Flyers look to keep hot streak alive versus Avs in high-scoring offensive battle
Philadelphia is flying high on a five-game winning streak, injury-free, and defensively robust. The question is, can they keep themselves aloft for long enough to not get swept away by a tough Avalanche team? The Avs are 11-9-3 on the road this year, which is quite a step down from their league-leading 18-5-0 home record this season. The Flyers could get them in the setting they want playing at home and they’ve beaten teams of the same calibre as they are coming off big wins over the Stars and Jets.
It should be a close game with the Avalanche looking to improve their mediocre road record versus a red hot Flyers team. If you want to enhance your viewing experience and make this the game of the day, here are some best bets you can take to further the excitement.
All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
Pick: Over 6.5 (-105)
The total number of goals is likely to be a higher number based on the Avalanche’s offense alone but it is important to credit to the Flyers as well. Their offense has been led by winger Travis Konecny, who leads the recent point trends for the Flyers with five goals and 12 points in their last ten games. They’ve also seen a breakout season from 24-year-old Owen Tippett, who’s been prolific lately, with four goals and an assist in his last 10 games.
They can open weaknesses in the Avalanche’s defense, which has been sub-par lately at 3.60 goals allowed on average in the past 10 games, Philly should get a home barn boost and get at least three or four past Alexander Georgiev.
Pick: Flyers +1.5 (-245)
In October, the Avs set the record for the longest road wins streak in regular season games, winning fifteen road games in a row dating back to last season. The Flyers aren’t exactly the most impressive home team with a 11-8-2 home record that has them ranked 21st in the league.
Luckily for Philly as well, they are second only to the Kings in penalty kill percentage this season at 86.52 per cent, which outranks the Avalanche’s eighth-highest power play percentage of 24.86 per cent. They don’t want to find themselves in the sin bin but if they don’t they shouldn’t have to worry too much.
They will have to worry about current-Hart trophy favourite Nathan MacKinnon, who’s been dominant through the first half of the season with at least a point in every home game along with a league-led 49 assists and 73 points. Most recently, he’s found the back of the net four times and dished 12 apples in his last 10 games.
Childhood friend of MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin has also been hot since joining the Avs this past offseason, racking up five goals in his last ten games along with 25 points on the season.
The sad news for the Avalanche’s strong offense is the Flyers’ defense has been strong lately too, with only 2.30 goals allowed on average in the last ten games. The Flyers are also high-ranking for goaltending and sit in the NHL’s top ten teams for overall save percentage at .910 this season.