A couple of teams that’ve positioned themselves firmly in the playoff picture, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Tampa Bay Lightning clash at Amalie Arena in an Eastern Conference showdown. The opening face-off is at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 3, and it can be viewed live on Fox Sports Sun.
Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
Tampa Bay is 44-21 straight up (SU) and has netted 10.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL so far this season, is a solid improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (42-40). Of the teams 65 games this season, 41 have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just one has pushed. The teams 21-8 SU at home this year.
The Lightning have been able to convert on 24.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.6 percent of all penalties.
The Lightning, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over their past five matchups. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 9.6 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 29.3 saves per game with a .927 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (37 wins, 16 losses, and three OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for Tampa Bay this season. If Tampa Bay chooses to give him a breather, however, the team may go with Louis Domingue (4-10-10 record, .881 save percentage, 3.82 goals against average).
The Bolts will continue relying on offensive production via Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. Kucherov (82 points) has tallied 33 goals and 49 assists and has recorded multiple points in 27 different games this year. Stamkos has 25 goals and 47 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 44 games.
Over on the other bench, Philadelphia is 34-30 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.9 units this year. Through 64 regular season matches, 33 of its games have gone over the total, while 29 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Flyers are 18-14 SU as the away team this season.
The Flyers have converted on 20.9 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 75.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.5 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Brian Elliott (26.3 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Philadelphia. Elliott has 22 wins, 19 losses, and seven OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .908 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Flyers, the offense will be facilitated through Claude Giroux (22 goals, 53 assists) and Jakub Voracek (13 goals, 55 assists).
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Tampa Bay’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-2 overall in shootouts this year.
- Philadelphia has managed 30.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Tampa Bay has been attempting 35.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Over Philadelphia’s last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-1 in those games).
