May 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic (11) shake hands after the Panthers defeated the Bruins in game six of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome back to the return 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 matchups 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 Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season starts.
Our featured game of NHL predictions is the renewal of the old rivalry between the Bruins and Canadiens. Montreal will be coming off a rivalry game the night before against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Cayden Primeau will likely draw the start with Sam Montembeault going the night before. Both the Habs and the Leafs will have the unenviable task of back-to-back games right out the chute.
Boston is expected to go with Jeremy Swayman in goal for his season-debut. The Bruins missed him in between the pipes as Joonas Korpisalo struggled in the the season-opener. Boston’s netminder was under fire against the Florida Panthers in the first game of the campaign. Pavel Zacha, Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic and David Pastrnak each tallied for the Bruins.
The B’s will be a little sore from that opening loss to the Panthers. Take the Bruins to bounce back.
As previously mentioned, Toronto will be playing back-to-back games. However, they will have to do so with a young goalie in Dennis Hildeby. The injury to Joseph Woll has thrown off the rotation as Anthony Stolarz was likely going to start.
It’ll be a reunion of sorts as Sheldon Keefe is now the bench boss for the New Jersey Devils. The trip to Czechia was a successful one as the Devils picked up two wins against the Buffalo Sabres. Jacob Markstrom will likely draw the start for New Jersey. Paul Cotter netted a pair of goals for the Devils in Europe.
Toronto will have a lot taken out of them and will have an inexperienced netminder. New Jersey should continue its perfect start.
