Flyers vs. Rangers NHL Odds, Pick, Preview (December 1)
Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: Artemi Panarin.
- The Rangers are favored to continue their hot start on Wednesday night against the Flyers.
- New York's top offensive talent has stood out this season, along with elite player between the pipes.
- Greg Liodice breaks down the matchup and makes his betting pick below.
Flyers vs. Rangers Odds
| Flyers Odds | +160 |
| Rangers Odds | -185 |
| Over/Under | 6 |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
It’s Rivalry Night, as the New York Rangers host the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden. Both teams have taken opposite paths this past month and will look to come out on top of this Metropolitan matchup.
Philly fans have not had a ton to cheer for on the ice this season. The injury bug has bitten the Flyers badly, which has caused them to be on the losing end of six straight games. It will only continue to get tougher as they get deeper into the schedule.
The Rangers are starting to reap the benefits of their rebuild. November has been kind to them, having won seven out of their last eight, and they’re only getting started. However, despite New York playing so well, it's in third place in the Metro behind powerhouses Washington and Carolina.
Injured Flyers Struggling to Create Chances
There’s always been some confusion with the Flyers going into every season. One year they’re great, the next they’re a lottery team.
While it was a great start for the boys in orange and black, Philadelphia has quickly fallen near the bottom of the Metro. Injuries to key players like Ryan Ellis, Derick Brassard and Sam Morin hurt. Star center Kevin Hayes was hurt to start the season, but it looks like he may be back for this matchup reuniting with captain Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier and Joel Farabee.
With all the struggles that come with the Flyers, their expected goals per 60 minutes isn’t great either. They currently post a 2.18 xGF and generate the fifth-fewest high-danger chances in the league with 152. The power play hasn’t been anything to write home about either, as Philly is a bottom-five team scoring at a 13.2% rate.
Goaltending has been one of the few bright spots. Carter Hart is having a resurgence after a historically bad sophomore season with a .920 save percentage and an 8.3 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx). Backup Martin Jones has posted similar numbers with a .921 save percentage and a 3.9 GSAx, so the Philly faithful know it'll have a quality netminder in the crease at all times.
Rangers Off to Stellar Start in 2021-22
If the Rangers weren’t in a stacked division, they’d probably have an even better record than they do now, and that’s saying something.
New York has been on a tear recently, and it’s thanks to their high-end talent. With stars like Artemi Panarin, Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad, you’re bound to have a high-powered offense.
While the record has been great with plenty of starpower, the Rangers don’t really drive a ton of offense. They have an expected goals per 60 minutes of 2.33 which is 15th in the NHL, and they're close to being a bottom-10 team in generating 173 high-danger chances. The calling card for New York, however, is its power play, which scores at a 20.3% clip.
Igor Shesterkin has played lights out between the pipes since signing his hefty contract extension. The towering Russian is posting incredible numbers with a .933 save percentage and a 12.6 GSAx. His backup Alexandar Georgiev hasn’t played up to his usual standards, and that has forced Shesterkin to carry a bigger load than usual.
Rangers vs. Flyers Pick
I think this could be a low-scoring game, with the Rangers eventually ending up on top. Both teams have exceptional goaltenders and even with the talent on both ends, this game will be a defensive one at that.
I’m backing the Rangers to take this game and continue their deadly hot streak.
Pick: Rangers ML (-140 or better)
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