Today’s NHL Predictions feature two teams looking to claw their way back into a Wild Card spot as the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs draw nearer. The Detroit Red Wings once again looked like they were slipping in March. However, a big win on Friday over the Buffalo Sabres has them once again knocking on the door. As for the Philadelphia Flyers, they are clinging onto hope and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, and every minute counts.

NHL Predictions, with the Red Wings and Flyers

Season Series: 0-0-0

Puck Drop: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

How to Watch: ABC

The Red Wings are so used to collapsing in March that it almost feels like it’s routine to see them one point behind the New York Islanders for the second Wild Card spot after entering the month entrenched as one of the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference. On Friday, Alex DeBrincat (three points), Patrick Kane (two points), and Moritz Seider (two points) had other ideas, and the Wings have decided to keep things interesting as March begins to fade into April.

The Flyers need every point they can muster, but they’re coming off a phenomenal blowout win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. That kind of momentum will carry them as they seek to narrow the gap between themselves and the Wings.

Eastern Conference Wild Card Standings

Team – GP – Pts – RW

BOS – 72 – 88 – 29
NYI – 73 – 87 – 27
OTT – 72 – 86 – 32
DET – 72 – 86 – 28
PHI – 71 – 82 – 22

As the standings show, the stakes are at a season-high for both teams. While not impossible, it won’t be easy for the Flyers to bounce back if they lose on Saturday night. As for the Wings, they no longer control their destiny, and they need to see Boston, New York, and Ottawa lose on Saturday if they want to end the evening in one of those two Wild Card spots.

Biggest Question Mark Facing the Red Wings

On Friday night, John Gibson was electric, allowing just two goals and posting a .933 save percentage. If called on, will he keep up the same incredible performance he gave everyone on Friday? With Cam Talbot not looking like he’s 100 percent and rookie Michal Postava filling in as the backup netminder on Friday night, there is uncertainty facing the Wings goalies at such a pivotal time.

The good news is that Talbot looks like he may be good to go, which would give the Red Wings better insurance if they started Gibson on back-to-back nights. In a game that will help decide the Eastern Conference’s playoff picture, experience in the crease is mandatory.

Credit Image: Andrew J. Kramer/CSM via ZUMA Wire

Flyers Getting Hot at the Right Time

The Flyers have outscored opponents 11-5 in their past three contests, and are a healthy 8-3-1 in March. Philadelphia has also spent the entire season playing a defence-first game with stability in the net thanks to Dan Vladar’s breakout campaign.

This is a perfect storm for a team playing against a group coming off a three-goal win in the Red Wings. Should the Flyers once again put up a strong defensive performance as they have in recent contests, they will stick around as serious contenders once April is in full force.

NHL Predictions

It’s a nationally-televised game between two teams looking to put themselves in the best positions to play hockey in the second half of April. Both groups have shown life in recent contests, so it should surprise nobody if this one turns into a high-scoring contest.

Red Wings 5 – Flyers 4

Prop Bets

For goal scorers, Alex DeBrincat and Owen Tippett look like they’re raring to take over games. DeBrincat scored in Friday’s win over the Sabres and Tippett has two goals in his past five games.

Main Photo by Scott Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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