NHL Best Bets Today, 3/13: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Thursday
Welcome to our expert NHL Best Bets today!
A strong nine-game slate tonight with plenty of options across the board and good teams in spots to bounce back in our NHL predictions.
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/13
We are coming off an awesome day yesterday when we hit on two goal props, let's keep that rolling with our NHL best bets today!
Lightning vs. Flyers Prediction: Thursday, March 13th
The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves on a two-game losing streak where they've been outscored 8-1 and now have a matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers, where they'll look to right the ship.
The offense is struggling but this is the perfect matchup to get things going in the right direction. Over the last two weeks, the Flyers have allowed 3.12 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fourth-worst in the league.
Let's turn to Brayden Point, the top-line center for Tampa, who has no goals over his last four games, a clear departure from the consistency that has led him to having 32 goals in 59 games this season.
As of now, Nikita Kucherov is listed as a game-time decision for Tampa, and if he were to be out tonight, the onus would fall on Point to help drive the offense forward in what is an awesome matchup for our NHL best bets today.
- Expert Lightning vs. Flyers Picks:
- Brayden Point To Score a Goal (+145 on FanDuel)
Golden Knights vs. Blue Jackets Prediction: Thursday, March 13th
The Vegas Golden Knights are another good team on a two-game losing streak and they'll look to change that tonight on the road versus the Columbus Blue Jackets – where we'll add on to our NHL best bets today.
The offense hasn't been the issue for the Golden Knights, as they have scored 3.02 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last two weeks, which is the sixth-best in the league. They should be able to push things forward against the Blue Jackets, who, over that same time, have allowed 2.44 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is 15th in the league.
There's no doubt the Blue Jackets defense has been better this season compared to years past but it's still just average overall. This brings me to Jack Eiche for a goal tonight, something he hasn't been able to get going since the 4 Nations break.
In the 10 games prior to the break, Eichel had eight goals, while he has just one goal in the eight games after the break. He's still shooting the puck at a decent volume, while skating on the top forward line and the top power-play unit.
Will Vegas win this game? I'm not sure but the offense should be flowing back and forth, with Eichel firmly involved.
- Expert Golden Knights vs. Blue Jackets Picks:
- Jack Eichel To Score a Goal (+175 on DraftKings)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/13
- Edmonton Oilers vs. New Jersey Devils Over 5.5 (-130 on DraftKings)
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.