Teams are working hard to secure their spots in the NHL playoffs as the regular season continues. The Maple Leafs try to stay on top in the Atlantic Division by showing off their strong players and teamwork. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers are not worried about being close in points; they are getting ready to make a strong push, especially with essential players returning from injuries. The Washington Capitals feel pressure in the Metropolitan Division as the season ends. They are performing well and aiming for a division title and a deep playoff run. However, they must watch the Hurricanes and Devils, close behind in the standings.
In the Central Division of the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets are showing they are formidable competitors with their strong defense and potent offense that have brought them to the top. The competition is intense; every point matters as the season approaches its final games. The Golden Knights are in the Pacific Division, striving to maintain their lead against a strong group of rivals, including the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. With the playoffs just around the corner, every game is crucial, and teams are ramping up their intensity.
This week, we witnessed a division match. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Sharks by one point, while the Golden Knights unfortunately lost to the Kings with a score of 2-5. On the other hand, the Maple Leafs continued their dominance over the Boston Bruins, winning the game by a margin of one point, and the Washington Capitals faced a disappointing loss to the Flames, finishing 1-3. Even though the teams were at the top of their respective tables, their performance was not up to par; most suffered defeats. If this continues, those trailing will catch up and must defend their top positions.
Florida Panthers vs. Calgary Flames
At Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, FL), the Florida Panthers will face off against the Calgary Flames on March 1, 2025, in the forthcoming 2024-25 NHL regular season. The Florida Panthers head into this match with a second consecutive win against the Edmonton Oilers with a score of 4-3. The game was equalized until the end of the second period when Uvis Janis Balinskis and Anton Lundell each scored a goal for the Florida Panthers.
In the third period, the Panthers’ solid defense and attack made them win the game by a one-point margin. On the other hand, the Calgary Flames suffered a 0-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite their effect in the entire game, the Calgary Flames could not convert their chances and ended without scoring a single point. Over their last five head-to-head matches, the Calgary Flames have the upper hand with three wins, and the Florida Panthers won two. However, considering the recent performance of both teams, the Florida Panthers have a high advantage in winning the game and will aim for the top position of the Atlantic Division.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins
On March 1, 2025, the Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Boston Bruins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA, during the upcoming 2024-25 NHL action season. This season has been quite disappointing for the Penguins, who currently sit at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with 24 wins, 28 losses, and nine overtime losses. However, in their recent game, they snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime with a score of 5-4.
Despite a sluggish first period, they dominated the game and won, thanks to Evgeni Malkin’s overtime goal. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins have had a tough season, recording 27 wins against 25 losses and eight overtime losses. Recently, they encountered their fifth straight defeat against the New York Islanders, finishing with a score of 2-1, with David Pastrnak being the only scorer for the Bruins. The Bruins have struggled with consistency this season, while the Penguins have underperformed at home. If the Bruins capitalize on the Penguins’ defensive struggles, they might come out on top.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Detroit Red Wings
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, the Columbus Blue Jackets will face off against the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. The Red Wings have improved their season, yet they still aim to enhance their offense, which averages only 2.88 goals per game. Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat have collectively contributed 73 goals and 94 assists, but the remaining offense has been lacking. Additionally, while the offense faces challenges, the defense has been underperforming, conceding 3.15 goals per game.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are enjoying a strong season, with their offense excelling at scoring an average of 3.32 goals per game, including 16 goals over the last three matches. Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnston have accounted for 44 goals and 57 assists together, with other teammates also stepping up. However, their defense has not been without issues, allowing 3.25 goals per game. Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov have combined for 17.9 defensive point shares. Still, the rest of the defense has faced difficulties, permitting opponents to enter the offensive zone and find open shooting opportunities easily. Given their home advantage, the Columbus Blue Jackets are expected to win this matchup.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens, currently the lowest-ranked teams in the Atlantic Division, are set to face off in the upcoming 2024-25 NHL regular season. The Canadiens have experienced a challenging season, but their offense shows signs of improvement, averaging 2.95 goals per game and netting 13 goals in their last three outings. Regarding rankings, the Canadiens’ offense sits 15th for goals scored per game at 2.95, 30th for average shots taken at 26.0, and 18th in face-off success with a win rate of 50.3%. Defensively, they allow an average of 3.34 goals per game, placing them 28th in the league, while ranking 20th for shots allowed per game at 28.9 and 8th in penalty kill efficiency at 81.8%.
On the other hand, the Sabres are having a forgettable season, with an offense that has scored 3.19 goals per game, including 13 in their last three matches. However, their defense has been problematic, conceding 3.39 goals per game, with seven goals given up in the previous two contests. While Montreal struggles with shot production this season, Buffalo is performing well, nearly breaking into the top ten for scoring. As a result, the Buffalo Sabres are favored to win this matchup.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Edmonton Oilers
At the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC, the Carolina Hurricanes will face off against the Edmonton Oilers on March 1, 2025, in an anticipated National Hockey League showdown. The Hurricanes enter this match after breaking a two-game losing streak with a recent victory over the Buffalo Sabres, winning 5-2. Credit goes to Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, and Taylor Hall. The Carolina Hurricanes currently stand second in the Metropolitan Division with 72 points.
