Squaring off for the final time this season, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche clash at the Pepsi Center for an East-versus-West tilt. The match will get underway at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 28, and it is being shown live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Philadelphia Flyers at Colorado Avalanche Odds
Colorado (-145) is currently favored over Philadelphia (+125), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals (-120 to bet the under, +100 for the over).
Colorado is 41-35 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 11.5 units this season. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising improvement over the 22-60 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of the team’s 76 games this season, 39 have gone over the total, while 30 have gone under and just seven have pushed. This year, the team’s 26-12 SU at home.
The Avalanche have converted on 20.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.4 percent of all penalties.
The Avalanche, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 28.7 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (25-25-6) has been the primary goalkeeper for Colorado this year. If the Avs choose to give him the night off, however, the team could turn to Jonathan Bernier (18-14-14 record, .913 save percentage, 2.83 goals against average).
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen will each be focal points for the Avalanche. MacKinnon (92 points) has tallied 38 goals and 54 assists and has recorded two or more points 26 times this year. Rantanen has 27 goals and 53 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 48 contests.
Philadelphia is 38-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 41 of its contests have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Flyers are 19-20 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Flyers have converted on 20.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Philadelphia’s players have been penalized 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 5.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Brian Elliott (.908 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott is averaging 26.3 saves per game and owns a 22-19-7 record.
Claude Giroux (26 goals, 66 assists) has been one of the primary playmakers on offense for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Colorado Avalanche Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Colorado is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Philadelphia is 2-7 in shootouts.
The over has hit in each of Philadelphia’s last five games.
Eight of Colorado’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 5-3 overall in those games.
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