Last year the Philadelphia Flyers took the proverbial next step under their new head coach Alain Vigneault to become a top-four team. The question for this season was if the Flyers could keep it going. So far, the answer has been yes. However, if Philadelphia doesn’t tighten up defensively, they’ll get an early playoff exit. The Washington Capitals are responding well to their new head coach Peter Laviolette. The Caps are scoring rapidly, as always, but much like the Flyers, they are loose on the back end.
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Betting Odds
When: Sunday, February 7, 2021, 12 p.m. ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
TV: NBC
Flyers at Capitals Bookmaker Wagering Analysis
For this Sunday matinee, the Capitals will get the vast majority of the betting handle. Washington is remembered as the 2018 Stanley Cup champion and boasts Alex Ovechkin, one of hockey’s most prominent names. Sharps will look at the quality road dog Flyers, but their defense and goaltending are pause for concern.
Flying Offensively
Tied with Boston for first place in the MassMutual East Division are the Flyers with a record of 7-2-2. They are 8-3 over the total. Philadelphia ranks 10th for goal scoring and 12th for the power play. Defensively the Flyers are 21st for goals against and 27th for the penalty kill. The Flyers have won four of their last five games, with two of their previous three matchups going over the total.
Left wing James van Riemsdyk leads the Flyers with five goals, nine assists, and a plus-four. Center Kevin Hayes adds six goals and five assists with a plus-four. Defenseman Ivan Provorov brings two goals, four assists, and a plus-four. Of great concern is goaltender Carter Hart’s .895 save percentage and 3.61 goals-against average. In Hart’s defense, he’s not getting much support from the guys in front of him.
Making Capital
The Washington Capitals are 6-1-3 and in second place in the MassMutual East Division, one point behind the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers. Washington is 8-2 over the total so far. The Capitals rank third in the NHL for goal scoring and first for the power play. However, on the back end, Washington ranks 19th for goals against and 22nd for penalty killing. Washington has won three of their last four games, with three of those games also going over the total.
Goaltender Vitek Vanecek has been solid in taking over as the new number one goalie with a .912 save percentage and 2.94 goals-against average. Center Nicklas Backstrom is the leading scorer with five goals, eight assists, and a zero-plus/minus. Left wing Alex Ovechkin is off to a sluggish start with two goals, five assists, and a minus-one in six games. He just returned from the COVID list.
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals vs. The Odds
The Flyers have won eight of their last 12 away games
Only two of Philadelphia last 19 road tilts went under the total
Washington has gotten the cash in six of their last nine home games
The Capitals are 14-1-1 over the total at home
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Head-to-Head
Philadelphia has won three of their last four games against the Capitals
Three of the last five in this series stayed under the total
Washington has paid in three of their last five home games with the Flyers
Four of the last five meetings between these teams at Washington went over
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Bookmaker Free Pick
Washington’s defense hasn’t been great, but Philadelphia’s has been ineffective in the early going. Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek has shown far more impressive form.
Flyers at Capitals Bookmaker Best Bet: Washington Capitals and Over the Total
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