Amalie Arena plays host to an Eastern Conference matchup as the Tampa Bay Lightning square off against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. The action gets started at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, and you are able to watch it live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
Earning 13.8 units for moneyline bettors, Tampa Bay is 27-9 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL so far this season, is a solid improvement compared to what the team did during the 2016-17 season (42-40). Of its 36 games this season, 21 have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 16-3 SU at home this season.
The Lightning come into the matchup with the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they have scored on 25.9 percent of their extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 24th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.0 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Lightning have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 5.6 per game over their past five contests. The teams had to defend opposition power plays for 8.6 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Boasting a .934 save percentage and 29.6 saves per game, Andrei Vasilevskiy (24-6-1) has been the top option in goal for the Bolts this year. Vasilevskiy did just play last night, however, so head coach Jon Cooper might decide to rest him and turn to Peter Budaj instead (3-3-3 record, .878 save percentage, 3.67 goals against average).
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Lightning. Kucherov (52 points) is up to 24 goals and 28 assists and has recorded two or more points on 18 separate occasions this year. Stamkos has 15 goals and 32 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 24 games.
Over on the other bench, Philadelphia is 15-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 37 regular season matches, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Flyers are 7-11 SU as the road team this season.
The Flyers have converted on 18.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.3 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their past ten contests. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 5.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Brian Elliott (27.6 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Philadelphia. Elliott owns a 13-17-7 record, and has registered a .915 save percentage and 2.61 goals against average this year.
Jakub Voracek (eight goals, 36 assists) has been one of the top playmakers on offense for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Tampa Bay is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Philadelphia is 0-3 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in three of Tampa Bay’s last five games.
- Tampa Bay has allowed 2.4 goals per game overall this season, but is allowing just 1.3 per contest over its three-game winning streak.
- Six of Tampa Bay’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 6-0 overall in those games.
