Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Predictions: April 14th including Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators vs Boston Bruins
Head-to-Head: Senators 0-3 Bruins
In the fourth and last matchup between the Senators and the Bruins, Boston will be looking at the possibility of clinching their playoff spot. They had the chance to do so against the Blues on Tuesday but lost 4-2. They haven’t won since the game against Tampa Bay a week ago and that was in overtime.
But today, the Bruins are playing a team they have a history of dominating and this should be an easy game for them. Ottawa is coming out of a win against the Red Wings that broke a three-game losing streak, so they’ll be motivated. But the Bruins are a better team and they need to clinch that playoff spot. That should mean the black and gold will take this one tonight.
Prediction: Boston wins 6-3
St. Louis Blues vs Buffalo Sabres
Head-to-Head: Blues 1-0 Sabres
In the first meeting of these two teams, the Blues won 5-3. Today, both teams are coming from wins – St. Louis against Boston and the Sabres against Toronto. The Blues are on a roll, having won eight of their previous 10 – including an ongoing six-game winning streak. This will be a tough game for Buffalo to even try to win. But the young team just saw the long-awaited Owen Power make his NHL debut and he was great. Even though Buffalo will likely lose this game, they won’t go down without a fight. Tage Thompson is on fire, getting points in seven out of their past ten games. And against his former team, he should probably appear on the scoresheet. But St. Louis will take this win home to help them get closer to clinching their spot.
Prediction: St. Louis wins 4-2
Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Head-to-Head: Capitals 0-1 Leafs
The Capitals are living their best life in a four-game winning streak, fighting to clinch their playoff spot. They’ll obviously make it, as the competition in the Eastern Conference is considerably low. But they still need to try their best to keep winning so they can enter the playoffs surfing a high.
The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, have been clinched for a while now. They’re just trying to keep that home-ice advantage against their future opponent. They’ll enter Thursday’s matchup coming from a 5-2 loss to the Sabres on Tuesday. This should motivate them enough to take this one. But the Capitals won’t go down without a fight. Just to keep things interesting, Toronto takes this one in overtime.
Prediction: Toronto wins 6-5 (OT)
Anaheim Ducks vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Ducks 1-1 Lightning
Tampa Bay is another Eastern Conference team that is running to punch their tickets to the playoffs. They had a chance to do so on Tuesday against the Stars but got shut out and went back home with a loss and no playoff bound yet. But their chances are still very much alive – including the chance to catch up with the Leafs for that second spot in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning will also be looking to win to keep the Bruins in the Wild Card and keep their own third spot. Now the Ducks are far away from a playoff spot and will only look to win to get out of a two-game losing streak.
With both scenarios being completely different, Tampa will make a big push to take the win and clinch their spot in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It should be an easy win for the current Stanley Cup champions.
Prediction: Tampa Bay wins 3-1
New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Islanders 1-1 Penguins
This should be an interesting game between division rivals that still hold grudges from last year’s playoffs – and many other encounters. Their last game was on Tuesday when the Islanders took the win in the shootout. It was a very chaotic game involving the Isles blowing a lead, a disallowed goal that led to overtime and questionable officiating.
Pittsburgh was on the brink of clinching their spot on Tuesday but the upset in the shutout delayed the moment. They’ll come in strong to try and make it happen this time. The Penguins also need to win to continue in that third spot of the Metropolitan Division. A win against the Islanders gives them a five-point advantage on the Capitals (if Washington loses their own game).
With all of the above on the line for the Pens, this should be a guaranteed win for the Pennsylvania team.
Predictions: Pittsburgh wins 4-3
Detroit Red Wings vs Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 1-1 Hurricanes
This game is way more important to Carolina than to the Red Wings. Detroit has only won two out of their past 10 and they have nothing to lose at this point. Carolina has been clinched for weeks. But they have to win to stay in the first spot on the Metro. With the Rangers only two points away from taking the first place in the Metropolitan Division, the Canes will try their best to win. And the storm surge should take place in the PNC Arena this Thursday night.
Predictions: Carolina wins 5-3
Main photo:
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