Welcome to NHL Picks where CBSSports.com hockey writers Chris Peters and Adam Gretz make their predictions for all of the days games. at , 7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network Playoff hopes are dwindling for the Flyers and Canadiens, which makes Friday nights matchup an important opportunity for both teams. The Flyers are six points out of the last wild card spot and seven points behind the for third place in the Metro, while Azeez Ojulari Jersey the Canadiens have an eight-point deficit in the wild card race and a nine-point gap between them at the for third place in the Atlantic. At this crucial stage of the season, neither Tiki Barber Jersey team has been playing terribly well. The Flyers have lost five of their last seven games, while the Habs are in the midst of a three-game losing streak that has only gotten uglier as its progre sed. Frustration is boiling over in Montreal as fan support for head coach Michel Therrien has been all but erased in the wake of his throwing under the bus following the teams most recent lo s to the . Habs GM Marc Bergevin has said previously that he wont fire Therrien in season, but its getting nasty. With the way things are going, perhaps Bergevin could end up sharing Therriens fate when the season is over. Where it looks like Montreal may be resigned to its fate, the Flyers have been playing with some hope. It hasnt led to many wins of late, but theyve been in some tight contests and Will Hernandez Jersey havent looked overmatched. They just havent been able to put it all together yet this season. One of the real bright spots for Philadelphia has been the play of rookie defenseman . He is currently on a 13-game points streak, which is a new record for a rookie Shane Lemieux Jersey defenseman in the league. Additionally, its the longest streak by any defenseman in the NHL since Brian Leetch had points in 18 straight games back in 1996. The 22-year-old blueliner has 32 points in 38 games this year. Given all of the negativity and uncertainty surrounding the Habs, the further they fall down in the standings, the le s they've been pushing back it seems. The effort level of late has been noticeably lower as some wonder if the team has quit on Therrien. Now there are even Subban trade rumors starting. It's a pretty miserable situation right now. Andrew Thomas Jersey With the me s in Montreal, the Flyers still look like a team with something to play for. That could end up being the real difference in this one. Look for Philadelphia to take advantage of the limping Canadiens for a big road win. Pick: Flyers 4, Canadiens 2 The Canadiens will look to end a three-game skid at home against the Flyers. (USATSI) The rest of Fridays picks 3, New York Islanders 2 4, 2 3, 1 4, 1