NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Flyers vs Red Wings (Friday, December 22)
(Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) Pictured: Carter Hart
Flyers vs. Red Wings Odds
| Flyers Odds | +115 |
| Red Wings Odds | -140 |
| Over / Under | 6 -122 / +102 |
Oddsmakers see Philadelphia as a significant underdog in this game, despite the fact that the Flyers are red hot and possess a better record than Detroit. Let's see if taking Philadelphia is the smart play as we preview the upcoming contest and offer a Flyers vs. Red Wings prediction.
Let's start by looking at why the Flyers (18-11-3) are regarded as underdogs, despite winning seven of their past nine games, including a 1-0 victory over Detroit on Saturday. The two most obvious factors working against Philadelphia are that this game will be played in Detroit that it'll be the Flyers second match in as many nights, as well as their third game in four days. How big of a deal are those points, though?
The fact that the Flyers will be playing on the road probably doesn't matter at all. They actually have a better away record (10-4-2) than home record (8-7-1) this season. Fatigue is a bit difficult to measure. Philadelphia has a 3-1-0 record in the second half of back-to-backs this year, but has also averaged just 2.25 goals per game in those contests, compared to 2.90 overall. So, it seems reasonable to be concerned about the Flyers' ability to work through the fatigue.
One thing that should help is Carter Hart returning from an illness Thursday to serve as the backup goaltender, which sets him up to start against Detroit on Friday. Hart has been fantastic this year, posting a 9-6-1 record, a 2.42 GAA and a .919 save percentage in 17 contests. He was also hot before getting sick, winning three straight games while saving 92-of-96 shots (.958 save percentage).
With Detroit missing Ville Husso (lower body) and Alex Lyon (upper body), the Flyers should have the edge in goal against probable starter James Reimer, who has a 2-5-2 record, a 2.87 GAA and a .903 save percentage in 10 contests this season.
The Flyers are superior between the pipes, but Detroit looks far better offensively as the Red Wings are tied for fourth with 3.50 goals per game.
Or at least, that's what you'd think at a glance.
Detroit has lost seven of its past eight games and while part of that is due to defensive woes, the Red Wings have also been limited to 2.63 goals per game over that span. They're trending in the wrong direction too, scoring just five goals over their past three contests. That decline has come despite Patrick Kane scoring a respectable two goals and six points since making his Red Wings debut on December 7.
Unfortunately, his success hasn't been replicated by the rest of the forward core. Lucas Raymond is on a four-game point drought and Alex DeBrincat has been held off the scoresheet in four of his past five contests, which is a huge problem because those players are suppose to be centerpieces of the Red Wings' attack.
David Perron has served his six-game suspension and will provide Detroit with another solid middle-six option tonight. Dylan Larkin also returned from a four-game absence Monday and has recorded an assist in each of his past two outings.
The Red Wings are still a very dangerous team offensively, even if we haven't seen that side of them lately.
Flyers vs. Red Wings
Betting Pick & Prediction
I can't ignore the contrast between how good Philadelphia has been recently against the Red Wings' shaky performances. If this contest happened a month ago, I would have likely favored Detroit, but as it is, this seems like an ideal opportunity to chase the greater potential payout that comes from backing an underdog.
The fact that the Flyers have been so good on the road and should have their No. 1 netminder available Friday while Detroit's grappling with goaltending injuries is a big part of what ultimately convinced me to recommend Philadelphia.
Pick: Philadelphia Flyers +120 (Play Down to +110)
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