Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions: Vancouver Canucks at Toronto Maple Leafs
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 4:00 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SN, CBC, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice
2025-2026 Season Series: Toronto 0-0 Vancouver (Canucks won season series 2-0 last season)
The Canucks and Maple Leafs face-off on the grand stage of Hockey Night in Canada. This matchup features two teams going in opposite directions, with one team vying for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot, and the other slipping further away. The Canucks sit at 16-22-5 after 43 games, with 37 points, while the Maple Leafs sit at 21-15-7 after 43 games, with 49 points. This marks the first of two meetings between these teams this season. The Canucks swept the season series, 2-0, in the 2024-25 season.
The Canucks Story
The bottom seems to have fallen out for the Canucks, as after their initial four-game winning streak after the Quinn Hughes trade, they have lost eight of the last nine games. In that nine-game stretch, they have scored a measly 19 goals, but allowed a whopping 35 goals. As they sit close to last in the league, ownership and management need to understand that asset management will be more critical than ever. Trades that have the future in mind have to be done, and the players may be thinking their tenure with the Canucks may be coming to an end sooner rather than later. Perhaps, that pressure has affected their play recently. After a lopsided loss to the Red Wings on Thursday, you would hope the players would be more motivated for a bounce-back game.
The Maple Leafs Story
Contrary to the Canucks, the Leafs have found their game recently, going 6-0-2 in their last eight games. For the most part, the Leafs have underperformed this season, remaining outside the playoff picture. The loss of Mitch Marner clearly has hampered their offence, but Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and John Tavares have picked it up as of late. They each are scoring at a point-per-game pace over the last eight games, and three more players have seven points in that stretch. If the Leafs want to push for a tenth consecutive playoff appearance, they will need all hands on deck.
Considering their injury woes, including injuries to Anthony Stolarz, Dakota Joshua, Jake McCabe, and William Nylander, it is impressive that their record has gotten better lately. The recently injured Chris Tanev, who may be out for the remainder of the season, is another concern. Can the Leafs continue to push through the injuries and propel themselves into a playoff spot soon?
Starting Goalies
*Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.
Vancouver: Thatcher Demko
Toronto: Joseph Woll
NHL Prediction
Enough losing. We believe that the Canucks will show up on the big stage of Hockey Night in Canada and pull off an upset victory here. The Leafs have just lost Chris Tanev to injury, and both teams tend to allow a lot of goals. Therefore, we expect a track meet type of game, with a quick pace and loose defence. Count on a high-scoring affair tonight.
Prediction: Canucks win 5-4.
Prop Bets
To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For the Canucks, Jake DeBrusk has had a strong season on the power play, so count on him to pot a goal. For the Maple Leafs, we will pick Auston Matthews to continue his hot streak, with eleven points in his last six games.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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