{"id":110851,"date":"2021-05-31T09:15:17","date_gmt":"2021-05-31T13:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=110851"},"modified":"2021-05-31T08:34:43","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T12:34:43","slug":"nhl-predictions-may-31st-feat-montreal-canadiens-vs-toronto-maple-leafs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/05\/31\/nhl-predictions-may-31st-feat-montreal-canadiens-vs-toronto-maple-leafs\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: May 31st feat. Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another day of\u00a0<\/span>NHL Predictions<\/span><\/a>. Each day, we will look at the games that are happening and give our predictions for each one. There are two games today. Tonight’s featured game is the Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more NHL predictions.<\/span><\/p>\n

NHL Predictions<\/span><\/h2>\n

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

Series: Montreal 3-3 Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

In a spectacular game with fans in the arena for the first time in Canada; The Montreal Canadiens managed to force a Game 7 against the heavily <\/span>favoured<\/span> Toronto Maple <\/span>Leafs<\/span>. After jumping out to a two-goal<\/span> lead<\/span> halfway through the third period, Montreal was lucky to make it to overtime. Nonetheless, Canadiens young forward <\/span>Jesperi<\/span> Kotkaniemi<\/span><\/a> was there to save the day<\/a>. After Toronto <\/span>defenceman<\/span> Travis Dermott<\/span><\/a>, the Canadiens were able to convert on the mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n

With <\/span>Kotkaniemi<\/span> scoring his third goal of these playoffs, the young forward seems to have come a long way. <\/span>Kotkaniemi<\/span> has only played in two seasons worth of playoffs but has made the most of it. With seven goals and seven points in 15 career playoff games, <\/span>Kotkaniemi<\/span> must be attracted to the “big” games.<\/span> S<\/span>howing up when it matters most. Not to forget another young stud in <\/span>Nick Suzuki<\/span><\/a>, tied for third on the team in points. With it all coming down to the wire tonight, we will get a glimpse of what these guys are truly made of.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other side of the ice, <\/span>Jack Campbell<\/span><\/a> has kept his team in every single game. Despite the lack of production from <\/span>Auston Matthews<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Mitch <\/span>Marner<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Campbell has been there to back them up every step of the way. With a .937 save percentage and 1.77 goals against average, the former back-up is out playing <\/span>Carey Price<\/span><\/a>, of all people. <\/span>T<\/span>he Maple <\/span>Leafs<\/span> need all <\/span>hands on<\/span>deck to pull out a win tonight. Even though <\/span>William Nylander<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Alexander Kerfoot<\/span><\/a> have stepped up in a big way, so far. If the Leafs cannot get Matthews, <\/span>Marner<\/span>, and <\/span>Zach Hyman<\/span><\/a> to contribute more, the team will find themselves out of the race before they know it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

Series: Boston 1-0 New York<\/span><\/p>\n

In front of a nearly sold-out crowd, the Boston Bruins took Game 1 from the New York Islanders in a dominating 5-2 victory. With <\/span>David <\/span>Pastrnak<\/span><\/a> leading the charge. It was the usual cast of characters that supported him the whole way. Picking up where he left off against <\/span>Washington Capitals<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Pastrnak<\/span> scored a hat<\/span> trick to secure a Game 1 victory for the Bruins. With <\/span>Patrice Bergeron<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>David Krejci<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Brad Marchand<\/span><\/a> adding fuel to the fire as well. The Bruins look like they did back in 2011 when they hoisted Lord <\/span>Stanleys<\/span>‘ Cup; if the Bruins continue with this trajectory, who knows who will be able to stop them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite how good the Bruins have looked, the New York Islanders fear no one. With one of the stingiest systems in the league, every game against the Islanders is a battle. Playing extremely smart, and extremely structured, the Islanders take advantage of the other teams’ mistakes. At the same time, Boston will most likely look to get their top guys going. New York’s defensive structure may end up being too much for them. Now that <\/span>Ilya Sorokin<\/span><\/a> has taken over the starting position after dominating the Pittsburgh Penguins. One would imagine a short leash with such a young goaltender at such an essential time of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

N<\/span>o matter what happens if the Islanders <\/span>cant<\/span> beat <\/span>Tuukka Rask<\/span><\/a>, t<\/span>hen none of it will matter. But, at the same time, if <\/span>Anthony <\/span>Beauvillier<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> Brock Nelson<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Josh Bailey<\/span><\/a> play as they did in last season’s playoff bubble<\/span>, w<\/span>e will be in for one exciting series in a battle for the East Division Champions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction: New York wins 4-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>