In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals face off at Capital One Arena. NBC Sports Network will broadcast this divisional matchup, and the action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 8.
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Odds
The Capitals are 25-16 straight-up (SU) and have earned 5.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the NHL’s fifth-strongest so far in the early season, hasn’t moved much from what the team posted during the 2017-18 season (49-33). Through 41 regular season matches, 21 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 12-8 SU at home.
Washington has converted on 21.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.2 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Washington has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, 4.2 per game over its last five matchups total, and 4.4 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for 9.4 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Averaging 28.4 saves per game with a .910 save percentage, Braden Holtby (16 wins, 13 losses, and three OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Capitals this year. If head coach Todd Reirden decides to rest him, however, the team may go with Pheonix Copley (10-4-4 record, .915 save percentage, 2.56 goals against average).
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom will each spearhead the attack for the Capitals. Ovechkin (47 points) has put up 30 goals and 17 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Backstrom has 10 goals and 34 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 28 games.
Philadelphia has lost 14.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 15-27 straight up (SU). 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under the total and none have pushed. Philadelphia’s 8-14 SU as a road team this season.
Philadelphia has converted on just 13.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.2 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Brian Elliott (.911 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott is averaging 25.0 saves per game and has seven wins and seven losses to his credit.
For the visiting Flyers, the offense will be heavily coordinated by Claude Giroux, who has 33 assists and 13 goals on the year.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in four of Philadelphia’s last five games.
- The extra-man advantage may prove to be even more critical than usual tonight. The Flyers are 6-9 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 9-14 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Capitals are 9-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 17-9 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Washington is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Philadelphia is 2-0 in shootouts.
- Washington has created 10.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.0 takeaways per game (ranked 14th).
- Philadelphia has averaged 2.8 goals per game overall this year, but is averaging 1.7 goals per match up over its seven-game losing skid.
- Philadelphia is ranked 31st in the NHL this season with 5.1 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down lately, however, as the team has forced 4.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.4 takeaways over its last five.
- Washington may have an advantage if it’s a close one late. The team’s 10-7 in games decided by one goal, while Philadelphia is 6-11 in such games.
