Two teams squaring off for the third time this season, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals meet at Capital One Arena in a divisional matchup. The action will get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31, and it can be viewed live on NBC Sports Network.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 4.8 units, the Capitals are 29-20 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, the best in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 55-27 record that the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Of its 49 games this season, 27 have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 18-8 SU at home this season.
Washington has 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 penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 3.6 per game over its last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties for 10.0 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
With a .917 save percentage and 28.4 saves per game, Braden Holtby (25-11-2) has been the top goalkeeper for the Capitals this year. If they, however, choose to rest him, head coach Barry Trotz may go with Philipp Grubauer (4-12-12 record, .917 save percentage, 2.56 goals against average).
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will each spearhead the attack for the Capitals. 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 name and has notched a point in 28 contests.
Philadelphia is 24-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 25 of its outings have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just two have pushed. As an away team, Philadelphia is 11-12 SU so far.
Philadelphia has converted on 20.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure 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 opponent power plays.
Philadelphia’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, 3.2 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays 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 overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .908 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average this year.
Claude Giroux (14 goals, 43 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Philadelphia is 0-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-1 in shootouts.
The over has hit 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 31.0 in its last 10 games.
Seven of Philadelphia’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-2 in those games.
The Capitals this season have tallied the 11th-most hits per game (22.5).
