Andrew Wilsher

The NHL is back and brings us a number of exciting matchups, including a battle between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. These Atlantic Division teams have played just once this season, in a 2-0 Toronto win. How will this one play out? Here is our Maple Leafs vs Lightning prediction.

This is a star-studded matchup, but key pieces within Toronto’s lineup is in question. While he is expected to play, Auston Matthews’ availability is in question due to a busy schedule and possible rest requirements after his Olympic gold medal win on Sunday. John Tavares (illness) could also see himself out of the lineup. Meanwhile, Brayden Point returns to the Lightning lineup, along with Victor Hedman who was injured during the Olympics. While Tampa Bay boasts the better roster regardless if Matthews and Tavares suit up, Toronto was on an absolute heater before the Olympics, with a 3-game winning streak. Make no mistake, the Maple Leafs will have a tough time securing a victory on the road  against this powerhouse, but their momentum and playoff desire should propel a good effort. The time is now if Toronto wants to salvage their season, and with a win against the Lightning already this season, they should be able to at least keep this one close. 

Maple Leafs vs Lightning prediction: Maple Leafs +1.5 (-140) available at time of publishing. Playable to -150.

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The Colorado Avalanche head over the Rocky Mountains to not-so-snowy Salt Lake City for a battle against the Utah Mammoth, as play resumes after the three-week hiatus due to the Olympic break. The Avs were 37-9-9 prior to the break, so will the time off derail Colorado, or will it be able to pick up right where it left off? We know F Nathan MacKinnon will be on a mission, as he was clearly disappointed, and even angry, after losing the Gold Medal game to Team USA in the Milano-Cortina Olympic games. But, we could see a bit of a slow go out of the gate for both offenses after the layoff, as teams knock off a little rust and get back up to speed.

In the first three meetings this season, the Under cashed in two of the battles, including a 1-0 win by Colorado at Ball Arena in Denver on Dec. 23 in the most recent matchup. Before heading to the break, the Avalanche cashed low in three in a row, all with Mackenzie Blackwood in between the pipes. The Under is 4-2 in the past six road games for Colorado, too. For Utah, the Under cashed in two of the final three games before heading out for the break. The Over-Under is 5-5 in the past 10 home games for Utah. Look for Karel Vejmelka for the Mammoth, and either Blackwood or Scott Wedgewood to hold down the Utah offensive attack. Let’s go with the under, and be rather aggressive about it.

Avalanche vs Mammoth prediction: Under 6.5 (-125) available at time of publishing. Playable to -140.

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The Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings kick off their post-Olympics stretch with a major division rivalry. The Pacific Division opponents meet for the fourth and final time this season, as Vegas looks to win their third straight against Los Angeles. Here is our Golden Knights vs. Kings prediction to get you set for the action.

While the Olympics generated a regular season-ending injury to key forward Kevin Fiala, the Kings have yet to see newly-acquired star Artemi Panarin in the lineup, but they will here. I expect a big buzz from the crowd as this team makes a major push towards the playoffs, and what a better way to start than taking down the division leaders. This is no easy task, but I expect the Kings to have fresh legs, and their roster should match up well against the Kings, especially since Las Vegas will be without USA gold medal winners in Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin. This is an opportunity for Los Angeles to pounce, and I expect the Kings to do so. Let’s side with the home team on the money line.

Golden Knights vs Kings prediction: Kings ML (-150) available at time of publishing. Playable to -165.

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