Jack Eichel, Victor Olofsson, and the Buffalo Sabres will do battle against Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, and the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center in an Eastern Conference showdown. This one will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 19 and it is being televised live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers Odds
Buffalo (+135) is playing the role of underdog to Philadelphia (-155) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Philadelphia is 18-16 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage is a welcomed improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (37-45). Of its 34 regular season matches, 18 have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and none have pushed. The team is 11-6 SU at home this season.
The Flyers have converted on 17.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 22.0 saves per game with a .912 save percentage, Carter Hart (11-12-3) has been the top option in goal for Philadelphia this season. If head coach Alain Vigneault chooses to give him the night off, however, Philadelphia might go with Brian Elliott (7-9-9 record, .904 save percentage, 2.96 goals against average).
On the other hand, Buffalo is 16-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 19 of its contests have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under the total and none have pushed. The Sabres are 6-13 SU as an away team this season.
The Sabres have converted on 19.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Linus Ullmark (.913 save percentage and 2.90 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Buffalo. Ullmark is averaging 30.4 saves per game and has 10 wins, 10 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Flyers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The Flyers (3-5 in shootouts this season) has significantly more experience in games decided by shootout. The Sabres has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- The total has gone under in three of Philadelphia’s last five games.
- Buffalo has attempted 30.9 shots per game overall this season (ranked 21st in the NHL), and 30.7 in its last 10 outings.
- Four of Buffalo’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-1 in those games.
- Buffalo skaters created 19.1 hits per game last season, while the Flyers logged 21.4 hits per matchup.
