Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals odds, picks and predictions
The Philadelphia Flyers (31-22-7) visit the Washington Capitals (27-22-9) Friday night in Metropolitan Division action in D.C. The opening faceoff at Capital One Arena is slated for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Flyers vs. Capitals odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Flyers are coming off a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday and have scored an improved 3.60 goals per game since the All-Star break. Philadelphia is 6-3-1 over that stretch.
The Capitals also last played on Tuesday. They coughed up a season-high 8 goals in an 8-3 setback against the Detroit Red Wings. That contest was on the road, On home ice, Washington is seeking its 3rd straight win.
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Flyers at Capitals odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:34 a.m. ET.
Flyers at Capitals projected goalies
Samuel Ersson (17-11-4, 2.55 GAA, .901 SV%) vs. Darcy Kuemper (13-12-3, 3.15 GAA, .893 SV%)
Ersson stopped 20 of 22 shots against Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He owns a .926 SV% across his last 3 efforts.
Kuemper last played on Monday when he yielded 3 goals on 18 shots against the Ottawa Senators. The veteran netminder owns a 2.72 GAA and .903 SV% at home.
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Flyers at Capitals picks and predictions
Prediction
Flyers 3, Capitals 2
The Flyers defeated the Caps 4-3 in a shootout Dec. 14 in Philly, and they have won 3 straight games against Washington.
Recent poor stretches for Philadelphia — one in January and one in February — were very much tied to strength of schedule.
FanDuel Sportsbook has an advantageous price here. BACK THE FLYERS -113.
Too much juice messing with these prices: PASS.
The Under is 17-12-1 in Philly road games and 17-12 in Washington home games.
The goaltending match-up works against shading this one to the low side, but the last 5 series games in Washington have produced 4 Unders.
The Flyers’ recent 5-on-5 goals don’t match a lower total of expected goals. The opposite holds true for for the Washington defense: it figures as better than what’s been allowed of late. Both clubs have turned in some low-yield games of late when it comes to quality shots from the slot.
