In their third head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Philadelphia Flyers and the New Jersey Devils take the ice at the Prudential Center for a Metro Division matchup. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 1, and it’ll be shown live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils Odds
The Devils are 25-24 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 3.3 units this season. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising improvement over the 28-54 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 49 regular season matches, 25 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 13-11 SU at home this year.
New Jersey 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 rated sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, New Jersey has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over its last five home outings. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for just 8.9 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Sporting a .913 save percentage and 28.9 saves per game, Cory Schneider (18-17-6) has been the top goalkeeper for the Devils this season. If they, however, choose to give him a rest, the team could roll with Keith Kinkaid (8-7-7 record, .897 save percentage, 3.11 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Jesper Bratt will both be focal points for the Devils. Hall (49 points) has put up 18 goals and 31 assists and has recorded multiple points 15 times this year. Bratt has 12 goals and 19 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 21 games.
Philadelphia is 24-26 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 50 regular season outings, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the away team, Philadelphia is 11-13 SU so far.
Philadelphia has converted on 20.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.7 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their past five match ups total, and 3.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Brian Elliott (26.4 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Philadelphia. Elliott has 19 wins, 19 losses, and seven OT losses to his credit, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average this year.
Jakub Voracek (10 goals, 47 assists) has been one of the top play making threats for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The under has hit in each of New Jersey’s last five games.
Philadelphia has managed 27.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New Jersey is averaging 32.2 shots per game over its last five home outings.
The Devils are 7-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 11-18 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
New Jersey is 3-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Philadelphia is 0-3 in shootouts.
New Jersey is ranked 9th this season with 8.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as the team has managed 7.7 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.0 takeaways over its last five.
Philadelphia is ranked 28th this season with 5.8 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as the team has averaged 7.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.2 takeaways over its last five.
Note: Neither Schneider nor Elliott will be in net tonight, as the Flyers send Alex Lyon between the pipes tonight, making his first ever NHL start.
