Two clubs facing each other for the first time this season, the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers take the ice at the Wells Fargo Center in an Eastern Conference showdown. The match will get underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2 and it is being shown live on Sportsnet.
Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers Odds
Boston (+100) is currently the underdog to Philadelphia (-120) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Boston is 11-12 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 23 regular season contests, 12 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and none have pushed. As an away team this season, the Bruins are 4-6 SU.
Boston has converted on 18.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Additionally, it has the eighth-best penalty kill in the league, and it has successfully killed off 83.3 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Bruins have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 3.5 per game over its last ten contests. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 24.8 saves per game with a .899 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (4-10-2) has been the top option in goal for Boston this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, the team may turn to Anton Khudobin (7-3-2), who has a .932 save percentage and 2.22 goals against average this year.
The visiting Bruins have relied on David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand this season. Pastrnak has 21 points on 12 goals and nine assists, and has recorded multiple points in six different games. Marchand has eight goals and nine assists to his credit (and has logged a point in 10 games).
Philadelphia is 8-17 straight up (SU) and has already lost 11.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 25 regular season contests, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just one has pushed. It’s 4-9 SU at home this year.
The Flyers have converted on just 18.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 29th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.5 percent of all penalties.
Flyers skaters have been penalized 4.2 times per game in total this season, 4.6 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties 8.8 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Brian Elliott has stopped 27.6 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for the Flyers. Elliott has six wins, 12 losses, and six OT losses and has registered a fairly-weak .905 save percentage and 2.96 goals against average this year.
The home team will be led on offense by Jakub Voracek (seven goals, 23 assists).
Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Flyers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Philadelphia is 0-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Boston is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in four of Philadelphia’s last five games.
- Philadelphia has scored just 2.2 goals per game (while allowing 3.8) on its nine-game losing streak.
- Five of Boston’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-4 in those games.
- Boston skaters have dished out the leagues fourth-most hits per game (25.2).
