Welcome back to NHL Predictions, March 13th edition! Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This is the late-game slate of NHL Predictions for March 13th featuring the Washington Capitals vs the Philadelphia Flyers. Be sure and check out the early-game and evening-game slate of NHL Predictions, too!
NHL Predictions
Nashville Predators vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-4 Lightning
The Lightning are neck-and-neck with the Carolina Hurricanes for first place in the Central Division. A win against the Predators tonight would give them a one-point lead over the Hurricanes with a game in hand. It’s safe to assume that Thursday’s game against Detroit was just a fluke; with Andrei Vasilevskiy returning to the fold, it’s smooth sailing for Tampa Bay.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-2.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-2 Panthers
If you told an average Chicago Blackhawks fan that their team would be in the playoff picture halfway through the season, they would’ve laughed you off. Patrick Kane has shown immense skill, putting his team on his back with a Hart trophy-worthy campaign. With that in mind, the Blackhawks will have to lean on Kane again if they hope to topple the Florida Panthers. The Panthers have scored seven goals in two games against the Blackhawks. Whether that trend continues or not rests solely on Kane’s play and the development of rookie goaltender Kevin Lankinen.
The Panthers, on the other hand, are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, and they’re showing no signs of letting their foot off the gas. Sergei Bobrovsky has improved his play immensely, putting up a proud 10-2-0 record on the season. Chris Driedger, while carrying a stronger save percentage, has remained winless in his last three games. The Panthers are tied for second place in the Central Division with the Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. This team is a force to be reckoned with. Tonight will showcase whether or not the Blackhawks have what it takes against one of the best surprises of the season.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-1.
Dallas Stars vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Head-to-Head: Stars 2-2 Blue Jackets
With the series tied and the Dallas Stars looking to move up in the standings, this game is a must-win for the 2020 Stanley Cup Finalists. After losing in a rough bout with the Blackhawks, the Stars will need to kick it into high gear to fend off the Columbus Blue Jackets. During their last duel, the Stars went home with a strong 5-0 shutout victory. If they can replicate those results tonight, they’ll slowly push their way up the standings once again.
Patrik Laine went seven games without scoring a point. On Thursday, he provided his team with a goal and an assist, only to find himself glued to the bench in the third period. It’s hard to tell now, but it appears that animosity is brewing between Laine and head coach John Tortorella. Laine’s confidence is at an all-time low and his coach is doing little to energize him. The question remains: who will give way first, Laine or Tortorella? Maybe tonight’s game against the Stars will prove to be the start of a strong point streak for the Finnish forward.
Prediction: Blue Jackets win 4-3 in OT with a Laine goal
Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers
Head-to-Head: Capitals 2-1 Flyers
The Flyers have lost four of their last six games. The team has plenty of talent but desperately needs to make a big splash during the trade deadline. Reports of Alex Goligoski trades have surfaced, but they’ll need more than the 35-year-old defenceman to stand out from the crowd. In order to make a splash this playoff season, the Flyers will need to add a strong top-four defenceman like Mattias Ekholm to secure more help for goaltender Carter Hart. Until then, expect to see continuous struggles from the Flyers’ defence.
Prediction: Capitals win 5-3, repeating Thursday’s total.
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