Squaring off for the third and final time this year, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Montreal Canadiens collide at Bell Centre for an Eastern Conference showdown. This one will get started at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, February 26 and it’ll be showcased live on NBC Sports Network.
Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens Odds
Philadelphia (-135) is currently favored over Montreal (+115), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -125 for the over and +105 for the under.
Philadelphia is 33-29 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 1.4 units this season. Through 62 regular season matches, 33 of its games have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the road team in 2017-18, the Flyers are 17-14 SU.
Philadelphia has converted on 21.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 29th overall, and it has successfully killed off only 75.3 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Flyers have been sent to the penalty box just 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 26.3 saves per game with a .908 save percentage, Brian Elliott (22-19-7) has been the best option in goal for Philadelphia this year. If it chooses to give him a rest, however, Philadelphia may go with Petr Mrazek (10-14-4 record, .910 save percentage, 2.81 goals against average).
Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Flyers. Giroux (74 points) is up to 22 goals and 52 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 21 different games. Voracek has 13 goals and 55 assists to his nameand has notched a point in 39 games.
On the other side of the rink, Montreal is 23-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 61 regular season matches, 33 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just two have pushed. It’s 15-17 SU as the home team this year.
The Canadiens have converted on just 21.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.7 percent of all penalties.
Montreal players have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, 4.0 per game over their last five match ups total, and 4.2 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price has stopped 27.3 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for the Canadiens. Price has 15 wins, 28 losses, and six overtime losses to his name and has recorded a fairly-weak .904 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average this season.
Max Pacioretty (17 goals, 20 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the Habs.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Montreal’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 2-4 overall in shootouts this year.
- The total has gone over in three of Montreal’s last five games.
- Philadelphia has managed 32.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Montreal is averaging 37.2 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 4-0 in those games).
- The Habs this season have registered the third-most hits per game (25.5).
