NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Flyers vs. Avalanche (March 25)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images. Pictured: Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche.
- The Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche will face off Friday night at Ball Arena.
- The dominant Avs are hoping bounce back after a surprising loss while the Flyers look to knock off another quality team on back-to-back nights.
- NHL betting analyst Johnny Lazarus previews how to bet the matchup below.
Flyers vs. Avalanche Odds
| Flyers Odds | +340 |
| Avalanche Odds | -455 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via PointsBet. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Colorado Avalanche are coming off of a very disappointing loss at home against the Vancouver Canucks, falling short by the score of 3-1. They were the better team in that game, but Jaroslav Halak stood on his head for Vancouver and was able to stop 32 of the 33 shots that the Avs threw at him.
The Flyers are set to play their second game in back-to-back nights. Last night they had a massive win on the road in St. Louis as they pulled off a 5-2 upset against the Blues.
Let's take a look at how that factors into tonight's matchup and where we can find some betting value.
The Philadelphia Flyers Could Be a Surprise
The Flyers may be out of the playoff hunt, but doesn't mean they aren't competitive. The Flyers have won three of their past five and are still giving their best effort night in and night out.
Even though the Flyers were able to put home five goals last night, goal scoring has not come very easily for them this season. They are the second worst offensive team in the league, averaging 2.56 goals per game, but they are underperforming their expected goals, which is at 2.64 per 60 minutes.
It has been a disappointing season for some of their offensively gifted players like James van Riemsdyk who has 27 points in 64 games and is a -28 on the season. Cam Atkinson has had a solid year, but he is really the only player on this roster that has performed as expected.
Since Martin Jones got the start last night, tonight should be Carter Hart's turn. This will be Hart's first time facing the Avalanche this season and he will certainly be tested since the Avs generate the fifth-most shots per game in the league and the Flyers give up the fifth most. Last time these two teams met, the Avs had 50 shots on goal. It will be a long night for Carter Hart.
The Colorado Avalanche Can't Take Philly Lightly
The Avalanche had the complete matchup advantage going into their game against the Canucks and this contest against the Flyers is no different. That being said, the better team in hockey doesn't always win. They ran into a good goalie on Wednesday and the same could happen tonight if they don't play a hard nosed game.
The Avs didn't struggle to fill the net the last time these two teams met, on Dec. 6 in Philly where Colorado won 7-5. Despite, struggling to score against Vancouver, that is what this team typically does. They win with their offensive strength and their team speed. It is a thing of beauty to watch the Avs play in the offensive zone with all of the talent they have upfront.
Colorado has scored the second-most goals in the league (245) and they average the second most goals scored per game (3.78).
The Flyers will be playing a game for the second night in a row, so they should show a little fatigue and the Avs will be able to exploit that.
Flyers vs. Avalanche Pick
The Avalanche disappointed on home ice the other night against Vancouver and I don't think they will struggle like that two games in a row, especially on home ice where they have been so successful all season.
The Flyers did put together a strong performance last night, but they cannot be expected to do that for a second night in a row. They are a very weak defensive team that cannot keep up with the pace of the Avalanche. Colorado should dominate the puck possession and generate tons of scoring chances, right from the jump.
I expect the Avs to come out firing after their performance the other night. MacKinnon and Makar will set the tone right from the opening puck drop. I expect the Avs to completely throw everything at the Flyers in the first period and that is where I'm focusing tonight.
Pick: Colorado Avalanche -0.5 1P (-110)
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