Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, here at Last Word on Hockey, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL games. For this edition, we will look at the Toronto Maple Leafs facing off against the Philadelphia Flyers.
NHL Predictions: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Philadelphia Flyers
2025-26 Season Series: 1-0 Maple Leafs
How to Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, TSN4, TVAS, TVAS+, ESPN+, SN+
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Maple Leafs’ Storylines
A few weeks ago, it felt like things were reaching a breaking point for the Leafs. With just one game remaining before the holiday break, Toronto had lost three straight games and six of the last eight.
They claimed a win over Pittsburgh to go into the break, then came back with six straight games with points, including four wins. A lot of this 5-0-2 stretch coincides with the current hot streak for Auston Matthews. Matthews has seven goals and 11 points in his last five games.
422!!@OREO | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/xxJOCMj4Sn
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 7, 2026
John Tavares and Matthew Knies have five points each in their last five games, certainly helping the cause with William Nylander on IR.
Flyers’ Storylines
You won’t find many more emotionally-charged victories like the one the Flyers got on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. A playoff atmosphere was on full display as Trevor Zegras put on a show against his former team in a 5-2 victory.
SAME SPOT. SAME GOAL. SAME TREVOR ZEGRAS!!
He’s on hatty watch! pic.twitter.com/7LuqjzpdOM
— NHL (@NHL) January 7, 2026
The win came at a cost, though. The Flyers were already without Matvei Michkov in Tuesday’s game, and lost Bobby Brink and Jamie Drysdale in the physicality of the game. Michkov is an option for the Flyers for Thursday’s game against Toronto, but it seems doubtful that either Brink or Drysdale is back.
Despite the injury news, the Flyers have started 2026 off with a bang, a pair of 5-2 wins over Edmonton and Anaheim to move to 22-12-7 at the halfway point of the season. Their depth will be tested, and there are some challenging games ahead, but the playoff chase is alive and well at the moment.
Predictions and Best Bets
Prediction: Maple Leafs 4, Flyers 3 (OT)
Both teams come in with recent success, which should make this a close game. Toronto still possesses more star power, and that may be the difference. Matthews playing a bigger factor and riding a hot streak could be the difference here, so we’ll give the edge to the Leafs in this one.
For best bets for the Leafs, expect Matthews to continue his points streak. His ability to take over a game has been on full display lately, and with the Flyers preparing to be short-handed, Matthews should be able to find time and space to be dangerous. His line is set at -235 to score at least one point, and -105 for an anytime goal scorer.
For the Flyers, take Travis Sanheim to record at least one point in this one. The Olympian for Team Canada has goals in back-to-back games and continues to impress in his role with the Flyers.
Main Photo: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images