The Wells Fargo Center will play host to an intriguing showdown as the Philadelphia Flyers square off against the visiting Washington Capitals. NBC Sports Philadelphia will showcase this divisional matchup, and the action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14.
Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers Odds
With a moneyline of -140, Washington enters the game as the noticeable favorite. The line for Philadelphia now stands at +120, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -135 for the over and +115 for the under.
Washington is 41-29 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.8 units this year. Through 70 regular season outings, 36 of its games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just three have pushed. As the road team in 2018-19, the Caps are 20-15 SU.
Washington has converted on 22.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and it has successfully killed off 79.1 percent of all penalties.
Washington, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .909 save percentage and 27.8 saves per game, Braden Holtby (26-24-6) has been the top option in goal for Washington this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, the team may turn to Pheonix Copley (16-8-3), who has a .904 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Capitals. Ovechkin (78 points) is up to 46 goals and 32 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 20 different games. Backstrom has 18 goals and 49 assists to his credit (and has registered a point in 43 games).
Philadelphia is 34-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. 37 of its matches have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 18-17 SU at home.
Philadelphia has converted on just 17.1 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
The Flyers have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their past five contests total, and 4.2 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (25.4 saves per game) has been the top netminder in goal for Philadelphia. Talbot has 11 wins, 22 losses, and three OT losses to his credit and has maintained a subpar .894 save percentage and 3.32 goals against average this year.
Claude Giroux (20 goals, 53 assists) will lead the attack for the Flyers.
Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Philadelphia is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 4-1 in shootouts.
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in three of their past five games.
- Seven of Washington’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-2 in those games.
- Washington skaters notched 24.2 hits per game last season, while the Flyers accounted for 21.6 hits per contest.
