Will Jackets Leave Flyers Feeling Blue?
After a horrific start to the NHL season - remember when they lost 10 in a row? - the Philadelphia Flyers are among the league's hottest teams, garnering points from 25 of their last 33 games to solidify a playoff position. But in the span of a couple of weeks, they've lost goaltenders Michal Neuvirth and Brian Elliott to lower-body injuries and 20-goal scorer Wayne Simmonds to an upper-body injury. Even when healthy, the Flyers have endured their struggles when it comes to taming the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won nine of 11 and they exerted similar dominance of late over the New York Islanders. Likewise, the Calgary Flames have enjoyed their winter treks to Arizona more than a senior citizen from Montana. Use all of these games in a three-team NHL parlay based on odds set by Bovada and we suspect you'll be shining brightly as well.
New York Islanders vs Toronto Maple Leafs Preview
The Leafs whipped the Islanders 5-0 on Jan. 31 and have won their last two from the Isles by a combined score of 12-1. Toronto has won two in row and six straight at home. The Islanders are 4-6-1 since the NHL All-Star Break and have won consecutive games once in their past 16. The Islanders are 19-5-5 when they score first. The last six Leafs-Islanders games have seen the teams combine for 7.6 goals per game, so the over looks like a tasty wager here. Islanders rookie Mathew Barzal has three five-point games this season.
Toronto (-1.5), over (6.5)
(-210)
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers Preview
Alex Lyon stopped 50 of 53 shots in his first two starts in the Philly net, but the Flyers didn't trade for Mrazek to have him sit on the bench, so he'll get the nod here. But Mrazek is 1-3-1 lifetime against the Blue Jackets, with a 2.79 GAA and .913 save percentage. The Flyers have equal issues with Columbus, losing five of their last six, although they've won two of the last three in Philly. Watch the puckline in this one. Six of the last 12 Columbus-Philadelphia games went to OT or shootout, and another was a 1-0 regulation final.
Columbus (+1.5), under (5.5)
(-105)
Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes Preview
With six wins in their last seven games against them, the Flames have smothered the Coyotes offense, checking Arizona on eight goals in those six victories. Meanwhile, Calgary has scored 20 goals in the six wins. Flames C Johnny Gaudreau's 37 road points are second-best in the NHL. The Coyotes have won four in a row and allowed just four goals in that span. Arizona is 8-5-5 in its last 18 games, but a dismal 4-8-3 in the last 15 at home.
Calgary (+1.5), over (5.5)
(-105)
Slap Shots
- Flyers RW Travis Konecny (foot) is expected to play. He has 24 points in the last 25 games.
- The Blue Jackets share the NHL lead in shots per game with 34.7.
- Seven of the last 14 Blue Jackets games were one-goal decisions. They are 17-5-5 in one-goal games this season.
- The Leafs are 16-6-2 when James Van Riemsdyk scores a goal.
- The Islanders’ power play is seventh in the NHL (21.5 percent), but their penalty kill is 30th (74.0 percent).
- The Flames are 17-8-5 on the road this season.
- Calgary is 5-3-0-1 in the second game of back to back games.
- Arizona has 18 one-goal losses, second-most in the NHL.
Category : Betting Picks
Tag : James Van Riemsdyk
, Johnny Gaudreau
, Mathew Barzal
, Petr Mrazek
, Thursday Night NHL Picks Parlay
, Wayne Simmonds
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While the Boston Bruins get most of the love for heating up after a slow start to the NHL season, don't sleep on Philadelphia. The Flyers have gone 23-8-3 since Dec. 4, but suddenly, they are hurting. Philly lost both goalies, Brian and Elliott and Michal Neuvirth, to lower-body injuries, leading to them acquire Petr Mrazek, But now goal-scoring machine Wayne Simmonds is out 2-3 weeks.
While the Boston Bruins get most of the love for heating up after a slow start to the NHL season, don't sleep on Philadelphia. The Flyers have gone 23-8-3 since Dec. 4, but suddenly, they are hurting. Philly lost both goalies, Brian and Elliott and Michal Neuvirth, to lower-body injuries, leading to them acquire Petr Mrazek, But now goal-scoring machine Wayne Simmonds is out 2-3 weeks.
While the Boston Bruins get most of the love for heating up after a slow start to the NHL season, don't sleep on Philadelphia. The Flyers have gone 23-8-3 since Dec. 4, but suddenly, they are hurting. Philly lost both goalies, Brian and Elliott and Michal Neuvirth, to lower-body injuries, leading to them acquire Petr Mrazek, But now goal-scoring machine Wayne Simmonds is out 2-3 weeks.
While the Boston Bruins get most of the love for heating up after a slow start to the NHL season, don't sleep on Philadelphia. The Flyers have gone 23-8-3 since Dec. 4, but suddenly, they are hurting. Philly lost both goalies, Brian and Elliott and Michal Neuvirth, to lower-body injuries, leading to them acquire Petr Mrazek, But now goal-scoring machine Wayne Simmonds is out 2-3 weeks.
