Capital One Arena will play host to a divisional clash as the Washington Capitals square off against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the matchup, which gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31.
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Odds
The Capitals are 29-20 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 4.8 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked first in the Metropolitan Division so far this season, is a slide from what the team managed during last years regular season (55-27). Of the teams 49 games this season, 27 have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the teams 18-8 SU at home.
Washington’s converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.2 percent of all penalties.
Washington, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 3.6 per game over its last five home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for 10.0 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Averaging 28.4 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Braden Holtby (25 wins, 11 losses, and two OT losses) has been the best option in goal for the Capitals this season. If head coach Barry Trotz chooses to give him the evening off, however, the Caps may turn to Philipp Grubauer (4-12-12 record, .917 save percentage, 2.56 goals against average).
The Caps will continue to lean on the leadership out of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Ovechkin (53 points) is up to 30 goals and 23 assists and has recorded two or more points in 13 different games this year. Kuznetsov has 13 goals and 32 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 28 games.
Over on the other bench, Philadelphia is 24-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 49 regular season outings, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just two have pushed. Philadelphia’s 11-12 SU as the away team this season.
Philadelphia has scored on 20.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for ninth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.5 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, 3.2 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties 8.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Brian Elliott (26.4 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Philadelphia. Elliott has 19 wins, 19 losses, and seven OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .908 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Flyers, the offense will be facilitated through Claude Giroux (14 goals, 43 assists) and Jakub Voracek (nine goals, 47 assists).
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in three of Washington’s last five games.
- Philadelphia’s attempted 31.8 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 15th in the NHL), and 28.6 in its last five road outings.
- The extra-man advantage could be extremely important tonight. The Flyers are 9-10 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 17-12 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Capitals are 10-4 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 15-9 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Philadelphia is 0-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-1 in shootouts.
- Washington skaters have created 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a slight drop from its season average of 7.2 takeaways per game (ranked 17th in the league).
- Philadelphia is ranked 29th in the NHL this season with 5.7 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward lately, as it has created 7.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.2 takeaways over its last five.
- Washington may hold an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The teams 13-8 in games decided by one goal, while Philadelphia is 8-13 in such games.
