The Chicago Blackhawks will look to break a three-game losing streak, as they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night on NBCSN. Chicago has lost five of their last six overall and they have scored two goals or less in five of their last six games. On the other side, the Flyers come into this game right around the .500 mark. The Blackhawks have struggled of late in this series against the Flyers, losing four of the last five meetings.
This war on the ice will go down Wednesday, November 1, 2017, at 8 p.m. ET at the United Center. The game will be televised live on NBCSN.
We'll have NHL odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NHL Wednesday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Flyers come into this game 3-3 on the road. They have gone over the total three times on the road, under twice, with one push. Philadelphia is scoring 3.5 goals per game and giving up 2.8 per contest. The Flyers have a very good top line of Sean Couturier centering Claude Giroux and Jacob Voracek. The line had combined for 15 goals and 42 points in their first 11 games.
Not all of the news is positive for the Flyers, as Philadelphia has a major injury concern, as defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere was injured on Saturday in the win over Toronto. The Flyers are calling it an upper body injury and his status is unknown for this game on Wednesday night. He has been outstanding this season for the Flyers, as he has 13 points, so his loss would be felt.
Chicago comes into this game playing poorly, as they have lost three straight. Chicago is a .500 team in terms of points earned this late in the seasons for the first time since 2010-2011. The Blackhawks are scoring 3.2 goals per game and giving up 2.8 per contest. They are just 3-3 at home, with three games going over the total and three going under. “We don’t play our game, we don’t play how we’re supposed to play,” said Artem Anisimov after the loss to Colorado on Saturday, “We lose every battle. We just need to check first — and not allow five goals in the first half of the game.”
Special Teams
The Flyers are 9th in the league on the power play at 21.4%. They are 19th in penalty killing at 80%. Chicago is 28th in the league on the power play at 12.7%. They have not scored on their last 15 power plays and they have come up empty on 20 of their last 21. They are 13th in the league in penalty killing at 82.7%.
Key Stat
The teams split their two meetings last season, with each team winning at home. The Flyers won 3-1 in Philly, while the Blackhawks won 7-4 in Chicago. The Blackhawks have been much better at home in this series, winning 7 of the last 9.
Free NHL Picks
There is no such thing as a must-win game in early November, but there is no question this is a very important game for the Blackhawks. They have not played well lately and need to turn things around. The Flyers have played okay of late, but they are not one of the best teams in the league. The Blackhawks have a few things in their favor on Wednesday. First, the Flyers could be without their top defenseman in Gostisbehere and his loss will be felt. Second, the Flyers are not that good on the penalty kill so the Blackhawks should be able to get their power play going. And finally, Chicago has been much better in this series against the Flyers at home. I will lay the price and take the Blackhawks, and also play the game to go over the total.
NHL Odds: Blackhawks 4, Flyers 2
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