{"id":480774,"date":"2025-12-28T09:47:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T14:47:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=480774"},"modified":"2025-12-28T09:47:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T14:47:53","slug":"nhl-predictions-dec-28-toronto-maple-leafs-vs-detroit-red-wings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/28\/nhl-predictions-dec-28-toronto-maple-leafs-vs-detroit-red-wings\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Dec 28 Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0<em>Last Word on Hockey<\/em> look 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 Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the Detroit Red Wings. Don\u2019t forget to check out more <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/nhl-predictions\/\" target=\"_self\">NHL Predictions<\/a>, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<h3>Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning<\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"x5VKhitDQmRCzyP8HIzWpA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2252075073\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'x5VKhitDQmRCzyP8HIzWpA',sig:'0H6bpJw_xf7P-BaN_ZWzkyd27UwjUZFOOdg-djEONII=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2252075073',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Canadiens 0-1 Lightning<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/news\/amazon-prime-video-2025-26-monday-night-hockey-schedule\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/12\/PRIMN_25_OOHDisplayAdBanner_Desktop_728x90_POST_Final_en-CA_PV00045914_Monday.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> The Spot; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong> TSN2; RDS<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.thescore.com\/nhl\/events\/31716\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">We open up<\/a> NHL predictions with an Atlantic Division matchup between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/23\/montreal-canadiens-2025-christmas-wishlist\/\" target=\"_self\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/27\/young-defenceman-tampa-bay-lightning-re-sign\/\" target=\"_self\">Tampa Bay Lightning.<\/a> Montreal will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/fowleja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Fowler<\/a> the start in this game. The Habs are 5-3-2 heading into the first game back since the Christmas break. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/suzukni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Suzuki<\/a> leads the team in points so far this season with 42.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=johanjo03,johanjo02&amp;search=Jonas+Johansson&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonas Johansson<\/a> will likely draw the start for Tampa Bay after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vasilan02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/a> got the win in goal against the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/27\/nhl-predictions-tampa-bay-lightning-florida-panthers-saturday\/\" target=\"_self\"> Florida Panthers<\/a>. The Lightning are 5-4-1 in their previous 10 games, including victories in three consecutive games. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kucheni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikita Kucherov<\/a> leads the team in both assists (32) and points (47) so far this campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Tampa Bay is on a roll but is coming off a hard-fought game against Florida. Montreal should be rested for this game.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Canadiens win 4-3.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"9XIHQjtzSuRtB9WrlwlJGw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2244999456\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'9XIHQjtzSuRtB9WrlwlJGw',sig:'N0IHwYq9uuS_8najAkXfByblVUIi6i8DfNlo5vm3ysU=',w:'594px',h:'390px',items:'2244999456',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets<\/h3>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Islanders 1-0 Blue Jackets<\/h3>\n<p>How to Watch:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> MSGSN; Fan Duel Sports Ohio; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>The second game of NHL predictions is a Metropolitan Division matchup between the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/27\/nhl-predictions-rangers-islanders\/\" target=\"_self\"> New York Islanders<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/20\/nhl-prediction-december-20th-columbus-blue-jackets-vs-anaheim-ducks\/\" target=\"_self\">Columbus Blue Jackets.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sorokil01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ilya Sorokin<\/a> is expected to get the start after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rittida01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Rittich<\/a> got the shutout against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/27\/nhl-rumours-new-york-rangers-future-team-plans\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Rangers.<\/a> The Islanders are 6-3-1 in their previous 10 games, including two consecutive wins entering this matchup. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/horvabo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bo Horvat<\/a> leads the club in goals (19) and points (31) for the Isles.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/greavje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jet Greaves<\/a> is the projected starter for the Blue Jackets but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Jackets are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games but did get a win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/27\/nhl-predictions-december-27th-anaheim-ducks-los-angeles-kings\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a> in their last game before break. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marchki01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirill Marchenko<\/a> is first in assists (16) and points (27) for Columbus.<\/p>\n<p>The Islanders are coming in with plenty of momentum and should capitalize on that.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Islanders win 4-2.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3>Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings<\/h3>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Maple Leafs 0-2 Red Wings<\/h3>\n<p>How to Watch:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> Fan Duel Sports Detroit; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong> SNO<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>Our featured game of NHL predictions is the third meeting of the season between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/27\/battle-of-ontario-saturday-night-ottawa-senators-toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/17\/nhl-predictions-utah-mammoth-vs-detroit-red-wings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings.<\/a> Toronto is likely to give <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hildede01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dennis Hildeby<\/a> after it downed the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/23\/nhl-rumours-ottawa-senators-stand-start-2026\/\" target=\"_self\">Ottawa Senators<\/a> on Saturday night. The Leafs are last in the Atlantic Division and have a 4-4-2 mark in their last 10 games. However, Toronto has won its last two games entering this matchup. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nylanwi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Nylander<\/a> leads the club in assists and points but keep an eye on his status after getting hurt on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/talboca01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Talbot<\/a> is the probable starter for the Red Wings, who are playing in their first game back from the Christmas break. Detroit is surprisingly first in the division and is 7-3 in its last 10 games. However, the Red Wings lost to the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/22\/carolina-hurricanes-injury-news-one-forward-one-defenceman\/\" target=\"_self\"> Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> in their last game out. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/raymolu01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lucas Raymond<\/a> is first on the team in assists (30) and points (41).<\/p>\n<p>Toronto has been playing better, but Detroit seems to have the Leafs number this season.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Red Wings win 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><br \/>\n<a id=\"J45jGceZT7xQv1yqqZMDJA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2242256561\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'J45jGceZT7xQv1yqqZMDJA',sig:'KbF27LF8nOagcG03ZiqT5nfpQ7sRCtEnYDATxp6RaJA=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2242256561',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Philadelphia Flyers vs Seattle Kraken<\/h3>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Flyers 1-0 Kraken<\/h3>\n<p>How to Watch:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> KHN, KONG, NBCS-PH, NHL Network<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Flyers win 5-3.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prop Bets of the Night<\/h3>\n<p>We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let&#8217;s go back to our featured game for our preferred props. The over\/under for the Maple Leafs versus the Red Wings is 6.5, and we like the under in this game.<\/p>\n<p>As for individual props, take <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/larkidy01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dylan Larkin<\/a> to score an anytime goal for Detroit. On the Toronto side of things, take <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kniesma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-28_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Knies<\/a> to get at least a point.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0Last Word on Hockey look 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 Toronto Maple Leafs taking [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":475937,"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":[4524,4,4547,4548,18],"tags":[6083,6201,6016,6084,6391,6062],"class_list":["post-480774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-redwings","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-leafs","tag-columbus-blue-jackets-predictions","tag-detroit-red-wings-predictions","tag-montreal-canadiens-predictions","tag-new-york-islanders-predictions","tag-tampa-bay-lightning-predictions","tag-toronto-maple-leafs-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480774","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=480774"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":480775,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480774\/revisions\/480775"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/475937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=480774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=480774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=480774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}