Capital One Arena will play host to a divisional showdown as the Washington Capitals welcome the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. NBC will showcase the action, which gets underway at 0:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 21.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (+150) is playing the role of underdog to Washington (-170), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-120 under, +100 over).
Washington is 28-19 straight up (SU) and has netted 5.4 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the league so far this season, is a slide from what the team recorded during the 2016-17 season (55-27). Through 47 regular season outings, 26 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 18-7 SU at home this season.
The Capitals have converted on 19.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.4 percent of all penalties.
The Capitals, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five contests at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for 9.2 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Averaging 28.6 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Braden Holtby (24-10-1) has been the best option in goal for Washington this year. If the Caps decide to rest him, however, Washington may roll with Philipp Grubauer (4-12-12 record, .917 save percentage, 2.56 goals against average).
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both be focal points for the Capitals. Ovechkin (50 points) is up to 28 goals and 22 assists and has recorded two or more points in 13 different games this year. Kuznetsov has 13 goals and 30 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 27 games.
On the other bench, Philadelphia is 22-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 46 regular season contests, 24 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the away team so far, the Flyers are 9-12 SU.
The Flyers have converted on 20.6 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 75.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been penalized 3.7 times per game in total this season, 4.2 per game over their last five match ups total, and 4.2 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to kill penalties 9.0 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Brian Elliott (26.6 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott owns a 17-19-7 record, while registering a .906 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average this year.
Claude Giroux (14 goals, 41 assists) has been one of the top offensive playmakers for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
Predictions: 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 total has gone under in three of Washington’s last five games.
Philadelphia’s attempted 31.9 shots per game overall this season (ranked 15th in the NHL), and 30.2 in its last five road outings.
Eight of Philadelphia’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 6-2 in those games.
The Capitals this season have recorded the 11th-most hits per game (22.4).
