Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today we are looking at the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Seattle Kraken. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Seattle Kraken
Time: 10 p.m Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TSN4, ESPN+, HULU, TVAS
Tonight the Seattle Kraken (23-28-4) welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs (32-19-2) to town to close out a five game homestand. This is the second and final meeting of the season. Toronto won the first game 4-1 back in October. The Maple Leafs have won six of seven games all time against the Kraken. Will that trend continue tonight?
Maple Leafs Missing Marner
Toronto has gotten off to a good start on their Western road trip. They rolled through Alberta beating the Edmonton Oilers 4-3, and the Calgary Flames 6-3. Against the Flames the Maple Leafs were without Mitch Marner after he suffered a lower-body injury in the previous game against the Oilers. In his absence William Nylander scored a hat-trick and the Toronto power play went 2-4. Nylander is now only behind Leon Draisaitl for the league goal scoring lead.
Anthony Stolarz looks poised to return tonight. Out since Dec.12 after undergoing a minor knee surgery today marks exactly eight weeks since his last appearance. Craig Berube was coy when asked if that’s the plan saying “it could be”. If he does play it will be interesting to see if he returns to his early season form or if he has to knock some rust off.
Seattle Led by Their Top Line
Seattle looks to be a seller as the NHL trade deadline draws near. They have struggled most of the season and their playoff hopes keep evaporating. In their last 10 games the Kraken have gone 4-5-1. The biggest positive has been their top line of Jaden Schwartz, Matty Beniers, and Kaapo Kakko. During this recent 10 game stretch they have produced 7,7, and 8 points respectively. They have also received some help from Shane Wright who is riding a six game point streak of his own.
If the Kraken want to reverse their luck against Toronto tonight they are going to need a strong performance on special teams. The Leafs are better in both categories and if the Kraken can’t stop their suddenly hot power play then that could be a problem. For Seattle maybe they can find a power play goal from one of those four forwards mentioned.
Prediction
The Maple Leafs have injury question marks entering tonight but they proved against the Flames that they are dangerous without Stolarz and Marner. Two key areas to watch for are the special teams and the face-off dot. Toronto is much better on draws winning 52.5% compared to 48.9% for Seattle. If that trend continues the Leafs offensive stars are going to have the puck a lot.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 5-2
Prop Bets of The Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Auston Matthews loves seeing the Kraken. He has seven goals in seven games. He is -105 to score tonight. If you parlay Matthews as an anytime goal scored with Toronto winning the odds are +159.
Main photo by: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Feb.6 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Seattle Kraken appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.