Flyers vs. Capitals prediction: NHL odds, picks, bets for Friday
We’re far beyond the point of expecting the Flyers to float back down to earth from what was once perceived as a hot start.
This is a team that’s had playoff mode set in cruise-control since the fall; that effort hasn’t relented after having routed the Lightning 6-2 on Tuesday.
The Flyers now head to Washington for their second meeting of the season against Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals on Friday.
Philadelphia bested the Capitals in their previous meeting on Dec. 14, 4-3 in a shootout.
The Flyers were beaten by Washington at even strength all night, but sustained its signature physical play style and outmatched the Caps in hits, 26-19.
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Washington just can’t seem to light a fuse. The Capitals return home after an 8-3 thrashing by the Red Wings following four wins in its previous five games.
The offensive faucet has been leaking drops here and there, but there’s never any fluent water flow.
Ovechkin leads the team with 43 points and is en route to a career-worst season in points per game.
The Capitals used to be renowned for their power play, but have sunk to an 18.1 percent success rate — which ranks No. 22 overall.
They reside among the bottom-four teams for scoring rate and have been an especially underwhelming team at five-on-five, which has been a strength for the Flyers.
Don’t get me wrong, Philadelphia has been no juggernaut on the scoresheet either.
They have the single-worst power-play efficiency and score under three goals per game despite the fourth-highest shot output.
It’s the unwavering defensive clinics that keeps the Flyers scraping and clawing for wins.
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The John Tortorella special of unconditionally sacrificing the body to make plays has paid dividends; the Flyers block 18.3 shots and allow under 30 shots to reach the goaltender.
You’ve gotta give credit where it’s due: Tortorella has made lemonade in Philadelphia by captivating a hodgepodge of unknowns and youngsters to buy into his hardy system.
The Flyers are one of the league’s better road teams at 16-9-5, so I’m spotting a value bet on the even-money underdogs here.
The play: Flyers (-120, BetMGM)
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NHL for Action Network.
