PNC Arena will be hosting an enticing matchup as the Philadelphia Flyers travel to Raleigh to face the Carolina Hurricanes. NBC Sports Philadelphia will air this Metropolitan Division matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 7.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Carolina (-170) is being picked as the favorite over Philadelphia (+150) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals (-125 for the over, +105 for the under).
The Hurricanes are 24-18 straight up (SU) and have earned 2.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Among the team’s 42 games this season, 20 have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and none have pushed. The team is 12-8 SU at home this season.
Carolina’s converted on 23.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s good enough for eighth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Carolina has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its past five outings total, and 4.0 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 8.4 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Sporting a .901 save percentage and 24.3 saves per game, Petr Mrazek (16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Hurricanes this season. If the Canes decide to give him the night off, however, head coach Rod Brind Amour may turn to James Reimer (8-8-8 record, .914 save percentage, 2.69 goals against average).
Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Hurricanes. Teravainen (41 points) has tallied eight goals and 33 assists and has recorded multiple points nine times this year. Svechnikov has 18 goals and 23 assists to his name and has notched a point in 26 games.
On the visitors’ side of the rink, Philadelphia is 22-20 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 22 of its matches have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As a road team, Philadelphia is 9-14 SU so far.
Philadelphia has converted on 19.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 15th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Philadelphia’s players have been penalized 3.4 times per game in total this season, 3.0 per game over their past five games total, and 3.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Carter Hart (2.61 goals against average and .905 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Hart is averaging 21.7 saves per game and has 13 wins, 16 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Flyers, the offense will be heavily coordinated by Travis Konecny (12 goals, 24 assists) and Sean Couturier (12 goals, 22 assists).
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in three of their past five matches.
- Extra-man opportunities may prove to be even more critical than usual tonight. The Flyers are 9-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-16 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Hurricanes are 7-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 13-11 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Philadelphia (4-5 in shootouts) has significantly more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Carolina, however, emerged victorious in both of its shootouts this year.
- One of the best at creating pressure on opposing teams, Carolina is ranked 2nd in the NHL with 9.5 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended higher, as the team has forced 11.0 takeaways over its last 10 games and 12.6 takeaways over its last five.
- Philadelphia has allowed 3.1 goals per game this year, but has allowed 5.3 goals per contest over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
- Philadelphia has averaged 6.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, right in line with its season average of 6.6 takeaways per game (ranked 26th overall).
