NHL Predictions are back with another loaded slate of games. Each day, we break down and look at all of the games. Giving our analysis and prediction on each one. You can also find the other half of Saturday’s games. Tonight, the featured matchup is the Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Sabres 0 – 1 Lightning
Starting off NHL Predictions we have a back-to-back. These two teams are over in Stockholm for the NHL Global Series. They faced off last night and that saw the Lightning win 3-2. The Tampa Bay Lightning have struggled out of the gate early this year. Currently, they are on the outside of the playoffs, somewhere no one thought they would be. However, it is still early and the roster talent of this team is the same. Expect their stars to get going and pull them up as the season goes along.
For the Buffalo Sabres, their added depth has been a massive help this season. A brand new blueline along with players like Jimmy Vesey and Marcus Johansson to get the depth scoring coming along. This Sabres team took a bunch of people by surprise starting the year out hot. However, Friday surprise appeared to be not enough. You know that Buffalo will look to avenge themselves as taking zero of four points in Sweden isn’t good enough. The Tampa Bay offence may be too much to handle though.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-3 in Overtime.
Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0 – 1 Islanders
The New York Islanders beat the Florida Panthers in a shootout last time they played. However, both of these teams have been hot since then. The Islanders just had their 10 game winning streak snapped. They are second in their division and a force to be reckoned with. Mathew Barzal is becoming a star and the youth movement led by Noah Dobson and Oliver Wahlstrom is alive. The Islanders goaltending has been red hot lately and they hope that can continue against a loaded Florida offence.
The Panthers have points in 11 of their last 12 games, going 6-1-5 in that stretch. They could be right at the top of the standings if they can find a way to win some of those overtime games. This is still incredibly impressive seeing as Sergei Bobrovsky has really struggled so far this year. He has a stunning .878 save percentage yet still has a 6-2-4 record. His team has really bailed him out. If they can find a save from Bobrovsky this team will be dangerous. Even league-average goaltending would make this team a feared one and that’s what they need right now.
Prediction: Islanders win 5-3.
Los Angeles Kings vs Montreal Canadiens
Head-to-Head: Kings 0 – 0 Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens have had a very average start to this season. They are 8-5-3 which is good enough for fifth in the Atlantic and the second wild-card spot. However, this team wants to make it back to the playoffs and needs to win games like these to do so. The Habs have been reported to be looking for a left-handed defenceman which would help their chances. Their left side isn’t the greatest, even with draft steal Victor Mete.
Their opponent in the Los Angeles Kings is a team that has really struggled. They sit second-last in the NHL currently and don’t have much hope for this season. Names like Tyler Toffoli are being mentioned as trade bait and this team will likely start to sell off a bunch of their assets. Moving on from common names for this Kings franchise will be the best way to go. For this season, they look to play spoiler. That’s exactly what they will try to do tonight. However, the Kings team lets up almost four goals against a game on the road. They will need to tighten up if they wish to win games.
Prediction: Canadiens win 4-1.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0 – 0 Senators
The Ottawa Senators look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. They beat the Kings in overtime on Thursday and look to get on a bit of a run. The youngsters have looked good as Brady Tkachuk is all over the ice. Nick Paul has been told to find a home in Ottawa and Anthony Duclair has looked better than ever. However, all that may not be enough tonight.
The Carolina Hurricanes are looking to snap a three-game losing streak. They are one of the best possession teams in hockey, ranking first in CF% and second in xGF%. This team has a loaded blueline with names like Dougie Hamilton, Jaccob Slavin, and Brett Pesce. Upfront, they are led by guys like Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Teuvo Teravainen. This is one of the better rosters in the NHL and they will be hungry to snap a losing streak against this Ottawa team.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 5-2.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Flyers 0 – 1 Maple Leafs
The Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs was the NHL Predictions game of the night last Saturday and it did not disappoint. The Leafs came out on top in an 11-round shootout. Toronto has points in seven of it’s last nine games and is on a three-game winning streak. They look to keep that alive as they face the Flyers at home on a Saturday night. Frederik Andersen will look to get the start. He has been solid this year aside from a game against Tampa.
As for the Flyers, they have won two in a row, including a very solid comeback win against the Canadiens. Carter Hart has started to bounce back after a brutal start to the season. He put up a .971 and a .917 against the Canes and the Habs in his last two starts. This Philly team is a solid possession team and they will keep the Maple Leafs busy. This should be another very close game.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-3 in Overtime.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0 – 0 Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins currently sit third in the Metro division. This is despite missing key players for most the season. They finally got Evgeni Malkin back, however, they are now without Patric Hornqvist and possibly Kris Letang. Despite this, the Penguins just keep on rolling along. They are one of the best teams in the league by the advanced metrics and following Sidney Crosby, have had seemingly no issues keeping pace. This team has overcome a lot and look to keep that going tonight.
The Chicago Blackhawks have had a tougher year. With just 13 points in 15 games, this team has really struggled out of the gate. Robin Lehner has looked good but the defence in front of him is just brutal. The Hawks need big-time games from guys upfront like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Without this, they don’t have much chance of winning.
Prediction: Penguins win 3-2.
That’s all for NHL Predictions! Tune in each day for more.
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