The BB&T Center will play host to an enticing showdown as the Florida Panthers prepare to face the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. It’s the third and last time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. This Eastern Conference matchup will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29 and it’ll be televised live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Flyers at Florida Panthers Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
Losing 10.3 units for moneyline gamblers, the Panthers are 15-21 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 44-38 record that the team managed during the 2017-18 season campaign. Of its 36 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team’s 7-10 SU at home this season.
Florida comes into the matchup with the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 28.4 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.5 percent of all penalties.
Florida, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 3.7 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its last five games total, and 3.8 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opposition power plays for just 8.2 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 25.5 saves per game with a .902 save percentage, Roberto Luongo (eight wins, 10 losses, and two OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Panthers this season. Luongo did just play last night, however, so head coach Bob Boughner could choose to give him a rest and instead roll with James Reimer (7-13-13 record, .888 save percentage, 3.45 goals against average).
Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov will both lead the offensive attack for the Panthers. Huberdeau (42 points) has tallied nine goals and 33 assists and has recorded two or more points on 16 different occasions this year. Barkov has 15 goals and 22 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 24 games.
Philadelphia has lost 8.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 15-21 straight up (SU). Through 36 regular season outings, 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under the total and none have pushed. As the visiting team this season, Philadelphia is 8-11 SU.
Philadelphia has converted on just 13.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been penalized 4.2 times per game this season, and 3.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Brian Elliott (2.59 goals against average and .911 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott is averaging 25.0 saves per game and owns a 7-7 record.
Claude Giroux (13 goals, 31 assists) has been one of the primary playmaking threats for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers at Florida Panthers Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these clubs, the game went over the total in four of their past five matchups.
- Philadelphia has managed 29.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Florida is averaging 33.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- The Panthers are 8-13 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 6-16 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes.
- Florida is 1-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Philadelphia is 2-0 in shootouts.
- Florida is ranked 6th in the NHL with 9.1 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended lower recently, however, as it has averaged 6.7 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.4 takeaways over its last five.
- Philadelphia has averaged 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 5.3 takeaways per game (ranked 29th in the NHL).
