Here at NHL Predictions, we have a pivotal matchup featuring one team surging down the stretch and the other flailing. The Detroit Red Wings are about to solidify themselves as a team that plays well for the first two-thirds of the season before the wheels come off. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers want to solidify their third-place spot in the Metropolitan Division.

NHL Predictions With the Red Wings and Flyers

Season Series: 1-1-0

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

How to Watch: FDSNDET, NBCSP+

The Red Wings finally looked alive in their recent loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The problem? They still didn’t play a full 60 minutes. The Blue Jackets tied the game late and ultimately beat the Red Wings in a shootout. Once again, the Wings late-season collapses haunt them.

Credit Image: © Alex Cave/ZUMA Press Wire

Philadelphia looks like a team that’s peaking at the right time. In their last three games, they have outscored opponents 11-3. It’s not like they were playing the worst teams in hockey, either. Those victories came against the New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils. Of the three, only the Devils are guaranteed to sit out the playoffs.

Team – GP – Pts – RW
BOS – 79 – 96 – 31
OTT – 78 – 92 – 35

CBJ – 78 – 90 – 27
DET – 78 – 89 – 29
NYI – 78 – 89 – 28
WAS – 78 – 87 – 33

The Red Wings Aren’t Finished Yet

The good news is that the Red Wings are just three points behind the Ottawa Senators and one behind the Columbus Blue Jackets. But it will take a meltdown from both teams and a four-game surge from the Red Wings to make the playoffs a reality.

Given the Flyers’ stellar defense and goaltending lately, getting a win won’t be easy on Thursday night. Add in the fact that Philadelphia is clicking when they have the puck, and will be hard for anyone to believe in the Wings.

Flyers Have an Opportunity to Build Momentum

Nobody thought highly of the Flyers before the season. Even earlier in the year, they looked like a Wild Card contender at best. Now, they flipped the narrative and are on pace to land a playoff series against their biggest rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

That said, the Wings won’t make it easy on the Flyers if they enter this game with a sense of urgency. Detroit has shown flashes throughout this collapse, and now that the stakes are at their absolute highest, the Flyers likely won’t cruise to an easy win.

Prediction

The Flyers look more prepared to handle the toughest phase of the season than the Red Wings. But the Wings are in survival mode and that will help them here.

Red Wings 4 – Flyers 3

Prop Bets

Dylan Larkin has put everything he has into this recent stretch for the Red Wings. Expect nothing different tonight. Tyson Foerster looks like he’s back on form following a two-goal game against the Devils. He also has three goals since he returned to action on April 2nd.

Main Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

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