Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals Prediction, NHL Odds
The Caps dismantled the Flyers on Tuesday to kick off the NHL’s “Frozen Frenzy”. Despite a fairly respectable 4-1 final, Washington opened the scoring with back-to-back shorthanded goals and in the end out-shot Philly 29-18.
The NHL odds have Washington as a -135 favourite to win with the total set at 6.0 goals. The lone game on Wednesday’s NHL schedule is set for 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop.
Flyers vs. Capitals NHL Betting Odds
The Flyers and Capitals are scheduled for a four-game season series this year after meeting three times last season. Philadelphia’s only victory over the Caps a season ago came in a shootout in their first meeting of the year. Washington won the next two in regulation. Adding in Tuesday’s win gives Washington three wins in a row and a 3-0-1 record in head-to-head action.
Over the past two seasons, these teams have hit the OVER in three of four games, while the Caps have covered the spread in each matchup.
It has been a tough start to the season for the Flyers on both sides of the puck. Their 2.17 goals per game average is third-worst in the league, matching their goals-against average of 4.17, which is also in the bottom three league-wide. Just one goal over the past two games has helped them play the UNDER in both outings, putting them at 3-3 on the O/U this season.
Washington’s offence has been impressive through five games so far this campaign. They average four goals per game, which ranks them in the top five in the NHL. They have played the OVER in three of five and covered the spread in each of their past four games.
Philadelphia Flyers
Tuesday’s loss extended the Flyers losing streak to five straight after winning the season opener. After being shutout in their home opener on Saturday night, the Flyers came out with a lot of pressure in the opening minutes of the game. The pressure resulted in an early power play, but instead of gaining momentum, a shorthanded goal against turned the tides. The Caps would net another shorty before the end of the first, taking all the life out of the home crowd.
Philadelphia finally scored in the third period to cut the lead in half on Travis Sanheim’s first of the season, but two more from Washington took it to the 4-1 final.
Rookie Matvei Michkov got back on the scoresheet with an assist, putting him in the team lead with five points (2G, 3A) in six games. Look for Michkov on the NHL futures board as the +150 favourite for the Calder Trophy.
Washington Capitals
Never underestimate Alex Ovechkin; Looking at the Caps’ schedule before the season started, fans would not have expected this team to come out as hot as they have. After dropping the season opener, Washington has strung together four straight wins after beating the Flyers on Tuesday. Aside from Philly, their three other wins have come as a big underdog.
Special teams took over the game Tuesday with Nic Dowd (1) and Andrew Mangiapane (2) notching shorthanded goals in the first period on the road. Washington never looked back, notching two more in the third from the blue liners John Carlson (2) and Jakob Chychrun (2) and holding the Flyers to just 18 shots.
Ovi was held off the score sheet and is still 40 goals from most all-time. He’s potted 49 in 75 career games versus Philly and you can expect to see him back in his office tonight.
PHI
WAS