Two of the most heavily-penalized clubs in the league, the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers clash at Madison Square Garden. The match gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 23, and you can view this Metro Division matchup live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers Odds
The Rangers are 15-19 straight-up (SU) and have netted moneyline bettors 0.3 units this year. That early-season winning percentage hasn’t moved much from what the team posted during the 2017-18 season (34-48). 17 of its 34 contests have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and none have pushed. The team’s 11-7 SU at home this season.
New York’s converted on 19.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 25th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.1 percent of all penalties.
As a team, NY has been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over its past five outings. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for 8.9 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 30.6 saves per game with a .914 save percentage, Henrik Lundqvist (10-15-5) has been the principal option in goal for the Rangers this year. If the Broadway Blueshirts decide to give him the night off, however, it could roll with Alexandar Georgiev (5-5-5 record, .899 save percentage, 3.20 goals against average).
The Broadway Blueshirts will continue to look for offensive production out of Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Hayes. Zibanejad (30 points) has put up 11 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points eight times this year. Hayes has 10 goals and 19 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 18 contests.
On the visiting bench, Philadelphia is 14-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 34 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under the total and none have pushed. Philadelphia’s 7-10 SU as the away team this season.
Philadelphia has converted on just 12.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.2 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.6 per game over their last five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties 10.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Brian Elliott (25.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Philadelphia. Elliott has seven wins and seven losses to his credit, while registering a .911 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average this year.
Claude Giroux (12 goals, 30 assists) has been one of the top playmakers on offense for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers Betting Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Flyers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in four of their last five outings.
- The Rangers are 8-9 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Flyers are 6-9 SU when they serve more minutes than their opponent.
- New York (5-1 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Philadelphia emerged victorious in its lone shootout this season.
- New York has averaged 10.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.0 takeaways per game (ranked 13th in the NHL).
- Philadelphia has averaged 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 5.2 takeaways per game (ranked 30th overall).
