Two teams squaring off for the third time this season, the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers clash at the Wells Fargo Center for a divisional tilt. NBC Sports Philadelphia will broadcast the matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 22.
New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers Odds
Philadelphia (-215) is currently favored over New York (+180), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
The Flyers are 37-37 straight up (SU) and have lost 3.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage hasn’t moved much from what the team produced during the 2016-17 season (39-43). Of the team’s 74 games this season, 39 have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 18-19 SU at home this season.
Philadelphia has converted on 20.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.8 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over its past five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.0 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 26.3 saves per game with a .908 save percentage, Brian Elliott (22-19-7) has been the top goalkeeper for the Flyers this season. If head coach Dave Hakstol decides to give him a rest, however, the Flyers could roll with Petr Mrazek (13-21-21 record, .901 save percentage, 3.03 goals against average).
Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek will both be offensive focal points for the Flyers. Giroux (87 points) has tallied 26 goals and 61 assists and has recorded two or more points 23 times this year. Voracek has 18 goals and 60 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 47 contests.
On the other side of the rink, New York is 32-41 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 73 regular season matches, 40 of its games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the away team, New York is 12-23 SU.
New York has scored on 21.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s good enough for ninth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked seventh overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
New York’s players have been penalized 3.5 times per game this season, 3.0 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (29.1 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for New York. Lundqvist owns a 25-34-6 record, and has registered a .915 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average this year.
Mats Zuccarello (15 goals, 34 assists) has been one of the primary playmakers on offense for the visiting Rangers.
New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Rangers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of Philadelphia’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 2-7 overall in shootouts this season.
The over has hit in four of Philadelphia’s last five outings.
Philadelphia’s attempted 31.8 shots per game overall this season (ranked 17th in the NHL), and 33.6 in their last five home outings.
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