Read the latest betting pick, predictions and odds for tonight's matchup between the Philadelphia Flyers (23-22-6) and New Jersey Devils (28-18-6), courtesy of our friends at Daily Faceoff.
Philadelphia has a chance to go up 3-0 in the season series versus New Jersey after defeating the Devils twice in the last two weeks. The Flyers are 7-5-1 against the Devils since the start of the 2021/22 season, winning the last three in a row and four out of the last five games.
The Flyers defeated the Devils 3-1 in New Jersey on January 18th, and 4-2 on Monday in Philadelphia. Not only did the Flyers win both games, they dominated, according to Evolving Hockey.
Philadelphia controlled 87 percent of the expected goals and 56 percent of the shots in the first meeting. Then, the Flyers controlled 65 percent of the expected goals and 57 percent of the shots in the second meeting.
Speaking of expected goals, the Flyers own the league’s best even-strength expected goal share since November 6th, and only four teams have controlled a higher percentage of shots.
In other words, the Flyers are a much better team than their record indicates, but goaltending has held them back. Currently, the Flyers have the worst on-ice save percentage in the NHL, but that’s been improving as of late.
Samuel Ersson struggled, going 6-5-2 in his first 15 games with a 3.03 goals against average, but he’s 9-3-1 since Dec. 21 and has posted a .904 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA. Since Dec. 27, the Flyers rank among the top-10 teams in goals against per 60 minutes.
New Jersey, meanwhile, has really dropped off. On the season, the Devils rank fourth in even strength expected goals percentage and sixth in shot attempt percentage, but over the last month, they rank 15th in both of those categories.
Additionally, injuries are starting to pile up. Captain Nico Hischier missed Monday’s game in Philadelphia, and although he could return on Wednesday, he’s currently listed as day-to-day. Jack Hughes is reportedly not at 100 percent, either, and starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom is sidelined until early March.
Backup goaltender Jake Allen has already lost two games versus the Flyers this season, and given the current form of both teams, Philadelphia’s moneyline odds are appealing.
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PHI Flyers | +160 ML |
NJ Devils | -190 ML |
Puck Line | NJ Devils -1.5 |
Total Goals | O/U 5.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Better Collective. Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.