{"id":103418,"date":"2021-03-13T09:26:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-13T14:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=103418"},"modified":"2021-03-13T08:17:24","modified_gmt":"2021-03-13T13:17:24","slug":"nhl-predictions-late-games-for-march-13th-washington-capitals-vs-philadelphia-flyers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/03\/13\/nhl-predictions-late-games-for-march-13th-washington-capitals-vs-philadelphia-flyers\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Late Games For March 13th Featuring Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to\u00a0NHL Predictions<\/a>, 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<\/a> vs the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>. Be sure and check out the early-game and evening-game slate of NHL Predictions, too!<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n

Nashville Predators vs Tampa Bay Lightning<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Predators 0-4 Lightning<\/h4>\n
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The Nashville Predators<\/a> are in a tough spot. Ryan Ellis<\/a>, Ryan Johansen<\/a>, Mathieu Olivier<\/a>, and Juuse Saros<\/a> are all injured. To make matters worse, Mark Borowiecki<\/a> left Thursday’s game with an injury. The opportunity for young players to take the stage is set in Nashville. Unfortunately, it’s against an opponent that has swept them in each of their four encounters, amassing 19 goals in the process. Having said that, the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> just lost a high-scoring game to the Detroit Red Wings<\/a>. Anything’s possible, but it’s significantly harder when half of your team is injured.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Lightning are neck-and-neck with the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> 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<\/a> returning to the fold, it’s smooth sailing for Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Lightning win 5-2.<\/em><\/p>\n

Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-2 Panthers<\/h4>\n

If you told an average Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> fan that their team would be in the playoff picture halfway through the season, they would’ve laughed you off. Patrick Kane<\/a> 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<\/a>. 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> has improved his play immensely, putting up a proud 10-2-0 record on the season. Chris Driedger<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Panthers win 4-1.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dallas Stars vs Columbus Blue Jackets<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Stars 2-2 Blue Jackets<\/h4>\n

With the series tied and the Dallas Stars<\/a> 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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Patrik Laine<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Blue Jackets win 4-3 in OT with a Laine goal<\/em><\/p>\n

Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers<\/h3>\n

Head-to-Head: Capitals 2-1 Flyers<\/h4>\n
The Washington Capitals are in contender mode. Scoring from every line, ironclad defence, and consistent goaltending has carried them to second place in the East behind the New York Islanders. With or without Tom Wilson<\/a>, the Capitals will be one of the Stanley Cup favourites for the remainder of the regular season. During their last run-around with the Philadelphia Flyers, the Capitals held onto a 5-3 lead thanks to Nic Dowd<\/a> and Alex Ovechkin<\/a>. The trade deadline will likely see the Capitals add more firepower to their already lethal offence; from where or whom remains to be seen.<\/div>\n

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<\/a> 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<\/a> to secure more help for goaltender Carter Hart<\/a>. Until then, expect to see continuous struggles from the Flyers’ defence.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Capitals win 5-3, repeating Thursday’s total.<\/em><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>