Jets win 3-2 in overtime.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Seattle Kraken
Head-to-Head:Hurricanes 0-0 Kraken
TV: Bally Sports South; Root Northwest
This is the last featured game of our NHL predictions. It’s the Ron Francis Bowl for the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken. Frederik Andersen is the projected starter for the Hurricanes, but could be held out for one more game. Teuvo Teravainen leads the team in goals with four.
Projected starter Philipp Grubauer and the Kraken are looking for their first win of the season. Goals have been hard to come by for Seattle.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2.
Here are other games in our NHL Predictions
Nashville Predators vs New York Rangers
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-0 Rangers
TV: Bally Sports South; MSG
Prediction: Rangers win 5-1.
Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Kings 0-0 Wild
TV: Bally Sports West; BS North; BS Wisc.
Prediction: Wild win 4-3.
Arizona Coyotes vs St Louis Blues
Head-to-Head: Coyotes 0-0 Blues
TV: Scripps; Bally Sports Midwest
Prediction: Blues win 4-2.
Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Stars 0-0 Ducks
TV: Bally Sports South West; BS San Diego; BS SC
Prediction: Stars win 5-2.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Colorado Avalanche
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-0 Avalanche
TV: ESPN
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-1.
Boston Bruins vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Bruins 0-0 Sharks
TV: NESN; NBC Sports Calif.
Prediction: Bruins win 4-1.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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