{"id":105845,"date":"2021-04-02T09:15:23","date_gmt":"2021-04-02T13:15:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=105845"},"modified":"2021-04-02T09:45:27","modified_gmt":"2021-04-02T13:45:27","slug":"nhl-predictions-featuring-toronto-maple-leafs-vs-winnipeg-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/04\/02\/nhl-predictions-featuring-toronto-maple-leafs-vs-winnipeg-jets\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: April 2nd Early Games – Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another day of\u00a0NHL Predictions<\/a>. Each day, we will take a look at the games that are happening and give our predictions for each one. This is the early set of predictions here on Friday, April 2nd. Be sure to check out out the late predictions as well. In addition, we also offer a featured game of the day, which is a game that we think is must-watch TV. Today\u2019s featured game is the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets<\/h2>\n

Washington Capitals vs New Jersey Devils<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Capitals 6 \u2013 0 Devils<\/h4>\n

The Washington Capitals have owned the New Jersey Devils recently especially this season. In fact, if you go back to the start of the 2015 season, the Capitals are 25-3 against the Devils. Talk about a dominant stretch. So when you see this game on the docket, the smart play is to go with the Capitals. And even though the Devils have played some competitive games against Washington, the young Devils cannot get across the finish line. However, Friday’s night game could be different. The Devils are coming off a couple of days off, while the Capitals played on Thursday night against the Islanders. They lost Ilya Samsonov<\/a> to injury. But it is still Washington. And it is a lock either Alex Ovechkin<\/a>, Nicklas Backstrom<\/a> or T.J. Oshie<\/a> will score against the Devils.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Capitals Win 3-2\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 2 \u2013 2 Jets<\/h4>\n

This is the featured game of the night as the Maple Leafs battle the Jets as the battle for the top spot in the North Division rages on. The two teams split the first four games of the season, but it was the Maple Leafs who got the leg up in the last game on Wednesday night. The Maple Leafs are rolling with Auston Matthews<\/a>, Mitch Marner<\/a>, and company clicking on all cylinders. Having Alex Galchenyuk<\/a> in the lineup has given the Maple Leafs a different dynamic<\/a>. It will be interesting to see when Frederik Andersen<\/a> comes back from his injury. On the Jets side of things, there is some uncertainty around Blake Wheeler<\/a>. He left the last game early. If he can’t go that would be a huge loss to the Jets lineup offensively. He is really the straw that stirs the drink.<\/p>\n

However, if Wheeler can’t go the Jets still have plenty of weapons on offence with players like Mark Scheifele<\/a>, Nikolaj Ehlers<\/a>, Kyle Connor<\/a>, and Pierre-Luc Dubois<\/a>. And with Connor Hellebuyck<\/a> in between the pipes, the Jets are not out of any game. Jack Campbell<\/a> continues to be impressive for the Maple Leafs, but how much longer can he keep his hot streak going. That will be determined by the team in front of him. And at least for one more game, his streak will continue.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-3\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

St. Louis Blues vs Colorado Avalanche<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head:\u00a0 Blues 1 \u2013 1 Avalanche<\/h4>\n

The St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche will finish up their season series in the month of April playing six times over the course of the month. This is the first meeting of the season since the opening two games of the season. Obviously, both teams had to deal with games being rescheduled, but with every game being so important especially this time of year, this series will make or break a team’s season. As it stands right now, the Blues hold the final playoff spot in the West Division, with a couple of teams nipping at their heels. While the Avalanche are sitting in first place in the division. If the Blues can take at least half of these games in this series with Colorado it will go a long way to help them make the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Colorado is firing on all cylinders as of right now but will be in for a challenge with the Blues. However, St. Louis is dealing with injuries mainly on defence. Even with Vladimir Tarasenko<\/a> back, not having Colton Parakyo in the lineup does not help the Blues cause. One thing is for certain if the Avalanche start rolling it is hard to stop them especially with guys like Nathan MacKinnon<\/a>, Gabriel Landeskog<\/a>, and Mikko Rantanen<\/a> in the lineup.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>