The Wells Fargo Center will be hosting an East-West matchup as the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Philadelphia Flyers. It’s the last time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. This one gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 9 and it can be caught live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Philadelphia Flyers Odds
Philadelphia comes into the matchup as the narrow favorite with a moneyline of -115. The line for Chicago sits at -105, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -120 for the over and +100 for the under.
Philadelphia is 7-8 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with what the team managed during last year’s regular season (39-43). Through 15 regular season matches, eight of its games have gone over the total, while six have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 3-4 SU at home so far this year.
The Flyers have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 26th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.4 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Flyers have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, a number that’s pretty close to the 4.0 penalties per game they were whistled for last year. After serving an average of 10.3 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 10.3 minutes per matchup this year.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .892 save percentage, Brian Elliott (5-4-1) has been the top goalkeeper for Philadelphia this year. If head coach Dave Hakstol chooses to give him a breather, however, Philadelphia may turn to Michal Neuvirth (2-4-4 record, .928 save percentage, 2.17 goals against average).
Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek will each be offensive focal points for the Flyers. Couturier (18 points) has tallied nine goals and nine assists and has recorded two or more points six times this year. Voracek has three goals and 15 assists to his name and has recorded a point in eight contests.
Chicago is 7-8 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 15 regular season outings, seven of its games have gone over the total, while an additional seven have gone under and just one has pushed. The Blackhawks are 3-4 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 13.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-five overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked seventh overall and it’s successfully defended 83.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.5 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.1, which was the second-lowest mark in the league. After serving an average of 7.1 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 9.8 minutes per matchup this year.
Corey Crawford (1.77 goals against average and .945 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Crawford is averaging 29.1 saves per game and owns a 7-6 record.
Patrick Kane (five goals, nine assists) has been one of the top playmakers on offense for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Philadelphia Flyers Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Flyers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- After going 7-5 in games decided by a shootout last year, the Flyers are off to a 0-1 start in shootouts this season. Chicago went 4-1 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- The under has hit in four of Chicago’s last five games.