At the same time, the Edmonton Oilers have suffered their fifth consecutive defeat against the Florida Panthers by a margin of one point. Following two periods, in the third period, the dominance of the Florida Panthers ended the game with defeat for the Edmonton Oilers. In the Pacific Division, the Edmonton Oilers is standing second and holds a record of 34 wins, 21 losses, and four OTLs. After reviewing the recent performance of both teams and considering the recent setbacks, the Edmonton Oilers will bounce back and win this game.
Ottawa Senators vs. San Jose Sharks
On March 1, 2025, the San Jose Sharks from the Pacific Division will go head-to-head with the Atlantic Division’s Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON. Both teams are struggling and facing extensive losing streaks. The Ottawa Senators recently lost to the Winnipeg Jets with a score of 1-4, marking their fifth consecutive defeat; Thomas Chabot was the only player to score for the Senators.
Offensively, they manage an average of just 2.76 goals per game while conceding an average of 2.83. Conversely, the San Jose Sharks endured their seventh straight loss against the Montreal Canadiens, falling 3-4 in overtime. The Sharks’ offensive performance has been even poorer this season, averaging 2.57 goals per game and netting only 15 goals over their last seven matches. When comparing both teams’ performances, the Ottawa Senators have the advantage and will likely win this match.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Philadelphia Flyers
In the 2024-25 NHL regular season, the Philadelphia Flyers will visit the Winnipeg Jets on March 1, 2025, at Canada Life Centre (Winnipeg, MB). The Flyers are in a challenging spot, sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference and six points away from the final playoff position. With only 22 games left, they still have a shot at ending their five-year postseason drought but achieving consistency, a struggle for them this season, will be crucial. They recently managed a three-game winning streak, showcasing potential, but a 5-4 overtime defeat against Pittsburgh on Thursday interrupted their progress.
Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets are emerging as the team to beat, leading the Western Conference and holding the best NHL record at 87 points. The Jets have a comfortable position with a nine-point lead over Dallas, yet they are unlikely to ease up. They have been formidable at home, sporting a remarkable record of 23-5-3. As the postseason approaches, the Jets aim to uphold their excellence and refine their gameplay for a potentially profound playoff journey. Given their form and record, the Jets are favored to win this matchup.
St. Louis Blues vs. Los Angeles Kings
The St. Louis Blues will face off against the Los Angeles Kings on March 1, 2025, at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. Overall, the Kings have a solid season, but their inconsistency on the road has hindered their playoff positioning in the Western Conference. Currently, in seventh place, they maintain a slim six-point advantage over the ninth-place Calgary Flames, meaning they cannot afford any slip-ups as the regular season concludes. Their most recent game ended in a 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars, which marked only the second instance in their last 50 matches where they surrendered six or more goals. Although the Kings struggled defensively at the season’s start, they have improved significantly, ranking sixth in goals allowed (2.60 per game), third in shots allowed, and 11th in penalty kill percentage.
On the other hand, the St. Louis Blues have experienced an inconsistent season but are still vying for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. They are three points away from the eighth and final postseason position and have gained momentum by winning four of their last five matches, including three consecutive victories. This recent success sharply contrasts their earlier difficulties, where they lost six of their previous seven games. As the regular season nears its end, every point becomes vital, and the Blues must continue their winning streak to break into the top eight and secure a playoff opportunity. Therefore, the St. Louis Blues are poised to maintain their strong performance and win this matchup.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Pittsburgh Penguins will play against the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 2, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. This match features two teams having very different seasons: the Maple Leafs are leading the Atlantic Division, while the Penguins are having a tough time in the Metropolitan Division. Toronto has a record of 37 wins, 20 losses, and two overtime losses, putting them at the top of the Atlantic Division. Their offense scores an average of 3.19 goals per game, which is 11th in the league, and they shoot 28.5 times on goal each game (17th). Their power play scores 23.2% of the time, ranking them 13th in the NHL. On defense, Toronto allows 2.83 goals per game (tied for 9th) and faces an average of 29.3 shots per game (tied for 24th). Their penalty kill is successful 79.5% of the time, placing them 14th.
On the other hand, the Penguins have a record of 24 wins, 28 losses, and nine overtime losses, sitting in 8th place in the Metropolitan Division. They average 2.87 goals per game (20th) and take 28.7 shots on goal per game (15th). Surprisingly, their power play is better than Toronto’s, converting 24.3% of the time (8th). Unfortunately, Pittsburgh struggles on defense, giving up 3.59 goals per game (31st) and facing 30.3 shots per game (28th). Their penalty kill rate is 79%, putting them in 18th place. The teams have played each other once this season, on December 7, 2024, when the Penguins won 5-2 at home. In that game, Michael Bunting scored an important power-play goal, assisted by Bryan Rust, helping the Penguins end Toronto’s two-game winning streak and extending their winning streak to five games. Based on this, the Toronto Maple Leafs will win this game.
