{"id":466258,"date":"2025-04-08T09:56:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T13:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=466258"},"modified":"2025-04-08T09:56:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T13:56:06","slug":"nhl-predictions-april-8-toronto-maple-leafs-vs-florida-panthers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/08\/nhl-predictions-april-8-toronto-maple-leafs-vs-florida-panthers\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: April 8 Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at\u00a0<em>Last Word on Hockey<\/em>\u00a0look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/07\/toronto-maple-leafs-in-great-spirits-heading-into-the-playoffs\/\" target=\"_self\">Toronto Maple Leafs\u00a0<\/a>taking on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/04\/florida-panthers-are-without-top-forward-for-the-weekend\/\" target=\"_self\">Florida Panthers<\/a>.\u00a0Don\u2019t forget to check out more\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/07\/nhl-predictions-april-7th-edmonton-oilers-vs-anaheim-ducks\/\" target=\"_self\">NHL Predictions,<\/a>\u00a0as\u00a0our writers continue this series throughout the 2024-25 season.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<h3>Ottawa Senators vs Columbus Blue Jackets<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Senators 2-0 Blue Jackets<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> TSN5; Fan Duel Sports Ohio; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>We open up NHL predictions with an important game between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/02\/ottawa-senators-rumours-looking-ahead-franchise-injury-news\/\" target=\"_self\">Ottawa Senators<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/06\/nhl-predictions-april-6-columbus-blue-jackets-vs-ottawa-senators\/\" target=\"_self\">Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>. Ottawa is expected to go with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/u\/ullmali01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Linus Ullmark<\/a> in goal for this game. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Senators are 6-3-1 in the last 10 games and that includes three consecutive victories. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sandeja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Sanderson<\/a> has logged four goals with four assists over the last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/merzlel01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elvis Merzlikins<\/a> is the projected starter for the Blue Jackets, who have lost the last three games in a row. Columbus is 3-6-1 in the last 10 games and the wheels have fallen off in its Stanley Cup Playoff push. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/monahse01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sean Monahan<\/a> has played well as of late with four goals and nine assists over the last 10 games for the Blue Jackets.<\/p>\n<p>Columbus needs a win, but Ottawa finds a way to solidify its post-season place.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Senators win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 1-2 Panthers<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> TSN4; ESPN; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.thescore.com\/nhl\/events\/30663\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Our featured game<\/a> of NHL predictions is a possible post-season preview between the Maple Leafs and the Panthers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stolaan01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Stolarz<\/a> is expected to get the start against one of his former teams. Toronto is coming into this game with an 8-1-1 mark in the last 10 games, including four consecutive victories. The Leafs are actually 13-7-1 in Atlantic Division play. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marnemi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mitch Marner<\/a> is having the perfect time to have a great year with \u00a04 goals and 70 assists for Toronto.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bobrose01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a> is the likely starter for the Panthers, who are losers of five straight games. Florida is also 3-6-1 in the last 10 games and has struggled to score less than two goals a game during this rough patch. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/reinhsa01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Reinhart<\/a> has tallied 37 goals and 41 assists for the Panthers.<\/p>\n<p>The Leafs usually struggle with the Panthers, but the visitors pick up a key win.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-1.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Golden Knights 1-1 Avalanche<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 9:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p><strong>TV:<\/strong> SN360; ESPN; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p>The last game of today&#8217;s NHL predictions has the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/03\/14\/vegas-golden-knights-sign-the-number-one-goalie\/\" target=\"_self\">Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> visiting the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/03\/31\/nhl-predictions-march-31-calgary-flames-colorado-avalanche\/\" target=\"_self\">Colorado Avalanche<\/a>. Vegas is probable to start with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hillad01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Adin Hill<\/a> in the blue paint for this game. The Golden Knights are 8-2 in the last 10 games and have taken the last two games in a row. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/eicheja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Eichel<\/a> has averaged over a point a games as of late with six goals and seven assists over the last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/blackma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mackenzie Blackwood<\/a> is the probable starter for the Avalanche, who are 6-3-1 in the last 10 games. However, Colorado is coming off a defeat in its last outing. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/necasma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Necas<\/a> has taken to life with his new team with 27 goals with 55 assists for the Avalanche.<\/p>\n<p>This could be a post-season preview, but Vegas gets the win.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Golden Knights win 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prop Bets of the Night<\/h3>\n<p>We round out NHL predictions with some prop bets. Let&#8217;s go back to our featured game for our props. For Toronto, take <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tavarjo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-04-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Tavares<\/a> to get a power-play point. On the Florida end of things, take Reinart to get a goal in this game.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong><span class=\"s6\">Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at\u00a0Last Word on Hockey\u00a0look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the\u00a0Toronto Maple Leafs\u00a0taking on the\u00a0Florida Panthers.\u00a0Don\u2019t [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":439365,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,4547,4548,4524,18],"tags":[6085,6083,6255,6109,6062,6019],"class_list":["post-466258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-panthers","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-nhl-predictions","category-leafs","tag-colorado-avalanche-predictions","tag-columbus-blue-jackets-predictions","tag-florida-panthers-predictions","tag-ottawa-senators-predictions","tag-toronto-maple-leafs-predictions","tag-vegas-golden-knights-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=466258"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466258\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":466260,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466258\/revisions\/466260"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/439365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=466258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=466258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=466258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}