Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers Game 3 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
As the series shifts to Philly, will the Flyers get back within striking distance in Round 2 versus the Carolina Hurricanes?
The Hurricanes are a perfect 6-0 so far this postseason, but showed a chink in their armour in Game 2, falling behind 2-0 in the first before storming back for a 3-2 overtime win.
The only game on the docket for Thursday has the Canes as -185 favourites to take the 3-0 series lead in Game 3 on the NHL odds. The OVER/UNDER is set at 5.0 goals even, with puck drop from Xfinity Mobile Arena set for 8 p.m. EST.
Hurricanes vs. Flyers NHL Betting Odds
Carolina is averaging under three goals per game this postseason, netting four just once, while Philly is at just over two, making this OVER/UNDER a tough call for bettors. With the Canes’ tight defensive game plan and pair that with the way Flyers goalie Dan Vladar has been playing, the higher paying UNDER might be the play on Thursday night.
The Flyers are a long shot to win this series, sitting at +1100 after falling behind 2-0 in the series. The favoured outcome for this series is a 4-0 Canes sweep, sitting at +170. That would make Carolina the first team to go a perfect 8-0 since before the 2000’s.
Player props for Thursday feature Sean Couturier 4+ shots paying out at +625. He is mostly known as a defensive forward, but he has thrown five shots on goal in both games versus Carolina and leads the team with 21 shots in the postseason. On the Canes side, Taylor Hall leads the team with nine points and just scored the overtime winner on Monday. Take him to stay hot, 2+ points pays at +525.
Carolina Hurricanes
Despite pulling out the win to remain undefeated in the postseason, Carolina did trail for the first time in five games during the first period in Game 2. Were they asleep at the wheel? Or was the first domino to fall in their playoff demise?
Despite all that, the Canes did battle back, starting with a power play goal from Nikolaj Ehlers in the first period, his first of the playoffs. Seth Jarvis potted his first of the postseason to tie the game at 11:21 of the third. Veteran Taylor Hall wasted no time in the extra frame, tossing in the game-winner just over a minute into overtime.
36-year-old Frederik Andersen stays at the top of the playoff goaltending leaders, stopping 34 of 36 in Game 2. The only time he faced more rubber was the double overtime game versus Ottawa, stopping 37 of 39 in that one. He leads the postseason in all major categories, with a ridiculous 1.02 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage.
Philadelphia Flyers
After being shut out in Game 1, the Flyers came out buzzing in Game 2 on Monday, scoring twice before the five-minute mark of the first period. An early first-period power play helped the Flyers get in front, as defenceman Jamie Drysdale snapped his second of the postseason over the blocker for the one-nothing lead. Not even 40 seconds later, captain Couturier banged in another goal, to go up two-zip. Despite surrendering three straight goals in the loss, the Flyers put on a great performance, holding the lead for over 45 minutes of play.
Netminder Dan Vladar has been the most consistent player for Philly over this run; his .929 save percentage is the third-best amongst remaining netminders, matched with a 1.89 goals against average. The 28-year-old has faced over 40 shots twice in his last three starts, and only two goalies have faced more rubber than him this postseason. His OVER/UNDER on saves for Game 3 is set at 26.5, and if the Canes shoot like they did last game, the OVER should be no problem.
For Philly to pull themselves back into the series, their skill guys need to get on the scoresheet. Matvei Michkov has just one assist this playoffs, while Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny and Trevor Zegras all have just a single goal. Check the NHL player props on all four of these guys to give their home crowd a reason to cheer on Thursday.
