Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. In today’s round of NHL Predictions, we are looking at the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Carolina Hurricanes
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN+; HULU; TSN4
The Maple Leafs travel to Raleigh to take on the Hurricanes for the first time this season on Thursday night. In the last few years, this matchup would see a high-powered Leafs offence against a stifling Hurricanes defence. But this season, the Leafs have done pretty well at keeping the puck out of the net. Their 2.74 GAA is slightly less than Carolina’s 2.80. But as always, it’s a new day and hockey can be unpredictable. We will do our best to analyze this matchup even with that in mind.
The Leafs Story
The Maple Leafs enter this contest following a victory over the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday night. They are 7-3-0 over their last ten and are on a roll, winning their last five in a row. They have done a good job this season under new coach Craig Berube and bringing on players like Chris Tanev have helped them defensively. Between the pipes, Anthony Stolarz was having a good season before suffering an injury. In his absence, Joseph Woll has stood pretty tall with a .915 SV% and 2.46 GAA. He will likely get the start in this one but always check game day lineups for starters.
Up front, Mitch Marner leads the way with 58 points while William Nylander sits up top in goals with 23. The big four of Marner, Nylander, John Tavares and Auston Matthews continue to drive the team but they are getting decent support from others like Max Domi, Bobby McMann and especially of late, Matthew Knies. Knies recently broke out with a hat trick against the Boston Bruins on Saturday. While Matthews missed some time due to injury, he has put up seven points in his last three games after coming back. Things are working for Toronto right now and come to this one with confidence.
The Hurricanes Story
While the Leafs are on a five-game winning streak with things going well, the Hurricanes find themselves in a different boat. It’s not fair to say they have been in a complete slump of late but have been in one to a certain level. Inconsistency and incomplete efforts have led to essentially .500 hockey for the Hurricanes over the last few months. In their last ten, they have gone 4-5-1 and you don’t really know what you are going to get. They put up a hard-fought effort against the Florida Panthers, followed by one of their worst showings against the Minnesota Wild. Then they come back from down two goals early against the Pittsburgh Penguins to win in overtime and follow that with a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning due to letting in a goal with under a minute left in the game. They are in a spot where they haven’t been bad, but they haven’t been good either.
Martin Nečas leads the team in points still with 47 but has cooled off since his hot start. Sebastian Aho is right behind with 43. Jack Roslovic still leads in goals with 17. The Hurricanes penalty kill is at the top of the league at 84.9% but their power play could use some improvement of late. With Shayne Gostisbehere still sidelined with injury, you can see some of the lack of firepower. Pyotr Kochetkov will likely get the start in this one in net. But for a Carolina victory, the team needs to start on time and finish the game strong. Something they haven’t seemed to do much of late.
Prediction
With Toronto rolling and Carolina still struggling to find consistency, the outcome here seems to favour the Leafs. The Leafs have tons of firepower up front and have been able to play decent defence. The Hurricanes are unpredictable right now and could put up a great effort. But it’s just hard to know what you are going to get from them right now. They are at home where, typically, they have been better. But it’s still likely not enough to overcome Toronto.
Prediction: Maple Leafs win 4-1
Prop Bets for the Night
For bets for the night, safe options for any time goal scorers would include Auston Matthews for Toronto (+150 odds) and William Nylander (+200 odds), both for Toronto. On the Hurricanes side, take a look at Seth Jarvis with +200 odds.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The post NHL Predictions: January 9 Toronto Maple Leafs vs Carolina Hurricanes appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.