Welcome back to NHL Game Day Predictions. Daily, the Last Word on Hockey brings you a prediction and analysis of every game on the schedule. This will also feature a significant game on the schedule that is must-watch hockey. Today’s featured game is the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals.
Predictions Including Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals
Dallas Stars vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Stars 0-0 Blue Jackets
Remember the time when the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Dallas Stars had nice playoffs? Neither do I. What has happened in April and May seems light years away from the current state of both squads. The Stars have just three points from seven games. That’s a lousy number, to say the least. Dallas has just one win, and even that came in overtime last week in Washington.
On Monday afternoon, the Stars lost 4-0 in Buffalo. The top Stars players are not playing on the level expected, especially goaltender Ben Bishop. On the other note, the Blue Jackets have two wins in five contests. After a sloppy start, the Blue Jackets improved their performances over the past three games. During their most recent contest, Columbus snapped the Hurricanes’ perfect start. That was an encouraging win for the Blue Jackets. However, their goaltending is still a bit of a mystery, so expect the Stars to have a strong push in this one.
Prediction: Dallas wins 4-2
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-0 Capitals
In our highlighted game of the night, we will take a closer look at the contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. The Leafs had a strong start to the season but then lost three straight at home. On Tuesday, they hosted the Minnesota Wild at home. This will be the second back-to-back of the season for them and only third road tilt. They are a perfect 2-0 on the road during this regular campaign. In the second game of the back-to-back, the Leafs lost at home against the Montreal Canadiens after blowing a 4-1 lead in the process.
The Capitals struggle. Their last home game, on Monday versus Colorado, was a disaster. The Caps gave up four goals in the first period. Braden Holtby surrendered three goals on three shots on goal before being pulled. Before the game on Monday, the Capitals won in Dallas. But before that 4-1 road win, Washington lost three straight. The Caps are winless at home so far this season after three appearances. In their last two visits to the Capital One Arena, the Maple Leafs won on both occasions. However, on back-to-back nights, with the Capitals urged to improve, Washington will claim the victory on home ice.
Prediction: Washington wins 4-2
Colorado Avalanche vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 0-0 Penguins
Two great hockey clubs come to battle in this game. The Pittsburgh Penguins have overcome a slow start and have now won three straight games. During the weekend, the injury-baffled Penguins trashed both the Wild and the Jets while scoring 14 goals. To record that without your top players like Evgeni Malkin, Alex Galchenyuk, or Bryan Rust deserves recognition.
On the other hand, here comes the only undefeated team in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche. Early in the season, seemingly nothing could derail the Avalanche. On Monday in Washington, the Avs had an early 4-0 lead. Led by players like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, or Gabriel Landeskog, the Avs are firing on all cylinders. Nevertheless, expect the Penguins to be dominant on home ice and snatch the Av’s winning streak.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-3 in overtime
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0-0 Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers saw their perfect run to begin the season end on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Now it’s time to regroup for the Oilers and show some responsiveness to the loss. The Oilers are coming off a long four-game road trip on the East Coast. James Neal scored his eighth tally of the regular season versus the Blackhawks. Supported by Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, the Oilers’ big trio is ready to shine again.
Talking about the perfect starts, the Philadelphia Flyers saw their short two-game win streak stopped by the Vancouver Canucks last Saturday. The Flyers played in Calgary last night. This will mark the first back-to-back set of games of the season for them. That’s also a reason why the Oilers are favorites to win this contest. Edmonton has beaten Philadelphia in seven of their last nine home head-to-head contests.
Prediction: Edmonton wins 5-3
Buffalo Sabres vs. Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0-0 Ducks
The Buffalo Sabres are near-perfect at the beginning of this season. Ralph Krueger has done wonders with his new team so far. The Sabres earned 11 points from 12 available on the season. On Monday, Buffalo smashed Dallas in a 4-0 fashion. Their scoring is pretty balanced across the lineup, however, Victor Olofsson with his five power-play goals catches everybody’s attention. Jack Eichel has had a formidable start as well, with nine points.
The Anaheim Ducks had a strong start to the season, but they have lost two of their past three contests. Still, the Ducks continue to impress early on with the new head coach Dallas Eakins. At home, Anaheim remains undefeated. The Sabres have won their last three games at Honda Center. However, this time, the Ducks will bounce back from their loss in Boston and beat the Sabres with a ton of help from goaltender John Gibson.
Prediction: Anaheim wins 3-2
Carolina Hurricanes vs. San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-0 Sharks
The last game on today’s slate will bring us to California, where the San Jose Sharks will host the Carolina Hurricanes at SAP Center. The Hurricanes had a perfect 5-0 start to the regular season, which was halted by the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Nonetheless, the Hurricanes continue to be a threat, both offensively and defensively. It is already the third back-to-back situation for the Canes, as they visited Los Angeles last night.
The Sharks should have a slight advantage in this matchup. They have won the last four home tilts versus Carolina. Following a miserable 0-4 start, the Sharks gained a lot of energy and revitalization from Patrick Marleau and his return back to the teal. San Jose will try to record its third win of the season.
Prediction: San Jose wins 5-3
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