{"id":110703,"date":"2021-05-29T09:30:17","date_gmt":"2021-05-29T13:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=110703"},"modified":"2021-05-28T21:18:03","modified_gmt":"2021-05-29T01:18:03","slug":"nhl-predictions-may-29-toronto-maple-leafs-vs-montreal-canadiens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/05\/29\/nhl-predictions-may-29-toronto-maple-leafs-vs-montreal-canadiens\/","title":{"rendered":"May 29th NHL Predictions: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to <\/span>NHL Predictions<\/span><\/a>, May 29th edition! Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This is the first and only slate of NHL Predictions for May 29th, featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NHL Predictions: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens<\/b><\/h2>\n

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens<\/b><\/h3>\n

Series: Maple Leafs 3 – 2 Canadiens<\/b><\/h4>\n

On Thursday, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs to stay in the playoffs. They\u2019re not out of the woods yet, though. Tonight, the Maple Leafs get another chance to close out the Canadiens.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the Canadiens, capitalizing on the first period will be important. Last game, Montreal scored twice in the first. Though they were heavily outplayed in the third, they were still able to win in overtime thanks to the early lead they\u2019d accrued.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, Toronto\u2019s top scorers will need to make bigger contributions. Auston Matthews<\/a>, who scored 41 goals through 56 games during the regular season, has been held to one against the Canadiens. Mitch Marner<\/a>, too, has been less productive during the playoffs. Better performances from them will greatly improve the Maple Leafs’ chances of taking the win.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last game, the Maple Leafs came incredibly close to ending the series. Barring another hot start from Montreal, Toronto should advance to the elusive second round<\/a> tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Maple Leafs win, 3-2<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

New York Islanders vs Boston Bruins<\/b><\/h3>\n

Series: Islanders 0 – 0 Bruins<\/b><\/h4>\n

In the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Boston Bruins toppled the higher-seeded Washington Capitals<\/a> in a dominant 4-1 series. The New York Islanders pulled off an even bigger upset, taking down the first-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a>. Tonight, these two unlikely opponents kick off their second-round series.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this round, the Islanders need more from their first line.<\/span> Jordan Eberle<\/a>,<\/span> Mathew Barzal<\/a>, and<\/span> Leo Komarov<\/a> combined for seven points – and just two goals – against the Penguins. The third line, by comparison, recorded 13 points, five of which were goals. Depth scoring was enough for the Islanders to emerge victorious from the last series, but in the long run, they can\u2019t be relying solely on the middle six to score. Against Boston, whose own \u201cPerfection Line\u201d has been a potent offensive threat, the first line needs to contribute.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will be important for the Bruins to start this series on the right foot. In their last game, Boston was heavily outshot by Washington. They also allowed nine high-danger chances. Although Tuukka Rask<\/a> stood strong in the net to seal the victory, the Bruins can\u2019t continue to give up so many opportunities in this series. Although the Islanders may not be known for their offence, they will capitalize on any chances Boston gives them. But if the Bruins show more discipline on defence, it’s likely that they\u2019ll walk away with the win tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: Bruins win 4-1<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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