Rogers Arena will be hosting a cross-continent clash as the Vancouver Canucks face off against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. It’s the last time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. This one will get underway at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7 and it will air live on Sportsnet Pacific.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
Vancouver (-120) is currently favored over Philadelphia (+100), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -120 under, +100 over.
Vancouver is 14-14 straight up (SU) and has earned 4.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising improvement over the 30-52 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Among the team’s 28 games this season, 14 have gone over the total, while another 14 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team’s 5-8 SU at home.
The Canucks have converted on 21.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.2 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Canucks have been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five contests at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 5.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
With a .917 save percentage and 26.6 saves per game, Jacob Markstrom (8-12-3) has been the primary goalkeeper for Vancouver this season. If head coach Travis Green chooses to rest him, however, Vancouver may go with Anders Nilsson (6-3-3 record, .922 save percentage, 2.68 goals against average).
The Nucks will continue seeking offensive production from Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat. Boeser (25 points) has put up 13 goals and 12 assists and has recorded multiple points in six different games this year. Horvat has 10 goals and 10 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 13 games.
Philadelphia is 9-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 11.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. A total of 14 of its matches have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Flyers are 5-8 SU as the road team this season.
The Flyers have converted on 18.0 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 27th overall and it’s successfully defended 76.5 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been penalized 4.1 times per game in total this season, 4.0 per game over their past five contests total, and 4.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays 8.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Brian Elliott (28.1 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott has seven wins, 13 losses, and six OT losses to his credit, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Flyers, the offense will be facilitated through Jakub Voracek (seven goals, 26 assists) and Claude Giroux (11 goals, 17 assists).
Philadelphia Flyers at Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Six of Vancouver’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 4-2 overall in those games.
The Flyers are 2-6 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 5-7 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Vancouver is 0-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Philadelphia is 0-2 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Vancouver’s last five outings.
Vancouver has allowed 2.8 goals per game overall this year, but has brought that figure down to 1.3 per matchup across its three-game winning streak.
Vancouver is ranked 11th this season with 8.8 giveaways per game. That figure has regressed recently, as the team’s averaged 10.0 giveaways over its last 10 games and 11.8 giveaways over its last five.
Philadelphia has averaged 8.2 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 9.8 giveaways per game (ranked 15th).
