{"id":475369,"date":"2025-10-08T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T12:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=475369"},"modified":"2025-10-07T22:55:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T02:55:15","slug":"nhl-predictions-oct-8-canadiens-vs-maple-leafs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/10\/08\/nhl-predictions-oct-8-canadiens-vs-maple-leafs\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Oct 8 Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0Last 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 Montreal Canadiens<\/a>\u00a0taking on the\u00a0Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>.\u00a0Don\u2019t forget to check out more\u00a0NHL Predictions<\/a>, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n

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

2024-25 Season Series: Canadiens 1-3 Maple Leafs<\/h4>\n

Time:<\/strong> 7:10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time<\/p>\n

TV:<\/strong> Sportsnet; ESPN+; Hulu<\/p>\n

We open up NHL predictions with our featured game between the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs. It’s another installment in the rivalry between the two eternal enemies. Sam Montembeault<\/a> is the confirmed starter for Montreal, which is trying to build off of last season’s return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Habs made the postseason for the first time since reaching the final in 2021. There’s plenty of promise with this squad that has made improvements like acquiring Noah Dobson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cole Caufield<\/a> led the team in goals with 37 last season, while Nick Suzuki<\/a> topped the team in points with 89. Defenceman Lane Hutson<\/a> racked up 60 assists on his way to winning the Calder Trophy.<\/p>\n

Toronto is slated to go with Anthony Stolarz<\/a> in between the pipes, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Maple Leafs are once again trying to break through and hoist their first Stanley Cup since 1967.<\/p>\n

We’ve seen Toronto make some changes, including Mitch Marner<\/a> heading off to the Vegas Golden Knights. William Nylander<\/a> is the top returning goal-scorer (45) and point-getter (84) for the Leafs. However, Auston Matthews<\/a> is hoping for a bounce-back campaign after an injury-riddled season.<\/p>\n

Both teams are looking to get off to a good start, but the Habs spoil the party for the Maple Leafs.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Canadiens win 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n

Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals<\/h3>\n

2024-25 Season Series: Bruins 1-2 Capitals<\/h4>\n

Time:<\/strong> 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time<\/p>\n

TV:<\/strong> TNT; Max<\/p>\n

We go to our next game of NHL predictions with the Boston Bruins<\/a> visiting the Washington Capitals.<\/a> Boston is expected to go with Jeremy Swayman<\/a> in between the pipes, who is looking to shake off a troubled campaign.\u00a0David Pastrnak<\/a> is going to be tasked with carrying the Bruins’ offence after playing a part in 47 percent of the team’s goals. Morgan Geekie<\/a> reaped the benefits of being his linemate.<\/p>\n

Logan Thompson<\/a> will likely draw the start for the Capitals, who are hoping to repeat as Metropolitan Division champions. Thompson and Charlie Lindgren<\/a> will share time in the blue paint, so check social media if you have any of the Washington goalies.\u00a0Alex Ovechkin<\/a> is coming off a historic season that saw him shatter Wayne Gretzky<\/a>‘s all-time leading scoring record. The surefire Hall of Famer is three goals away from the 900 mark.<\/p>\n

Boston faces an uncertain path with plenty of faces being traded last deadline. Washington should start the season with a victory.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Capitals win 4-1.<\/em><\/p>\n

Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers<\/h3>\n

2024-25 Season Series: Flames 1-2 Oilers<\/h4>\n

Time:<\/strong> 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time<\/p>\n

TV:<\/strong> Sportsnet; ESPN+; Hulu<\/p>\n

We have another chapter in the Battle of Alberta as the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers<\/a> host the Calgary Flames.<\/a> We’ll likely see Dustin Wolf<\/a> get the call in between the pipes for the Flames, who hung around for a while before fading out of the playoff picture.\u00a0Nazem Kadri<\/a> returns as the team’s leading scorer with 35 goals and 67 points. Jonathan Huberdeau<\/a> is trying to keep things rolling after a return to form.<\/p>\n

The Oilers face the pressure of losing in the Final for the last two seasons. Edmonton fans are breathing a sigh of relief after Connor McDavid<\/a> signed his two-year contract extension. However, goaltending was a massive question. Stuart Skinner<\/a> is slated to get the start, but will need to have another solid start to quell the roars for a replacement. Leon Draisaitl<\/a> put up massive numbers with 52 goals and 106 points last campaign.<\/p>\n

Rivalry games are always tough to gauge, but the Oilers should open the season as victors.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Oilers win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n

Los Angeles Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights<\/h3>\n

2024-25 Season Series: Kings 3-1 Golden Knights<\/h4>\n

Time:<\/strong> 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time<\/p>\n

TV:<\/strong> TNT; Max<\/p>\n

We wrap up NHL predictions with the Los Angeles Kings<\/a> traveling to Sin City to play the Golden Knights. Los Angeles will be the first team that will have to play a back-to-back this season. Anton Forsberg<\/a> will draw the start after Darcy Kuemper<\/a> patrolled the crease in the opener. Adrian Kempe<\/a> is going into a contract year after bagging 35 goals and 73 points last season.<\/p>\n

Vegas is heading into the season as some people’s pick to win the Stanley Cup after the addition of Marner. Adin Hill<\/a> is expected to get the starting assignment for Vegas in the season-opener. Jack Eichel<\/a> is also heading into a contract year and is looking to add to that 94-point season in 2024-25.<\/a><\/p>\n

It’ll be interesting to see how the Kings will perform after playing the night before. Go with the Knights to get the win.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-3.<\/em><\/p>\n

Prop Bets of the Night<\/h3>\n

We round out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let’s go back to our featured game for our picks. Take Caufield to notch a power-play goal for Montreal. On the Toronto side, take Matthews to get over 1.5 points.<\/p>\n

Main photo by: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 Montreal Canadiens\u00a0taking on the\u00a0Toronto Maple […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":455701,"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":[4524,4547,7,34,4548,18],"tags":[6081,6015,6017,6028,6016,6062,6019,6239],"class_list":["post-475369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-hockey","category-canadiens","category-news","category-nhl","category-leafs","tag-boston-bruins-predictions","tag-calgary-flames-predictions","tag-edmonton-oilers-predictions","tag-los-angeles-kings-predictions","tag-montreal-canadiens-predictions","tag-toronto-maple-leafs-predictions","tag-vegas-golden-knights-predictions","tag-washington-capitals-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475369","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=475369"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475369\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":475371,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475369\/revisions\/475371"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/455701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=475369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=475369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=475369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}