Welcome to today’s Hallowe’en edition of some eerily, accurate NHL Predictions. Today, like everyday, our writers here at Last Word on Hockey take a spook at the games, breaking down the key matchups and providing spine-tingling analysis to how they might play out. For our ghostly like guesses, today we explore the Seattle Kraken‘s odds at finding the loot as they explore the landlubbers of Lake Ontario shore, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Don’t forget to check out all the action throughout the season on our 2024-25 NHL Predictions, unless you’re too scared…
NHL Predictions
Seattle Kraken at Toronto Maple Leafs, from Scotiabank Arena
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TSN4, ESPN+
2023-24 Regular Season Series Toronto won (2-0)
A Look At the Leafs Hallowe’en Adventure
The Toronto Maple Leafs came into the 2024-25 season dressing up in a costume of the Stanley Cup. Are they on track? At 5-4-1, most assuredly, kind of, since you can dress up as whatever you want. The Maple Leafs always seem to have the magician spells to get it done and cruise into the playoffs. However, and as witnessed by past ghost stories, they can’t get over the proverbial hump.
Their star players of the calibre of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly can make sure you are in any game. If Matthews gets going, the Leafs are tough to stop. Then, if you add in some depth skill, that’s how they can overcome any obstacle, such as treat-or-treating in the snow. Johnny T, John Tavares, the old captain of the pirate ship, comes in riding a hot streak. His last game, he scored a hat trick, which extended his point streak to five games. In addition, Matthew Knies is getting in on the hockey spirit. He has four goals in the Leafs last five games. Also, he does it very efficiently, having only totaled 12 shots on goal.
So far on the young season, the Leafs have one poor performance indicator, in power play success. They are currently 29th at 9.4%. In contrast, in 2023-24, they finished seventh at 24.0%. This may be a way to attack the Leafs if you’re the Kraken. Play them aggressively, and don’t worry that their potent power play can’t attack. However, at the same time, you don’t want to fool with witchcraft.
The expected starting goaltender for Toronto is Joseph Woll. Injury has limited him to just one start thus far and it was disappointing one. For Leaf fans, they hope he can regain form from last year, when he posted a .907 save percentage in 25 contests. Luckily, his tandem-mate Anthony Stolarz has played well. So far, he has posted a .916 SV% through seven games. As a note, please check for the latest lineup news before locking in your fantasy starting lineups.
The Seattle Kraken Try to Haunt the Leafs House for One Night
What better team for the Leafs to play than the mythical sea creatures on this Hallowe’en 2024. The Kraken enter this game looking to keep their scary good ways in Canada going after beating the Montreal Canadiens 8-2 on Tuesday evening. Sometimes it is nice to pad the stats, especially early in the season to get people away from the ghouls, or zeroes if you’d rather. Brandon Montour had his breakout with the Kraken, scoring a hat trick and adding an assist as well against the Habs. Furthermore, Jared McCann is already up to 14 points on the campaign, so he is rolling.
For the Kraken, this might be setting up to be a repeat of 2022-23, when the team finished sixth in goals scored with 289. Last season they came back to the sea surface and struggled offensively finishing 29th with 217. Thus far, their goals for, goals against, is at 36 to 30. Those two values are good for ninth and 11th, respectively, league wide. 15 players have scored a goal for Seattle so far, opposed to Toronto, who have had 11 different goal scorers. If Seattle wants to compete with Toronto in a candy-sack filling competition, they’ll need their four lines contributing.
In net, the Leafs might be getting a treat in fact from the Kraken. They have a Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde tandem going for them currently. Goaltenders Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Daccord is 4-1-1 with a .914 SV%, while Grubauer is 1-3, with an .881 SV%. Grubauer looks to post a scary good performance against Toronto to get himself back on track.
NHL Predictions: Kraken and Leafs
One important stat that showcases Toronto’s advantage over Seattle is team expected goal differential. The Leafs are eighth at 2.61. On the other hand, the Kraken sit 24th at -3.03. The Leafs skill should outmatch the Kraken in this one.
Prediction: Leafs win in regulation, 5-3.
According to Fanduel, if we want to add some tricks-and-treats to our night’s events, check out these picks. Even though the two goalies want to get back in the groove, the recent past paints a horror story for their head coaches. Take the over on 6.5 at +102. Brandon Montour is at +600 to score, given his big game on Tuesday, it might be worth banking on him staying hot. For the Leafs, Matthews Knies is +310. He’s been trending in the right direction and with that potential payout, it’s worth putting on your best fedora and calling yourself a bookie for this year’s costume.
Main Photo: Terrence Lee – USA TODAY Sports
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